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.