The Huelsmann family have been conducting a course in social dance for over forty years.
In Melbourne, Tony Huelsmann, his wife Sandra and staff, taught in over twenty-eight private schools after school and in the evening (six evenings per week).
Mr Huelsmann was a graduate of the I.S.T.D. (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing), London, and taught ballroom dancing at the German Theatre in Munich for seven years.
In his prime, Mr Huelsmann was third best in the world in Latin American dance.
Mr and Mrs Huelsmann and staff ran a tight ship but also ensured the students had fun whilst learning to dance.
Student’s learn approximately ten – twelve dances in eight lessons and at the final class have the opportunity to show their parents what they have learnt.
The Huelsmann family moved to Queensland in 1983 and started teaching at Brisbane Boys’ College with girls attending from Stuartholme, St Aidan’s, Somerville House, St Margaret’s and Clayfield College.
The family have taught at St Hilda’s School on the Gold Coast with boys attending from The Southport School for over thirty years.
Angela Dahl (Huelsmann) has continued to carry on the family tradition and runs the dance course at Brisbane Boys College with girls attending from St Aidan’s, Stuartholme and St Margaret’s.
Even though the dance classes are an extra-curricular activity, the social dance classes have become very popular over the years and the majority of students who are eligible enrol in the program.
The social aspect of the dance classes is just as important as learning the dance steps.
As the students attend single sex schools, it is very beneficial for them to socialise and learn appropriate behaviour while learning the dance steps in a relaxed and safe environment.
By the end of the dance course, the students have formed some great friendships. Some students’ even stay in touch with each other all through high school and beyond.
The dance classes have resulted in a few marriage proposals which is wonderful.