07
Nov
Celebration of pioneering Harrogate dance teacher Tony Croome to be held this week
The husband of a leading Harrogate dance school owner has been remembered as an inspirational figure who helped thousands of people discover a love of dance.
Tony Croome, who ran Lynton Academy with his wife Lynne for more than 40 years, died last month at the age of 80.
Paying tribute to her husband, Lynne said his death had left “a huge hole in the hearts of all who knew him”.
A celebration of Tony’s life will be held at St John the Baptist Church in Knaresborough at 11.30am on November 13, followed by a cremation at Stonefall Cemetery at 1pm.
Born in Hillingdon, Tony developed a lifelong passion for ballet after playing the piano for the dance school attended by his sister.
In his late 20s, he made history by becoming the first man to be accepted on a course at the Royal Academy of Dance.
Lynne said:
He was actually the first man to be accepted onto the course and they had to change the Royal Charter, as previously it had been run only for girls.
The couple first met at the academy while performing in La Fille mal gardée more than 50 years ago.
After working in Italy, they returned to the UK in 1984 and bought the Ratcliffe School of Dancing in Harrogate from Lynne's former teacher, renaming it Lynton Academy.
Royal Hall show
The school, which moved from Harcourt Road to Grove Park Terrace more than a decade ago, has since introduced generations of young people to dance, offering classes in a wide range of styles to children from the age of two.
It also stages an annual show at Harrogate's Royal Hall, giving students the opportunity to showcase their talents on one of the town's best-known stages.
Tony Croome
Alongside his work at the school, Tony enjoyed a distinguished career in dance education.
He became an examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance in 1991, travelling internationally to assess students and teachers.
He also became a tutor at Preston College, where he co-wrote its first degree course. This was subsequently developed into the current BA degree in dance performance, teaching and choreography.
Throughout his career, Tony inspired thousands of people, both in Harrogate and further afield, to appreciate and enjoy dance in all its forms.
Lynne said: “His passing leaves a huge hole in the hearts of all who knew him.”
Tony's death prompted numerous tributes on Lynton Academy's Facebook page, with many people praising Tony's kindness, knowledge and enthusiasm.
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