Kevin Hartas 6.5.1928

kevinHAt the age of 5 Kevin commenced tap dancing from Vere Le Vere in Marrickville. He competed in eisteddfods in Sydney from the age of 8 and fought many a battle for 1st Place in Open Sections with Shirley Sloss and Les Griffiths. He won many 1st prizes at the Championships at the City of Sydney Eisteddfod and the Railway and Tramway Eisteddfods.

Kevin went on to perform on the Sydney Showboats Kalang and Kaoondaloo, singing and dancing for several years, appearing most Saturday and Sunday nights in the war years. His big break came when he was offered a contract with the Cremorne Theatre, Brisbane, in 1943, which led to further contracts with the Tivoli Theatres in Sydney and Melbourne as Principal Artist in Hi De Di and Follies Bergere of 1944. He performed in a duo with Peggy Mortimer who went on to marry Enzo Toppano, and they were all good friends. After his voice broke, he did 12 months as a Junior Radio Announcer at 2BS Bathurst and then on to James Hardie and Company.

This took Kevin to the North Coast of NSW. After marrying, Kevin moved to Woy Woy where he started his own dancing school and then opened a branch in Gosford. His concerts were well known throughout the Central Coast area. Kevin taught Tap, Ballet and Highland, then added Ballroom, New Vogue and Latin. During his teaching career and beyond Kevin gained numerous qualifications.

These include: Affiliate Life Member ATOD; Life Member and Examiner for Federal Association of Teachers of Dancing Stage Branch; Affiliate Member SATD Ballroom; Member of British Dancing Association Ballroom, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and Australian National Dance Association.

Kevin was a close friend of both Dorothy Cowie and Elsie Mitchell. He and his wife Velvanie have 3 children, 4 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild. Kevin retired in 1996.