‘Steps of Style’ in Penicuik.

I started the business in Edinburgh 3 years ago in late 2009, with support and funding from the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT).

I’ve been breakdancing for over 9 years now and have been teaching for 5 of those years. I have delivered breakdance taster sessions to a vast amount of high schools and primary schools throughout Edinburgh.

As well as this I have been a breakdance teacher for a numerous amount of dance companies/schools.

Currently at this moment in time, I am still a dance teacher for a dance company called KIC Dance, which is situated in Bonnyrigg. I’ve worked there for nearly 3 years.

I run dance workshops for Merchiston Castle School throughout the summer and Easter holidays.

I have the following certificates that are relevant to my job

This includes

A PVG scheme disclosure.

First Aid certificates from Edinburgh City council and heart-start UK.

Child Protection level 1 / 2 certificate from Midlothian council.

SIA certificate from Dunedin, which covers first aid, health and safety, fire safety and security.

Public Liability Insurance from AXA insurance.

Just last year I entered 5 schools and ran some taster sessions as part of the schools health and fitness week, which was a big success.

• Sacred Heart
• Corn-bank
• Maurice wood
• Beeslack High
• Penicuik High

Christopher Diaz

107 Deanburn, Penicuik

EH26 0HZ

Steps of Style

Breakdance School

07870973089

stepsofstyle@hotmail.co.uk

www.stepsofstyle.co.uk

When I started the business?

I started the business in August 2009 with the help of the Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT).

My name, My age, and where I live?

My name is Christopher Diaz, I am 24 years old and I live at 107 Deanburn, Penicuik.

I have 2 children, one aged 7 and the other is 11 months old.

What got me into breakin?

When I was younger in my teens I went to quite a lot of under 18 nightclubs throughout Edinburgh. At 1 of the nightclubs there was a small group of breakdancers performing in the middle of the dance floor, one of the dancers performed a certain move that involves you spinning round really fast whilst balancing your body on your hands, I was amazed the 1st time I saw it, in fact I can remember just standing there watching them all dance for ages and all I could think of was how cool breakdancing looked. So the day afterwards I searched for the nearest place that did breakdance classes and signed up.

Where else have I run classes?

The 1st class I set up as part of steps of style was based at Mary Erskine’s school in Edinburgh. I also taught at Stewart’s Melville College on and off. I then carried on setting up classes throughout Edinburgh at different locations. For the past 2 years I have also got involved in Easter and Summer camps setting up dance workshops at Merchiston Castle school and various dance schools in the Midlothian.

What is steps of style?

Steps of Style is a Breakdance school, a dance school dedicated to breakdancing.

Steps of Style is the only breakdance school in Scotland that runs an actual breakdance course, built into 5 different levels – each level has its own exam which when passed allows you to move up to the next level. The course keeps dancers motivated and encourages them to socialise and work together.

What are my aims?

I have run many tournaments in Edinburgh, which have been a great success.

But my aim is to establish a league for breakdancing – where crews of up to 8 dancers in each, get together and all battle at certain locations in the Midlothian, this will give dancers something to work towards when in and out of class. An even greater way for dancers to make friends.

How did I get started in Penicuik?

When I first moved to Penicuik in early 2011, I noticed there wasn’t much in the way of dance in the local community compared to what’s on offer in Edinburgh. The first thing I decided to do was find out which area of Penicuik would be best to set up. I went round several places that had halls available. I then decided that Ladywood Leisure Centre had the most to offer and was already well used by the local community. Once I had the base all set up I then started to offer taster sessions in the primary and secondary schools in Penicuik.

The head of education for Midlothian Council, has also shown support by giving me approval to deliver my taster sessions to schools.

How did the 1st term go?

Each term runs for 10 weeks. In the 1st four weeks of running classes I have to admit I had very small numbers well below 10. This was before I headed into schools. After entering the first school and promoting the class. The number of children that were attending jumped up to 25. Once I had done a couple more, the number grew to 50, then after doing Maurice wood primary. There was 50 new sign ups in 1 week. The queue was so long it reached the exit of the building.

I re-organised the classes into age groups and got in some helpers.

Currently up to date the classes have proven to be very successful with not only increasing numbers but well over three quarters of the breakdance school have already passed exams and moved up to Intermediate level.

My profile

I’m known to many as Diaz.

Breakin name is the ‘Flying Fox’.

I can perform a wide range of skills such as, Top-rock, Drops, Footwork, Moves and Freezes. I can also do power moves such as Windmills, Hand-pops, Crickets, Turtles and my best power move is Jackhammer’s.

Classes at ladywood run at :

5-6pm – Beginners

6-7pm – Improver / Intermediates

COST – £3.00 per person

Most importantly the 1st session is always free when trying out dance classes for the very first time

CONGRATULATIONS TO PENICUIKS’ NEW HUNTER & LASS
James MacDonald and Lynsey Price are our Penicuik Hunter & Lass . With a jam packed events calendar commencing 21 st of May with the Rideout and Festival day on Saturday 26th May.
Well done and all the very best from The Monthly Edit Team.

Image courtesy of The Studio, Penicuik

WHY THEY LOVE OUR COMMUNITY
I love how supportive everyone has been in my local community in supporting my twelve year old daughter Lauren. Lauren has cerebral palsy,epilepsy and visual impairment, in  August last year she underwent major orthopaedic to help improve her gait,posture and balance. Lauren wanted to raise money for the charity Kindred which supports parents who have children with additional needs. The support we had within the local community was outstanding, the generosity was overwhelming. Local business all contributed towards the raffle, which had some terrific prizes. It was terrific how everyone in the community supported Lauren, in her walk across the forth road bridge. It was heart- warming for us as a family to have so much support within the community for Lauren, it really restores your faith that so many people within our community all wanted to support Lauren.

Without the support we received from our local community Lauren would not have been able to raise the £2000 that she did. For a child with a disability this was such an  enormous challenge, the support Lauren received from within the community really aided her to accomplish her walk.

To celebrate a local restaurant contacted us to offer a venue to host a party to celebrate Lauren success. This was such a lovely gesture and again we were overwhelmed by the local support we received. We are very proud to save we are from Penicuik, local support helped our child accomplish her dream, without the support we received we would have really struggled to support her. The love and support from the local community was so much appreciated. It really restores your faith to know we live within such a supportive community.

Heartfelt thanks to a community that helped a child achieve and fulfil her dream.
Kathy Queripel

PENTLAND SUB-AQUA CLUB & THE MONTHLY EDIT

What does SCUBA stand for?

Come along to our Try Dive Night – Thursday 26th April
Loanhead Leisure Centre from 9pm

Have you ever wanted to try SCUBA?

Now you have your chance, you have to be a confident swimmer underwater and 18yrs or older.
Bring yourself along with £3.50 (pool entry) and we will provide all the equipment you need…

All ages may apply, post your entries in the comments section below or email to: nikki@themonthlyedit.co.uk

The winner will receive a £10 gift voucher for Penicuik Wines!!  The competition closes in 1 hour!!

Good Luck!!

The first person to answer will receive a FREE R.A.K (Random Act of Kindness ie Birthday, Anniversary, Celebration) Announcement within The Monthly Edit!!

The best one will receive a Mini Shoot Voucher (incl mini shoot and 2 prints) for The Studio, Penicuik http://www.thestudiopenicuik.com/

We will leave this competition open for the next hour!! Get typing!!

First person to answer wins a box of Penicuik’s finest Chocolates!!

The Monthly Edit – 2nd Anniversary
It’s our 2nd Anniversary and we are delighted to announce some exciting new changes!! First of all The Monthly Edit is now being produced under Anam Cara Publications, a Penicuik based publishers who have a vested interest in the community, perfect for The Monthly Edit and its readers!! Secondly we have a new editor, Nikki Turner. Nikki will be concentrating on the Editorial and Community side of things and is a welcome addition to the team.

Here at The Monthly Edit we are geared to help Penicuik become the Community based town we know it is, that is why we are making some further changes in the next few issues… EXCITING TIMES!!
The Monthly Edit Team – Images courtesy of The Studio Penicuik