A Workington dance teacher will bring down the curtain on her 33-year career with one last toe-tapping show.

Karen Hetherington, 53, fulfilled a childhood dream when she started Karen Ann School of Theatre Dance but she believes it is the right time to hold one last show, The Finale, in Workington’s Carnegie Theatre on Sunday, January 22.

She said: “It’s been really difficult the last couple of weeks and every time I see the children dance it’s hard but it’s the right time.”

After being encouraged to sit her full teaching qualification in ballet, tap and modern, Karen originally set up the school to teach youngsters in Harrington and Seaton.

“To teach dance was my dream job,” she said.

“I teach children now whose parents came when they were younger, which is lovely.

“I’ve danced since the age of five but I always wanted to teach.”


While many old hobbies have declined in popularity, dance has remained popular in West Cumbria and Karen believes it is down to the connection between teacher and pupil.

“It’s the feel for the music and the rapport you get with the dancers that keeps dance popular,” she said.

“It’s been brilliant watching them grow up and a lot of them since I said I was retiring have got in touch.”

Karen has always been a keen traveller between term times and she plans to spend her retirement travelling around the country with her partner Colin in their motorhome.

Having taught hundreds of dancers, she admitted it has been hard to let go of dancing and has helped her pupils find new schools.