5 Minutes with Fiona Leonard
By Deji Osobukola
The lady in the picture is Fiona Leonard. You may have seen her around the university and I’m sure you must have wondered “how does she stay in such great shape?” That question crossed my mind when I saw her and I just had to find out her secret.
Fiona started her own dance company Just Dance a year ago and now runs dance classes in Hertfordshire. Read Fiona’s story below to find out how it all started and how you can join in the fun:
Fiona, tell us a little bit about yourself?
I trained to be a dancer at the London Studio Centre for a total of 3 years. Since graduating, I have spent the last five years working as a professional dancer and in this past year, I have begun teaching dance.
How did your business idea start?
Being a professional dancer is massively competitive and it doesn’t always provide a stable source of income. I decided that teaching dance would be the perfect way to keep me dancing but also provide me with a more reliable income.
What type of dance do you teach and why?
I teach commercial jazz dance. I love jazz dancing more than any other dance form and I honestly believe that in order to be a good teacher and to inspire others you have to love what you do.
Who is your target market?
People in their early to late twenties are my target market which means I tend to teach a high majority of students and young professionals. I also have a beginner’s class aimed specifically at people in their forties and fifties, who are getting back into exercise.
How much do you charge?
I charge between £3.50 and £5 for an hour’s session - £3.50 for students.
How large are your classes?
A class can be anywhere between 10 and 25 people, but on average I’d say there are about 15 per class.
Where are your dance classes held?
There are two located in Hatfield and one in St. Albans. I teach on Monday evenings, at Fitness First, St. Albans. My Tuesday class is held at Hatfield Leisure Centre and the Wednesday class at the Hertfordshire Sports Village.
Where do you see Just Dance in 5 years?
Hopefully I’ll just keep expanding. I’d like to have lots of classes running simultaneously with about three teachers getting involved with the whole thing. At the moment it’s just me but hopefully that will change. I’m looking to start a class in central London and one in Potters Bar. I want to bring the classes closer to London which is where I will soon be located.
Do you take part in dance competitions?
No we don’t. It’s tricky actually because with kids, competitions are a lot easier to organise. Children attend termly dance classes and at the end of each term they will usually work towards shows or competitions. The people who attend my classes are older, and because my classes are drop in sessions it’s difficult to organise rehearsals and to get that weekly commitment from people who just want to dance as a fun way of exercising rather than as something competitive.
Who
would you like to perform with on stage – your dream dance
partner?
That’s tricky, hmmm... Adam Cooper! Adam Cooper just because he is brilliant.
What is your most embarrassing moment as a dance teacher or as a dancer?
I have so many embarrassing moments! As a dance teacher, I sometimes randomly have a blank in class and I don’t remember my own choreography. Thankfully it all comes back to me eventually. I’m not going to tell you about my embarrassing moments as a dancer though because it’s just too humiliating but let’s just say it involves horrible costume changes and the likes.
Do you have any dance tips for readers?
It’s a tricky little business. If you enjoy it and it’s something you want to pursue, do it because you love it and for no other reason. If you’re doing it for another reason then you probably won’t succeed.
To learn more about Fiona’s dance classes go to: www.justdanceuk.com
