Sparkx

• Name: Laura Poole
• AKA: Sparkx
• Star sign: Libra
• Languages: English, French
• Hobbies: Singing, Travelling,
  Reading, Partying

How it started

At 4 years old, she started off learning ballet, tap, modern and acro. As a child, she performed in dance school shows and in the Birmingham Hippodrome pantomimes.

Her other passions in life were always community and social justice and in 2004, at 19, she went to university to study French and Politics. During this time, she took a break from regular dance training but did discover the joys of dancing at clubs to the sounds of house, breaks and hip hop music. She also fronted a rock band which gave her the performance outlet she needed.

After completing her degree, Laura had a crazy desire to get back to dancing and training regularly, and decided that street dance was the way to go. She loved the music and the feeling it gave her. She began her journey with street styles with Hype Dance in Sheffield. This was where she got her first opportunities to perform as a street dancer. She performed at a charity event dancing for ‘The Drifters’ and later performed regularly as part of the ‘Matrix’ adult performance group. Finally in 2010, performed a piece called ‘The Mess’ with Hype at the Sheffield leg of the Breakin’ Convention 10th Anniversary Tour.

I can’t remember a time when dance was not a really important part of my life. From starting dance lessons as a gift for my 4th birthday right through to the present day. It is my sanctuary, my party, my community, my love! – Sparkx

She moved to London at the end of 2010 and, after recovering from an injury, began training properly in 2011 in Locking.

This was a life changer for me! Like yin and yang, we were meant to be together and an obsession was born! – Sparkx

It was through training in Locking and Popping with The Realness that Laura first met Dynamite Soul and Vitamin.

I began training in Hip Hop Freestyle and danced in a few videos for my Hip Hop mentor, Tiger. I also began training in breaking with Vitamin in 2014, where our paths crossed again and our friendship grew. I am passionate about hip hop culture and love a whole variety of music. This drives my desire to train in, and share, as many street dance styles as I can. I teach young children in South East London and have taught workshops and projects secondary schools and PRUs. – Sparkx

Future

Sparkx is currently working towards combining her ongoing community work and coaching, with dance, to work in communities, tackling social and personal issues through dance.

Battles/Competitions

Images