Macclesfield community sought to help Sylk's new home
By Alex Greensmith
3rd Jan 2024 | Local News
A Macclesfield dance school wants to take their new home to the next level, in the year of their 15th anniversary.
Sylk Dance Academy, started by Macclesfield resident Amy Mayers, has recently moved to a new site.
The large performing arts group in Macclesfield had to move due to flooding.
They are now based at Unit 5 Brook St, Macclesfield, SK11 7AW.
And a sprucing up of the new premises is a New Year's resolution for Sylk, who want to the facility to be create two studios with folding doors and brand new floors, to help make performance accessible to as many Macclesfield youngsters as possible.
£15,000 is sought to be fundraised, which will be raised in a variety of ways, like seasonal events and a crowdfunding page.
Sylk Dance Academy began in 2009, which means they will be celebrating their 15th birthday this year.
Amy explained the origins of the popular performance collective: "It all began as a hobby really," she recalled.
"I have danced all my life. I started teaching a few classes on the side, and it kind of blew up.
"I then started getting other teachers on board, and then decided it was a business, my future and my life. And it is my life now, it literally takes over everything.
"We started with street dance styles, which is what I am mostly into, but as I have got other teachers on board we are able to branch into other styles.
"We also teach cheerleading, and gymnastics as well. We have just kept on growing."
Sylk was first based at The Broken Cross Club, before moving to another venue on Union Street which recently succumbed to water damage.
Their new site in east Macclesfield, boasts higher ceilings which doesn't restrict gymnasts performers, and benefits from lots of natural light.
"Unfortunately, just before we were about to move we had quite a major leak and lots of things were destroyed," said Amy.
"We had to use a lot of temporary spaces and cancel classes. Quite a bit of money was lost from that.
"As this is my full-time job, I had to keep everything going as much as we could. And since we moved in here, the cost of things like materials are so much more than they used to be.
"So what I thought would be a similar cost to when we set up originally, is actually a lot more.
"We really want a sliding wall. At the moment it is just this big space - which is beautiful - but we run two classes at once so we need to be able to split it into two.
"I want to use the divider to also make the space a community hub. Other groups can use the space as well, a lot of our classes aren't in the day, but the space could be used by the community."
Amy's community hub idea comes at a time were a nearby meeting spot for locals - The Wharf pub - faces an uncertain future.
The improvements to the studio will also keep Sylk at a competitive level.
The Brook Street business boasts a perfect review on Google Reviews, and it is not just internally that Sylk is appreciated. As Amy was recently nominated for a The Cheshire Club business award.
Having just laid down their new floor, the divider is the next big step for the business to make what they want to be their 'best ever year'. And 2023 will be one that is hard to beat, considering Sylk featured on Britain's Got Talent last year.
"Thank you to the community for their support," added Amy.
"If everybody gave £1, it would be a massive help. Hopefully people can see it is going to help the wider community as well, and just how much our students would appreciate it.
"We've been through a lot of changes, and to sort of have a nice finished space where everybody feels happy and comfortable, would mean so much to everybody.
"I know it is a really tough time for everybody. It is kind of tough to ask, you almost feel bad saying to people that we need this help, but I know that there will be people out there that can see we are a good cause and the kids get something out of coming here.
"We do train children up to become teachers, and will pay for their qualifications, which even if they don't became a dance teacher it is a valuable qualification for them.
"We also offer mentorship and can be booked for birthday parties too. Our youngest student is three, and our oldest is 21."
Amy champions personal development. She wants to encourage more people who don't come from a dancing background to get into it, to see what benefits it can bring.
"Dance can give you skills that can take you through life", explained Amy.
"I love seeing these kids grow and develop, watching someone who maybe struggles in a certain area and coming out of that.
"I find a lot of teenagers these days have really low confidence, and coming here to dance in front of people is a massive thing, so I think that is really great for the age group to give them a wider friend group and more belief in themselves.
"They can also talk to people about issues that they might not want to speak with their parents about, which is nice. They have got another adult in their life they can have a chat to if they need to.
"I'm like a minor celebrity when I'm town. I'm always getting recognised.
"We are going to have an open day to show off our new studios and allow the public to try out our classes on February 11. [Please follow Sylk on social media for more information],"
Macclesfield: You can donate to the Sylk Dance Academy fundraiser HERE.
For more information, please head to their website or their Facebook.
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