OBEY – A command? A mantra?
No matter how you look at it Danni Reid shows how ‘determination’ is bringing her and her South East London troupe to the top of the UK and International Hip Hop Dance scene.
idance® presents a moment with Danni Reid, the leader of GDND Dance UK, as part of our Nation’s Best Dance School Series, sponsored by MindLife. Healthy in Body, Healthy in Mind, Healthy In Life.
The true measure of a school is the results they produce. The Nation’s Best Dance School Award is a new industry award for dance schools and choreographers in multiple genres of dance including
- Street dance
- Ballet
- Jazz
- Contemporary
- and more
This award is not about popularity. There is no voting. It is an EARNED award where schools results are scored based on their success, the quality of the competition they face, and the number of dancers they make successful.
How long have you been an organisation?
I started GDND Academy 13years ago.
How many dancers do you work with?
Around 300
How many dance crews/companies do you run?
I have 3 crews, one from age 6-9 GDND Juniors, GDND Company, & GDND Crew.
Are styles other than streetdance do you teach?
Yes, I teach Ballet, Tap dance & Jazz.
What inspires you, personally, as a company or both?
Young talent excites me. I love seeing a spark in someone and being able to help flourish that talent.
Personally I am also inspired by the kids I teach, I want to remain in tune with the craft that is dance, and also inspire my kids and shpw them… ‘Your never to old live your dreams, and your never to old to learn something new…’
Who would you say are your heroes in or out of dance?
I really respect Kenrick – Boy Blue, he has achieved so much through dance… There no TV talent show, or high profile TV stats to back him up, he has totally created an amazing realm of achievement through dance, and it’s truly inspiring.
Kenrik is a positive force to be around and inspires many young and up coming dancers on the scene.
GDND Crew are also my heroes, I can’t believe how far they have come, its amazing to watch.
What special morning routines do you personally follow (breakfast, workout, meditation, whatever)?
Well, most mornings I’m woken up by my newly 1 year old… And then yes, I go to the gym 3-4 times a week… I hop on social media, check the tweets, Facebook, see whats popping in the world !
What book(s) do you most frequently gift to other people?
[easyazon_link keywords=”Cupcake Brown” locale=”UK” tag=”idanceorg-21″]Cupcake Brown[/easyazon_link], [easyazon_link identifier=”1439508631″ locale=”UK” tag=”idanceorg-21″]Malcolm X – Autobiography[/easyazon_link]
What would you say is the most important thing you do that makes you successful?
Listen to others, learn from others, from children through to adults…. Talk less, listen more! Its hard because I love to chat.
What is your proudest moment?
What is something that people don’t know about you that would surprise them?
I am a Mum or 2, I dance in a crew called Project G also.
Who do you most want to collaborate with and why?
Oh, this is hard !!! Maybe typical but since HHI 2014 seeing The Royal family ‘live’, I’d have to say them.
What is the lowest point you ever fell to as a choreographer/dancer or person and how did you overcome?
I feel like I am in it now, coming through motherhood, not being able to dance whilst I was pregnant due to a pelvic disorder… I’m pushing through now, and my love of dance and wanting to express myself through my passion, certainly drives me!
What do you want to accomplish in the next 5 years.
I’d love my GDND Dancers to hit a TV talent show, if only to showcase their talents, personalities and increase awareness of the talent in ‘South East London..’
I aim to find my own dance studio.
I aim to have an agency to represent the kids within GDND.
To be on top of my dance game, and feel comfortable executing a new style of dance that I don’t feel I have yet accomplished.
If people want to make contact with you, what’s the best way?
Email me! [contact-form to=’missdanni@gdnd.co.uk’ subject=’Hey Danni I saw your interview on the idance site.’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Questions for Danni’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]