About Us

Bodyrockerz has been established 10 Years and has taught Dance in Huddersfield for the last 25 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, 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 Hutchings

Owner, Teacher and Licenced ADFP & IDTA Dance Adjudicator

Steph Hirst

Dance Teacher
Sophie Brook

Dance Teacher
Lisa Nightingale

Dance Teacher

Holly Wisniewski
Jordan Sherwood

Dance Teacher
Katie Green

Dance Teacher

Amanda Johnson

Owner, Teacher and Licenced ADFP & IDTA Dance Adjudicator

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 17 Years. Other National Team 1st Place wins since have been with Classique, Baby Dolls, Delicious 5 Years in a row and Relentless. 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. 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 UCHM 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 Sept. In 2009 they converted Studio 3 to allow for a Bodyrockerz expansion.

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 900 spectators and competitors at the Huddersfield Leisure Centre 3 times per year for competitors across the UK and beyond.

Amanda still enjoys her Primary School roots, going into many schools representing Bodyrockerz and now play gyms across Kirklees to teach dance at after school clubs or workshop sessions.

Amanda has two young boys born 2012 and 2015.

2016/17 will see Amanda and Sophie organising many events and a 10 Year Anniversary Show to celebrate their amazing Bodyrockerz Family!

Qualifications

In 1998 Amanda graduated from Leeds University with a 2:1 degree 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 trains Bodyrockerz pupils to compete at levels from Beginner to Championship in Freestyle Slow Dance and Freestyle Pairs as well as 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, and at North East Area Committee Meetings.

Sophie Hutchings

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. 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 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 1st place 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. A qualified Scrutineer, 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 of 95! 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!

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.

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

Steph has a varied, skilled teaching approach which gives the ability to teach all ages well, teaching our very youngest pupils in Rosettes through to our oldest in the Adult fun fitness class! 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.

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 styles include; Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Urban, Lyrical and Modern. Sophie’s favourite styles to teach from under the street dance umbrella are; Dancehall and House.

She participated and contributed in Rock Challenge at Newsome High School for her final 3 years of High School, placing top 3 on two occasions and attending the Nationwide finals, placing in the top 2. Sophie is proud she was asked to return to Newsome High School now as a choreographer for the future Rock Challenges and has been placed top 3 since returning.

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.

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 dancing around the age of 14 and felt addicted straight away! She enjoyed competing all over the country and in Ireland, making many top finals such as the World Championships, British Championships and Dancer Of The Year.

Prior to Bodyrockerz Lisa completed many IDTA and ISTD examinations as a pupil and joined Bodyrockerz teaching team in February 2015. She’s enjoyed all aspects of what we offer in classes, competitions and events such as the annual show.

Alongside teaching at Bodyrockerz, Lisa has a full time job as a trainee dental nurse. Lisa is now excited to be training through Bodyrockerz for her official IDTA Teaching Qualification to progress her teaching career further.

Qualifications

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

Holly Wisniewski

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.

Jordan Sherwood

Dance Teacher

Jordan began dancing at primary school over 10 years ago when Amanda came in to teach the Bodyrockerz after school dance club and she saw potential in Jordan and encouraged her to attend classes at Bodyrockerz School of Dance. Jordan then started as a shy child in the Rosette Class who barely spoke and now because of Bodyrockerz has blossomed into a passionate performer with the ability to teach others.
Jordan has lots of experience in different styles such as freestyle disco, rock and roll, contemporary, ballet, jazz, commercial, musical theatre and street dance.
Jordan has taken part in many shows and stage routines for example Bodyrockerz annual show at Lawrence batley theatre, carnival dancing on the roads and competing on stage in places such as Manchester, Leeds, York, Nottingham and Huddersfield and has also done shows twice a year when she studied at a performing arts college.

Jordan has taken part in many workshops at Bodyrockerz and beyond, such as House, hip hop, contemporary, Bollywood, break dancing and freestyle disco.

Jordan has been a competitor for nearly 8 years and recently decided she would like to and feels ready to take on teaching at Bodyrockerz. Jordan has been placed in the top 3 in many freestyle and street dance competitions in both beginners and starters in freestyle and beginners and intermediates in street dance at different competitions such as IDTA, open competitions, SDI, UDO, UKDO, and BDO and festivals too.

Qualifications

Jordan attended Kirklees Highfields performing arts college
And did level 3 dance which included styles of ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, musical theatre and bits of street dance.
Jordan started in September 2015 and finished June 2017 achieving Distinction Merit Merit in both choreographing and performance.
Jordan will begin to study at Bodyrockerz to take her IDTA Teachers Qualification alongside other teachers at Bodyrockerz.

Katie Green

Dance Teacher

Katie started dancing with Bodyrockerz aged 10 after attending a Bodyrockerz after school club at a local primary school. 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 an IDTA competitor, she also gained Championship Dancer Status in ADFP competitions, progressing from beginner to championship throughout her training with Bodyrockerz. In 2014 Katie was invited by dance organisations to perform at the Royal Albert Hall with Bodyrockerz freestyle team Relentless who also won the Nationwide Finals.

Qualifications

Outside of Bodyrockerz, Katie achieved an A* in GCSE Dance and prior to becoming a teacher she continued her training for 2 years at the Manchester Shena Simon campus, gaining her a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Dance. She has studied styles including Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary and Commercial passing her exams in ISTD also.

Katie is now enthusiastic to be training through Bodyrockerz for her official IDTA Teaching Qualification to progress her teaching career further.

Paediatric Level 3 First Aid Trained.

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