Into the Spotlight, sponsored by Huddersfield-based Scriba PR, is a weekly business feature – online every Thursday – which highlights businesses that often go under the radar. Here Bodyrockerz School of Dance steps into the limelight!
Young dancers are bouncing with excitement as dance classes return to the studio from Monday.
Long-established Bodyrockerz School of Dance, now based at UCHM, The Elms in New Street, Milnsbridge, is emerging from a third period of lockdown with plans for expansion.
Former primary school teacher Amanda Johnson, 45, set up Bodyrockerz School of Dance in Milnsbridge 15 years ago but she’s taught dance in Huddersfield for 29 years. She’s now seeing her second or third generation of dancers coming through.
Dance studios can re-open from Monday under the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown and Amanda and her nine-strong teaching team can’t wait to welcome students back.
“It’s been difficult having three lockdowns but we moved online with Zoom sessions,” said Amanda. “Around 75% of our pupils accessed classes online and were dancing in their lounges or kitchens.
READ MORE: Into the Spotlight – Huddersfield’s best-kept lockdown secret
“We also offered adult fitness classes free of charge to parents who might be combining home-schooling and working from home with everything else.
“It’s not been the same, of course, but our pupils have been so dedicated working in their spaces at home. They are so passionate about their hobby.
“While they have not been with the Bodyrockerz family they have been able to see everybody on Zoom and we’ve encouraged everyone to be as positive and supportive of eachother as possible.
“Now everyone just can’t wait to come back. We want to come back fighting – or should that be dancing!”
Mum-of-three Amanda, who was joined by business partner Sophie Arjomand in 2014, says while Bodyrockerz has had much competition success down the years, dance classes are for everyone of all abilities.
Bodyrockerz teaches street dance, commercial, contemporary, freestyle, rock ‘n’ roll, dance fitness and acro. There are pre-school classes too. Coming next is trampolining or Bodyrockerz Bounce classes!
Amanda and Sophie have used the latest lockdown to plan an expansion and Bodyrockerz Slaithwaite will open in May at Slaithwaite Con Club, once the home of Doreen France’s dance school.
Amanda said: “I live in the hills of Slaithwaite and it’s a wonderful place to live but it’s also a great place to have a business and I’m looking forward to bringing what we do to Slaithwaite.”
Amanda has ambitions to expand to more villages in the future. For more information go to Bodyrockerz.
