Ralf Schiller | Kele Baker Teachers Candice Bayley | Gemma Gordon | Melina Hamilton Wonnita Olafisoye | J Samya | Roswitha Wetschka Kele received her bachelor's degree in drama at Northwestern University, and a graduate studies certificate from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. She is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique. In 1998 Kele created Tango Al Fresco, Argentine Tango outdoor dance parties held during the summer in London's Regent's Park. In 2005 she created The Broadwalk Ballroom, Ballroom and Latin American outdoor dance parties which, with together with "Tango Al Fresco", are collectively known as Dance Al Fresco. These events have raised nearly £25,000 for tree planting in London's Regent's Park. Kele has appeared in numerous films, television programmes, plays and videos. She is the Argentine Tango dance consultant for "Strictly Come Dancing" (BBC1, 2006-8), and with Ralf Schiller choreographs and coaches the Argentine Tango dances for the semi-finals. Kele and Ralf choreographed "It Ain't Necessarily So", performed by Darren Bennett & Lilia Kopylova for English National Ballet's show "Strictly Gershwin" (2008). Kele staged the dance scene for Stephen Poliakoff's BBC drama "Joe's Palace" (BBC1, 2006), and coached actors Rupert Penry-Jones, Kelly Reilly and Rebecca Hall. Kele has appeared as dance expert and teacher on "Bump 'n' Grind 2" (Trouble TV, 2005), "Would Like To Meet" (BBC2 & BBC3, 2003), and "Tell It To Me Straight" (Channel 4, 2001). She has worked with Royal Ballet Artistic Director Deborah Bull on her television programmes "Travels With My Tutu" (BBC2, 2000) and "The Dancer's Body" (BBC2, 2002). A native New Yorker, Kele has been teaching dance since 1994. In the UK, Kele has taught for the Oxford University Dance Society, University of London Union Ballroom & Latin American Dance Society, North London Performing Arts Centre, and the Gwenethe Walshe Dance Studio (now known as Central London Dance Studio). She was a member of the Alternative Rhythms Faculty of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (2001-2003). Kele has taught dance at workshops of The Flirting Academy, run by the world famous flirting coach Peta Heskell. In the US, Kele has taught at Dance New York, Stepping Out Dance Studio (New York) and the Fred Astaire Dance Studio (Red Bank, NJ). Ralf Schiller, co-director of the Kensington Dance Studio, has been teaching ballroom dancing for nearly 20 years. He is the co-organiser of The Pink Jukebox, a bi-monthly gay and lesbian tea dance, as well as the hugely popular Pink Jukebox Trophy, Europe's premiere same-sex ballroom and Latin American dance competition. Ralf is a member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing's "Club Dance" faculty, currently working on syllabus for Lindy Hop and Salsa, having completed a syllabus for Argentine Tango. Together with Kele Baker, he choreographs and coaches the Argentine Tango for "Strictly Come Dancing" (BBC1, 2006-8). Additionally, he choreographed the dancing for the short film "Ginger Beer" and for the Channel 4 programme "Storm In A Teacup". Candice is currently on maternity leave, and we look forward to having her teaching with us sometime this year. Gemma started ballroom and latin as a result of getting hooked on an early series of "Strictly Come Dancing". Her passion for and committment to dancing was such that after a relatively short period of time she decided to take up teaching dance as a career, and has already passed her first teaching exam. The things Gemma enjoys most about teaching dance are the sense of achievement students have when they have mastered a particular move or aspect of a dance they have been studying, and when students tell her that their lesson was fun. Melina Elena Hamilton is half Greek, half Brazilian. She grew up in Athens and started dancing when she was 13 years old. She trained in contemporary dance with Fotis Metaxopulos. At age 23 Melina trained to teach Latin & Ballroom (American style) at the Gene Kelly Dance Studio in Marusi. She also studied International style with Giuli Muzafiarova at the Protipo Kentro Horou in Athens. Wanting to expand her knowledge in Latin American dancing, Melina moved to London to study at Semley Dance Studio, where she trained with Lydia Ungaretti and British Latin Champion Karen Hardy. Melina's dancing and understanding of Latin American dancing has also been influenced by Johan Eftedal (British Latin Champion, coach and adjudicator). Additionally, Melina studied ballet with Renato Peroni, and is certified to teach African dance after a training programme with the Sacoba Theatre Company. Most recently, Melina trained to teach yoga with Bikram Choudrey in Los Angeles, and now teaches Bikram Yoga in Chiswick. Melina enjoys exploring different kinds of expression through various styles of movement and dance. Motivated and optimistic, she believes that anyone with an open mind and a strong spirit can learn to dance with confidence and joy. No matter the level, she belives that social dance is for everyone, and good for your health as well. She enjoys exploring new possibilities, and sharing her knowledge with her students. Roswitha Wetschka is from Austria. She has a degree in Psychology from the University of Vienna, and is a Licentiate member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Roswitha has a contagious enthusiasm for dancing, and her knowledge of dance technique, body, mind and movement informs her creative and fun-focused teaching approach. Information about Wonnita coming soon. J is half Australian and half Lebanese. He comes from Melbourne, Australia and arrived in London in 2007. Although J's dance experience has been primarily through teaching, he is now interested in both teaching and competing. J plays guitar and writes music, and is an avid rock climber. | ||||