De-Napoli Clarke, Director and founder of De-TURF fitness, started his dance journey at Earl Cowper Middle School and Chapeltown Youth Dance Theatre Leeds. In 2013, he decided to focus on De-TURF fitness with a core vision of using dance to benefit the community. With this in mind, De-Napoli chose to target schools to improve engagement, enjoyment and maximise the benefits of physical activity for all pupils in the Leeds area. 

 

Since De-Napoli started his dance journey, he:

 

• Studied a three year course at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds.

• Was a founding member of National Youth Dance Company.

• Performed with Kokuma Dance Theatre/ Company Artistic Director Jackie Guy.

• Performed Contemporary styles with NEXUS Dance Company and worked with Artistic Director Janet Archer.

• Was a founding member of RJC Dance in his home town of Leeds, which incorporated Reggae, Jazz and Contemporary dance inspired from Black-British culture, with Artistic Director Edward Lynch.

• Was Movement Director for the theatre version of the “The JuJu Girl” Scotland and Master Juba in London/Luton.

• Performed on Top of the Pops as a dancer for the number one hit single “I Want You Back” by Mel B featuring Missy Elliot.

• Performed with the hit show STOMP, including a performance at the London 02 Arena for the C4 Comedy Gala.

• Judged the talent competition "Breeze Has Talent" and “Breeze on Tour” also for 'Wish Upon a Star' competition for up and coming young dancers at the Bradford Alhambra Studio.

• Won Community Hero Male at the Leeds Black Awards Chapeltown, and Won Health and Wellbeing Promotion.

• Featured in the “Steps in Time” project by RJC Dance in the Leeds Museum.

• Featured in different newspapers and magazines a number of times, like the Yorkshire Evening post and the STAGE newspapers. Two page spread in Dancing times magazine.

• Lead choreographer for "Rainbirds and Drumbeats" at Nottingham Playhouse, Artistic Director Felix Cross MBE.

• 2013 Founder / Director of De-TURF fitness.

• 2014 Commissioned by RJC Dance to choreograph for Tour de France Scott hall Leeds, Wheel of Dance.

• Dance tutor at the Commonwealth Youth Dance Festival Glasgow.

• Commissioned by Phoenix Dance Theatre to create a piece for the Challenge Cup Rugby Finals at Wembley Stadium London.

• Mentor for Laura Simpson on her project "Let Battle Commence".

• VIP Internatioal Choreographer Judge for Nottingham Carnival 2015.

• Choreogrpher for Active Schools to perform a Rugby World Cup piece at the Millennium square Leeds 2015, with 1000 young school children. TV coverage ITV and Made in Leeds.