Kind words from our celebrity friends

Myself and Channel 4 needed some Street Dancers for the opening of one of our shows and Urban Strides was our 1st choice. Working with Andy and the Urban Strides team is always a pleasure, he makes the whole process a lot of fun and ensures we get a high quality performance at the end. He put me and my team at ease and before we knew it we were dancing like pro’s! We needed humour in the piece and Andy’s flexible nature meant we could create something funny we thought the audience would enjoy. His creative suggestions and execution was spot on. I would heartily recommend Andy and Urban Strides for any Street Dance experience whether it’s the opening of a TV show, the Royal Variety performance or a weekly class for a total beginner. Urban Strides make it fun, positive and an exciting experience-with their incredible passion and professionalism you can’t help but want to get up and dance!
“Working with Andy has been a great experience! He’s helped me think about my performances in a new way and we had so much fun! Andy and Urban Strides are not only great performers but their positive energy and passion is infectious. I would definitely recommend Andy and Urban Strides, whether it’s for a street dance course or a show at the O2 arena, they’ll wow you with their passion and professional attitude and you’ll have a lot of fun whilst doing it!”
Stacey Soloman
Classes – Kids
What do our students say?
Josh has attended Urban Strides classes for over three years now and has also participated in each of the Hip Hop Don’t Stop workshops. I love the fact that Josh is passionate about dance and is also good at it, however as a parent what is key to me about Urban Strides is the underlining culture. It’s more than learning to dance, it’s the methodology behind the classes, the skills which will stay with him all his life that inspires me about Urban Strides. It’s almost invisible, but I believe it’s a well thought out approach, asking and demonstrating:
- Giving 110 percent
- Valuing being part of a team
- Motivating others
- Giving energy to everything you do
It will/has shaped his attitude and will stay with him throughout his life. So based on this, I can’t wait for my daughter to start classes.
Kirsty La-Guarde
What do our students say?
Dear Diane
I just wanted to say thank you for all the info and support and feedback you have given me and Poppy. She went again last night to the John Colet class and she loved it. I am so impressed with your organisation and feedback, and am extremely impressed with the instructor Alex who is just fantastic, we feel lucky to be part of the class : )
I have been telling all our friends about you all…
Thanks again
Kind regards
Julia dobson
What do our students say?
Ash is loving his class thanks Diane! As a typical boy he tends to try new things then give it up but he loves his class with Leigh as much as ever and I think she has a lot to do with that. She is very enthusiastic and encourages the kids during every lesson, Ash is forever poppin’ and lockin’ his way around the house!!
Please pass on my thanks to Leigh!
Regards Lindsey Morgan
Classes – Teens
What do our students say?
I came because I love to dance and is the best place to do it. I Developed on an emotional level of dance more than a technical one which couldn’t hav been more beneficial I really enjoyed Talking to the instructors so you gain a real true reason for what dancing should be about. An enviroment so comfortable and special you will not only learn how to dance you’ll learn to be yourself.
Thanks Andy for putting us on such an insane event, I feel honoured to be part of it all.
Abi Kinsey
What do our students say?
For all those people who are thinking about talking up classes with urbanstrides… Don’t think, just go!
Thats what I did and is the best thing I ever did, I have been going to class for a year and a half and is an experience i will not forget. I will put my hands up, when I first started I had two left feet, my movement was very stiff. Like a statue. My first class I was really nervous but everyone was really welcoming and friendly. The class atmosphere is one of a kind you will never experience it anywhere else. There is so much energy in the classes that you can’t help but add to it…
Shaun wood – Aylesbury
What do our students say?
“My friends and I have been to many different street dance classes over the years and I have learned more in one term of your classes than I have in 8 yrs of previous classes. Keep doing what your doing!”
Charlene Newell – High Wycombe class
Classes – Adults
What do our students say?
One Ente ne ea vendae voluptatem alibusae volupti te es non nobitaeperis aspedipsa verior ut la voluptat untempores aut ad qui doluptat quis nobitaeperis aspedipsa verior ut la voluptat untempores aut ad qui doluptat quis
What do our students say?
Two Ente ne ea vendae voluptatem alibusae volupti te es non nobitaeperis aspedipsa verior ut la voluptat untempores aut ad qui doluptat quis
What do our pupils say about us?
Three Ente ne ea vendae voluptatem alibusae volupti te es non nobitaeperis aspedipsa verior ut la voluptat untempores aut ad qui doluptat quis
Hip Hop Don’t Stop – Youth
What do our students say?
If you want to find yourself and feel good about yourself, whilst exploring dance styles and meet amazing people…. COME!
Rachel Carr – Aylesbury
What do our students say?
I come because I love the atmosphere. I have been to a few different dance classes but nowhere has the fun, lively atmosphere where you learn the essence and feel the dance. Amazing, you build your confidence up so much. It’s the best experience of my life.I loved the whole range of different classes! For example we did krumping one min then a cool Sarah-Jane routine the next. They are so different but all amazing!
Whitney Blunt – Chesham
What do our students say?
I came Because I heard how amazing it was and wanted to improve. I learnt lots of new techniques to explore as well as realizing new things about myself. It was a Life changing, priceless experience – a spiritual trip through dance.
Daniel Beynon – High Wycombe
What do our students say?
I loved the party atmosphere and how everyone was up for it, you couldn’t make it better it was spot on, a unique event with something for everyone
Jiri Kaderabek
What do our students say?
AMAZING, UNFORGETABLE
More understanding and depth anout dancing. Confidence.
Absolutely AMAZING. Something nobody should miss. Unforgetable, luck to have experience.
Jannica Gordon
What do our students say?
I came because I love to dance and is the best place to do it. I Developed on an emotional level of dance more than a technical one which couldn’t hav been more beneficial I really enjoyed Talking to the instructors so you gain a real true reason for what dancing should be about. An enviroment so comfortable and special you will not only learn how to dance you’ll learn to be yourself.
Thanks Andy for putting us on such an insane event, I feel honoured to be part of it all.
Abi Kinsey
What do our students say?
This is my 4th year Experience you cannot miss, worth every single penny
Had an amazing time, just gets better and better every time.
Alex Drury
What do our students say?
I can’t fault it it’s brilliant as it is, an inspiring week full of energy and friendship
Joshua La-Garde
What do our students say?
Just, you don’t know what it’s like untill you come. COME!
Please keep doing it!
Helayna Livierio
What do our students say?
You can’t improve it it’s already amazing!, it’s a brilliant
experience that I guarantee you will enjoy!
Amy Cobbler
Hip Hop Don’t Stop – Adults
What do our students say?
It was an amazing can’t miss oppotunity to learn and have a blast with awesome people. All fantastic, inspirational, down to earth people willing to share their knowledge. A deeper understanding of what street dance really is, where it came from – confidence and learnt to push myself. The dance, the laughs and fun. Sharing it all with other people who love the same thing as me. I’d tell them they’d have to experience it for themselves. There are no words.
Claire Palmer – Maidenhead
What do our students say?
I came because Cos the teachers are great, the vibes amazing, it’s the place to be.The vibes probably but everything was flawless.Amazing, learn loads, gain confidence, you won’t understand it unless you try it for yourself Amazing week! Sad it had to end.
Ian Nash
What do our students say?
I loved the party atmosphere and how everyone was up for it, you couldn’t make it better it was spot on, a unique event with something for everyone
Jiri Kaderabek
What do our students say?
As the summer one was ammmazing! Amazing journey, not to be missed out on!
HHDS just keeps getting better and better, loved it toooo much!!
Fi silverthorn
What do our students say?
I came because Cos the teachers are great, the vibes amazing, it’s the place to be.The vibes probably but everything was flawless.Amazing, learn loads, gain confidence, you won’t understand it unless you try it for yourself Amazing week! Sad it had to end.
Ian Nash
What do our students say?
I loved the party atmosphere and how everyone was up for it, you couldn’t make it better it was spot on, a unique event with something for everyone
Jiri Kaderabek
What do our students say?
like nothing you’ll ever experience anywhere else, it take’s Street Dance to a whole other level
Sam Mead
What do our students say?
It’s amazing! If you want to learn Street Dance with the best in the industry you must be at Hip Hop Don’t Stop, Thank you so much for the best dance experience of my life
Bianca Newbold
What do our students say?
The family atmosphere.
Group of like minded people going on a journey of music expression AND LOVING IT.
Awesome instructors once again, gets better each time I come.
George Richardson
Teacher Training
What do our students say?
The aspects I loved most about the course was the positivity, the different Urban Strides instructors and the other dancers on the course. It was insane, fabulous and more life changing than you can describe… 10/10
Alison Jones, Southampton
What do our students say?
“If you want to learn the very best of Street Dance this is for you, it will take you on an emotional and physical journey pushing you to your limits in an absolutely inspiring way. You have changed my life completely in so many ways in ten days, thank you so much”
Samantha Newell – Managing partner Freedom of Dance – Uxbridge
What do our students say?
I really enjoyed the fact that the exams didn’t feel like exams! The other people and the communication talk were very helpful. My favourite things from the course would have to be learning how never to run out of moves and the safe Urban Strides family environment. It was inspirational, motivational and you get so much knowledge in just 10 days! I would highly recommend it, it was amazing thank you
Fiona Silverthorn – Milton Keynes
What do our students say?
We had the absolute best tutors both in authentic Street Dance and in the classroom, I loved the vast array of information they gave. I would describe it as an out of this world experience. The content is everything you need and so much more it was, mad, brilliant, fantastic, amazing and wonderfull… 10/10
What do our students say?
To sum it up, I would still be scraping the barrel if I hadn’t plucked up the courage to take this course. It changed my business, and more importantly, it changed who I am as a dancer. If I was to just take the extra money Ive been earning since I finished the course I could have paid for it several times over without a problem.
The course was life changing, perspective changing and completely unique… 10/10
Tim Stevens – Cardiff
What do our students say?
I attended the TTQ course in 2012 and part of the business chat was learning how not to undersell yourself. Recently we put up prices and in a way that people were supportive of rather than being negative. I am surprised by the response and believe without that lecture last year we wouldn’t have done this.
Emma Bailey Hague – Managing Director Star Brite Studios – York
Workshops – Primary Schools
What do our students say?
“Thank you so much for the fantastic dance sessions you did at our school. The children said you were the best part of our performing arts week and all the staff thoroughly enjoyed it too! The concentration and enthusiasm you got out of the children was brilliant. Your unusual methods of encouraging respect, good manners and commitment from the children were fab and the children loved every minute of the workshop!”
Amanda Whiteley – Chalfont St Giles Junior School
What do our students say?
The children thoroughly enjoyed the workshop & every child joined in. The children were so excited afterwards about what they had learnt -fantastic! Teachers were full of praise too! Nothing could be faulted! Really pleased with how the entertainment was received by the children. The instructor’s passion shone through and inspired the children. Thanks very much.
Lucy Barret – Bucks Education Business Partnership – High Wycombe
What do our students say?
The children thought it was Fab! They enjoyed the dancing and it is a credit to the instructor that they all listened carefully! The instructor has obviously impressed the boys as some of them are planning to carry it on! The communication between The Urban Strides office team and the School was excellent and showed great professionalism. It was informative and helped and I really appreciated the courtesy call after!”
Roger Dodds Headteacher – Great Kingshill School
What do our students say?
Students thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and as their teacher I have to say I have never seen my pupils so focused, interested and involved as they were
Kerry Hyde, English Martyrs
What do our students say?
I’ve never come across a teacher with so much enthusiasm, energy and above all a special rapport with kids. From the novice to the experienced you got them all to dance and held their attention for one and a half hours. Truly amazing
Sarah Jones and Cath – Hay Festival
What do our students say?
We had a real blast with Andy last week, the pupils and staff got a terrific amount from it & we all found it hugely worthwhile! Emotionally these types of experiences are so important to our children. They come from a place where music is not played in the home, where creativity and self expression are not even encouraged let alone a priority, which means workshops like these are just vital to them developing as human beings. We witnessed some amazing things from the children, joining in where they haven’t in the past, letting themselves go physically and creatively, and emotionally being more open and receptive to learning as a result of it all. it was a joy to watch, I knew they would love the dancing and Andy’s energy and they did. They were really able to engage with him and ultimately that meant he was able to get the best out of them.
After feeding back to our head teacher about it, she would like me to organise another set of workshops!
Holly – East London
What do our students say?
The feedback from the youngsters was that they’d like Alex as their permanent P.E./dance teacher! They enjoyed the challenge and several spent lunchtime trying to teach me the ‘six steps’! (Haven’t quite got it – yet!) I had a little look in during the morning and there was a lovely buzz in the hall – One character said, “It’s like playing Twister!” which I thought sounded fun! We have a new head starting in September – hopefully – I can sweet talk them into funding another session.
Thanks again and please thank Alex from the youngsters and me!
Best wishes – Judith – Suffolk Primary School
What do our students say?
We asked the participants to rate the workshop out of 10 and the overall average was 10! Some comments included “Andy Instone (the instructor) was the best thing ever”, “It was a safe day” & “Andy Instone – Fantastic”. The workshop was a perfect mix, an excellent workshop
Education Business Partnership – Wye Valley
What do our students say?
“I would like you to know how much the children and teachers enjoyed your visit on Friday. The children had such a great time and couldn’t stop talking about it. They thoroughly enjoyed doing something different and as we haven’t ever done hip hop dancing at school it certainly was different for them. It made such a difference, especially to the boys, to see a male dancing and it being his profession. You dealt with the children fantastically and really showed that you enjoy teaching what you love, even to children this young. I do hope you are able to carry on teaching all ages as this is something that the children won’t forget. Thank you again”
Lindsay – music teacher – Great Kingshill Combined School
What do our students say?
I’d just like to say thank you for providing such a fantastic dance teacher yesterday. Andy Instone was a true professional who really motivated the children. They have learnt a great deal from their sessions. I’ve enclosed some letters of thanks from all the children involved. They all want him to come back for more sessions!! Please pass on my praise and appreciation to him.
From a workshop in Surrey