Bodyrockerz has been established 15 Years and has taught Dance in Huddersfield for the last 29 Years. With a large experienced teaching team, Bodyrockerz teaches a wide range of modern styles to all ages from preschool to adults from boys to girls; including Street Dance, Acro, Freestyle, Slow and Contemporary Dance, Rock n Roll, Commercial and Dance Fitness and Flexibility.

Be it for fun and fitness or for our Annual Show, Examinations or Competition, Bodyrockerz has something for everybody and we are proud of the lifelong friendships forged here!

Our Team

Amanda Johnson

Owner, Teacher and Licenced ADFP & IDTA Dance Adjudicator
Sophie Arjomand

Owner, Teacher and Licenced ADFP & IDTA Dance Adjudicator

Steph Hirst

Dance Teacher
Sophie Brook

Dance Teacher
Lisa Nightingale

Dance Teacher

Paris Johnson

Dance Teacher
Holly Wisniewski

Dance Teacher
Katie Green

Dance Teacher

Amanda Johnson

Owner, Teacher and Licenced ADFP & IDTA Dance Adjudicator

Amanda is proud to have taught dance in Huddersfield for 29 years and to have run Bodyrockerz for 15 years. She enjoys supporting the Bodyrockerz Teachers in their teaching of classes and private lessons and providing a dance family, fitness and well-being for many children and adults in the past, now and for the future.

Amanda began her love of dance at age 4 at Charles Frost Dance School learning Ballroom, Latin American Freestyle and Rock n Roll. With Linda Liversedge and from age 16 with Peter York she completed the Freestyle Exam Syllabus and almost completed the Ballroom and Latin American syllabus, to then become a Student Teacher, training formation teams and individuals for competitions and exams.

In 1999 Freestyle Team Panache were awarded 1st Place at the IDTA Nationwide Finals trained and choreographed by Amanda; a first of many National Acclaims over the last 21 Years. Other National Team 1st Place wins since have been with Classique, Baby Dolls, Delicious 5 consecutive years, Relentless and Fearless. Amanda has also trained many individuals pairs and rock n roll pairs reaching 1st Place National Acclaim. In 2014 National Winners Relentless were selected to perform at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall at the Dance Proms. More recently, team Fearless won 1st Place at the Nationwide Finals. Amanda’s passion for choreographing and training teams remains!

In 2006 Peter York gave Amanda the go ahead to set up her own dance school and to invite all the Freestyle pupils she had trained at Peter Yorks to join her. This school was named Bodyrockerz and included pupil Sophie Hutchings; now business partner!

Although Bodyrockerz was established at YMCA in Milnsbridge in 2006, in 2007 Amanda and husband Paul converted premises in 6 wks with 2 studios lounge and kitchen ready for opening in September. In 2009 they converted Studio 3 to allow for a Bodyrockerz expansion. In 2019 Bodyrockerz moved to the UCHM Sports Hall in Milnsbridge and 2021 will see the opening of Bodyrockerz Slaithwaite!

In 2008 Amanda organised for Bodyrockerz to perform their first show at the LBT Huddersfield and this annual tradition is ongoing as pupils show off their hard work from classes, teams and private lessons.

In 2014 after much loyalty and hard work, Bodyrockerz Teacher Sophie Hutchings went into business partnership with Amanda and Bodyrockerz is now run by both. Amanda and Sophie also successfully organise Energy Epidemic ADFP/BDC rules competitions for up to 1000 spectators and competitors at the Huddersfield Leisure Centre/Huddersfield University for competitors across the UK and beyond.

Amanda still enjoys her Primary School roots, going into Kirklees schools, representing Bodyrockerz to teach dance at after school clubs or workshop sessions. Amanda runs Bodyrockerz Pre-School Classes in Play-Gyms across Kirklees.

Amanda has two young boys born 2012 and 2015 and a daughter born in 2018.

Qualifications

In 1998 Amanda graduated from Leeds University with a 2:1 degree BA(hons)QTS in Primary School Teaching and English and went on to teach Year 5 and 6 at Whittaker Moss Primary, for 10 years full time (whilst teaching dance at Peter Yorks in Milnsbridge on an evening and weekend).
At two OFSTED inspections Amanda was awarded Outstanding for her Teaching and for her role as Literacy Coordinator across KS1 and KS2 and her Year 6 Class often achieved 100% level 4 and above in SATS results.
In 2000 Amanda passed her IDTA Associate Teaching Exam with 96% and was nominated for the John Dilworth Award along with 402 other hopefuls. After a series of interviews Amanda was chosen from 8 finalists to be presented with the award in Birmingham with funding to help further her studies.

Amanda is now qualified to Membership Level and plans to take her final Fellowship Exam to enable her to become an Examiner for the IDTA in future years.
Amanda is a Licenced Adjudicator for Open Comp Championship Events and has adjudicated widely at both ADFP and IDTA competitions.
Amanda has lectured Freestyle Dance and the teaching of Freestyle Teams at various events such as IDTA Congress in London, Freestyle Lecture Days in Birmingham, and at North East Area Committee Meetings.

Amanda has Level 2 Exercise to Music Qualification.

Sophie Arjomand

Owner, Teacher and Licenced ADFP & IDTA Dance Adjudicator

Sophie started a local ballet and street dance class at a young age and then went on to join Peter Yorks Freestyle, Ballroom and Latin school age 12. Within her time there (with Peter and Amanda Johnson as her teachers), she found a love for Freestyle Rock n Roll and Latin, appreciated belonging to a new social group whilst also achieving high examination marks in all genres, making finals on a competitive level in Freestyle and Rock n Roll, and being picked out by a specialised Theatre teacher for showing great potential.

A teacher of Freestyle, Rock & Roll, Slow Dance/Contemporary and Acro for Bodyrockerz, Sophie has choreographed routines in all these genres for regional and national competitions, whilst training dancers to a high standard to win numerous Medalist of the Year, Regional, National and World Championship titles. She has also had pupil success achieving the top Prem Championship status at ADFP and winning many 1st places in this section. Being elected twice for the Young Choreographer of the Year award is something she is very proud of. Although Sophie is enthusiastic for pupil’s competition success, she enjoys teaching all levels of dance and endeavors to motivate, build confidence, and self-esteem in all dancers.

Sophie enjoys being a qualified Adjudicator of dance, and has been asked to adjudicate at prestigious dance festivals such as DOTY in Ireland and many uk holiday sites. A qualified Scrutineer and acro instructor, Sophie enjoys extending her knowledge and is now qualified to Associate Teacher Level in Rock n Roll, and Licentiate Teacher Level in Freestyle gaining a very high Distinction mark and being put forward for scholarships by the IDTA. She has an enthusiasm for running events and together with Amanda has set up many successful competition days under the name Energy Epidemic. To develop her career further Sophie put herself forward for the IDTA NE committee and was elected successfully in September 2016. To further this, in 2017 she now takes on the roll of Freestyle Sub Committee Chair. Sophie looks forward to the future of Bodyrockerz, and all we have to offer.

Qualifications

In addition to this, attaining A* at GCSE Dance, PE and gaining an AS and A-Level in PE, Sophie became a teacher within the first year that Bodyrockerz was established and now owns and manages Bodyrockerz in joint business partnership with Amanda since 2014.

Sophie valued her time at Leeds Metropolitan University graduating with a respectable 2:1 BA Hons in Youth Work and Community Studies, and will forever be frustrated with 2 marks off a First Class Degree! Structured on youth work, counseling and safeguarding children, Sophie got top marks in all her placements in schools, youth clubs and on children’s hospital wards. With a strong passion to help facilitate personal, social and educational growth, along with a positive view and understanding, Sophie enjoys helping young people reach their full potential on and off the dance floor.

Paediatric Level 3 First Aid Trained.

Steph Hirst

Dance Teacher

Steph started dancing when aged 3 as a hobby, and from then through years she has enjoyed several different dance styles. Over the years of enjoying dance she decided to take it further to an educational level to study A-level dance at New College. Taking part in showcases, choreography and technique lessons, she enjoyed all aspects.

Steph had worked on a residential with NCS as a performing arts practitioner teaching young adults dance styles and techniques working towards a showcase. Steph has also worked on a 1-1 basis on play scheme days with a young girl with special needs.

Alongside Bodyrockerz, Steph works full time as a progress tutor at a 6th form college, working with 16-18 years olds in pastoral care. She also worked in performing arts at the college teaching BTEC Dance and Musical Theatre on maternity cover.

Steph has a varied, skilled teaching approach which gives the ability to teach all ages well. She enjoys teaching a wide range of classes for all abilities and ages, and looks forward to the Bodyrockerz show every year. Her time teaching at Bodyrockerz has resulted in dancers Regional and National 1st place success in Freestyle.

Qualifications

Steph went on to achieve a 2:1 degree in Dance Performance and Teaching at UCLAN where she also took on extra teaching outside of her degree in after school and lunch time clubs. During her time at University she joined a group who performed for charity events, hair shows and various clubs.

Steph has also achieved her PGCE in post 16 education specialising in dance.

Through Bodyrockerz, Steph is now a qualified Adjudicator, an Associate Teacher under the IDTA and is looking forward to being part of the Bodyrockerz 10 year celebrations!

Paediatric Level 3 First Aid Trained.

Sophie Brook

Dance Teacher

Before Sophie began her career teaching, she was a regular performer; from Carnival main stage to various competitions up and down the country. Sophie’s experience in dance include a range of styles from her studies.

On a personal note, since returning back to competitions as a Bodyrockerz teacher, Sophie has placed 5th in Over 16’s Intermediate solo at UDO regionals and 1st place in Over 16’s Open advanced Duo’s at SDI regionals. Previous success include 1st place Crews at UDO regional with her former team and is delighted to have trained pupils to National acclaim in street solo duos and quads. Sophie looks forward to her future with Bodyrockerz.

Alongside Bodyrockerz, Sophie works full time within a pastoral team at a secondary school, working with 11-16 year olds and managing behaviour, attendance, welfare and safeguarding.

Qualifications

Sophie started her training with Suga Brown in 2006. She went on to study Dance at GCSE and graduated at college with triple Distinction in Dance and Performing Arts. Sophie has experience of teaching for over 5 years, and has branched out delivering workshops in the UK and abroad. With past and present success in Street Dance competitions through Bodyrockerz, Sophie has seen her work being placed Top 3 Nationally.

Lisa Nightingale

Dance Teacher

Lisa started her involvement with freestyle disco dancing at the age of 14 and felt addicted straight away!

Lisa enjoyed competing all over the UK and in Ireland, making many top finals such as the World Championships, British Championships and Dancer Of The Year.

Prior to teaching at Bodyrockerz Lisa completed many IDTA and ISTD examinations as a pupil and joined our Bodyrockerz teaching team in February 2015.

Lisa enjoys all aspects of what we offer in classes, competitions and events such as the annual show.

Alongside teaching at Bodyrockerz, Lisa looks after her little boy and is an area manager for the Bodyshop at home.

Qualifications

Lisa is training through Bodyrockerz for her official IDTA Teaching Qualification to progress her teaching career further.

Paris Johnson

Dance Teacher

After developing a love for dance at a young age, Paris gained an A in her GCSE Dance qualification, she then went on to achieve a Level 3 BTEC Dance qualification with a Triple Distinction Star. After college, she moved abroad to study at the Institute of the Arts Barcelona where she took a 1 year intensive Dance and Performing Arts Course. In 2014 she gained a place at one of London’s top Musical Theatre Schools, The Urdang Academy(2014-2017). Throughout her time there she gained extensive knowledge about the world of Performing Arts, the demanding audition process and what it takes to become successful within the industry.

Graduating Urdang with a 2:1 BA Hons Degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, Paris left the UK to perform in Bodyguard Das Musical. After living and performing in Germany she then secured a 12 month contract to perform in the UK and European Tour of Thriller Live.
Her portfolio of auditions include The Lion King, Motown, FAME and Hamilton. Her Audition experience has helped form her resilient and charismatic outlook for the Arts.

She now works full time supporting and teaching dance in a Secondary school and is looking forward to expanding with the Bodyrockerz team!

Holly Wisniewski

Dance Teacher

Holly started Bodyrockerz at the age of 9 where she first started off by attending our Saturday class. She then started competing with Bodyrockerz a year later as an u12 beginner. At the age of 13 Holly gained a double u14 champ status in both solo and slow at our very own Bodyrockerz competition. At the age of 15 Holly became an u16 Premier Champ in slow after losing 3 lives in the section with 3 wins under her belt. In Freestyle solo Holly lost 4 lives but unfortunately missed out on her Championship that enabled her to go into Premier Champ status.

In 2016 Holly and her partner made the prestigious WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL coming 5th and in 2017 she made the pairs final AGAIN coming 4th! For 2 consecutive years in 2017 and 2018 Holly along with her partner were the IDTA NATIONAL WINNERS for freestyle pairs. Along with making the freestyle solo, slow finals, team winners and taking 2nd place in Rock n Roll. Within her time at Bodyrockerz Holly is also an IDTA NATIONAL WINNER in Street solo, quads, pairs and team! At the IDTA national qualifiers Holly won her sections consecutively taking home wins in all her sections for many years. In 2011 Holly was the first ever winner of our bodyrockerz progress award shield. At the age of 17 Holly finished her dancing journey with premier champ slow, champ solo and champ pairs status. Holly also achieved highest IDTA exam marks for freestyle and rock n roll multiple times and also was nominated for the IDTA scholarships.

Throughout her dancing journey, with teachers Sophie and Amanda, Holly found her passion for dance and her love for teaching others and seeing them progress and reach their goals.
In 2018 Holly started studying at CAPA College where she studies dance and choreography. She studies Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet and Commercial. She’s also done Latin at Bodyrockerz so has lots of experience within different styles.

Holly is eager to begin her teaching journey with Bodyrockerz and will be training to take her IDTA teaching qualification.

Katie Green

Dance Teacher

Katie started dancing with Bodyrockerz aged 10 after attending a Bodyrockerz after school club at a local primary school where Amanda saw great potential in her. As a pupil, Bodyrockerz has seen Katie through all of her IDTA dance examinations and through many competitions, which presented Katie many top 3 places Nationally. As well as a successful IDTA competitor, she also progressed to a Championship Status in ADFP competitions through many years of hard work and dedication. In 2014 Katie was invited by dance organisations to perform at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall with Bodyrockerz freestyle team Relentless who also won at the IDTA Nationwide Finals.

After many years of competing, Katie then began her teaching journey with us at Bodyrockerz and now continues to endeavour in building strong relationships with pupils and giving them the helping hand to achieve all goals. Katie has trained pupils who have achieved high status and have been successful at many competitions, Including Regional and Nationwide winners and many who have achieved finals in Championship and Worldwide events.

Katie has represented Bodyrockerz in several local primary schools, offering fun and energetic learning opportunities for those with an interest in music and dance. This has always been a rewarding aspect of working in schools for Katie as she has seen her weekly clubs turn into fantastic productions on stage at community showcases, and as a child herself, this is where Katie first found her passion for dance.

Katie is extremely proud to have been involved with assisting Sophie and Amanda with managing the swift, efficient running of the School and enjoys discussing the ways in which Bodyrockerz will continue to grow and thrive by creating new opportunities for all of our pupils, parents and teachers. She supports the School in all areas of the business and very much considers Bodyrockerz as her second home.

Along side being a dedicated Dance Teacher, Katie also offers services as a Makeup Artist and Nail Technician and has offered workshops for pupils and parents at Bodyrockerz… An opportunity which saw many of our regular competitors eager to learn and practice for shows and competitions, as well as many others, just for fun! As a school, we are proud to support one another in all aspects of our work and personal life.

Qualifications

Outside of Bodyrockerz, Katie achieved an A* in GCSE Dance and prior to becoming a teacher she continued her training for 2 years in Manchester, gaining her a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dance. She has studied styles including Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Heels Technique and Commercial passing her exams in ISTD also.
Katie is now half way through training for her official IDTA Teaching Qualification which will progress her teaching career further and has passed her first exam with a Distinction.

Paediatric Level 3 First Aid Trained.

Our Team

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