Meet the founders
Julia Russell
Since I founded Kicks Dance in 2008 I have been enjoying the most satisfying and exciting years of my career to date. A graduate in Performing Arts and a teacher for 20 years, I have always enjoyed combining my passion for dance with my love for children. Having the opportunity to start Kicks Dance has added a new dimension and has been a wonderful experience. It is a joy to see the children grow in confidence, ability and fitness whilst at the same time having lots of fun!
Each week children aged 18months+ fill the studios with their enthusiasm, energy and laughter as they try new routines to their favourite songs. Kicks Dance provide children with an arena to be creative, try out choreographic skills and use props or costumes. We have grown through recommendation and have met a need that parents seem to be looking for. Kicks Dance have a unique appeal to boys and girls and to children of all abilities – it is about dancing to music they enjoy without the pressure of exams.
Kicks Dance offer weekly classes, parties, workshops & dance in the curriculum. Click here to find out more about our classes.
Kicks Dance is all about ‘Fun, Fitness and Feeling Good’
Julia Russell – Founder & Director Kicks Dance Ltd | Founder Kicks Dance East Grinstead
Amelia Whittaker
After graduating with a First Class Degree in Dance Studies, setting up my Kicks Dance Franchises and developing the Kicks Dance LTD brand felt like the perfect next step. Kicks Dance definitely closes the gap in the market for a fun, friendly dance class without the more formal dance class pressures of exams or competitions. We feel we give the children a safe space to enjoy dancing, learn new skills and develop their self-confidence as well as having FUN!
As a mother and daughter team, we have really tried to uphold a ‘family feel’ throughout the business. We know that each child is the singularly, most important person in the class to their parent/guardian. Therefore, every child is the most important child in the class to us.
I feel extremely lucky to be doing a job I am passionate about and it has been a joy… together with our outstanding teachers and staff…to give the children the chance to sparkle.
*Every child is a star…give yours the chance to sparkle*
Amelia Whittaker – Director Kicks Dance Ltd | Owner Kicks Dance Horsham & Kicks Dance Crawley
Flo Russell
Having been a part of Kicks Dance from the start, taking over Kicks Dance East Grinstead seemed like the next natural step in my career and one which came during a very dark time for everyone! I took over the business in September 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whilst it was tricky to navigate the difficulties of lockdowns and social distancing, it was incredible to be able to give the children a little slice of fun and normality in their otherwise upside-down worlds. I have always had a passion for dance having danced from a young age and continuing to dark throughout my time at Cardiff University, where I was choreographer for the contemporary dance society.
Before joining Kicks Dance I worked in marketing for nearly 3 years so my background in marketing and advertising I love that it’s something I can continue to explore in my current role.
I have loved joining the Kicks Dance LTD team, helping to further develop the business with new ideas for classes and I am heavily involved in the franchising of the business. As a business, we are so excited to see how far we can spread our love and passion for dance and help enrich children’s lives throughout the country.
*Every child is a star…give yours the chance to sparkle*
Flo Russell – Director Kicks Dance Ltd | Owner Kicks Dance East Grinstead & Haywards Heath
