A dedicated Gateshead dance instructor is set to mark a remarkable anniversary.
In June, Hazel Rayson, from Ryton, will celebrate 60 years of teaching dance. And, at 78 years old, the great-grandmother has no intention of stopping any time soon.
Hazel's love of dance began at five years old, when she joined the Bolam School of Dancing at Blaydon Scout Hut. She went on to dance in local pantomimes and competitions, taking dance exams and opening her first dance school in 1962 at the age of just 18.
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Alongside teaching her classes from a Royal British Legion base in Swalwell, Hazel was working full time as a secretary for a solicitor's firm in Newcastle, and was one of the six original dance performers hired for the re-opening of Balmbra's Music Hall in 1962 to coincide with the centenary of the Blaydon Races.
Dancers from the Hazel Rayson Theatre Dance Studio have since become an institution at the Blaydon Races and have proudly performed every year for the last 35 years at the June 9 race.
After turning the dance school into her full-time profession she taught from a number of different locations across Gateshead, in 2013 moving into her current dance studio, based in the old co-op building on the main road at Crawcrook.
She's taught hundreds, if not thousands, of pupils over her career, including three generations of her own family, as well as the children and grandchildren of former pupils. A group of current and former pupils are now planning to come together to mark the impressive anniversary with a dance exhibition, to show off all that Hazel has taught them.
Hazel said: "It's hard to believe it's been that many years. It's hard to believe that it's my great-grandchildren dancing, that the little girls who came to me are now bringing their children along.
"Over 60 years it all melds together a bit, but when you have something like this all the memories do come up, having all the people coming back to dance from different areas and different times in my life. It's quite a mix of people and it will probably be very emotional seeing them all together."
The veteran performer and educator may be past what many would see as retirement age, but she has no plans to hang up her ballet shoes.
She said: "Yes, I do feel old sometimes but most of the time I don't feel that old at all. I think when something's in your bones you just do it, you don't think about stopping."
Daughter Helen Proud, 55, added: "She's not just a dance teacher, she's been a social worker, a shoulder to cry on, it all goes along with the job. The kids stay friends for a long time and they learn a lot from it, being a part of it people have to come together as a team and help each other.
"She does put everything into it - she's always said we'll be taking her out of the studio in a box."
Philanthropic Hazel has also offered plenty of support to charity through performances and fundraisers over the years, and in 2013 she was awarded the B.E.M. for services to dance in the North East and for her charity work.
On June 25, a special night of dance will be held at Whitley Bay Playhouse in Hazel's honour, with former students from across her career coming together to perform. More information and tickets are available at: https://www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk/events/an-audience-with-hazel-rayson-theatre-dance-studio/
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