We love working with dance teachers across the globe – meet Lauren who is based in Hampshire in the UK

What’s your name and where are you in the world?

Hi, I am Lauren Elizabeth and I live and work in Hampshire, UK.

What kind of dance do you currently offer?

I offer Popdance parties and workshops for adults, children and tots.

To be able to bring the joy of dance and Popdance is something unique and that you will remember with a smile on your face.

In addition to Popdance I offer private lessons and group dance classes in Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical and Dance Fitness as these dance styles are based on creativity and health of the body.

What got you into dance?

I started my teacher training at the age of 18 at Chichester College, completing the Imperial Society Teachers of Dancing Diploma in Dance Instruction in Classical Ballet in 2017. The University of Chichester enabled me to continue professional training in Ballet and Contemporary Dance graduating with a BA (Hons) in Dance with a focus on Teaching Dance, Creative Practice, Dance Movement Psychotherapy and Dance Psychology.

I progressed through graded examinations in Ballet with knowledge of both the Royal Academy of Dance and Imperial Society of Teachers syllabi gaining Level 3 Advanced Certifications.

In addition I have also been an Irish Dancer for 18 years, performing and competing throughout the UK and Ireland, most recently competing at the 2018 World Championships in Glasgow.

I have been dancing since I was 6, now I have my teaching qualifications my aim is to provide safe and cheerful dance events that inspire a love of movement for children and adults. I want to make dance accessible for everyone. I love being a person who sprinkles the world and my dance lessons with happiness, hard work
and fun as that is what life should be all about.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time I enjoy walks at the beach with my friends, family and dog. Fitness has always been a big part of my life, so you will probably find me at the gym. I love a good book and going on days out to explore the world, including every summer taking time to travel abroad, Spain being my favourite country I have visited so far. So much so I have been learning to speak Spanish.

What do you love about the area you live and work in?

Hampshire is the perfect blend, of city, coast and country with lots to offer for a fantastic day or weekend. Dance classes are a huge part of the South, with fantastic venues for events particularly in Southampton. There are always dance events throughout the year
encouraging people to be healthy and active and there is a great community feel within Hampshire.

Why did you want to work with Popdance?
Popdance was created for the same reason I love to teach, for fun dance routines to pop music. To give yourself a chance to let your hair down, get active, have fun and have some “me” time! It is a brand that ignites joy for their clients and continues to grow each year. I want to be the go to person to provide this for the area of Fareham and beyond in the South of the UK.

What are you looking forward to for the year ahead?

In the future I hope to keep inspiring people with a love for dance and the many fantastic health benefits it has. I aim to grow my freelance dance business to be able to offer a wider variety of classes both online and in person as well as growing a stronger partnership with Popdance through ideas and choreography to make the experience for clients even more fun and memorable.

Follow Lauren on Instagram here


Book to dance with Lauren here

Are you a dance teacher, dance school or performing arts school?

Find out more about working with Popdance and how we can help and support you

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5 Simple Ways That Dance Can Help Your Child’s Mental Health

We all know that feel good music can really put a smile on our faces, but were you aware of all the other benefits of dance to not only our body and minds but our mental health?

1. Feeling Happy!

Sometimes it’s as simple as taking time out of your day and letting your hair down to pop music that you love.

Getting away from the tv, the computer, the mobile and just simply “being”.

Being active is proven to release endorphins in the body which give you that “feel good factor”.

2. Boosting Confidence

Increasing your coordination, flexibility and body-awareness with dance improves children’s self esteem. And the feeling of accomplishing a dance routine over time gives that added boost too.

3. Building Friendships

Whether it’s online or offline, dance classes help to build children’s social skills and that feeling of community – a place where they belong and are encouraged, valued and celebrated.

4. Time Together

Dancing with parents and spending quality time together really helps that bond – enjoying an activity together can really make a difference to how your child feels about health and fitness as well as themselves.

5. Express Yourself

Dance and movement allow children to escape and let loose which improves their mental and emotional health by reducing stress, decreasing anxiety and depression and boosting self esteem.

There is no right or wrong way to dance and children can get creative, let their imaginations go and really express how they are feeling.

Find Out More About Popdancing With Us

Dance Birthday Parties in Holloway, London

My name is Nicole Ricardo and I live in Holloway, London, United Kingdom.

I currently offer Zumba Fitness, STRONG Nation, Flashmob Fit, ThinkFit, ThinkFit Kids, Kids Musical Theatre, Drama lessons/feedback, Popdance Parties, Bridal showers, Corporate Events and workshops. 

Various styles of dance were a part of my performing arts studies at The Waterfront Theatre College in Cape Town.

I graduated with a distinction in Musical Theatre Performance, am a qualified Zumba & STRONG Nation Instructor, and have taught various styles of group fitness for Planet Fitness ZA. I have always been happiest when incorporating interesting forms of movement and music into my daily life. In my spare time I like to sing, take dance classes, go for walks in nature, read, watch interesting shows and spend time with friends. What I love about Holloway is that I’ve found my neighbours and community to be extremely kind and supportive. I have partnered with Popdance because I found their team to be helpful, kind, and on the ball! Their platform promotes fun movement and a supportive community, which can only benefit anybody looking to promote their dance/fitness endeavors! In this year ahead, I am looking forward to contributing positively into the lives of others through my online platform; as well as developing my own skills. Thanks!

Book A Party Here

It really is!

Being a child of the 80s, and an avid pop music fan, I just had to buy this book.

I’ve no idea how I missed any of the publicity for it and the pre-orders, but when I walked past it in WHSmiths I just had to buy it.

When I was a kid in the 80s, at our school, you had to pick one band to “follow” and I have to confess that mine was Duran Duran (yes, I even put together a scrapbook with my best pal – mostly of Simon Le Bon) – however, I absolutely loved Wham and their enthusiasm for fun and life itself.

My older sister was very much into Spandau, and I shortly followed.

My love of the 80s and pop music was what led me to create Popdance – feel good, easy to listen to, upbeat, fun music that you could really let your hair down to.

In fact, “Last Christmas” by Wham became a firm favourite of mine and I always said to pals that we would recreate it for a big birthday I have coming up (which we do still hope to do this year). It was great fun filming a section of this iconic video with fellow business owners as part of a “mash up” video we put together for local charity, Home Start Herts – see video below

A Love Story by Shirlie and Martin Kemp is such a lovely read – people who had a big influence on my teenage years and brought me such fun with their music (and EastEnders) has been so lovely to get to know a bit more – and what a journey!!! OMG!

Totally recommend – not just for kids of the 80s, but for everyone who has a lust for life. Very inspiring, moving, and go get a copy!

Available on Amazon and all good bookshops

Get “A Love Story” on Amazon here

Here’s the video we made with other business owners as a Christmas “mash up” to raise money for Home Start Herts:

Meet The Teacher – Ciara Hodgkiss – Hitchin, Hertfordshire, UK

Name: Ciara Hodgkiss from Hitchin Hertfordshire.

Dance I Offer: Popdance Parties, Workshops, Kids Camps. I am also into fitness and have previously taught Popdance Fit.

What got me into dance: I started dancing at the age of 6 at Dance Steps Academy in Letchworth where I did exams in ISTD Tap and Modern.

I performed in many shows with this school and got my passion for dance.

I then went onto Hitchin College to get my Diploma in dance. From here I decided I wanted to be a dance teacher and attended Penny Meekings the dance college where I received my DDI and DDE in Tap and Modern.

Why Popdance?: I was looking for extra work and came across Popdance on the internet. I like to choreograph and so this was a great way to earn some extra money to get paid to choreograph for the website.

I also like all the recourses and support you get with Popdance. It has allowed me to run my own camps and classes in Schools.

Year ahead: I am starting up my Popdance Kids clubs again as unfortunately I lost a lot of work due do covid. I would also like to run more parties in the year ahead.

Find out more or book with Ciara here