JACKIE Spencer traded in the bright lights of the theatrical stage to teach a group of very special children.

For the last school term, Jackie has taught the musical theatre class for special needs kids at Amethyst Dance Studios at Moffat Beach.

With more than 20 years of experience teaching, as well as performing in and choreographing for musical theatre productions including Wizard of Oz, Boy from Oz, Beauty and the Beast and The Sound of Music, she's become the perfect mentor for these children.

"After working on high profile productions this is just an opportunity to pass down knowledge I have learnt along the way and just to really have a good time," she said.

"This is all about the kids. It's about contributing. I have had a lot of experience teaching - all ages from toddlers to adults.

"These kids are here, not for the competition but really for the joy of music and dance.

"For me, my job is to bring all of that out. I also know from the parents' response that it is something that the kids can take home with them. If they need cheering up they can always put on Footloose and start dancing and singing."

Jackie is a mum with three kids and said the classes started when a friend suggested she teach a dance class for kids with special needs as her daughter has autism.

"I thought 'great, I have got to do this'. It was an opportunity to contribute.

"I had been teaching at Amethyst since the start of the year and knew this type of class would fit in very well with the philosophy of the school," she said.

"The children have responded so warmly and givingly.

"They bring joy into the room and show great commitment to their dance routine. It is always the applause at the end of the class that gets me."

Jackie said the classes were invaluable for the children, most of them from Currimundi Special School, as they gained confidence, creativity, discipline, a sense of team work and commitment, fitness and the bigger picture of belonging to a dance community where they have opportunities to perform in concerts with all the fun of glitter, costumes, show lights and an audience.