Dancers return to Warrnambool's Melissa's Dance Elements studio

Pivoting in their lounge rooms, students have learnt to adapt in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Melissa Dance, owner of Warrnambool's Melissa's Dance Elements, said the pre-school program was put on hold with each lockdown but some of the older students were able to continue online.

She said some danced in very limited spaces, including in their garages during the winter months, while others invested in flooring to lay over concrete and carpet.

Ms Dance said it hadn't been easy with students missing having a joke or incidental conversations with each other.

But recent changes to restrictions in regional Victoria meant students could return in small groups to studios in the south-west.

Four students returned to Warrnambool's Melissa's Dance Elements last week to do their Ballet Australasian Limited dance exams online from the studio.

Jessica King, Brydie Steel, Tara Alexander and Zara McCreanor performed their grade work in ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop.

Zara said she was feeling nervous ahead of the exam but hoped to do her best and pass.

The 13-year-old said she found online lessons challenging but good.

"You had more time to practice by yourself at home but I did find it hard to learn new things when the internet was cutting out," she said.

"I've stayed motivated as I've felt staying at home and dancing from home is what I love to do. I've felt that helped me stay motivated and helped me to keep going."

Zara said she loved the feeling of dancing.

"When I am dancing I just lose myself and it's another way to express yourself other than words," she said.

Melissa's Dance Elements has around 60 students however not all of those enrolled took part in online classes.

Ms Dance said it was an opportunity to stay connected with each other as much as it was about dance.

"I think if you are a dancer and it's in your blood, there is no off button," she said.

"Like most sports you work so hard to condition your body and that needs constant repetition. If you let it go too long it just makes it a bigger task ahead to regain what you have lost."

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