Teacher Angela Perry taught dance to The Project host Carrie Bickmore and remembers her as a keen, determined student.
Camera IconTeacher Angela Perry taught dance to The Project host Carrie Bickmore and remembers her as a keen, determined student. Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

Dance teacher’s claim to fame

Belinda Cipriano, Stirling TimesEastern Reporter

Mrs Perry taught The Project host dance from 1993 to 1997 at Perth College and while she was not as skilled as other students, according to the drama teacher, she was always willing to give it a go.

‘Carrie was always there, always willing to try new things, new events,’ she said.

‘She had studied some dance when younger but had stopped, so although she was not as skilled as the others which didn’t matter to me, she certainly was determined enough to give everything a go and succeed.’

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Mrs Perry, now a dance teacher at Christ Church Grammar School, said with time Bickmore became a better performer.

‘She performed in many big events for the National Drug Offensive Rock Eisteddfods, National Dance Week, Interschool Dance Festivals,’ she said.

‘She started off in small parts, but during the five years she rose to be a leading dancer, then on to choreographer and teaching other girls and, finally, my Dance Captain in her last year.’

Describing Bickmore as someone with great values, ethics and determination Mrs Perry said it did not surprise her that her former student had become a national success story.

‘Carrie was always bright, positive, bags of energy and when I first saw her on Rove and later The Project, I was not surprised of her achievements as I saw this very early on,’ she said.

As for being recognised as someone who influenced Bickmore’s life, Mrs Perry said she was honoured to know Bickmore rated her so highly.

‘I’m very honoured considering she would have had many teachers over her 16 years of education.’

Mrs Perry noted the most rewarding part of her 30-year career included witnessing her students live a life-long dream and helping others see dance as integral and normal to other activities in their life, particularly boys.

She was also pleased that the dance teaching profession was recognised for World Teachers Day.