Tributes have been paid to a much loved Swansea dance teacher who has passed away. Danielle Dee Stephens, known to many as Dani, owned the Swansea-based Dani Dee School of Dance, which has been running for over 20 years. She died on Friday September 30 at the age of 47, after teaching thousands of pupils throughout her career as a dance teacher.
Born and raised in Swansea, Dani's career as a teacher saw her set up her own dance school, teaching hundreds of pupils at a time, and taking home trophies from dance competitions across the country. Dani started dancing at the age of four at the city's Grand Theatre, where she trained in ballet, tap, modern and jazz dance. Performing in numerous pantomimes and shows at the theatre as a child and teenager, she then joined the West Glamorgan Dance Company before gaining a BTEC in Performing Arts at Gorseinon College and her BA degree at the London Contemporary Dance School.
During her career as a dancer, Dani lived in London for five years and made appearances both on stage and on television, as well as being a member of the Wildcats cheerleaders for the London Towers Basketball Team. She also went on to choreograph and perform at a top hotel in Hong Kong.
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Upon returning to Swansea, Dani taught and choreographed in a number of schools, colleges and companies across the city, setting up her own company, the Dani Dee School of Dance, in 2000. Her work as a dance teacher saw her shortlisted for the Teacher or Mentor of the Year Award at the South Wales Evening Post Community Awards in 2018.
Dani was married to her husband, Darren, for 17 years. The couple were married in St Lucia and returned this year to the same spot on the beach where they tied the knot to reminisce, Darren said. Dani was step-mum to Harmony, 20, with Darren saying that Dani "treated her as her own child," and she regularly danced with her daughter Lottie, 16, as a mother and daughter duo in competitions.
The Dani Dee School of Dance has 450 pupils currently, with teams competing in dance competitions all across the country and regularly taking home trophies. Having taught thousands of children over the years, some of Dani's former pupils even became dance teachers at the school.
"She absolutely loved going to work and loved the dance competitions, the annual shows that she used to do. She pretty much loved everything to do with dance," Darren said. "She loved teaching the young kids, and then hopefully they would progress and stay with her longer."
Dani was "loyal" and "quite shy" but enjoyed socialising with her friends and "giggled a lot," Darren said, adding that Dani would often listen to music and make mix tapes so her pupils could benefit in the long run. Dani taught pupils from as young as three right up to adult classes, with her 'Mamas in Motion' dance group competing alongside her younger pupils.
As well as her passion for dance, Dani enjoyed walking the family dog, Leon, "for miles" every day. After she was diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago, Dani continued to teach at the school throughout receiving treatment. "She continued teaching when her treatment wasn't too heavy. She was on treatment for life, she had chemotherapy every three weeks. She was pretty much only tired for a day or so and then carried on as normal. She was pretty much in the gym every day, kept very active. She kept herself fit," Darren said.
Darren released a tribute to Dani on her Facebook profile a few days after her death and, since then, tributes from former pupils, friends and family have followed. "Here we go... As most of you probably know my amazing wife passed away on Friday [September 30] peacefully and very quickly. She was the most amazing lady, wife, friend and mother I could have ever hoped for. We have all been overwhelmed with the love that’s been shown by all of the Dani Dee dance school and friends that she has.
"Please can everyone as they have already started doing post their fave pics up on this page or their own to celebrate Dani’s life... We love seeing the photos. The dance school is temporarily suspended until further notice but it will re open soon with all the same teachers and staff. I know Dani loved teaching all the children throughout her DDD days she literally was excited to go to work every day. Thank you to everyone involved… I know she loved you all."
The United Dance Organisation released a tribute, writing: "We are absolutely devastated at UDO to hear of the passing of Dani Dee. Dani was not just a Dance School Owner from Wales, she was the epitome of Dance Teachers & was an inspiration to not only her own students, but to many other dancers across the UK. I am sure we can speak on behalf of many dancers when we say the Welsh dance scene will not be the same without her.
"Dani was always friendly, kind and warming at every event she attended and we are going to truly miss her presence. The love, support and dedication she showed her dancers over 22 years is something we will remember for a very long time. One of our favourite memories of Dani was when she proudly came on stage at UDO Encore Fancy Dress Party 2021 as Mary Poppins, she definitely had one of the loudest cheers and the biggest supporters behind her!
"We send all our love, support & condolences to Darren, Harmony, Lottie and all of Dani Dee Dancers as they get through this difficult time. Rest in Peace Dani, you were a truly incredible woman and UDO are so grateful to have had so many wonderful memories with you that we will all cherish forever."
One former pupil wrote: "This school and Dani shaped me and so much of my childhood that I’ve carried with me into adulthood, I will be forever grateful for her and the opportunities she gave me." Another tribute from a former pupil said: "I’m so sorry for your loss, she was such an inspiration. So grateful to have been taught by Dani and be a part of her amazing dance school. She will be forever missed."
"Such heartbreaking news. What an impact she had on so many Welsh dancers, where her light will continue to shine. My sincere condolences," another tribute said. A parent of one of Dani's pupils wrote: "Thinking of all Dani's family, friends and students, my thoughts are with you. A lovely lady, with a zest for life, she ignited a love of dance in my son from a young age, that he never really cared of being the only boy at class, it taught him a lot. Rest well Dani."
While it is temporarily suspended, the Dani Dee School of Dance is set to continue in the future, with Darren saying that "everyone is 100% behind keeping the dance school going." Dani is survived by her husband, daughter, and step-daughter and well as her parents, Terry and Linda Williams, Terry's partner, Louise, and her brother, Rhys.
"She did have a zest for life. In recent years, we had an emphasis on holidays because we didn't know how long we had together. She did enjoy life though, she definitely enjoyed life," Darren said. A funeral will be held at 5pm on October 19 at the Llanelli Crematorium.
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