Amy’s Sylk-y move proves online dancing sensation
FITNESS guru Joe Wicks isn’t the only one getting kids exercising through the Covid-19 crisis - Macclesfield has its own version.
Amy Mayers, 33, runs Sylk Dance Academy, on Union Street, having achieved her dream by setting it up with a friend in 2009.
It began as a hobby but has since grown into a thriving business, until coronavirus struck.
But Amy, who still has a lease on the studio and eight staff, has managed to keep the academy going by moving it online.
All 40 of her classes are still continuing as either pre-recorded YouTube videos for children to do at their leisure or as live Zoom sessions.
Amy said: “The last few weeks have obviously been a massive struggle for us but I wanted to mainly thank our members for how amazingly supportive they have been during this time.
“We have a lease on our studio and I have eight staff to pay so without their support me and my staff would lose everything. It was a stressful time and we didn’t know if people would continue to support us financially and appreciate the effort we had put in but they really did.”
The former Fallibroome
Academy pupil originally set up Sylk Dance Academy with her friend Becky Anderson, who moved on a short time later.
Some of her former pupils now work at there as dance teachers and students have appeared in competitions including the British Championships.
Amy’s dancers were invited to perform at the Silverstone Formula One Grand Prix in 2018.
She said: “We have been overwhelmed with kind and supportive messages and many videos and pictures of the children doing their routines at home.
“People are just thrilled that the kids can still be active at home and can still retain a bit of normality.
“I want to thank them for keeping the dance school running at this time.”