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| File:Logo | |
| Company type | Dance Class Franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Dance |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Halifax |
| Website | www |
babyballet is a dance class franchise that is focused on providing ballet classes for boys and girls from 6 months to 6 years.
History
editIn 1999, Claire O’Connor started ballet classes for very young children with her mum, Barbara Peters, a trained dancer and ballet teacher. Their vision was to "create a dance experience for little ones that was both magical and educational".
In 2005, babyballet began with 10 pupils attending dance classes in a children’s play gym in Halifax. It now has over 100 franchised and licensed schools[1] operating throughout the UK, Australia and New Zealand, teaching dance to young children. In addition to the classes, babyballet now also has a range of themed parties, merchandise, live entertainment and events. Lessons include standing and floor-based exercises and learning routines with props such as teddy bears. babyballet is reported to be popular with the children of celebrities[2] including Jools Oliver, wife of chef Jamie, and presenter Myleene Klass.
Recognition
editClaire and the babyballet brand have won awards[3] including ITV Mumpreneur, Retail Business of the Year 2015[4] at the Forward Ladies Women in Business national finals; Best Business Parent at the Mum and Working Awards; Halifax Courier Young Business Person (2007); and Entrepreneur (2008). Claire was featured in a Channel 4 documentary 'Big Ballet' exploring issues of size in the world of ballet.
References
edit- ^ [http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/how-big-ballet-star-claire-13635618/ Huddersfield Examiner - How Big Ballet star Claire O'Connor spotted a gap in the dance market (18th September 2017)
- ^ [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3067852/Ballet-helps-s-boy-3-leap-ahead-Archie-walk-jump-hop-classes-send-confidence-soaring.html#ixzz4totmEjyz/ Daily Mail - Three-year-old Archie struggled even to walk because of Down's Syndrome but is now jumping and dancing thanks to ballet (4th May 2015)
- ^ [http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/babyballet-scoops-top-dance-awards-1-7396075/ Halifax Courier - babyballet scoops top dance awards (8th August 2015)
- ^ [http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/business/potting-shed-spa-founder-wins-10523763/ Huddersfield Examiner - Potting Shed Spa founder wins national award (2nd December 2015)
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/babyballet-scoops-top-dance-awards-1-7396075