By BRIDGET SCOTT
MICHELE Martinez knows all too well how hard it can be to fit in if you’re not the same as everyone else around you.
At 26 years of age she first started dancing as a mature-aged student, and said it wasn’t unusual for her to be picked on because she wasn’t your typical student.
With this in mind Ms Martinez then made it her aim to run a dance school which was inclusive of everyone, no matter what age, gender or ability.
Dusk Dance Academy has been up and running for four years now and hosts about 80 students.
Ms Martinez, who just finished her Certificate IV, said she welcomed any students, including those with disabilities and mature aged dancers.
“We have students here that have autism, Asperger’s, hearing loss and learning disabilities,” she said.
“That’s what we’re all about – about being inclusive.”
Ms Martinez said she knows what a standard school is like, where sometimes the typical size six dancer isn’t welcome.
“I am all about anybody can dance – from day one; I know I wanted my own school where everyone can feel comfortable.”
The Pakenham resident said they weren’t a competitive school, but more based around a family orientation.
She said the best part about being a teacher was seeing her students reach their goals.
“For me, it’s the enjoyment of seeing a student who can’t do a dance move, then they practice and all of a sudden you can see their face light up and they’ve got it,” she said.
“They know what they’re doing.”
Ms Martinez said she loved seeing kids walk in and out of her doors with a smile on their face, and prides herself on having low absenteeism at her school.
“For me it’s all about seeing them and the fact that they want to be here,” she said.
“All I want for people is to feel included.”
Ms Martinez said her students ranged from two years of age to 48 years, and she saw people walk in her doors who had never danced before.
“(We have) mature agers who have never danced before and thought they couldn’t do it,” she said.
“It’s all about inclusion.”
