Stevenage · Luton · Hatfield · Letchworth
Warriorz Performing Arts Academy teaches dance and performing arts to ages three to adult across four Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire studios. Founded and led by choreographer Zara Richards, whose own credits run from the BRIT Awards and Dancing on Ice to Coca-Cola and the Commonwealth Games.
The classes
Every class sits in one of three streams, so you always know what your child is walking into. 28 classes a week across four studios. A trial class is always available before you commit.
These classes build the dancers' confidence, focusing on multiple different styles under the umbrella of street dance. Open to all ages, abilities and levels — we run beginner, intermediate and advanced.
14 classes a week Book a trial
For dancers who want to take competitions more seriously. Classes focus on foundations and freestyle, building the confidence to freestyle and preparing dancers to compete. We prepare solos and duos, and run an invite-only crew section. Opportunities include weekenders, UK Nationals and World Championships.
9 classes a week Book a trial
Lyrical, tap, and performing arts with Leanne, alongside street, so the training is complete. For dancers building toward a career in performance.
5 classes a week Book a trialMonday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Saturday
Monday
Saturday
Times shown are the current weekly timetable. Every class runs from the same booking system you already use, so nothing about how you book changes.
The styles
We teach the full grammar of street and commercial dance, plus the technique and performing arts training that turns a hobby into a career. Cross-train across styles or specialise — both pathways are supported.
Born in the Bronx, New York, in the early 1970s — made at block parties before it ever reached a studio.
The umbrella our general classes sit under: “multiple different styles under the umbrella of street dance.”
Zara, August 2026 Book a class
The studio language of music videos, tours and adverts — built to read to a camera and a back row.
The work Zara is booked for: BRIT Awards, Dancing on Ice, Coca-Cola, the Commonwealth Games.
Warriorz team profiles Book a class
Rooted in West African social dance, and today in the Afrobeats club styles of Ghana and Nigeria.
Zara has danced Afro Nation. What she brings back goes into the room here.
Warriorz team profiles Book a class
Created by Don Campbell in Los Angeles in the late 1960s — the sudden freeze that gave the style its name.
Foundation work: the freezes and points that competition dancers drill before they freestyle.
Current timetable Book a class
Harlem, mid-2000s. Fast, light footwork with hat and shoe tricks worked into the steps.
Crew material. Our crews train across every site and compete as solo, duo and crew.
Zara, August 2026 Book a class
Fresno, California, in the 1970s — muscle contractions hit hard on the beat, everything else held still.
Zara, on the phone in August: “We actually specialise in popping as well.”
Zara, August 2026 Book a class
American vernacular jazz dance, carried out of social dance halls and onto Broadway.
Lyrical & Jazz runs Tuesday evenings at Stevenage, 19:00 to 20:00.
Current timetable Book a class
A 1990s form: ballet and jazz technique used to carry the lyric of a song rather than the count.
Zara’s own steer for this site: “We do more lyrical than tap.”
Zara, August 2026 Book a class
Nineteenth-century America, where Irish step dancing and African rhythm met and became one thing.
Tap and Lyrical, Monday nights at Hatfield. Tap on its own, Tuesdays at Stevenage.
Current timetable Book a class
Chicago club floors in the early 1980s — jacking, lofting and footwork built on top of house music.
Speed and footwork feed straight into Freestyle & Foundations.
Current timetable Book a class
Not a dance style. Script work, improvisation and characterisation, taught properly.
Led by Leanne Dunstan, a working actor — EastEnders and The Dumping Ground. Saturdays.
Warriorz team profiles Book a class
The third leg of performing arts training, alongside dance and drama.
Zara, August: “We have a singing coach as well now.”
Zara, August 2026 Book a classDrag to explore · it keeps rolling
The school in numbers
Who teaches
Warriorz was founded by a working choreographer with elite-tier credits, and is staffed by professional teachers who actively perform. Your child is not taught by a hobbyist.
Founder & Dance Director
Choreographer, movement director and performer. Trained at Broadway Dance Center NYC and Millennium Studio LA. Predicate Award winner. Founder of Warriorz, 2016.
The wider team
Claire Hough
Dance Teacher
Apple iPad Air 2 · X Factor · Got To Dance · Illest UK 2017 Winner
Leanne Dunstan
Drama & Script
EastEnders (BBC) · The Dumping Ground (BBC) · Song for Marion
Jahnel Riley
Crew Choreographer · 12 years at Warriorz
Sidemen 20v1 (KSI) · GRM Daily · Kelvin Jones
Josh Richards
Resident Teacher · Urdang Academy
Stormzy · BRITs · Glastonbury · Jingle Bell Ball · Reading & Leeds · Comic Relief
Tasmin Allen
In-house Choreographer · BA Dance, Creative Academy
GRM Daily · "Like Men in Black" Music Video · Warriorz alumna
Shanai
Dance Teacher
Profile and photograph to follow
The professional work
This is not just a dance school. The work our founder and our teachers are booked for is the same work our dancers grow up to be booked for. Parents choose the school whose people already do the job.
Talk to us about your child →
“As somebody who has been living in Stevenage my entire life, dance was a hobby for me at first, and I want to encourage young people that if you've got a dream you should chase it.”
Zara Richards — on being one of 70 dancers chosen from over 10,000 for Barbie
Where our people have worked
The people who hold the credits — and the work itself.
Camps & workshops
Our camps are funded by HAF, the government's holiday activities scheme. If your child is entitled to free school meals, their place is free. Paid places are also available.
Half-term · every school holiday
A full day, properly looked after. We split the group by level so absolute beginners dance together and children who have danced before dance together. Days mix dance, performing arts, and arts and crafts. A snack at break, lunch at lunchtime. Physical activity, enrichment, and time spent building confidence and self-esteem in a group. Camps are usually themed.
Summer holidays
The same as our half-term camp, across the summer break. Grouped by level, dance and performing arts and crafts through the day, snack and lunch included, and the same focus on confidence in a group setting. Funded by HAF on the same terms.
Workshops · in-house and external
We bring in professional industry coaches to share their knowledge and their passion with the students. Workshop places are bookable first come, first served. We also deliver workshops externally, out to other dance schools and companies, alongside our in-house sessions with guest teachers.
Bookings
Separate from the school, and available to anyone. First dances taught properly, dance birthday parties run end to end, and performers booked for events.
Weddings
Choreographed to your song, taught at your pace, in as many sessions as you need to feel ready.
Birthdays
An instructor comes to you, leads the dancing and the games, and runs the whole party. Hall optional.
Events
Professional dancers and performance acts booked for events, corporate activations and celebrations.
Parent reviews
My daughter has come on leaps and bounds at Warriorz. She started shy at four and is now performing in the senior group at twelve. Zara and the team know how to bring out a child.
The level of professionalism is rare. They take it seriously, the children love it, and the comp team is genuinely competitive.
We tried two other schools before this one. Warriorz is the only place our son actually wants to go on a Saturday morning. Says it all.
Half-term camps have been a saviour. Brilliant routines, brilliant teachers, my kids come home tired and happy.
Safeguarding & trust
DBS checked
Every teacher holds an enhanced DBS certificate, renewed on schedule. Records available on request.
Insured & first-aid trained
Full public liability cover. Lead teachers paediatric first-aid trained. Risk assessments on file for every class.
Drop-off & collection
Strict signed drop-off and collection protocol. No child leaves the studio without a named adult.
Visit us
Our main studio, and where most of the timetable lives. Seventeen classes a week, Monday through Saturday, from under-eights right up to the adult street class.
Our Saturday studio in Luton. Five classes back to back, from the under-eights street class first thing through to acting in the afternoon.
Our Monday evening studio in Hatfield. Four classes in a row, street through to tap and lyrical, with crew training in the middle.
Our Saturday morning studio in Letchworth. Two street classes, split under and over twelve.
Try a class
Every new dancer gets a free trial class before joining a term. No pressure. Find your level, meet the teachers, see the studio. We will reply within 24 hours.
