diddi dance

diddi dance welcomed four new franchisees in 2020

by

We are absolutely thrilled to have welcomed four new franchisees to our network in the last year.

Laura, Constantina and Gemma all took over existing franchises that have been running for a number of years and Andrea opened up in a brand new area of Southampton.

Meet them here and feel free to contact them to find out more (face to face classes are currently paused but may be running an online option)

 

Laura Hughes – South East Hampshire & Chichester

“I absolute love teaching dance and sharing my passion with all of your lovely children. I was very diddi myself when I first started dancing at the age of 4 and am proud to have graduated from the University of Chichester with a BA Hons Degree in Dance in 2016. Being able to work in dance full time is a dream come true and I am very thankful for everyone’s ongoing support”.

 

 

 

 

 

Constantina Menezes – Enfield & Potters Bar

“Hey, I’m Constantina but everyone calls me Cos.

I have been dancing from a young age entering dance competitions, and I attended a dance academy from the age of 3. I continued my love for dancing and performing arts at Chickenshed Theatre and got the chance to perform at The Royal Albert Hall. I am qualified Level 3 and Level 5 Early Years Practitioner.

I can’t wait to meet all your diddi faces and be dancing and having fun with you.”

 

 

 

 

Gemma Edmenson –Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells & Hastings

“I’m Gemma, mum to a very lively little boy and ex professional dancer. In my pre-child life I trained in dance and musical theatre and danced in various productions both in the UK and internationally. I also taught various dance classes and choreographed for a variety of different projects.

I first came across diddi dance as a mum, when I took my then 18 month old son along to his first class 2 years ago. We both absolutely loved it from the start. It was so nice to see the children grow in confidence and being encouraged to develop at their own pace, whilst being introduced to so many different dance styles. I am very much looking forward to helping lots of children and parents enjoy dancing together, just as I did with my own little one!”

 

Andrea McCrea – Southampton

“Hello! I’m Andrea and you are all very welcome at diddi dance Southampton! Dance has always featured in my life, from the ballet and tap classes I attended from age 3, to having a good old boogie with the girls on a Saturday night aged…well that’s a secret! And although dance styles and music influences have changed, my love of moving to music has remained a constant.

diddi dance really is so much more than dancing to music. It offers the children physical and social development in a fun and friendly way. Children are free to express themselves, be creative and burn off their boundless energy! And for adults? Well, we get to be part of the fun too as our involvement nurtures and supports the growth of their confidence and abilities.

diddi dance’s unique tunes are just so catchy that they’ll get your toes a-tapping and your hips a-wiggling and I cannot wait to share this with you at a diddi dance class in Southampton.”

 

Have you thought about a diddi dance franchise?

Are you thinking about starting a new business in 2021? Would you like to find out more? See what some of our current franchisees have to say and take a look at our franchise page for more information or contact Recruitment Franchise Manager Donna, who’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

diddi dance in the UK’s top 100 franchises 2021

by

We are so proud to be on the Elite Franchise‘s list of UK’s TOP 100 Franchises 2021 🏆 🤩

This is our fourth year appearing in the top 100 and we are delighted to have maintained this in 2021 #EF100 💚💗💙⠀⠀

Thank you to all our franchisees for their continued hard work making our network such a success 🎉

If you would like to know more about joining our award-winning, family-friendly, supportive network, we would love to hear from you https://www.diddidance.com/franchise/ 💚💗💙

diddi dance turns 17!

by

Its our 17th birthday! Anne-Marie started diddi dance with one class in London back in 2003, and 17 years later has franchisees teaching 16 different dance styles including Bollywood, Disco, Charleston and Rave to preschoolers all over the UK!

During that time we have gained accreditations and won awards, worked and met celebrities, and performed at festivals and shows.

We are excited to be celebrating our birthday and thank you all for your support 💚💗💙

 

 

 

     

Group Ex-Festival powered by classfinder running this weekend 25-27th September

by

 

📣 Join us this weekend for the classfinder Group Ex Festival  📣
@classfinder is running a three-day group ex festival from 25th-27th September 2020. There are classes for all ages and abilities, with over 40 fitness brands delivering 45-minute virtual sessions via Zoom 🎉

Our diddi dance session with Anne-Marie will be at 11am on Sunday morning, you can join us for just £5 for a household or if you are interested in taking part in more than three classes, we recommend you purchase our weekend class pass for £15.

This event is raising funds to help out the Community Fitness Network Get Yer Kit On project, which works to support young women around the UK to access physical activity. The initiative provides group exercise opportunities and sports clothing, as well as accessible training to increase employability and promote positive mental health. Find out more here: https://www.communityfitnessnetwork.org/get-yer-kit-on

🏆 Each ticket sold will be entered into a raffle to win a £2,000 Virgin Holidays voucher, courtesy of Raffolux. With a two year time frame in which to use the voucher in the UK or abroad, you can rest assured your future plans are safe. Terms and conditions apply. See Raffolux website here: https://raffolux.com/tcs/

DON’T MISS OUT! Get your tickets now: https://bookwhen.com/classfinderfestival#focus=ev-sqoj-20200925181500

Podcast with MyBump2Baby

by

Have a listen to Anne-Marie on a podcast with MyBump2Baby.

MyBump2Baby is an expert podcast, bringing experts all over the UK to answer your questions on everything pregnancy to preschool.

In this episode, have a listen to Anne-Marie Martin, founder of diddi dance, where she talks about baby dance and dancing for toddlers. the benefits of baby and toddler dance classes, when your baby should start dance classes, setting happy habits with your baby through dance, the benefits of dance classes for parents, the mental health benefits of dancing and about dancing with your babies at home with homemade props.

You can have a listen here. We hope you enjoy it.

 

24 hour diddi danceathon for Caudwell Children

by

Will you be joining us on Saturday 27th June, to see our founder, Anne-Marie Martin attempt a 24hour diddi danceathon for Caudwell Children?💃🏻🕺🏾

This week should have been Children’s Activities Week 2020 and while we wait for the right time for it to take place, we are excited to help raise vital funds for Caudwell Children’s emergency fundraising appeal.

This awesome charity changes the lives of disabled children by providing access to the services, equipment, therapies and treatments they so desperately need 💚💗💙

We can’t wait for the challenge to begin and see which exciting guests will be joining her online.

If you would like to sponsor Anne-Marie you can do so here 🤩

The event will be streamed live on our diddi dance facebook and instagram pages.

We hope you will join us and all support is welcomed. See you then!

diddi dance in da house!

by

We are super excited to announce that we are continuing to provide diddi dance online so you can join in at home direct from your living room.

All our online sessions will be run by our regular teachers to keep your little ones active:

  • exercise for your diddi dancer
  • entertainment
  • continue to help your child’s development whilst at home
  • help to keep a fun routine

We have had awesome feedback from the families who are already joining our online sessions and you can join us too! Contact your local diddi dance here, for all the information and book your place.

We hope you’ll be joining us very soon 🙂

#themovingmission

by

“We simply need to move more during the day, throughout the day, every day. I believe we should stop talk about exercise altogether and start thinking instead about movement” David Higgins, Personal Trainer to the Stars.

We want children to be physically active for life and this year we bring you #themovingmission 💚💗💙

Anne-Marie says “Setting healthy habits in children before the age of 5, is so important to how movement is viewed throughout life. Physical activity releases endorphins creating positive emotions and feelings which promote emotional and mental health as well as the obvious health and fitness benefits. It can help relieve stress and enforce body positivity. Activities in the early years are key and by encouraging both genders in non-competitive activities can help with their confidence and social skills.

Being physically active should be fun, something to enjoy and look forward to rather than too disciplined and intimidating. Positively encouraging children to be active will impact their views and behaviours into school and even adult life. My passion lies in dancing although we want to encourage all forms of physical activity with #themovingmission. diddi dance sessions are all-inclusive which we believe promotes acceptance of diversity and all abilities.”

Will you join us in the #themovingmission and encourage a love of moving that will last a lifetime?

Meet our newest franchisees

by

We are absolutely thrilled to have had a number of new franchisees join our network here at diddi dance over the last few months. Meet them here to see where they are running fun packed classes, maybe they are local to you? If you’d like to join one of their classes, please contact them below or complete an enquiry form to book a trial here

Josie Ward – Torbay, Central Exeter and Surrounding

“My name is Josie Ward and I am the owner of diddi dance Torbay, Central Exeter and surrounding areas. I started dancing at the age of 2 years and have never stopped! I have previously worked as a dancer/entertainer across the U.K, mainly at holiday parks- performing in shows and running daytime and evening children’s entertainment. I have recently completed my Level 3 Early Years Educator course at South Devon college whilst working as a Nursery Nurse within Torquay. Having gained all my experience, I really have found a gap in the market for diddi dance in Torbay/Exeter which really benefit children’s physical and social development, whilst in a fun, relaxed environment. I am so excited to meet and dance with you all.”

Charlotte Burgess – Shrewsbury & South Telford

“I started my diddi dance journey teaching classes in 2017 and am now excited to be bringing more classes to Shrewsbury and South Telford as a franchisee. I keep very busy in my spare time with my three children who love practicing different dance routines with me at home, especially all the cool moves from diddi dance Hip Hop!”

 

 

Kristina Jones – Wrexham, Owestry, Whitchurch & Malpas

“Having danced since a young age I always wanted to be a dance teacher, and luckily for me a local job opportunity lead me to diddi dance! I love our classes and cant wait to share my passion for dance with as many people as possible through diddi dance sessions! Whether you’re young or old, what can beat a boogie?!”

 

 

 

Natalie Battista – South Manchester, North of Cheshire East & Macclesfield

“Hi my name is Natalie and I run diddi dance South Manchester, after the opportunity came up to take over at the end of 2019 having been a diddi dance teacher in the area since 2014.
I have been dancing my whole life along with acting and singing and started my career early as one of Ken Dodd’s Diddymen touring theatres throughout the UK as a child. I spent part of my adult life working as a professional dancer in family shows abroad and entertaining children of all ages throughout the day. I then went onto dance and sing in tribute shows touring the UK. I also do modelling and have had small TV roles as well.
I now have 2 beautiful children, who have also been diddi dancers and I wanted to carry on with my love of dancing so this lead me to teaching for diddi dance which I thoroughly enjoy, so running it was the perfect next step.
I look forward to meeting and dancing with you all xxx”

 

 

 

 

 

New classes starting January 2020

by

funky preschool dance classes girls boys

We have new classes starting in the new year, January 2020. See below what’s running in your area and contact your local diddi dance to join in the fun.

Our new theme for January will be Hip Hop!

 

diddi dance York, Ryedale, Selby & Surrounding:

  • Starting Monday 13th January @ 10.30 – The Avenues Children Centre, Sixth Avenue, York, YO31 0TX
  • Starting Thursday 16th January @ 1.45pm – Oakengrove Community Centre, Reid Park, Haxby, York, YO32 3QW

diddi dance Wirral & South Liverpool:

  • Starting Monday 6th January @ 11.15am –  Greenbank Sports academy (Brunswick room), Greenbank Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 1AG
  • Sarting Friday 10th January @ 10am – St.Michaels in the Hamlet Church, Belgrave Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 7AG
  • Starting Wednesday 22nd January @ 1.45pm every other week – intergenerational session at Arundel Park (Sanctuary Park), Sefton Park Road, Liverpool, L8 0WN

diddi dance Wrexham, Oswestry, Whitchurch & Malpas:

  • Starting Tuesday 7th January @ 10.45am – Funzone Playbarn Whitchurch, Unit 12 Digital Court, Waymills Ind Est, Whitchurch, SY13 1TT
  • Starting Thursday 9th January @ 1.30pm – Wem Town Hall, 28-32 High Street, Wem, Shrewsbury, SY4 5DG

diddi dance Loughborough, Hinckley, Oadby & Surrounding:

  • Starting Monday 6thJanuary @ 10am – Brock’s Hill Visitor Centre, Brocks Hill Country Park, Washbrook Ln, Oadby, Leicester LE2 5JJ
  • Starting Tuesday 7th January @ 10:30am – Marwood Care Home (intergenerational session), 57 Ashby Road, Loughborough LE12 9BS

diddi dance Bristol:

  • Starting Friday 10th January @ 10:00am – St.George Community Centre, Church Road, St.George, BS5 8AA
  • Starting Saturday 11th January @ 9:30am – St.Barts Church Hall, Maurice Road, St.Andrews Park, BS6 5BZ

diddi dance North London:

  • Starting Friday 10th January @ 9.30am – Huggle, 8-10 Winchester Road, London, NW3 3NT

diddi dance Bromley, Dulwich & Surrounding

  • Starting Friday 10th January @ 9.30am – The Grove Centre, 2 Jews Walk, Sydenham, London, SE26 6PL

diddi dance Torbay, Central Exeter & Surrounding:

  • Starting Monday 6th January @ 10.45am – Whitestone Parish Halls, Merrymeet, Whitestone,, Exeter EX4 2JS
  • Starting Tuesday 4th February @ 10am – Devon Mamma Studios, Winners 2000 Fitness Ltd, Aspen Way, Paignton, TQ4 7QR

 

toddler hip hop street dance

Featured News

All about diddi dance

Where we are


Terms and Conditions   |   Privacy Policy   |   Class Terms & Conditions   |   Class FAQs   |   Covid-19 Policy