Spotlight on Hype Dance Company at Trinity
Hype Dance Company has been part of the Trinity Bristol family for over two decades, offering vibrant street dance training for children and young people across the city. Founded and led by Bristol-based dancer and mentor Natasha Benjamin, HYPE stands for Helping Young People Excel – a value that underpins everything the company does.
Created as Girls With Attitude, Hype Dance Company has now been running for almost 23 years, using dance as a powerful tool for confidence, discipline, creativity and belonging. Today, Hype runs open Wednesday street dance classes at Trinity for children and teenagers of all abilities, alongside highly respected performance teams who compete and perform nationally and internationally.
“I truly love what I do and feel grateful that I’ve been able to make a positive impact on young people’s lives. Seeing their growth and confidence is what makes it all worthwhile.”
– Natasha Benjamin, Founder of Hype Dance Company
Hype is far more than a dance class. For many students, it becomes a second family – a safe, supportive space where young people feel seen, encouraged and challenged to reach their potential.
Auditions for performance teams are not based on technique alone. Behaviour, attitude, teamwork and respect are just as important, ensuring that dancers grow not only as performers but as role models and leaders.
From 2007 to 2025, 98% of Hype students progressed into further education, with many former members now working professionally in dance – touring with major artists, performing in the West End, appearing on television and film, and teaching the next generation.
Natasha Benjamin: founder, mentor and role model
Natasha began teaching dance at just 16 years old, shortly after becoming a teenage mum. Determined not to let circumstances define her future, she built Hype to show young people that belief, perseverance and community can open doors.
“I wanted young people to know that no matter your background, your struggles or your age, you can still achieve great things if you believe in yourself.”
Her contribution to the Bristol community has been widely recognised, including an Olympic Torchbearer nomination (2012), a High Sheriff Award (2021) and a Community Thank You Award from Eastside Community Trust (2025).
Making dance accessible through subsidised places
Trinity has been an essential part of Hype’s journey, providing a trusted and welcoming home for classes, rehearsals and families. Through funding from BBC Children in Need and Bristol City Council’s Youth & Play Network, Trinity has supported 20 subsidised places each year for three years, helping remove financial barriers for families affected by the rising cost of living.
These places ensure children and teenagers can access consistent training, performance opportunities and a strong sense of belonging.
From younger dancers settling into a new city, to teenagers developing leadership skills and beginning to assist with teaching, the impact of Hype is seen every week in the studio. Older students are increasingly stepping into mentoring roles, while younger dancers are building confidence through performance and teamwork.
Recent achievements and what’s next
Over the past six months, Hype dancers have celebrated outstanding competition success, including multiple first-place wins at the Soar SDC, Electric Dance Championships, and UDO Street Dance Championships, as well as performing on the main stage at Super Dance Weekender in Birmingham.
Looking ahead, dancers are preparing for performances at:
- St Paul’s Carnival
- Bristol Harbour Festival
- World Street Dance Championships
For more on HYPE, head here
