By Gillian Ellison

Last updated at 14:30, Friday, 04 November 2011

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THOUSANDS of pupils have waltzed, pirouetted and tapped their hearts out over four generations thanks to a family-run dance school.

With a rich history, the Cowper School of Dance has built up its own unique brand over the past 140 years.

What began as ballroom dancing to a violin in 1871 has progressed through the decades – including the Charleston, jive and Glenn Miller eras – to the current Ipod generation.

But despite the latest technology, modern music and some new dance moves, the school is still steeped in tradition.

And dancers find themselves not only a member of an extended family but also part of the Cowper history.

Adrienne Kelly, school principal, said: “It always has been a real family affair and a lot of past pupils still very much keep in touch, it’s lovely to be part of their lives.

“This isn’t a job for me, it’s a life. Lots of people are in jobs that they don’t enjoy, I enjoy every minute,” she told The Whitehaven News.

And so has Adrienne’s mother, Marion, who was principal before her. “At one time we were the only dancing school in the area and we have seen generations of families over the years, you develop a really strong friendship,” she said.

Both started dancing as soon as they could walk and share a passion which has run throughout their family.

Marion, now 77, said: “When my grandfather died he was described not just as a dance teacher but as a friend. We have always had a really friendly atmosphere.”

They have both spent most of their working lives in Whitehaven but there have been temptations from further afield.

Adrienne worked as a professional dancer for a time and Marion could have been destined for Hollywood.

Adrienne turned professional when she was 19 years old and went to Scarborough as lead dancer, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Norman Wisdom and Tom O’Connor.

But she missed home and teaching the children, which was something she started doing when she was just 15.

“I lasted three months in Scarborough, it just wasn’t me,” she said.

And unbeknown to Marion, her father was asked by Kirby’s Flying Ballets – which came to Whitehaven – if she would go with them to work in Hollywood. It was the world’s first-ever company dedicated solely to the art of performer flying.

“I wouldn’t have gone, but it would have been nice to be asked! I just loved dancing,” said Marion, who was also a model for a time.

Celebrating the major milestone of 140 years, the pair have spent the past seven months organising a spectacular show.

Held recently in Whitehaven Civic Hall, with another to follow this weekend at the Carnegie Theatre, Workington, the show covered all decades and eras such as Strauss, Clog, Charleston, Morris, Old Time Music Hall and Glenn Miller.

A huge success, past pupils from as far as London, Wales and Paris returned to take part.

Adrienne’s great grandfather, Oliver Inman Cowper, founded the school in 1871, at Workington. He was a much-respected dance teacher and was well known all over West Cumbria.

It started with ballroom dancing. “My grandfather would play the violin when he was teaching,” said Marion.

With his wife, Margaret, Mr Cowper was engaged in the music and dancing profession for over 40 years, with Workington as their centre.

He was a clever musician and at one time a great bandmaster and leader whose orchestras included many young men who attained eminence in other places. The next generation, of Paris and Roland Cowper, an accomplished cellist, then took over. Around 1926, Paris and his family emigrated to New Zealand and Roland continued the dancing school while also running a painting and decorating business in Whitehaven.

Their son, Robert, was a double bass player and played in many orchestras including the local group The Empress Rhythm Aces. They also had six artistically-gifted daughters, one being Marion, who was trained by the British Ballet Organisation.

She headed the third generation of the school and is still very much involved now with Adrienne, who teaches under the Association of American Dancing.

Marion remembers when she was nine years old, dancing in the then Queen’s Theatre where the proceeds form the show went to the Prisoner’s of War – and ever since then the school has raised thousands of pounds for various charities.

The dance studio on Cross Street was built by Adrienne’s husband, it had previously been on the other side of the road.

Thousands of costumes have been made over the years by Marion. “In the war years they were made out of paper and then we had parachute silk,” she said.

“I used to sit up all night sewing at one time but not now.”

Adrienne (wisely!) decided not to learn to sew.

The dance school was well known for its spectacular pantomimes in the Queen’s Theatre as well as its other shows.

And, of course, Whitehaven Carnival has always been a showcase for dancers and a member of the school is always chosen as Carnival Queen. In fact the same sceptre which the queen held in 1899 is the same one still used today.

The Crowning Ceremony Marion does is the same one her grandfather did for the May Queen’s in Cousin Charlie’s Carnival in the 1890s.

Now the main dancing at the school is ballet, tap, modern, musical theatre and acrobatic.

“Ballet is a foundation to all dancing,” said Adrienne. “If dancers want to be well trained and good they need to do ballet, it is a discipline.”

She still runs classes every day, including all-day Saturday, and pupils attend from as far as Seascale and Millom. Ages range from two, to women in their forties.

Say the name Cowper to anyone across West Cumbria and it is instantly recognised.

For so many the family has taught them dance, discipline, given them confidence and brought them together to be part of a winning team. A team which still continues to thrive to this day. And long may it do so.

The second of the 140 Years of Song and Dance celebrations takes place this Sunday, November 6, at 2.30pm in Workington’s Carnegie Theatre. It will feature former pupil Robert Gravenor who is now a dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

First published at 11:06, Thursday, 03 November 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk