Liz Burville has run her Bexley based studios since 1987 and in spite of some set backs this year, Liz Burville Performing Arts was awarded First place in the Dance Teacher's Hub prestigious Awards for "Special Recognition" for continued high standards and success in the work, and students that LBPA produces.

This year has been a difficult year for Liz as , in January she was diagnosed with Bile Duct cancer and has undergone major surgery and chemotherapy (ongoing).

in spite of this , the school has continued to flourish with the support of her fantastic team of expert teaching staff and the school has won many accolades including no less than 8 first place trophies at a Big dance Competition - "Starpower' , current students have successfully auditioned for West End shows - Hannah Bouhamdi -"Billy Elliot" and Caitlin Garcia - "Gypsy".

Past student continue to do extremely well in the fields of film theatre and dance - Lara Pulver is currently playing the lead role of Louise in "Gypsy (she is also known for her BBC appearances in Spooks and Sherlock; Sam Archer is currently working with the National Theatre and until recently was dancing with Matthew Bourne's Dance Company.

Other current West End performers who are ex-students include Ross Sands, Jade Albertson, Paul Saunders, Lisa Gilby and Rachel Grundy (from Bexleyheath) who is about to appear in the revival of "The Rocky Horror Show".

The studio has had four successful examination sessions this year and Liz wrote the school's summer production "The Snow Queen" which featured every student in the school and was greeted by standing ovations when it was produced at the Orchard Theatre, in July.

Although Liz's chemo continues until November the forthcoming year holds lots of new and exciting events! In April LBPA will represent Kent at "Dance Excellence 2016" in Hollywood California and students have been invited to perform aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise liner "Navigator of the Seas" in August! So its all aboard for a bright, positive future for the year to come!

Based on information supplied by Elizabeth Gain.