MOMPRENEURS

MOMpreneur Monday: Hip Hop Kidz Dance Classes in South Florida

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MOMpreneur: n. defined as a female business owner who is actively balancing the role of mom and the role of entrepreneur.

Welcome to our latest installment of MOMpreneur Monday, highlighting businesses and brands that were founded by female entrepreneurs and fellow Mommas!

Today’s featured Modern Boca MOMpreneur is Suzy Stone, President and Creative Director of Hip Hop Kidz Inc., children’s hip hop classes in South Florida.

Tell us a little about your background and how you started Hip Hop Kidz dance classes…

Hi! I’m Suzy Stone, President and Creative Director of Hip Hop Kidz Inc. one of the most, iconic, popular, and respected children and teens dance programs in South Florida for the past 25+ years. Our mission is to inspire kids through music and dance to become young adults filled with confidence, good health and self-respect, all while doing something that they love. Our motto is no drugs, no violence, just dance. I noticed as I was teaching dance fitness classes to adults, their children, who often accompanied them, started imitating our moves and learning the choreography. That’s when I decided I needed to start children’s hip hop classes. My very first class in Miami had only seven kids in 1998, but it quickly grew from those 7 kids into hundreds in South Florida dancing and having fun!

How was Hip Hop Kidz born you ask? I danced my whole life from age 3 through college and was a competitive gymnast. Upon earning my masters degree at the University of Michigan in Exercise Physiology, I returned to South Florida to pursue my dreams as a fitness instructor and competitor. After winning a national championship as a fitness professional, and traveling to over 21 countries, teaching other fitness instructors, I decided it was time to start my business in South Florida in the late nineties.

The Hip Hop Kidz dance program embraces children from all walks of life. We believe that it is our diversity that is our strength and truly enriches our student’s lives. Hip Hop Kidz teaches the latest hip-hop moves to the most popular music–from music videos, TV shows, Tik Tok and other social media platforms. Moms and their children love our children’s hip hop classes because we are not a “cutsey wootsie” program. We are an authentic LA/New York style hip-hop program. We teach the latest moves to the hottest beats, without using profanity or a bad message. We offer children’s hip hop classes for beginners to advanced levels, for boys and girls ages five years old to teenagers. Our advanced students, many who I have had since they were very young, now dance with major music artists such as Flo Rida, Ricky Martin, Daddy Yankee, Louis Fonsi, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Vanilla Ice, Paula Abdul and many more!

The Hip Hop Kidz dancers take crowds by storm from the moment they step onto the stage. They have performed at amazing venues such as Calle Ocho, Miami Heat, Dolphins and Marlins games, as well as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, Today Show, NASCAR, Christmas On Las Olas and numerous corporate and celebrity events.

“I am proud to say that many of our notable alumni dancers have gone on to make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry, as we provide them with hundreds of performance opportunities and a great platform to showcase their talent. These kids/teens have built extensive resumes from right here in South Florida.” Our Alumni success stories range from dancing on tour with Britney Spears, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga, to appearing in major commercials and movies, to becoming doctors, lawyers, teachers and business professionals. So many of these kids have also become great parents and members of society as Hip Hop Kidz is truly life-changing, helping to provide them with that confidence to succeed.

Hip Hop Kidz Children's Hip Hop Classes South Florida

What’s unique about Hip Hop Kidz and have you faced any challenges with the program?

Our Hip Hop Kidz teachers are all well trained and well-versed in breaking down the choreographed movements so all students can feel successful. Our Hip Hop Kidz teaching methodology and vocabulary is second to none and even kids without any dance experience can feel successful as they grow within the program. In our children’s hip hop classes, kids feel as if they are dancing in their own music video. There certainly have been many challenges throughout the years. However, the biggest challenge for me was being a single mom–especially when I first opened my business, trying to find that balance between meeting the demands of my busy company and motherhood. I constantly reminded myself that my most important job was nurturing my young son. Those are the years you can never get back. My son accompanied me to many of my classes and grew up cheering on the program. So, we shared that experience together. To this day, even as a college student, he is one of our biggest fans.

What exciting things are coming up for Hip Hop Kidz?

We are in Boca Raton! My most recent location in Boca Raton is a result of the fact that so many parents were driving to our classes in Fort Lauderdale and continually asking me when I would be opening up a location in Boca. Much to my amazement, the first class we held in Boca at Palm Beach Gym, this month, had 18 children in attendance and has continued to grow. We can’t wait to open more locations for children’s hip hop classes in the future!

What do you love about working and living in South Florida?

One of the things I like most about living in South Florida is the fact that it is a diverse community and it is a mecca for entertainment. There are so many opportunities for my dancers to perform at different types of events and venues that would never happen in other parts of the country. There’s an energy and a vibe that takes place in South Florida that is SO special.

From Delray to Miami and all points in between, if you have a child or teen that wants to be in our program, we have a location for you!

For more information regarding our children’s hip hop classes and schedules, please feel free to contact me personally at 305–305–0076. As CEO and founder, I’m very hands-on and believe it is important to speak with everyone who has an interest in joining Hip Hop Kidz. I’m so excited about how warm and welcoming Boca Raton has been regarding our classes and look for more Hip Hop Kidz locations opening soon!

Connect with Hip Hop Kidz South Florida:

INSTAGRAM: @hiphopkidz

FACEBOOK: HipHopKidz

Michelle Olson-Rogers is the founder of Modern Boca Mom, a leading lifestyle site for the stylish & modern South Florida mommy. ModernBocaMom.com features local businesses, events, lifestyle and family travel options and was the proud winner of the 2019 Florida Blog Con Sunshine Award in the “Favorite Events/Neighborhood Blogger” category. Michelle is also a regular contributor to Boca Raton magazine.

In addition to blogging, Michelle also serves as a Community Consultant for Grandview Preparatory School, a private PK3-Grade 12 independent school in east Boca Raton. Her successful “Modern Boca Mommy & Me” program has been running there year-round since 2014.