However, for some businesses it is a year that the owners would just like to get started again in earnest.

This is most definitely the case for Empire Performing Arts principal Emily Turland.

Emily relocated her dance studio in the final term of 2019.

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The desire to meet the growing needs and wants of the students at larger premises was an exciting although costly, project.

"It was extremely challenging for us to pick up everything and move to a new location in just two weeks of the Term 3 school holidays, to open again at the start of Term 4 at the new studio," Emily said.

Needless to say Emily was looking forward to hitting the dance floor hard in 2020 to prepare her young charges for a year of expanded training and competition.

But only seven weeks in to the new year, Empire Performing Arts, along with all other dance schools and many other businesses, were forced to stop due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Emily said the last week of class was the week beginning March 20 in Term 1.

"We have been running classes online through pre-recorded dance lessons and zoom calls once a week which has been challenging," she said.

"It was all new and exciting to the students for the first month or so, but we found that students slowly lost interest as it just wasn't the same as being in our normal dance environment."

Emily said she was now excited to resume classes in the studio from June 15.

However, she said due to ongoing COVID Safe regulations classes would be limited to 10 students.

"I understand that we need to slowly go back to normal to prevent another Covid outbreak, however, we are finding it extremely difficult to move/add classes to ensure we are only having the maximum number of students allowed per class," she said.

"We have one large studio and two smaller studios in our facility. We would most definitely be able to accommodate social distancing in our large studio with more than 10 students.

"However, we understand that we need to ease into normality again and are just happy to be able to reopen the business.

"We are meeting all guidelines set out by the NSW government and ensuring that we stick to a maximum of 10 students per dance classroom.

"We have regular cleaners to ensure the space is clean at all times and will give each student hand sanitiser before entering the classroom, as well as practicing social distancing throughout the studio."

Emily said that she had received positive feedback from students regarding the return to class.

"There will be a few drop offs I am sure, as it is hard to go back into routine again after having such an extended time off, but the majority have told us that they are eager to return to dance and get back to doing what they love," she said.

I think that most students have missed the dance environment the most.

"Dance is so much more than a sport, our students see our studio as a second home.

"Most students are at the studio two or three days a week so they miss their friends, teachers and just the ability to dance among their peers rather than alone in their rooms watching through a screen."

Among the activities that are popular with many dance studios are the opportunities to compete in eistedfods, perform at community events and the end of year concert.

All three activities are embraced by Empire Performing Arts and Emily is hopeful that the students will have their chance to showcase their skills through these activities.

"We really hope to resume everything we had planned for 2020. Dance competitions, community involvement, our end of year concert and so much more," she said.

"We are staying positive and hoping that our 2020 competitive team is able to compete against other studios this year as they have all worked so hard already on their new routines, but it will all depend on when the restrictions ease.

"Above all we just can't wait to get back into the studio and do what we love most.

"COVID-19 has been difficult on our business, but has shown us that we are able to adapt and learn to dance in a different way which just makes us appreciate our time in our studio more."

The Empire Performance Studio is located at 6/11 Pikkat Drive, Braemar.

Details: theempireps@gmail.com