🩰 Community Spotlight: Meet Erica - Our Ballet Star with a Big Heart

At Pendennis Community Centre, we’re proud to have a vibrant community of people who show up with positivity, passion, and purpose - and Erica is a perfect example.

🩰 Rekindling Joy Through Ballet

Erica joined our Adult Ballet class in February 2024, having never danced before. Her motivation?

💬 “I saw it advertised at the centre and thought, ‘What fun - why not give it a try?’”

🦢 Well into her 70s, Erica says she is not a Silver Swan, she is a Platinum Swan! She wants to encourage people; “it is never too late to try something new.”

Despite being brand new to ballet, Erica embraced the experience wholeheartedly. By December, she was already taking part in her first performance!

What started as a curious step turned into something deeply joyful.

💬 “The thought of me dancing ballet is funny. It makes me smile. I love it because it takes my mind off everything else. I’m in my own little dancing world for the lesson.”

The class has also supported Erica’s physical recovery. After a serious leg injury left her unable to walk for three months, ballet has helped restore her strength and balance.

💬 “I’m sure ballet has helped me get my fitness back.”

🩰 About the Class

Adult Ballet with Kathryn takes place every Wednesday at 7:15pm. It’s a welcoming class for all abilities, perfect for adults wanting to reignite a childhood hobby or explore ballet for the first time.

The class covers barre and centre work, short sequences, and core strengthening exercises, all while boosting mobility, posture, and coordination in a relaxed, fun setting.

Instructor Kathryn brings decades of professional training and teaching experience. She’s a qualified RAD Ballet teacher, ISTD Tap and Modern teacher, and trained at Stella Mann College London with a diploma in Musical Theatre.

There’s also an Adult Demi-Pointe/Pointe class at 8:00pm for those interested in more advanced foot and leg work.

💖 Walking the Walk: Erica’s Incredible MoonWalk for Charity

Outside of the studio, Erica took on the MoonWalk in London earlier this year - a powerful 16.6-mile night-time walk through the city to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer, in support of the charity Walk the Walk.

She completed the walk in an impressive 4 hours and 56 minutes as part of a team that raised a remarkable £6,000.

Erica personally contributed £2,500 to the total by offering beauty treatments at a reduced rate, with many of our volunteers and visitors gladly taking up her offer in support.

Her dedication, warmth, and community spirit shine in everything she does, and we’re so proud to have her as part of our Pendennis Community.

📍 Join Us

Whether you’re looking to dance, connect, or give back, Pendennis Community Centre is here for you. Come and try a class, meet new people, and find your own little moment of joy - just like Erica.