WHO'S WHO...

WES

IDTA Director, Fellow & Examiner

Growing up, I didn’t have an interest in dance until I watched the first series of Strictly Come Dancing. I needed to learn the Jive! While looking for local classes, I started with some Rock & Roll and Salsa, and then truly found my love for dancing in the Ballroom at Erin Boag’s dance school in London. From that day, my passion grew, and over the following years I attended several dance schools in London, completing my IDTA dance medals.

In 2010, I moved to Northampton and finally began training to become a Ballroom and Latin American dance teacher with the IDTA. Then, in September 2013, Wes & Alex’s Dance Classes opened, giving me the opportunity to pass on my passion for this amazing art form.

My favourite dances are Samba, Cha Cha Cha and Ballroom Tango — I really enjoy the character-driven dances, although I do love them all.

My greatest achievement to date is being awarded distinction in my Ballroom and Latin American IDTA Professional Teaching qualifications. I’m a very practical person, and I take this approach in the way I teach and explain dances, always partnered with technique. I believe the more you can see and do something, the quicker you pick it up — and the better you understand it. This leads to higher-quality dancing. I take dancing seriously and believe I inspire confidence and develop students to a high level, while also making sure they enjoy my classes and lessons.

I am incredibly proud of all our students who have achieved very high grades with us in their medals and awards. This is the ultimate job satisfaction for a dance teacher.

I look forward to seeing you at one of our classes or events so I can share my love and passion for dancing with you.

ALEX

IDTA Fellow & Examiner

I started dancing at a young age and have tried many different forms of dance over the years, including Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Disco, Ballroom, Latin American, Line and Salsa. At the age of 13, I started Modern Jive and fell in love with it immediately. Modern Jive has been, and still is, a big part of my inspiration in dance and will always hold a piece of my heart. At 18, I became the youngest person in the UK (at the time!) to qualify as a Modern Jive teacher, and I went on to teach all over the country at various events and workshops. During this time, I partnered with my teacher, Emma, and we began competing and choreographing spotlight and team cabaret routines, eventually winning numerous titles across the UK Modern Jive competition scene.

As my dance career progressed, I auditioned and trained new teachers within Modern Jive, as well as judged competitions across the UK.

When Wesley and I met, it was clear that we both loved dance and sharing that love with others. Wesley encouraged me back into Ballroom and Latin American at local classes, and we began training with the IDTA to become professional dance teachers in Ballroom and Latin American.

My favourite dances are Rumba and Foxtrot. I love the way Rumba moves and the music that accompanies it. I love Foxtrot because of its elegance and beautiful music — it always leaves you feeling great.

I love teaching dance, whether it’s to complete beginners or experienced dancers. I believe I can bring out the best in people and I enjoy getting into the detail and technique.

But mostly, it’s about sharing my passion and love for dance, and making sure everyone who experiences it takes something positive away.

Can’t wait to meet you.

REBECCA

IDTA Fellow

I started dancing in 1990 at Kings Palais of Dance under IDTA Director and past President Lynda King, taking lessons in Latin & Ballroom and Freestyle & Rock ’n’ Roll. In 1993, I was invited to join the school’s competition team, where I competed in Regional and National Championships for over 10 years. The highlight of my competitive career was winning the IDTA National Championships in 2003 with the Freestyle formation team.

In 2004, I was proud to be awarded Distinction as a Freestyle Associate of the IDTA and to be nominated for the prestigious John Dilworth Scholarship. Since then, I have also been awarded Distinctions for all Associate, Licentiate and Fellowship exams in Latin, Ballroom, Freestyle and Rock ’n’ Roll. I continue to further my professional development as an IDTA teacher through Fellowship-level qualifications.

My teaching experience includes delivering Latin & Ballroom classes and private lessons for children, teenagers and adults; wedding dance choreography; Freestyle & Rock ’n’ Roll classes and private lessons for children and teenagers; as well as choreography and competition coaching for two Freestyle formation teams.

At Wes & Alex’s Dance School, I am proud to teach the Complete Beginner and Beginner/Improver Latin & Ballroom classes for adults, host the monthly Practice Nights, teach children’s Latin, Ballroom & Freestyle classes, and provide private lessons for all levels and abilities.

It is such a pleasure to pass on my knowledge and experience and to see the joy people take from learning to dance. I particularly enjoy sharing tips to polish students’ technique and choreographing exciting routines.

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