During the last 25 years Kazzajazz dance teacher Alana Hyde has taught thousands of children.
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Many of her early students loved it so much they still come as adults and some are bringing their own children.
Miss Alana has taught people who have gone on to professional careers such as Laura Potter, Laura Watchorn, Mikayla Okely and her own son Jesse Hyde who is now an actor.
Her daughter Brodie Hyde is also a dancer but has trained as a doctor and is about to become a pediatrician.
The majority of Miss Alana's students love to dance because it makes them feel good. In the process their teacher has left such a lasting impact she has been named The Most Loved Ready Set Dance Teacher in Australia and New Zealand.
"I have never received an award for my teaching. It is great to be acknowledged because it is a lot of work. It really is my life long passion so I was really thrilled to be recognised".
Ready Set Dance is a nationally recognised program. When it decided to start its own awards it encouraged dance schools to nominate someone and have them prepare a video. She put together A Day In The Life video with the help of her son and she was chosen as a national finalist.
More then 17,000 people have watched the video on the web and social media and Kazzajazz Modern Dance Studio principal Karen Lees was then interviewed. She said the judges wanted to know shy she thought Miss Alana was so special to all her students.
She told them how she captivates children from the outset with her introduction that goes "Hi I am Miss Alana and my name rhymes with banana".
Ms Lees said her senior teacher met children on their level and never talks over the top of her students. She said patience was also a virtue for teaching young children and Miss Alana has that in spades. She is also a part of their growth as they get older. She gets to know them as a person.
"I know their interests and their likes," Ms Alana said.
"And by getting to know their personality I can really help them"'.
The award winner was announced at the Ready Set Dance national conference in Sydney.
Ms Alana takes more than 20 classes a week.
Some are for children as young as two. She also teaches adults.
"I teach all styles of dancing from jazz, tap, ballet and hip hop to contemporary. Teaching the children of some of my students now is so good," she said.
Miss Alana said she teaches dancing because she loves it. She started dance lessons herself at the age of three after her mother saw her dancing at home.
"I went on to become a professional dancer and started teaching dance when I met Karen. I thought it might be something I can do on the side".
But 25 years later Miss Alana is still teaching.
"I really do love it. And I love kids. They can really tell if you are genuine. You have got to really get to know them. And once you start you can't stop. I love to see the growth of the kids. I enjoy seeing the them have fun and develop a love for dancing".
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
