About us
Hi! I’m Leila - I’m enthusiastic, bubbly and a little bit loopy.
I’m passionate about my faith, people, coffee, crisps and shoes, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to dance! It has always been a dream of mine to dance but more importantly it's been a dream of mine to create something centred around the things I'm passionate about. I have a degree in Dance and Culture (which included a year working within the industry), a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, for which I achieved 3 distinctions, and over ten years’ teaching experience. I’ve choreographed for music videos, local productions, taught as a freelancer for local dance schools and community groups and I spent two years working overseas with Thomas Cook as a singer and dancer.
When I’m not running FUNkSTREET or teaching for a local dance studio here in Southampton, you’ll find me singing with a local cover band – just for fun! Oh, and I love fun – lots of it!
The FUNkSTREET Vision.
Ever since I can remember, I've danced and I want to inspire others to find the same joy and excitement that It brings me because dance should be fun! Using the medium of dance, I want to support those people who find life a challenge on a daily basis for whatever reason, to encourage and build people up, to help people learn and develop a new skill in a fun, relaxed environment, to help people enjoy dance for what it is and to give back to the community.
Life can be full of daily struggles and challenges and I believe that dance can provide a way to momentarily break free from the stresses of daily life whilst having a positive, lasting impact on our mental health and general wellbeing. I’m a firm believer that, until you try something new, you won’t know if it’s the thing you’ll love doing! I love working with children, young people and adults – encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone, to try something new and release the potential they have inside them.
FUNkSTREET is open to everyone! It’s about having fun, keeping fit and socialising in a warm and friendly environment, rather than the pressure of being judged on your dancing ability. I want FUNkSTREET to be a place where people don’t have to worry about getting it wrong, where they can give it a go because it is something they want to do, not because somebody has told them to do it.
