Michelle Walsh, aged 24 from Birch Rise, Loggerheads, has recently opened a branch of Sunshine Dance Studios in Birch Terrace, Hanley.

When did you become interested in dance?

I have been dancing since I was about three years old, going to classes in ballet, tap and modern. I studied dance at Stoke-on-Trent College then continued competing in dance all around the world. I've even been to Nashville, where I came second in a line dancing competition.

What inspired you to open the dance studios?

I'd been travelling to Manchester to go to classes and I felt it was time there was something in Stoke to give people more of an opportunity. We even have choreographers from Los Angeles teaching classes.

What type of dance do you teach?

I've always loved all types of dance, so we do a bit of everything but specialise in hip hop. I love how dance is constantly changing so every class is different.

We have teachers for each genre, from locking and popping, to break-dancing. We also do classes in everything from basic movement for young children to ballet. We've only been open for two weeks so it all really depends on what people want to learn. There will be beginners, intermediate and advanced classes.

What's your favourite genre of dance?

I really like lyrical hip hop at the moment. I love how hip hop can be danced to any type of music, music you wouldn't expect. I'm inspired by dancers like Sofia Boutella, from the Nike adverts. There seems to be a really trend for people wanting to dance at the moment, with the popularity of TV shows like So You Think You Can Dance and films like Step Up.

How did the dance studios come about?

Sunshine Dance Studios is part of a franchise which has been running for years, they have around 2,000 members in Manchester, including me and my friend Samantha Osbourne.

Initially through contacts at the studios, we were going to launch a hip hop class together on a Sunday afternoon. But then it all really happened really quickly. We looked around for a venue and found an old synagogue behind Hanley bus station, it took a lot of work, but we did it up and it was worth it. Now Samantha and I run the studios.

Who are the classes for?

Anyone is welcome to join. We've got people from three-year-olds to people in their late 20s, although there is no upper age limit. There is an over-18s beginners' class, so anyone who has never danced before should give it a go, they won't know until they try it.

For more information visit www.sunshine-studios.co.uk