In this episode you’re going to meet Kate Mensforth. We all call her Miss Kate, she’s the woman that's built a soaring business providing children across the Clare Valley and mid north of South Australia access to the world of dance.

Kate is the brains behind the Clare Valley School of Dance offering all modes of dance ballet, jazz, ACRO, contemporary, hip hop and even ninja kids, appealing to dancers on a recreational level but also giving them the chance to compete on the statewide stage.

Starting with 50 students in 2018 to now over 300 students, 2 campuses and 4 teachers, the business continues to grow.

This episode takes you back to Kate’s early beginnings in dance with the Johnny Young Talent Team in Western Australia, which ignited her passion for dance and performance. She then moved to Adelaide and discovered classical ballet which took her dance career to a whole other level. You’ll hear her journey from her days at Xcel Dance Studios, Footsteps Dance Company, ballroom dancing at Dance Corp, teaching at Geelong College , meeting the love of her life, Luke, at the Havelock, and then her entry into the primary teaching world which drew her and Luke up to Clare Valley in SA’s Mid north.

But this creative journey in dance has come with some serious challenges for Kate. A couple of years into establishing Clare Valley School of Dance, Kate was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor, followed with a diagnosis of an extremely rare auto-immune condition in her pituitary which has continued to plague her health for the past 5 years. But these experiences would have stopped most people in their tracks - but not Kate. Even during her lowest times, not once did she consider closing the doors on her beloved dance school, in fact her determination has not wavered as she continues to live out her childhood dream and create dreams for hundreds of young dancers in the Valley.

The words Amazing, Inspiring and Passionate are over-used in this day and age, but these words I would truly describe Kate Mensforth.

Enjoy!!

Clare Valley School of Dance - https://www.clarevalleydance.au/
Xcel Dance Studios - https://www.xceldancestudios.com.au/
Footsteps Dance Company - https://footstepsdancecompany.com.au/

Voice it - https://voiceit.me/

My name is Annabelle Homer, I am a former ABC broadcast journalist and presenter. I now run my own business specialising in podcasting for organisations, voice coaching and public speaking training for individuals, groups and corporates. I also MC professional events and record and produce audio memoirs for families. Reach out if any of those services interest you.