Total Dance was formed in 2008 by Nancy Lucas.
Nancy had worked as a professional dancer for 10 years across the UK, USA and Europe. Upon returning to the UK Nancy co ran 2 franchises of Babyballet in Leeds and Bradford before deciding she wanted to create a dance school for children beyond the Babyballet age limits. She wanted to establish a dance school setting where children come and learn dance without the traditional strict setting and exam based classes and instead putting the emphasis being on fun and children enjoying being physical so they always understood the importance of physical exercise. This was a hugely successful school that had over 200 children. Encouraging the children to interact and contribute to the class kept them interested and inspired.
Again, this was a vision with the fitness classes which then became a natural progression. Keen to lose the intimidating gym setting feeling that many people worry about and create a welcoming class environment that felt like a community. The loyal following and also the frequency of new faces shows this has been achieved.
Brianne Persson now runs the children’s external classes in the Bradford area and can be contacted on 07792 167 707.
Rebecca Lodge runs children’s classes in the Leeds area and can be contacted on 07876 673 363
Nancy continues to teach children in school settings only. Being part of many schools ‘after school’ programs and visiting primary schools frequently as part of Healthy Living week or to offer a varied PE session. If you know a school that would be interested in hosting sessions such as this, please get in touch. Children’s sessions can be any format of dance from ballet, street dance, tap, children’s HIIT to Zumba. We even offer teachers sessions too!
Nancy was pleased to be one of the first Zumba® instructors in Yorkshire Our classes are energetic and fun and suitable for everyone. Within Zumba we are qualified in the following: Zumba Gold, Zumba Kids, Zumba Sentao, Zumba Toning, Zumba Core, Zumba Glutes. Within Zumba Nancy has now won 3 awards, Best Zumba Class in Leeds, Best Instructor, Best Fitness class!
Nancy works with a team of fully qualified teachers too, including
- Alessandra Valle-Metaxas (ZUMBA),
- Pollyann Walsh(ZUMBA, INSANITY).
- Rachael Gascoigne-Higgins (ZUMBA)
- Rebecca Lodge (ZUMBA, CHILDREN’S DANCE)
Nancy Lucas
Nancy trained at Dorothy Stevens School of Dance and Phil Winstons Theatre Works.
After completing all her examinations in R.A.D and I.S.T.D ballet, modern and tap Nancy went on to work as a professional dancer for 10 years.
She worked for Princess, P&O, Q’dos, E&B Productions and Belinda King before embarking upon creating Total Dance.
Nancy has been teaching and managing over 50 classes a week since 2006.