Dance 2873 in the small community of Tottenham has only been in operation for a year, but it is already making a mark with its new Outreach Dance program, which hopes to provide bush kids with a chance to dance from wherever they are situated.

Studio owner Natasha Levick, (or Miss Tash as the kids call her) has dedicated a weekday solely to students who are unable to physically make it into a dance studio, whether it be because of distance, disabilities, difficulty for parents due to work commitments, Mrs Levick just really wants kids to dance.

According to Mrs Levick it took a head clearing run in the paddock for the idea to come to fruition.

Students of Dance 2873 from the tiny town of Tottenham. [IMAGE SUPPLIED]

“One day on a run I was thinking about all my gorgeous dance kids from Tottenham, particularly the kids that don’t quite fit in our very sport orientated community, in terms of physical activity.

“These kids often get lost or worse still lose confidence in themselves and unlike their peers they simply don’t enjoy sport. It made me think how these kids flourished in the creative arts setting of dance.

“In my mind’s eye I could picture the little kid driving their mum mad on a rural property, dancing around the kitchen but with no access to dance and so my idea was born.

“I knew there would be a way to share dance and the way it can truly help a child’s confidence, love for themselves and movement, no matter where they lived or how isolated they were,” said Mrs Levick.

Baby dancers at Tottenham after a happy lesson. [IMAGE SUPPLIED]

Students who enrol hop online each Tuesday in school term and are taught live by Miss Tash in real time, learning full routines and skills in the comfort of home in genres of ballet, jazz and musical theatre for both junior and senior students.

“At the end of term 3 students will receive costumes in the mail and a video will be taken to share with family and friends. If any of the students are close enough to Tottenham and available to attend rehearsals, they are free to attend in person and perform in the annual concert, which would be so exciting,” said Mrs Levick.

Students of Dance 2873 Tottenham at 2024 end of year concert. [IMAGE SUPPLIED]

Lisa Masters is situated between Condobolin and Tullamore, has enrolled daughter Claire and says she is looking forward to taking part in the program.

“Having the Outreach program for us makes it easy to give Claire the opportunity of dance, which we couldn’t have done otherwise. We have one excited little girl,” said Mrs Masters.

Mrs Levick believes the program will allow rural kids from across the country to learn the joy of dance, being taught by a rural teacher who understands country life and with students already enrolled from Pooncarie, Wee Waa, Tullamore and Condobolin she is well on her way to making dreams come true for country kids.

Ready to dance. [IMAGE SUPPLIED]

Mrs Levick was successfully chosen to take part in the Australian Ballet Immersion program in 2024, which gave her the opportunity to spend a week at the Australian Ballet and see the amazing work they do firsthand and to take home new skills for her students.

“It’s not about being a Prima Ballerina but rather finding a love for dance and creative endeavours. A safe space for a child to be themselves and enjoy movement,” she said.