A new online learning platform dedicated to Northern Soul dance is set to launch this March, offering remote tuition for enthusiasts in the UK and overseas.
Created by Lesley Ellen Gould, Northern Soul Dance Coach platform, available at northernsouldancecoach.com, provides structured video courses alongside live online sessions for both individuals and groups.
Subscribers will have a full year to access course material, allowing flexible learning and repeated practice. The combination of self-paced modules and live coaching is designed to accommodate varying schedules and locations.
Explaining the origins of the project, Lesley said: “People asking for me to show them my dance moves is where the story began. The whole piece is rooted back in the 1970s, when as a teenager I attended the legendary Wigan Casino, the epicentre of the Northern Soul movement.”
Although she first became involved in the scene as a teenager, a long period away from dancing followed due to changes in circumstances, including time spent living in Spain.
Her renewed involvement began in 2023 at a local event in Kent, where she quickly became known as a mentor and performer. Within a year she was competing at an international event in Blackpool.
“I was really into Northern Soul by 2024 and went to Blackpool. I wasn’t meant to compete but was pushed into it and ended up making the quarterfinals. I think that was a sign I should do this,” Lesley added.
Demand for coaching has come from across the country and beyond.
“They will buy packages that are right for them, and there is also the option for one-to-one online. Obviously, being based in Kent, there isn’t the option for me to travel the country, but I have been getting requests from all over,” Lesley said.
The initiative is intended to support both newcomers and experienced dancers while preserving the traditions of Northern Soul.