25 July 2014
Synergy Dance® : The "movers and shakers in the dance class world" Supported by Start Up Woking.
Now approaching our second year, Start Up Woking is continuing to develop and grow local start ups.
Many of those who have received support in the first two years have seen fantastic growth. One such example is Synergy Dance®
Founder Rachael Swann says, "I launched my Start Up Business in January 2014, following a two year pilot, in which I tested my vision, ideas and free-style teaching methods in State and Independent schools - to create a new style of dance fitness class for schools, Leisure centres, sports clubs and the community.
In just 9 months since company formation, we have been nominated for a global award by the parents and people who support us, "Best New Activity for Kids in the International "What's On 4 Junior Awards". We have also recently joined forces with Guildford's Spectrum Leisure Centre, where we will be running our unique Synergy® workshops, dance classes and dance parties. Schools in Surrey are also requesting workshops, clubs and classes for their pupils. In addition we are working with a local acting and performance agency for children and young people, offering unique opportunities to work professionally through our monthly Musical Theatre audition workshops with the `Buttercup' Agency. We have also been approached by CHIPS to run summer scheme workshops and to run classes and workshops for schools within their scheme. Synergy Dance® is on a mission to bring more dance into all walks of life for children and young people to promote happiness, wellbeing and healthy living.
During this process of growth, Start Up Woking have provided advice on intellectual property, trademarks, copyright, employment law and accountancy with free consultations and workshops. I also have invaluable regular monthly mentor sessions via Start Up with Trudy Thompson at Bricks and Bread, who has been behind me and supportive all the way, since our initial discussion of my vision and dream, to expand my "dance concept" and pursue the gap in the market, via my Company.
SYNERGY Dance®'s program mixes Street, Ballroom, Jazz, Latin, Break-dancing, Gangnam, Disco, Pop and "football anthem" routines. We also teach a fusion of these styles for more advanced or older groups (Synergy Fusion!). Age categories for classes are 7-11, 12-16 and 16-18 years into adulthood. The combined effect is unique and ground breaking and much bigger than the sum of its parts.
Our company signature is the fun combination of drama and dance in the classes, which allows young people to grow, develop and improve their confidence into adulthood.
Synergy Dance® offers Dance & Drama clubs and classes in schools, leisure centres and the community. We also offer Holiday clubs, After School Clubs, Musical Theatre clubs, workshops, bespoke dance parties. Songs from Disney's Frozen in our junior classes in schools, with kind permission from Disney, are also available.
One client has recently selected Synergy® because we "constantly move with the times and trends" and are in touch with children's current music tastes and favourite dances. We are replacing what they consider to be "out of date activities" with our vision of innovative dance classes and activities for children.
From teaching on the "front line" with kids, I have found that children will happily tell us what they like best and so our classes are "responsive" and flexible. Synergy Dance® is proactive and moves with trends so we can react and respond to what kids actually like to do rather than prescribe things that are out of date.
Recently described by The Woking News and Mail as "movers and shakers in the dance class world", it is part of our ethos when teaching in schools to build habits for lifelong participation and we are on a mission to promote healthy lifestyles for children and young adults and beyond into adulthood. We believe exercise and dance can be sustained throughout life and one of the joys of teaching is that pupils do not notice the hour passing while they exercise.
We pride our professional work on integrity, teaching style, commitment and allowing kids to take the lead sometimes - to find their "inner dance voice" so they reveal their individual talents! Our dance program is inclusive, innovative, varied and inspires children to exercise within the working week and at weekends, and in the process to adopt a healthier lifestyle, all while having lots of fun.
For more on Synergy Dance® see: www.synergydance.co.uk
If Rachael's journey has inspired you to turn your business idea into a reality, get in touch with Start Up Woking Today. www.StartUpWoking.co.uk