14th January 2022
Barbara Peters, 83, put her best foot forward as the dance legend stepped into the small screen! After being followed for a day at a Brighouse studio by the BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two’ crew, the ballet teacher and co-founder of children’s dance school babyballet® showed the nation why age shouldn’t prevent you from doing what you love, learning something new and keeping active.
Barbara, who is known as one of Britain’s oldest ballerinas, previously appeared on BBC’s The Greatest Dancer in 2019 at the age of 80. She enchanted audiences around the UK with her youthfulness, energy and clear passion for delivering professionally trained performances. Having danced since she was just two years old and subsequently being trained at the Royal Academy of Dance at 19, Barbara has now been a dancer for 81 years and continues to inspire the people she teaches on a daily basis.
Now teaching adults at Dance Arena in Brighouse, Barbara encourages more people, regardless of their age, to take up ballet:
“It’s been lovely to have the opportunity to show the nation that age shouldn’t dictate your ability to dance! I feel vibrant every time I dance - it brings out my youthfulness on a daily basis and there’s no reason why it can’t do the same for anyone else. It’s important to realise that it’s not about experience. I teach people of all abilities and it’s amazing to see the uplifting results ballet has on people from all walks of life.
“Appearing on It Takes Two is an absolute privilege as I’m a huge Strictly fan. It’s my ultimate dream to be on the main show one day. As we emerge from the pandemic, it's great to see that more people have been inspired to take up dance or restart their dance hobby again.”
Barbara’s daughter and co-founder of babyballet®, Claire O’Connor, shares her mum’s incredible story to inspire the next generation of dancers around the world, delivering fun, educational and magical dance classes to children between the ages of 6 months to 6 years old via their global network of franchisees.
Claire said:
“My mum is a shining example of age not defining you and to always follow your passion. I think it's amazing that she’s almost 84 and she’s still dancing. It's wonderful that she still reaps the benefits and rewards that dance brings.
"After a lifetime devoted to teaching others to dance, I'm so proud to see her get the credit she deserves and what's even more uplifting is that she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon!”
21st January 2022
babyballet® has been awarded the What’s on 4 Kids ‘Most Loved Music, Dance or Performing Arts Activity Franchisor or Independent with 20+ Leaders Overall'.
18th January 2022
babyballet® has embarked on a new magical adventure, with its first ever book release!
11th January 2022
babyballet® has had a lot to celebrate since reopening its doors and welcoming thousands of families back into their classes.
23rd November 2021
As children across the nation are returning back-to-school, babyballet is well and truly back-to-show business!
5th October 2021
babyballet® has demonstrated its position as an industry leader of children’s dance franchising.
It is a whole year since I started my babyballet franchise and it has been the fastest year of my life! I’ve absolutely loved it and can’t wait to see what each year brings. This was easily the best decision I’ve ever made. Thank you so much to the head office team for welcoming me to the family with open arms, and to Claire for being such a fab big boss and inspiration.Miss Suzy babyballet® Franchisee, Worsley and Walkden
The training to join the babyballet franchise family was fantastic. During the initial training course, every aspect of running a business was covered – from office and admin management through to running the dance classes themselves. From day one I felt like part of the babyballet team and nothing was too much trouble – no matter how many questions or queries I had!Miss Jessie babyballet® Franchisee, Dartford, Bexley and Bromley
It’s my 8th year as a babyballet franchisee and I still absolutely love it! The magic of teaching preschoolers their first steps combined with the flexibility of being my own boss, all the while knowing that I have the backing and support of such a fantastic brand, is just the best feeling ever.Miss Leanne babyballet® Franchisee, Livingston and Falkirk