BE U DANCE COMPANY

Be U Dance Company (BUDC) is a youth contemporary dance studio based in Bath. The company aims to inspire, nurture and support young dancers through their journey in contemporary dance, offering weekly technique classes, creative sessions, high-quality performance opportunities and choreographic intensives with professional artists.

BUDC runs four age-grouped classes. Zing is for ages 8–11 (years 4–6), Zeal for ages 11–14 (years 7–9), and Verve for ages 15–18 (years 10+). The Company is a selective group for ages 14–19. Class numbers vary term to term but do not exceed 20 per group. Zing, Zeal and Verve meet at the Scout Hut on Grove Street in Bathwick; the Company is based at The Edge Arts Building at the University of Bath. The studio does not currently offer dance exams.

Fleur Hoefkens-Lee leads the company. She trained with some of the best choreographers and artists in contemporary dance, including Hofesh Shechter, Alleyne Dance Company, Leila McMillan (Flying Low), Paul Claydon (DV8), Ben McEwan and Natalia Iwaniec (Gaga). She holds a 1st degree in Dance from Bath Spa University, was awarded an Artswork Bursary Award and in 2019 received the Victoria Worsfold Griffiths Bursary for Laban Trinity's Summer School. She has performed at The London Palladium, The Prince of Wales Theatre, Glastonbury Festival and Womad, and has 14 years' experience working in schools, theatres, community groups, higher education, youth dance companies and professional companies. Lilia Blood also teaches at BUDC. She achieved a distinction in grades 5 to Intermediate RAD syllabus at Pointework's School of Ballet, then studied Contemporary Dance at Bath Spa University, where she worked with Emily Brown Dance, Neon Dance, Impermanence Dance and Insight Ensemble. She completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training qualification in 2020.

Every group performs at least twice per year, plus end-of-term sharings. The Company tours their set work regionally and locally throughout the year. The studio offers creative, playful sessions centred on teamwork, trust and loyalty, with an emphasis on building confidence and treating dancers as thinking, feeling artists rather than technical robots. The ethos prioritises creativity, community, fun and growth.

You'll attend a free taster class first. Classes are creative and energetic, with an emphasis on fun alongside technical development. Parents wait in a separate area so children can concentrate. Class size is no more than 20 people. Arrive on time: latecomers arriving more than 15 minutes after the start will not be permitted to participate due to the essential warm-up and injury prevention protocol.

Fleur Hoefkens-Lee is the founder and lead instructor, with 14 years' experience and training from major contemporary artists including Hofesh Shechter and DV8. She holds a 1st degree in Dance from Bath Spa University and has performed at The London Palladium, Glastonbury and Womad. Lilia Blood co-teaches, with a distinction in RAD ballet grades and a first in Contemporary Dance from Bath Spa University, plus 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training.

All levels welcome; free taster classes offered for new students, and the studio works with dancers regardless of prior experience.