Interview with local Brighton and Hove Magazine with Lee Smikle about the opening of Smikle Space.

Professional dancer, Lee Smikle has recently opened Smikle Space on Third Avenue, Hove – a new dance studio with classes for children, young people and adults. 

What is your background?

Originally from Yorkshire, I started dancing at the late age of nineteen. I didn't even know that dance could be a potential career choice. A chance visit to my local theatre led me to get a part-time job there where I got to see live theatre, musicals and dance regularly. I saw acclaimed companies like Northern Ballet and Alvin Ailey. I signed up for ballet classes, and the rest is history.  

I trained at the Rambert School of Ballet & Contemporary Dance and have performed in operas (Glyndebourne), pop videos (Kylie Minogue) and movies (Billy Elliot). My main performance work, however; was with Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, touring internationally in shows like Swan Lake, The Car Man and Nutcracker. I later became a resident artist and producer of the New Adventures Choreographer Award (NACA).

Teaching soon became my main passion, and I retired from performing in 2007. I was the lead dance teacher at the Laban Centre For Advanced Training (CAT) 2007-14. In January 2010, I founded Shoreditch Youth Dance Company (SYD) and later Smikle Project (2011).

Why did you decide to set up a dance studio?

It's been a longtime ambition of mine to have my own studio space. I love teaching, so creating a home for the work I do with young dancers was the dream. I moved to Brighton & Hove in 2017 and launched SYD:B Creative Dance Academy in September 2018. SYD:B as established itself as the go-to creative hub for many local young dancers, ready to take their dance training to the next level. With SYD celebrating their tenth anniversary this year, it seemed like the perfect time to open Smikle Space.

Tell us about the studio and what sort of classes are available? 

There is a fully sprung dance floor with dance vinyl flooring, a kitchen, lounge area and a stunning photography infinity wall.

We do classes and courses for children, young people and adults in; Creative Dance, Contemporary Dance, Ballet, Flow Fit, Boys Only, Intensives, Workshops and Private Lessons. You can also hire out the space for rehearsals and events. 

Smikle Space is at 5 King's Mews, Third Avenue, Hove BN3 2PA.

For more information, visit www.smiklespace.com or email info@smiklespace.com.