TESTIMONIALS

"I love Fortitude because you always get to be yourself and express your feelings through the amazing dances that Marie choreographs. Marie has given me the confidence to even choreograph my own dances with my friends and I had I fantastic time performing all the dances."
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​Francesca (Age 12)

"Fortitude is just fantastic, it’s so inclusive. Everyone is a dancer and made to feel like they can really dance. Marie makes it all happen and before you know it they are on the stage and shining with confidence. My daughter loves it, loves the performance opportunities and we love watching her and all of the Fortitude Crew."

​ Amanda (Parent)

"I love fortitude because I learn brilliant dances that make me feel happy."

​Coby (Age 8)

"Coby loves coming to Fortitude lessons. He gets a real buzz from the music and dance moves. Marie is an excellent teacher who works hard to connect with the kids. He always comes home excited by what he has learnt and it’s a great way of using up lots of energy. He worked really hard on the show and loved the experience – he was on a high afterwards!"

Katie (Parent)

"I love coming to dance every Thursday. It’s a passion I’ve had for a very long time. Thanks to Marie I have great opportunities to perform. Fortitude is my family, Marie has been teaching me for 7 years and it is an honor to dance for her every Thursday. I’ll always love dance I’ll never forgot who gave me this love."

 Maisy (Age 10)

"Fortitude is a family, a family that is united by one thing, dance. I love coming every Thursday because I know that, when I walk through the door I will be with people who share my passion for dance, and if it wasn’t for Marie I probably wouldn’t be dancing anymore."

Frankie (Age 15)

"At Fortitude my children are inspired to dance in a happy, friendly environment with the emphasis on fun, enthusiasm and dedication rather than ability. We look forward to the Fortitude show every year and are constantly amazed at the professionalism of the children and the joy with which they dance. I am eternally grateful to Marie and her team for the work they put into making dance enjoyable and inclusive whilst at the same time challenging the children creatively and physically. Fortitude is time spent socialising, exercising and learning a skill rather than sitting in front of a screen. Thank  you Marie."

​Caroline (Parent)

"I love Fortitude! It is so fun and I always enjoy learning the dances. Maris is so kind and helpful when you don’t get a move. She is a great role model to all the kids and an inspiration to us all. I love the dances and the music. Fortitude is the best!"

Mari (Age 9)

"My daughter absolutely loves her Thursday evenings at Fortitude and did from day one. She loves to dance all the time and Marie and her staff  keep everything so fresh that the kids are constantly learning new moves and being introduced to all types of music. I don’t know how the kids remember everything, it’s a real compliment to just how good Fortitude company is."

​Fran (Parent)

"I like Fortitude because I can meet new people that are not from my school and it keeps you fit. I like doing the show and the theater."

​Eric (Age 9)

"I like fortitude because I can make friends and learn dances. I love dancing it’s my favourite thing to do."

Ray (Age 9)

"Apart from the fun, social and creative side to Fortitude, it had helped my boys to develop a personal sense of responsibility of support for others in a large group of people."

​Andy (Parent)

"I think Fortitude Dance Company is a great way for students to express themselves through something they enjoy. It also gives them a break from the stress of school or home and allows them to be themselves. The dances are always fun and energetic but they can also give you a challenge. This is not just a Dance Company, it’s a family so you get to see and be with your friends, especially if you don’t see them often. You also get to meet new people and learn new styles of dance."

​Kyel Sin (Age 13)

"Fortitude is a Fantastic place for students like my daughter to explore, meet new friends and just be themselves. You get to learn a new passion in different styles of dance as well as learn new and useful life skills. Students can just chill and take a break from school and home."

Mr Lay (Parent)

"I like seeing my friends, dancing makes me feel like I fit in. And have a lovely teacher called Marie. When I go home I practice my dancing and feel happy about it.  I love dancing!"

 Shira (Age 7)

"Fortitude makes me feel special and I fit in with the group I dance with, dance is my favourite word thanks to Marie. I feel like dancing is in my blood. I feel on top of the world when I am dancing. My favourite style of dance is street dance. Marie makes me feel amazing. I wonder when she gets to sleep? She has got so many dances to teach and so many children every Thursday. I love you Marie!"

​Maia (Age 9)

"Maia and Shira look forward to Fortitude all week, they have made great friends and it is more like a family where everyone knows each other and looks out for each other, from the youngest to the oldest. The shows are a very high level, always creative, unexpected and exciting. The atmosphere of parents and dancers is electric, uplifting and brings everyone together. Maia’s confidence and self esteem have me nurtured and she takes on all challenges."

Susanna (Parent)

"I love Fortitude. It is the place where I can express myself and be with my friends. I have also made a lot of friends from other schools. Dance is part of my heart! If I didn’t go to Fortitude I wouldn’t be as happy, anyone can dance if they practice. The shows we do are fabulous and make mums and dads proud. Marie is such a great teacher and is so helpful. Dance is power and Fortitude is powerful. I absolutely, positively love Fortitude."

Leila (Age 10)

"​I think Fortitude is great because I am so happy there and the dances are wonderful. I have so much fun there. It the best dance class in the world and I love it, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else. Marie is the best dance teacher in the whole world. Marie makes up the best dances that I would never even dream of, I think she is the best. I was nervous because last year was my first show but Marie helped me and everyone remember and practice all the dances. This year we are doing six dances. There are 3 groups, the younger, middle and older."

​ Isabel (Age 10)

"I like fortitude because everyone is kind to me and I’m always next to my friends in the dances. I have lots of fun in the shows and I can’t wait for this year’s show."

Dominic (Age 8)

"Fortitude is an amazing company. Both of my children attend the classes and thoroughly enjoy it. Marie is a dedicated teacher who encourages every single child to participate. She is patient and listens to all of the children’s ideas. I would recommend fortitude to everyone!"

​Rachel (Parent)

"I love fortitude because it makes me feel happy and part of a family. I love doing the show because when I do my solo it makes me feel special. The thing I love about practice is that it means I can meet new people and make new friends. We cooperate really well with each other and everyone is included. I love Marie, she is so kind and makes sure everyone is happy."

Ella (Age 10)

"We love Fortitude, it has given our daughter so much confidence and brilliant dancing skills, we love the fact that Fortitude is fully inclusive – no auditioning to get in – all you need is commitment and enthusiasm. Marie works incredibly hard and the children love her for it. We are very pleased to have fortitude in our lives."

​Sarah & Paul (Parents)

"I like Fortitude because Marie is very nice and teaches us cool dance moves, she also chooses really cool songs. At the end of the year we get to perform in a theater and before that show we do other performances in the year."

Gracie (Age 9)

"Fortitude is very fun because we get to learn cool dances and perform in real theaters. I like the songs because they are famous songs that I know. I like Marie very much and when I perform I get very excited."

​Max (Age 7)

"I would really recommend Fortitude to anyone. My kids love it and can’t wait to go each week!  Marie and her team are so dedicated and put so much effort in to make the performances really special and of such a high standard. I particularly love how inclusive it is, no matter of a child’s ability or confidence, everyone’s contribution is valued. Fortitude staff – we think you are fab!"

​Immy (Parent)

"​I came to Fortitude because I love dancing and don’t get much time to dance at home. At home I can’t make dance moves like Marie so that is another reason why I came to Fortitude."
                                                                                                                             
​Lola (Age 6)

"Lola was singing the praises of Fortitude long before she started because a lot of her friends already attended. Since joining in November, Lola has thoroughly enjoyed her lessons and fits in practice as often as she can. She is more confident and outgoing and cannot wait for the big show this year. Long may it continue!"
                      
​Gemma (Parent)          ​

"My son Freddy has been a member of Fortitude right from the beginning and has already taken part in two big shows - as well as several local festivals and a Nelson Mandela tribute performance. He was quite introverted when he first joined and didn’t know any of the other children, however, in spite of this, he has flourished in so many ways. He loves dancing, and also choreographing his own routines, and Marie has been fantastic at encouraging and supporting his creativity. Fortitude has a brilliant ethos. Marie and the other staff have created a wonderful atmosphere where the children feel respected and valued. Freddy has made friends, grown in confidence and I know he feels he is part of something very special."

Anne-Marie (Parent)

"Dance is not just a sport, it is a way to express you. For me it gives me a passionate feeling that when I dance I feel special. With dance you can forget about your past and just break free. Dance is a way of life; it is a story just waiting to be told. Sometimes dance can be a challenge but when you realise your true potential you can shine as bright as the sun. I feel like if I hadn't been taught by Marie my life wouldn't be complete. When I dance I can be me, be who I am and be the true me. For me dance is the one thing I do best, it is my chance to shine. I am genuinely not good at spelling and math but when I dance i forget about things that I can't do because it doesn't matter as long as I am doing what I love. Dance for me is the one thing I do best, the one thing I am most proud of and the thing that my mum is truly proud of. Dance is truly the one thing that I love most. The best thing that has ever happened to me is dance and if dance was invented there would be no point in living. Sometimes I feel sorry for people who don't dance because they are missing out on a lot especially is they don't dance with Marie. Dance is everything to me. Dance is my passion, my world and I owe it all to Marie."

 Allana (Age 11)

"I have been doing dance for 3 years with Marie, she has told us a lot about dance and what it is about and what its purpose is. The main success with Marie is having fun developing my dance skills and accomplishing something new in my life. I feel very passionate about dance and how it makes me feel, its like I can express myself. Dance is how anyone can express themselves, what each person thinks about dance is their opinion. Dance to me is like a book waiting to be open and to tell its tale of how it makes you feel. I believe Marie's dance will do something to the world, and help me get through life. Marie is truly one of the best dance teachers that ever lived and no one can beat her. She will always stay in my heart as the true dance teacher of the world."

Levi (Age 11)

"I like coming to Fortitude because we can express ourselves and work together when we are dancing. In all our dances we use different types of dance styles like Street dance, Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary etc. Marie is the best dance teacher because she is amazing at dance and teaching us different styles. I have known Marie for 6 years and I know I'm never going to quit Fortitude because we are like a family and it wouldn't be the same without it"

Rachel (Age 12)