A DANCE school founder is keeping it in the family as a milestone anniversary approaches.

Julie Storey is handing over the reins of Let’s Dance to her daughter Rachel.

The school started at Weymouth Squash & Fitness Centre with just 15 pupils and now has around 200 members ranging from two to 82-years-old.

Next year will be its 15th year of performing shows at Weymouth Pavilion.

Rachel, who started off dancing at her mum’s school as a child, is now taking over the majority of teaching at the school while Julie will still keep a hand in as principal.

Julie said: “The reason I’m bowing out is because I’m so busy working at Weymouth Pavilion as events manager.

“It’s nice for me to be passing on the main teaching duties to my daughter.

“We started off as a once a week fun club for children who didn’t want to take exams.

“All the other schools around at the time were exam based and there was no option for children who wanted to dance around for fun.”

The age range of Let’s Dance pupils soon expanded and classes are now held six days a week in a range of disciplines ranging from ballet to tap and street dance.

The classes are mostly held at the squash and fitness centre and have been extended to Preston and Chickerell.

Rachel said: “I started dancing at the age of two – I was one of the first pupils in the Let’s Dance school.

“I want to help and nurture pupils to become the best dancers and performers they can and to build confidence in everyone.

“It’s wonderful to see them on the stage and we find different strengths in everyone.”

She has continued to train at Let’s Dance and other schools and enjoyed much success in many dance competitions and festivals around the South West.

Rachel has worked professionally as a backing dancer/choreographer for solo singers and groups and has spent time living and dancing in London as well as studying, which included fitness instructing.

She is also a member and choreographer of the Let’s Dance professional cabaret group Pzazz, alongside fellow Let’s Dance teacher Laura and long standing members of the school.

Pzazz performs locally and around the South West and recently performed at the Weymouth Beach Volleyball England Classic event.

The group has performed dancing and cheerleading at the volleyball competition since 2009 and has been filmed for Sky Sports.

Julie said the Let’s Dance pupils always look forward to their twice-yearly performances at the pavilion, with the next show on February 7.

“We focus on performance opportunities.

“So many parents have come and said to us how amazing it is to see the difference in children. I love seeing the new-found confidence in people.

“We’ve taught a lot of people with special needs and to see how they’ve developed has been wonderful.

“It’s incredible to think how far Let’s Dance has come. I thought it would carry on being a little once a week club but it has just grown and grown.

“We’re the only pay-weekly school around and we’ve always tried to make dance lessons more affordable so that anyone can do it.”

For more details on Let’s Dance visit juliestoreyletsdance.co.uk or call 07967 558346. The next show is being held at the Pavilion on February 7, 2014.