A street dancer is looking to inspire the next generation.

Rikki Prince is a dance and tricks teacher at Macclesfield's Sylk Dance Academy.

The 30-year-old has set his sights on taking his students to the UDO World Championships.

But for Rikki, dance is about more than winning.

He said: "I know for me dance helped to unlock my confidence.

"And I've seen so many of my students grow from shy kids to confident, thriving individuals.

"The fact that me teaching kids how to dance can have a positive impact on their everyday life makes it all worth it."

Rikki joineed Sylk Dance Academy ten years ago (Credit: Sylk Dance Academy)

Crewe resident Rikki started gymnastics when he was eight years old.

However, as he entered his high school years, he went looking for something more creative to express himself.

This led to Rikki starting street dance at a summer club when he was 12.

Two years later, he was competing around the country.

Rikki said: "I had found my passion and I was hooked!"

Today, Rikki is a member of MR Funk Crew, who recently competed at the UDO World Championships.

Other career highlights include winning the UDO World Breaking Championship when he was 18 and featuring as a stunt double in the CBBC show, 'So Awkward Academy'.

Ten years ago, Sylk Dance Academy's founder Amy Mayers approached Rikki to see if he was interested in teaching in Macclesfield.

Rikki said: "It was just what I needed to push myself as a teacher by teaching a busier schedule of more diverse classes, from gymnastics and fitness to dance.

"Also, I love the fact that we've had students that have been with us from age five up to 18. It shows what a family Sylk Dance Academy is!"

Rikki is hoping to take his students to the UDO World Championships (Credit: Sylk Dance Academy)

Over the past decade, Amy and Rikki have led five different competition teams to events all around the UK, winning hundreds of trophies. 

Asked what the future holds, Rikki said: "For me as a dancer, I'm enjoying diving deeper into all the individual street dance styles so I can give my students the best foundations possible.

"And we are always looking to grow and push our students in any way we can at Sylk Dance Academy.

"So, I think the next step is to take our dancers to the UDO World Championships and see how we stack up against some of the best dance crews in the world."

To find out more about Sylk Dance Academy, visit www.sylkdanceacademy.com.

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