A “part-time princess” from Swanley is making children smile with her unique sing-a-long and dance parties.
Mum-of-two Rachel Cavanagh, 26, wears costumes inspired by Disney princesses for her ‘Dazzle n Dance’ parties with kids aged two to 11.
The Oak resident describes the princesses as her “alter-ego” - she works Monday to Friday as a teaching assistant at Wentworth Primary school in Dartford, and as a dance and gymnastics coach.
As Tinkerbell from Peter Pan
Mrs Cavanagh introduced princesses to her already established dance party business two years ago, when it was suggested to her by friends.
She said: “It’s very rewarding. To be honest when I first thought of it I was a little bit offended.
“Now I have fallen in love with it and it’s taken over my life.
“Just to see the look on the children’s faces, that’s what makes it.”
As a princess, Mrs Cavanagh is regularly “mobbed” walking down the street, by adults as well as children.
She said: “I definitely feel like I get treated like a princess, people let me cross the road.
“I have had a few joke suggestions like ‘do you do stag dos?’ “I get a few giggles and it does get people talking.”
As Belle from Beauty and the Beast
Mrs Cavanagh charges between £40 and £160 for her services, which span from quick appearances to organising a whole party, including a pre-party planning meeting with parents.
She added: “The reason why I keep doing it is to see the reaction from the children and to give them a magical experience that they will remember for a long time.”
As Snow White. Mrs Cavanagh said the wigs can be expensive to maintain
Mrs Cavanagh is committed to offering an affordable experience for parents in Kent and Bexley, whilst budgeting for maintenance costs for her costumes and wigs.
The mum to Isabel, 5, and Otis, 3, makes appearances as Cinderella, Snow White, the Little Mermaid, Belle, Rapunzel, Tinkerbell, Elsa and Anna from Frozen, and others on request.
It is a family business, which her sisters and husband help to run.
Mrs Cavanagh is not affiliated with Disney, but offers characters based on popular princesses, and makes most of her bookings through Facebook.
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