Hype Dance Company

Hype Dance Company is a non-profit organisation established in Sheffield in 2004 by Anna Olejnicki. Based at studios near Shalesmoor and Kelham Island, it serves children, young people and adults across the South Yorkshire region with regular classes, IDTA syllabus exams, private tuition, dance parties, studio hire and community outreach.

The studio teaches ballet, pointe, contemporary, modern jazz, tap, breakdance, commercial street dance, acrobatics, Bollywood, musical theatre, stretch and flexibility, and choreography. Drop-in classes for adults run weekly, with participants ranging from 17 to people in their 50s and 60s. Under-18s can join IDTA-affiliated classes charged per half-term following Sheffield school term times. All tutors are qualified professionals, fully insured and DBS checked where necessary.

Adult drop-in classes cost £7.50 (£6.50 with NUS student discount). Under-18s IDTA classes cost £6.50 for 60-minute sessions, £5.25 for 45 minutes, and £3.75 for 30 minutes. New starters can try beginner courses for three weeks on a pay-as-you-go basis before committing to a full term. The studio also offers private tuition in any style for individuals and small groups, suitable for wedding first dances, exam preparation, auditions, or simply dancing for fun.

The studios feature sprung wooden floors, full walls of mirrors, ballet barres, professional sound systems and central heating. All classes must be booked and paid for in advance. You can amend bookings up to 2 hours before class; studio hires can be amended up to 24 hours in advance.

Beyond regular classes, Hype delivers extensive outreach work with schools, youth groups, care homes and mental health services. The company has created specialised dance workshops for people with dementia (developed in partnership with dance movement therapists, Derby University and The Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience) and mental health dance workshops. The studio also arranges themed dance parties for birthdays, hen dos and team-building events, hosts an annual performance and dance show, and runs CPD support for dance professionals.

When you arrive, press the buzzer to the left of the black doors. Once inside, head upstairs to the waiting area on the left; use the changing space if needed. Bring clean footwear, take a seat in the waiting area and a tutor will collect you for your class. You can bring belongings into the studio and hang them on hooks provided.

The team includes Alice Grayson (IDTA Ballet, Modern & Tap), Chris Brayford (Breakdance), Joanne Payne (Tap Dance), Lauren Aizlewood (Contemporary), Monica Marsden (Acro), Sarah Hobson (Commercial Street) and Anna Olejnicki (Founder). All are experienced professionals, qualified in their disciplines, fully insured and DBS checked where necessary. Alex Warren is Company Director and Paulina Chochulska is Creative Director.

The studio welcomes complete beginners and runs dedicated beginner courses on a 5-week cycle in ballet, contemporary, tap and modern jazz for ages 17–60+.