Hidden Gems: Meet Yolanda Thomas of Groove Zone

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Thomas.

Hi Yolanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m originally from Sydney, Australia, but I now live and work in Los Angeles—specifically The Valley. I started Groove Zone because I saw a gap in the dance world that no one else seemed to be filling: a truly welcoming, structured space for adult absolute beginners in hip hop dance. Most dance studios cater to kids or people with prior experience, and “beginner” classes are often intimidating or fast-paced. I wanted to change that.

In Sydney, I launched the first Groove Zone courses to offer a level below beginner—called “Absolute Beginner.” It was designed for adults who had never danced before, or maybe hadn’t danced in 20+ years and were nervous about jumping back in. The response was incredible. We quickly grew a community of people in their 30s to 50s who were brave enough to try something new, and grateful to be learning in a no-pressure, supportive environment.

When I moved to LA, I started Groove Zone here as well—offering 8-week adult hip hop courses in locations across the city, including The Valley. Despite LA being saturated with dance studios, our point of difference resonated. Adults wanted structure and a teacher who could break things down without making them feel silly or left behind. I’m proud to say we now run multiple courses across LA with a growing team of instructors. And unlike other studios that do one end-of-year recital, Groove Zone offers four performance opportunities a year—complete with video, certificates, and zero judgment.

After years of juggling every aspect of the business—from teaching to admin—I’m finally in a stage of growth where I’m slowly handing off tasks and focusing on expansion. We now have Groove Zone locations in both Sydney and LA, and my mission remains the same: making dance accessible for adults and showing people that it’s never too late to start.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’ve learned a lot along the way.

One of the biggest challenges has been wearing all the hats. I’ve built Groove Zone from the ground up—teaching, running admin, replying to every message and email, scheduling classes, marketing, and more. Running courses in both Los Angeles and Sydney has meant juggling a lot of time zones and logistics, often without a full team behind me.

Another hurdle has been finding and training instructors who truly understand what makes Groove Zone special. Our teaching style is so different from a typical dance studio—it’s not just about choreography, it’s about building trust, breaking things down clearly, and creating a safe space for adults who are brand new to dance. That kind of teaching takes empathy, structure, and real intention, which isn’t something most dancers are trained for.

An instructor who ticks all those boxes is hard to find, but I’ve sifted and sorted—and I’m proud to say I’ve found three amazing instructors in LA. I’ve created my own training process to teach the Groove Zone method, but these instructors already had that magic quality that enables students to walk out of class with more joy than they walked in with.

There’s also been a constant learning curve in growing the business while maintaining the community feel that people love. It’s a fine balance—but I’m proud of how far we’ve come.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Groove Zone is an adult hip hop dance school based in Los Angeles (with roots in Sydney, Australia). What makes us truly unique is that we specialize in teaching absolute beginners—adults who’ve never danced before or are coming back after a 10- to 20-year break. Our students are typically between 30 and 55 years old, and most of them join thinking, “I have two left feet.” That’s exactly who we’re here for.

We run structured 4 to 8-week hip hop courses with a clear start and end date, so students can learn progressively without being thrown into an intimidating open-level drop-in class. It’s a safe, supportive, and fun environment where learning is broken down step-by-step—and no one gets left behind.

Our Level 1 courses are all about building confidence and technique. They come with a certificate of completion and no pressure to perform.
After completing their first Level 1 course, students can choose to repeat the level (many do, as each course teaches a brand-new routine) or move into Level 2 when they feel ready. From Level 2 onward, students have the option to take part in one of our performance nights—offered four times a year. These shows are held in front of supportive friends and family, filmed professionally, and are totally optional—only for those who feel ready.

For intermediate-level students, Groove Zone also offers opportunities to perform at major events—including halftime shows at large sporting arenas. Most recently, our LA students danced at the WNBA game at Crypto Arena in front of over 10,000 people.

These are unforgettable experiences that allow students to push their limits and perform on a truly professional stage.
As a performance coach, I help guide dancers through the process—from stage presence to confidence—so they feel prepared to shine in front of a big crowd. (I also coach artists and performers privately in vocals and stage presence).

Groove Zone isn’t just about learning to dance—it’s about rediscovering confidence, building community, and proving to yourself that it’s never too late to try something new. Our LA locations include the Valley, West Hollywood, and North Hollywood.

I’m most proud of the way Groove Zone has redefined what a dance class can feel like for adults. We’re not about competition, perfection, or being “cool enough.” We’re about joy, structure, and support—and the incredible progress that happens when you feel safe to be a beginner.

More info and course sign-ups are at https://GrooveZoneLA.com

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that community is everything—especially when working with adults.

Adults don’t need flashy tricks—they need to feel seen, guided, and celebrated for taking a brave step outside their comfort zone.

I’ve also learned that no matter how much you love what you do, you can’t do it all forever. Learning to delegate, trust others, and slowly step out of the day-to-day has been huge for my growth as a business owner. You can’t build something sustainable if you’re burning out behind the scenes.

Lastly, I’ve learned that impact doesn’t come from being the biggest or most polished brand—it comes from consistency, heart, and giving people a space where they feel like they belong.

That mindset is what’s helped me grow Groove Zone across two cities, two countries, and hundreds of adult students who never thought they’d be able to dance.

Pricing:

• We offer: Level 1: Absolute Beginner Courses (4-8 weeks) Level 2: Beginner/Performance Courses Level 3: Intermediate Courses & Performance Projects. Occasional music video courses and private coaching sessions in dance & vocals/stage presence. For up-to-date pricing and course start dates, visit https://GrooveZoneLA.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://GrooveZoneLA.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groove_zone
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrooveZoneLA
• Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@groove_zone
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hiphopdancecourses
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/groove-zone-hip-hop-north-hollywood
• Other: https://GrooveZoneOnline.com

Image Credits
Photo Credits on Class performance shots: Elizabeth A Morris