AFTER their phenomenal performance at Thame’s Music in the park, so many of us were ‘blown away’ by Urban Strides, and have wanted to know more about them. So we decided to catch up with Andy Instone, this amazing Street Dance group’s Creative Director, to find out about what those inspiring the next generation of dancers is doing differently to create such extraordinary results.
Urban Strides have been one of the leading lights on the UK Street Dance scene for over 10 years. They were the first Street Dance crew in the World to open the Royal Variety performance in the presence of her majesty the Queen and have performed on over 108 arena stages. Their students have gone on to become Hollywood stars, successful dancers and to have confidence in all aspects of their lives. Founder Andy Instone is clearly putting something in the water! Although Urban Strides perform all over the UK, they reside and train in Bucks and have classes and links to schools in Thame. Here’s how the interview went:
Q: The level of performance you attain with a group of young people is far above the ‘normal’ standard of performance, what’s your secret?
AI (Andy Instone): Confidence. We give our students the confidence to believe they can achieve their dreams. From a beginner’s class right up to the professional companies we re-enforce the belief that we are all capable of achieving great things if we put our mind to it.
Q: How do you get such a transformation from taking a beginner to professional standard dancer?
AI: Expectations. In all our crews whether it’s the kids or the teens and adults we set the bar extremely high and expect them to reach it. We find when you raise the expectations of someone you open their eyes to a standard they never thought possible. After that it becomes an addiction, once you get to a level you never thought you could achieve it gives you the confidence to raise the bar again.
Q: The performances are so dynamic what is it that sets your choreography apart?
AI: We are Street Dance specialists so everything we do is based from that. I spent the last 15 years traveling around the world learning the original Street Dance styles from the creators themselves. I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from the teachers of Michael Jackson and the worlds most famous Breakin’ (Break dance) crew, The Rocksteady crew from New York. I’ve taken these real deal Street dance moves and teach my teachers to pass these skills on to our younger students.
Q: Have you any success stories from students from Lord Williams in Thame?
AI: Yeah quite a few! But a couple spring to mind. Freya Hargreaves who was a student at Lord Williams came to class as a beginner to learn some moves and transform her confidence. She ended up performing with our professional company and even performed at the O2 arena.
We also had Tommy Russell who also started as a beginner and is now in London on a scholarship with a top musical theatre school and is about to embark on his journey as a full time professional dancer.
At the moment we have a another young man called Alex Cook who started off in our Thursday night beginner class in Thame and now performs regularly for the Junior crew. His confidence, team working skills and dance ability have soared in the last 4 years and he is showing huge promise to continue a professional career in dance if he wants to.
Tom on the left and Jacob on the right
Here’s what Alex’s Dad Rob had to say about Alex’s involvement with Urban Strides:
“Urban Strides has been amazing for Alex, he was never really interested in sports but street dance with Urban Strides gave him an outlet for his energy and passion. He’s gained so much strength, confidence and self belief it’s been wonderful to see. Urban Strides and the crew are truly his second family – sometimes his first! and their commitment to supporting and developing their students goes so much deeper than “just” street dance, he’d be lost without them.”
If you would like your child to inspired, get fit, be a part of something positive take a look at the Urban Strides website for classes for children, teenagers and adults. www.urbanstrides.com or 08448488825.
