A YOUNG WOMAN who took over a dance school at 20 years old has been commended for her teaching.

Emma Ledger, 21, of Pogmoor, Barnsley, was asked to take over Lisa Jones school of Dance, based in Darton, which she was a member of from being three years old.

Eager to ensure the dancers at Lisa Jones’ can perform to the best of their ability, she took over the school in April last year and Emma Ledger School of Dance was born.

The school is made up of 55 pupils under 18 who learn ballet, tap, gymnastics, contemporary dance and jazz.

Emma said: “I’ve always been interested in teaching dance.

“Since I was 14 I have been helping out, teaching the younger classes and I have always been committed to making sure that the students are dancing to the best of their ability.

“When Lisa spoke to me about stepping down, she commended me on how committed I was and how she couldn’t think of anyone better to take over.

“I was at a point in my life where the timing was perfect so I decided to take it on.”

Emma, who has a first class honours degree in contemporary dance, spends Tuesdays and Fridays running classes at Darton Village Hall, and the work has paid off, as the school achieved a 100 per cent pass rate during their recent IDTA exams, with one pupil scoring 92 per cent in her first exam.

Emma said: “I love working with the children and putting everything I’ve got into the school.

“I’m excited for the future and what we have to come. We are currently preparing for our dance show in November which will be an amazing opportunity to showcase how far we have come.

“We are a small school but we have big ambitions and this is just the start.”