Patricia and Ken Newman. 2011. In front of the studios at Darley House, Cheltenham.
Our story
Patricia Newman was born in Bolton where she spent her childhood living in between two theatres, and found her life-long passion for dance and theatre. Having moved to Gloucester as a teenager, she started her career in dance at The Phyllis Elston School of Dancing, Cheltenham, achieving her diploma in DTA and BBO and later becoming a member of the ISTD.
She was immensely proud of the school she built, which continues to grow with her daughter Wendy as Principal and her granddaughter Lucinda as Vice-Principal.
Wendy Finch, Lucinda Gill and Patricia Newman.
Patricia Newman (1925-2023)
Patricia began teaching in 1946, in various venues around Cheltenham and Gloucester. With her husband Ken Newman as her pianist and manager, she established her own dancing school in 1964. She was extremely well respected and her team of performers, ‘The Pat Newman Dancers’, were in popular demand as entertainers at The Town Hall, The Everyman Theatre and other prestigious venues for many years.
Several of her pupils have gained scholarships to The Royal Ballet School and many pupils have become professional dancers and teachers around UK and beyond.
Sadly, she took her final curtesy on 30th October 2023 at the grand age of 98 years. She is hugely missed by her family, friends, and pupils.
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![Four young girls and one adult woman standing together, holding trophies, in a room with wood-paneled walls and patterned wallpaper. The girls are wearing dresses, one with a crown and tutu, and the woman is dressed in a sleeveless dress, all smiling for the photograph.]()
Late 60's. Studio 1.
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![Black and white photo of a group of children, some dressed as bunnies with ears and others in dresses, gathered for a group photo during a costume event.]()
Mid 50's.
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![Group of young girls and boys in ballet costumes and fireman outfits standing and kneeling on a grassy field, with some holding props like an umbrella and a ring of stones, in an outdoor setting with a building and trees in the background.]()
Late 50's. Imperial Gardens.
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![An elderly man and woman standing outdoors, holding wine glasses, smiling, with trees and a building in the background.]()
1997. Pat & Ken Newman.
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![Black and white photo of young girls in ballet costumes and two older women in traditional clothing, posing with a trophy in front of a curtain.]()
1986. Studio 1.
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![Group of children dressed in costumes and traditional clothing, posing with trophies and medals, likely for a dance or performance event.]()
1987. Studio 1.
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![A group of young girls in ballet practice in a dance studio, with a dance instructor giving instructions.]()
1988. Studio 1 with Mrs Finch.
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![A ballet teacher instructs young students in a dance class, with the students standing in a line at a ballet barre, raising their arms in a pose, in a studio with mirrors, wooden floors, and ballet shoes on the floor.]()
1988. Studio 1 with Mrs Finch.
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![A woman leading a dance with young girls in a dance studio with wooden floors and large windows.]()
1988. Studio 1 with Mrs Finch.
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![A group of young children sitting on the floor in a circle, with an adult woman in the center, in a room with hardwood floors and a wall with a window or mirror.]()
1988. Studio 1 with Mrs Finch.
