“Dancing two very different styles of dance every week gives the best of both worlds. Solo dance versus group dance. Traditional dance versus choreography. Straight posture verses relaxed slouch. Every style of dance I have learned in my life has given me a different feeling of joy.”
- Lesley O’Neill
Lesley
Hello. It is lovely to meet you. My name is Lesley and I am a qualified dance teacher with the British Association of Teachers of Dancing and founder of FloraDance. I am Scottish born and bred and was raised on the scenic west coast of Scotland. My mother, Flora, told me that before I could walk I would pull myself up and dance and that is where my dance story begins.
My first ever dance class I attended was a local disco dance class. After my first class my dance teacher, Miss Linda Jackson, prompted my parents to bring me to try Scottish Highland Dance and this is when my real passion for dance flourished. The strong beats of the music & proud stances had me leaping with life. I very quickly stepped into the world of competitive Highland Dance. Attending dance competitions took me all over scenic Scotland. Till my late teenage years I danced at championship level before qualifying as a dance teacher.
Throughout my school years, as well as Highland, I continued other styles of dance such as disco and street dance with The Jackson Dance Academy. During this active time I participated in Shows, Musicals, Plays and many Events.
When I began studying at University in Glasgow I had the opportunity to try new styles of dance where I danced Hip Hop and Salsa Cubana. After obtaining my Bachelors degree I set out in the world of work. Of course I still found the time to dance but this time I began teaching. I became a Zumba instructor and taught classes out-with my full-time job. I also happily assisted Absolute Salsa Dance Company in Glasgow.
I moved from Scotland to Switzerland swapping the Bonnie Scottish Highlands for the Swiss Alps. I exchanged cheddar cheese for holy Emmental and purple heather mountains for the towering alpine peaks. That’s the thing about having a passion, you carry it in your heart and it follows you wherever you go. In 2019 FloraDance was born. Our very first dance class began with two lovely little girls and I am grateful to say we have grown in students, classes and locations since.
I live happily in Switzerland with my husband and our daughter. We are an active family and can either be found cooking, sightseeing, travelling or tackling a project. We love nature and enjoy outdoor life. You can never get tired of exploring the stunning sights and fascinating culture that Switzerland has to offer.
As a child I began dance classes to have a hobby and it has been so much more for me. Dance has taught me commitment, patience and self discipline that I have carried from childhood to adulthood. I am not only exercising physically but nourishing my mind, soul and spirit. Not to mention the social aspect. I have met some of my dearest friends on my timeline of dance and FloraDance is bringing me more opportunities to meet new energetic, interesting and inspiring people.
“You can’t choose the song that life plays for you but you can choose how to dance to it”