LONG-TIME Umbilo resident and well-loved dance teacher, Patricia Burke, celebrated her 100th birthday on October 11, surrounded by friends, family and old dance students. Patricia taught dancing for 73 years under her maiden name Paddy Chelin.
She taught thousands of boys and girls across Durban before retiring, with a few becoming champions in the competitive dancing realm. Patricia learned how to dance at the age of six, with her sister, in the back room of their home.
After being encouraged to join professional dance classes at the age of twelve, her dance teacher reached out to her family, offering to teach Patricia for free after recognising her extraordinary dance talent. At twenty years old, Patricia decided to begin teaching dance and established the Paddy Chelin Academy.
“She gave her pupils a love for dance, self-discipline and confidence that they could carry into their lives,” said her son and caretaker, Gary Burke. Patricia was married to her husband, Teddy Burke, a jockey by profession, for 60 years, until his unfortunate passing in 2003. The couple had two children: Giselle who taught with her until her death in 2019, and their son, Gary, who lives with and takes care of his mother in Umbilo. “I consider it one of the greatest honours of my life to be able to take care of such an amazing woman,” he said.
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Her son Gary says he still remembers all the important lessons she taught him.
“Of all the things she instilled in us growing up, the two that stick out to me the most are: ‘Never worry what people think about you because you can’t stop them thinking what they want to’ and ‘Keep the toxic people at arm’s length – a lot of them are serving their own agenda.”
Following Paddy’s birthday, Durban residents wrote to the Berea Mail to pay homage to the beloved centenarian. Here are their messages:
Monique Robertse (ex-student):
“Miss Paddy was my sister’s and my dance teacher. She is a talented and amazing woman who could dance well into her eighties – she lived, breathed and loved dance. She was a remarkable dance teacher who won many trophies and medals. She also taught one of the great dancers, Michelle Thomas, who won a world title. Paddy Chelin has certainly created a legacy that will never be forgotten. I thank her for her wonderful contribution to dance.”
Tarryn Volker (ex-student):
“Having danced at the age of three, I joined Miss Paddy’s studio at the age of eight. It seems appropriate then that the majority of my childhood memories revolve around the dance studio. Through the years, Miss Paddy and her daughter Giselle tutored me in ballet, tap, acrobatics, modern dance and national ballet. From choreography to costumes, her dance numbers were always big, bold and something to behold! Through the years, Miss Paddy choreographed numerous, amazing group numbers, solos, duets and trios. We danced at City Hall, took part in parades and were often in the newspaper. Miss Paddy instilled confidence, discipline and dedication into her pupils. There is a reason she is considered a legend in the South African dance community! She is an exceptionally kind and talented lady whom I am very proud to have trained under.”
Audrey de Broizeda (ex-student):
“Miss Paddy taught me from the age of six, and when my mom died when I was twelve, she resumed the role as my dance teacher. She not only gave me a love for dance but taught me to have discipline and self-confidence, which I carry through to this day. We were very lucky to have her in our lives and are all the better for having met her. Miss Paddy has truly left a legacy.”
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Candice York (fellow dance teacher):
“The fruits of her work have put the South African and Durban dancers out on the stage. She was a stalwart in dance and taught all disciplines, including ballet, tap and jazz. We spent our lives in the studio, and she was an inspiration to so many dancers.”
Sandra Rosenberg (fellow dance teacher):
“Paddy Chelin was the most dedicated teacher and is a most lovely and creative human being. In the dancing world, she is a legend – she produced so many great dancers and teachers and is a very special lady.”
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