Northern Soul Dance Coach, a new digital tuition platform created by Lesley Ellen Gould, will launch in March with a focus on accessible dance instruction.
The platform, hosted at northernsouldancecoach.com, offers pre-recorded lessons available for 12 months, alongside live Zoom classes for individuals and groups, allowing participants to choose how they learn.
The project is rooted in Lesley’s long association with Northern Soul and aims to make structured teaching available regardless of location.
Speaking about how the concept emerged, she 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.”
Her early involvement began at Wigan Casino at the age of 15, but she later stepped away from the scene for several decades.
After returning to Northern Soul events in 2023, she began mentoring other dancers and entered a competition at Blackpool Tower Ballroom the following year.
“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.
Interest from learners outside her local area prompted the move to an online format.
“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.
Through the platform, Lesley plans to share her experience with a wider audience and support the continuation of Northern Soul dance culture.