“She was classed as one of the best acrobats in Australia, and also ran an extremely successful dance academy,” she said.
Ms Maciver, an Australian but now living on Phuket, is well known for teaching several dance disciplines. Her dance studio in Chalong’s Fisherman Way Business Centre, which has been running for four years, has more than 40 students of all ages.
Before coming to Phuket, Ms Maciver had worked in Australia for 35 years.
“Dance has been in my life since I was 3 years old. My career has included TV work, musicals, wonderful times performing around Australia, doing what I love best,” she said.
“I gained my teachers degree at the age of 18 in teaching dance for Ballet – Tap – Jazz with the British Dancing Association (BDA), but I first started my dance exams long before that, when I was just four years of age.
“I opened a school in Australia and spent over 20 wonderful years with my students. My classes now include Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Contemporary, and each dance benefits you in a different way.
“Ballet requires a heightened sense of grace and fluidity. Based on a very correct alignment of the body it can be intensely satisfying and enjoyable to pursue, while for Tap, anybody at any age can have a go. It’s a combination of speed, control and rhythm. Once you have mastered the basics of tap you will have a real sense of accomplishment.
“And for Jazz, this style is accessible to almost anyone motivated to dance, as classes are accompanied by lively music and can be lots of fun as well as help to increase speed and co-ordination.”
To have a career in dancing though requires passion, Ms Maciver said, because you have to be able to be disciplined and totally committed to your work, enduring training that is long and physically taxing.
“My greatest reward in teaching in Phuket is seeing the results my wonderful students show me, their ability to perform with such professionalism and amazing talent. That’s why I love the old saying – there’s no business like show business.”