Suncountry Dance Principal and teacher Kerry Seamer celebrated 30 years in business with dance students and their families joining her on a 30th anniversary tour to Dubai in September.
Lovers of dance in the local area would have come across Suncountry Dance Principal and teacher Kerry Seamer over the years with Kerry recently celebrating 30 years in business.
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Yarrawonga born and bred Kerry was born with dance in her veins, making her way into the industry at an early age as a dancer before opening her own business while she was finishing school.
“My mum said I danced before I could walk. As a baby I’d hold the TV cabinet and bob, wiggle myself around to any ads etc,” Kerry said.
“I began dancing with Sundance under Beverley Marsh. By the age of 12 I was helping her with tinytot classes and choreographed and taught my first solo to another student.
“I continued to dance under a number of different teachers over the next few years until I was 18 years old. I also took years or Calisthenics classes. I took dance exams with three different academics in tap, jazz and ballet.
“I competed in a huge number of competitions, eisteddfods, and concerts. I performed at 15 years old on Prime TV and was also a cheerleader for Albury Basketball in my teens.
“I began teaching solely whilst doing VCE at Galen College in Wangaratta and then officially opened my own dance business in October 1993 at the end of Year 12.
“I was 17 years old, and I operated out of various halls. I then went on to purchase the Squash Court building from the RSL Club in Mulwala late in the 90s.
“I then studied Aerobic and Personal training and operated Aerobic classes for many years until the birth of my first child and ran the squash courts with a committee.
“I was there for 14 years; time just goes by!
“I sold that property in 2010 the year I had my last baby and also taught for a number of years in Tungamah and Strathmerton before closing both those studios to set up in Cobram where I continue to teach today.
“I have continued to run this until current, celebrating 30 years to date.”
With three decades in the one business and the type of industry Kerry is a part of, there are many highlights and memories with dancing competitions and overseas trips being right at the top of the list.
“There have been a lot of highlights during the past 30 years for Suncountry Dance and its students,” Kerry said.
Kerry has had great success in her dance business over the past 30 years with Ava Fasoli, Natalie Munn, Isla Parker and Indi Perks loving their time at the dance school.
“Many years of dancers competing in the prestigious ”Crown Championship“ in Melbourne, a luxurious event with some of Australia’s most talented dance schools, where I also had the privilege of adjudicating for many of those years.
“I had a group of dancers back in the mid-90s perform on ‘Hey Hey It’s Saturday.
“I’ve been the co-organiser of three dance tours with students performing internationally.
“In 2015 we went to Hong Kong with 62 people and performed at ”Disneyland“, then in 2018 we went to Singapore with 38 people and performed at ”Merlion Park“ on Sentosa Island.
“Our most recent tour as a celebration of 30 years in business was to Dubai with 34 people on board.
“We had lots of cultural experiences and fun filled days. Memories made that will last a lifetime.
“Going on group dance occasions to Moulin Rouge and midnight musicals in Melbourne have also been fun.”
As is common in this day and age, people have several career changes before they find the one they want to remain in for the rest of their working life.
However Kerry found hers right from the start and has no intention of leaving the dance world, instead coming up with new ideas to further expand her business.
“I have stayed in the industry as long due to the success of my dance school and love of what I do, with all the dancing, children, costumes, makeup and music,” Kerry said.
“I’ve never considered a change of career.
“I plan to continue offering classes and dance opportunities for all my students.
“This year’s concerts are being held at the Corowa Memorial Hall on Saturday, December 9. A special invitation to all past students is extended to come along and join in the celebrations of Suncountry Dance turning 30!”
To succeed in business especially in small towns requires an army of support behind you, something Kerry has had and continues to have in abundance.
“Thank you to all the families that have been a part of my dance family over these past three decades,” Kerry said.
“A huge thank you towards the success of my business goes to my parents Bruce and Jeanette Blick, my husband Steve and our three daughters, also my brother Paul and his wife Danni and my in laws Jan and Noel Tinney. Love Kerry.”
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