April 24, 2017

Meet Yolanda Thomas of Hip Hop Courses in North Hollywood

Local Stories

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

Yolanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started teaching in Sydney Australia at The Sydney Dance Company Dance Studios. I was the longest running hip hop teacher there. It was mainly ADULT drop in classes.

I would have numbers at capacity most classes (about 50-60) I think because I kept the BEGINNER class at a Beginner level, so people attending for the first time could always feel comfortable. I’m very hands on, even in a large class.

I then started my own 8-week hip hop courses for ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS as I kept hearing people say ” I could NEVER come to a Sydney Dance class, that sounds advanced!”

So I put ABSOLUTE in the title so people wanting to learn, but we’re shy, we’re not intimidated.

I then expanded to Intermediate as my students improved and then opened it up to kids. I moved to LA 3 years ago and have just started with short 4 week courses until my presence here builds.

I do private lessons as a dance teacher and a Performance Coach to singers and also a vocal coach.

I’ve won 2x LA MUSIC AWARDS for singing and songwriting and had charted albums in Australia.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The first two years in LA were VERY TOUGH. I started from scratch here. It’s hard to leave your reputation behind that you worked hard on in another country. There is also a lot more competition here, but also more exciting opportunities!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Hip Hop Courses – what should we know?
I hold 4 -8-week Hip hop courses for adults that are aimed at the person who has never had any training but always had a passion for it and maybe thinks it’s too late to learn.

I believe ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN. My motto is ” So you think you can’t dance? Bet I can teach you!”

We hold a free trial class before every course so people can try it risk free before committing. They then still have a few hrs. to grab the early bird special which closes one week before the course starts.

I love seeing a student after 8 weeks find their groove and finally look cool on the dance floor. I teach the basic foundation steps within the Nonstop sweat it out Groove class. We also learn a short routine at the end but that is not the focus.

Finding your groove and hip hop style so you can freestyle on the dance floor with more confidence and not feel awkward anymore. Is the focus…. and also to make your friends jealous! Ha ha

Classes are always a fun vibe.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Big props to Anna Que who started out as a student of mine and then who I later asked to come and teach as a guest teacher. She has amazing hip hop groove and energy. Students love her! She now manages the Sydney branch of Hip Hop Courses. I’m so lucky to have her on board.

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