79 years and counting
Dance is a captivating career that draws you into an unpredictable and often surreal world. It evolves from a simple hobby into a passion that enriches your daily life.
Our family has been on this journey for 79 years, filled with learning and emotions.
It all started when a young deaf girl, just 14 years old, joined a dance class in Liverpool and was warmly welcomed.
She achieved many victories, faced challenges, and found love along the way.
Dorothy Addison was born with hearing difficulties and became completely deafened by the age of seven. Growing up in Liverpool and Southport during the second world war, she wouldn't receive her first hearing aid until she was 21.
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At the age of 14 with her first weeks wages as a milliner in hand she asked her mam could she join a local dance school. After earning her medals, she joined the Liverpool Ballroom dance scene of the 1940s and 50s, alongside her cousin and dance partner, Jimmy Swan. They were trained under the guidance of Jack Millington in Bootle and Alf Redmond, in Waterloo.
Cyril Lee, had been deafened since the age of 14 because of Otosclerosis which meant he wasn't 'called up' for National Service like his mates, so began his training as a Master Butcher and by 18 he was in the local dance hall, learning to dance. Though meeting at 18 it took him another 10 years to ask Dorothy out but eventually they where married and together, they became formation dancers and captains of the esteemed Millington’s formation team, eventually training as Standard Ballroom teachers with the UKAPTD.
Where it began
Janet Bosson
Welcome to my world
A world that just excepted me when I too became deafened at 29 years old and has allowed me to grow and flourish ever since.
I remember when I first became deafened my mam's word’s where
'welcome to my world'
They were the best words she could have ever said to me because it made me realise, that if she could do all the things she did deafened from seven years old then so could I at 29 years old.
My background is varied and exciting.
I grew up in the dance world of the north of England with coachers who were well know: Margret Redmond, Eric Lashbrook, Iris, Ian & Derick Mayers, George Coad, Pat Thompson, and David Bullen.
I learn Ballet, Tap, Ballroom, Latin American, Classical Sequence, Freestyle, and Drama appearing both in shows and competitions.
On leaving school I trained at the well know Southport Catering College for two years, and though I love to cook and I'm quite good at it, passing my City and Guild. I knew catering was not the career for me.
So I became a nurse. (but that's a whole other story ask me sometime)
Moving on 10 years ,,,,,,,,,,
I too lost my hearing after an accident and another career change was needed!
With my parents help I went back to my first love Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre.
Running Schools in Southport, Preston, Blackpool and now West Cumbria.
Today I am:
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A Fellow of both the UKA and IDTA,
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Member of the Guild of Teachers of Dance,
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A Personal Trainer,
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Yoga and Pilates Coach.
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An Examiner for the UKA (Blackpool)
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Trustee for SADT (Newcastle)
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Principal of Bosson School of Dance, Fitness & Wellbeing (West Cumbria)
Dance Qualifications
Fellow & Examiner UKAPTD
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Ballroom/Theatre Examiner (Since 2005)
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Fellow Standard Ballroom (2004)
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Fellow Latin American (2005)
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Licentiate Classical Sequence
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Licentiate Freestyle Disco
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Licentiate Club Dance Salsa
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Associate Argentine Tango
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Associate Oriental Dance
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Associate Cheer Dance
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Associate Hip Hop and Street
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Associate American Smooth & Rhythm
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Associate in Rock 'n' Roll
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Associate in Swing Dance
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Latin American Professional L3 Choreography (Distinction)
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Platinum Award Latin American Professional Level (Distinction)
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Fellow IDTA
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Fellow Standard Ballroom (2009)
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Fellow Latin American (2009)
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Licentiate Classical Sequence.
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Licentiate Freestyle Disco,
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Licentiate Salsa,
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Associate Street Dance,
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Associate in Rock 'n' Roll.
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Associate in Argentine Tango
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Associate in Cheerleading​
Runner up 2017 Teacher of the year - Dancing Times Magazine
Associate Standard Ballroom ADA (1989)​
​Equality and Unconscious Bias course - British Council
​Member of the Guild of Professional Teachers of Dance (since 1989)
Performing Arts Advanced Diploma (Level 5)
Member of the Historical Dance Society
What is biomechanics (DK)
​Instructor Belly Dance BDC
​Former licence to teach MM
Ballet,
Tap,
Modern Dance​
Safeguarding​​​​
Charity Trustees Safeguard and protect: - NSPCC
Trustee and Surface Area Dance and Theatre Newcastle
Teaching Qualifications
Access to HE Humanities and Teaching
Teaching Assistant Level 3 Diploma (Higher Distinction)
Early Years Foundation Stage Diploma EYFS
Teaching English as a Foreign Language - Level 3 Professional Diploma
Celebrating 36 years as a qualified teacher in 2025
10 years away from dancing (well not quite) I qualified as a dance teacher in 1998 but it wasn't my full time job.
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In these ten year I got to: travel, try new food, learn new languages, and cultures, have adventures, climb mountains, abseil down, (never learnt to swim though), and generally grow up, all while working as a nurse.
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So when I came back in to dance I wanted to use the other experiences and qualifications I gained within my business.
Women's Fitness Specialist
In addition to my dance teaching qualification, I pursued training as a Personal Trainer, which led me to acquire various health and fitness certifications. These include areas such as Pre-Perimenopause, Perimenopause, Menopause, Post-Menopause, as well as pain management and cancer recovery.
Fitness Qualifications
National Academy of Sports Medicine. ​​
Women's Fitness Specialist - NASM
Athletics and Fitness Association of America
Working Through Cancer:
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Exercise as part of recovery Diploma - AFAA.
Fitness for Two:
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focusing on partner workouts - AFAA.
Hydration Through The Lens of Health and Fitness - AFAA
Ready to Roll:
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What Science Says about Self-Myofascial Release - AFAA
Training the Brain:
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The Neuroscience of Aerobic Exercise - AFAA
Personal Training
Personal Training and Fitness Diploma Level 3 CPTD Certified
Professional Sports Psychology Diploma Full Accredited
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Platies Trainer Professional Diploma - E.C. Dip
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Nutrition Advisor
​​​​​​​​​​​​Diet and Nutrition Advisor - Advanced Level 4 Diploma
Weight loss Coach - ofcourse Diploma
Home Economics - City and Guilds Home Diploma
Food Safety Diplomas - Levels 1,2,3​​
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Former Zumba Instructor
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Zumba Basic Diploma
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Zumba Circuit Diploma
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Zumba Core Diploma
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Zumba Glutes Diploma
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Zumba Burst Diploma
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Zumba Indian Diploma
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Zumba African Diploma
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Zumba Brazil Diploma
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Zumba Caribbean/Jamaica Diploma
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Mobility Instructor -CIRCL Mobility Diploma
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Cue like a pro Diploma,
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Self Promotion Diploma,
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Social Media​ Diploma
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Yoga and Welbeing
Yoga Instructor
Yoga
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Yoga Teacher training 100 hours​ Diploma
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Ten Guided Meditation Scripts for Coaches and Yoga Teachers - Course
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Yoga for Cancer - - Diploma
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Yoga for Allergic Rhinitis - Diploma
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Yoga Therapy for Back Pain and Stress Relief -Diploma
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Yoga for Strength and Flexibility -Diploma
Kundalini Yoga
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Kundalini Yoga Instructor - Diploma CTAA Accredited
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Kundalini Yoga Essentials - Diploma
Kundalini Yoga 101
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The Yoga of Awareness - Diploma
Yin Yoga
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Yin Yoga level 1 Teacher Training - Diploma
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Yin Yoga for Stress and Anxiety - Diploma
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Yin Yoga for Sleep - Diploma
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Yin Yoga for Stress an Tension - Diploma
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3D Chakras
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Activate original 7 Chakra System - Diploma
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Sound Healing
​Sound Healing
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Practitioner Level 1 Accredited Diploma
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Level 2 Accredited Diploma
Sound Therapy
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Detoxing your Body and Mind
Chakra Balancing with Sound Healing - Diploma
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Drama
​Acting Advanced Level 5 -Diploma
​Drama Therapy -Diploma
Dance
Tango Therapy "Certified NTT Practitioner" Module 1
Ramblers Association​
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Walking Leadership Foundations - Diploma
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Preventing and Managing Accidents - Diploma
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Safeguarding Diploma
Walk Leader
I have always done some charity work or sponsored and these last few years (2024/25) I have been walking the Wainwrights in Cumbria raising both money and awareness for Deaf people.
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Walking is great for improving and maintaining your overall health”.
For physical fitness - As a physical exercise teacher I know walking; Increases my cardiovascular fitness, strengthens my bones, and boosts both my muscle power and endurance, but I can get that from a Zumba or spinning class.
For mental health - We all know that exercise can increases mental alertness, can put you in a positive mood and reduce stress levels but so can a dance class.
For everyday life - When I walk I sleep better, my anxiety is lower and it helps me lose weight but again so could a session in the gym.
So why do I walk in the outdoors?
I have been hard of hearing for 31 years and 16 years ago was fitted with bilateral BAHAs, but recently I have lost another 5 decibels and find my aids not always helpful anymore.
Exercise and especially dance have always been my way of coping with the anxiety that comes with deafness. I always used music to help take me out of myself and improve my mood, indeed I still do and have recently taken up playing the cello.
But 6 years ago I met my husband and he was a fell walker.
Until then I had never walked a fell. (mountain in my youth YES) Fells NO
In fact I had only been to Cumbria two or three times in my life despite being born in Merseyside so not that far away.
Our first weekend together he took me to Aira Falls and up to the summit of Gowbarrow Fell.
For the first time in 31 years the tinnitus that was 24/7 had gone, the rush of adrenaline as I looked out over the mountains lifted. Read more
Walking the Wainwrights
Keeping up my medical Knowledge
Over the years since I left nursing I have tried to keep my knowledge up do date and for a while I was a member of St John Ambulance Service.
St Johns Ambulance
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​​​​Knowledge Course Level 1 & 2 Diploma
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Knowledge Course Level 3 &4 Diploma
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Operational First Aider -
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Comb/Care 1 & 2 Diplomas
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Comb/Care 3 & 4 Diplomas
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Introduction to Safeguarding Diplomas: - SJA
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Safeguarding Level 1
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Counter Fraud
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General Data Protection
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Equality, Diversity, Inclusion Diplomas: - SJA
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Knowledge
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Behaviour
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Sepsis Diploma
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Tissue Viability HSG Diploma
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Clinical Skills Package HSG Diploma
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Moving and Handling Principal Diploma
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Moving and Handling Levels 1 & 2 HSG Diplomas
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Physical Restraint Awareness HSG Diploma
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Regulation Diploma :
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Care Quality Commission Level
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Medical Management -
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HSG Level 1 Diploma
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HSG Level 2 Diploma ​​
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Drug and Alcohol eLearning Diploma​​​​​​​​​​
HSC Recuscitation
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​​​Adults Level 1,2,3 Diplomas - HSC
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Paediatric Level 2,3 Diplomas - HSC
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Resuscitation New-borns Level 2,3 Diplomas - HSC​​​​
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​​Fundamentals of Paediatric Nursing Diploma
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The role of the Nurse in surgical Care Diploma
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Basic Microbiology Diploma
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Phlebotomy Technician Training - AHF Diploma
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eProtect Respiratory Infection Diploma
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Introduction to COVID-19 Diploma:
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Methods for detection,
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Prevention,
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Response
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Control.
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Monkey Pox: Epidemiology Diplomas​
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Geography A Level
Science GCSE
Mathematics GCSE
Numeracy GCSE
IT GCSE
NVQ Level 2 Business Administration
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Languages
​​English Speaking Board - Vocal Grade 1
English Speaking Board - Vocal Grade 2
English Literature A Level
English Language GCSE
British Sign Language Basic Level
BSL Levels 1-6 (Not Signature Accredited)
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At the moment I am learning
Brail
ASL Basic
Janet's work with Dementia Clients through JLC Dance has been written about in the book "The Unlikely Dancer" by American Author Hazel Rae Minnick.
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She has also had work published by "The Beckindale Poetry Journal"
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In the 90's she worked for the Tate Galleries and has been on the
Japanese TV as well as the BBC, Channel 4 & 5 and most recently BBC Ireland with Roy Walker.