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I wasn't always a dancer although as a child of about 9 years old, I used to go with some West Indian neighbours to a rehearsal rooms and dance to all sorts of music mainly ska, blue beat,soca. As a teenager, I ventured into Burtons in Harrow for some ballroom dance lessons with my mate Nick Maley. It was a great way to meet nice women, however, my main interest was music and messing about on a guitar. I began playing and forming a group called Notation. We were five people up for a laugh, who enjoyed fun and music. We had Pete Smith (Drums) Colin Bryant (Base) Pete Blackburn (Rhythm Guitar) Nick Maley (singer/song writer) as well as Maxine Nightingale (singer) I have lost touch with some of the band over the years

Pete Blackburn was living in Brisbane and Dept Head for a large Aussie bank. I stayed with him and his wife for a week whilst travelling around and we had a few hours playing the old stuff....still badly but we liked it..I found the backing of Mozzies distracting. Have you seen the size of them up in Queensland. You need air traffic control for them! Pete Smith and Colin Bryant, where are you? If by chance you make it here to "ole twinkletoes" sight, please contact me....you still owe me a round of drinks, Colin! They are great guys and I have fond memories of practice nights. In fact, I think I probably enjoyed them more.

Ah the joys of it all. I decided to emigrate to Australia and see the world. I travelled most of the coastal areas of Australia from a Melbourne base. It was a great experience and I did play a bit from time to time in various groups. Most of my life seems to have blurred past and I have packed a lot into it. I have travelled a fair amount of the world and am now settled back into the "old country". I have a small wholesale business that I run 3 days a week and then I fill in the spaces teaching dance, messing about on my PC, creating small websites for people. I helped with a website for boxing commentator Steve Holdsworth catch him on Eurosport, most Tuesday nights although he pops up commentating on lots of stuff

.

Maxine has become an international artist and works all over America and the world. We had a lot of fun in those days, it seems like only yesterday that we sang in a beer swilling pub in Wembley .Check her sight out.

I have 3 grown up "kids" who seem pretty settled and although (apart from1) they live miles away. My son lives In Melbourne now and hacks away at the guitar.....better than me...more of a Van Halen than Hank Marvin. What next??? Watch this space. I have become addicted to Argentine Tango although not to some of the "Po faced" people. I think some must have had very troubled lives. One day, I am sure I'll be kicked off the scene for smiling to much.

Since 2002 I have been involved in teaching Argentine Tango the way they dance in Buenos Aires. It is such a joy and a challenge.

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My CV and dance history

 Certificates:

1999 June Certificate of Teaching part One C&G 7307 from West Herts College in Watford

1989 June Ballroom and Latin American Gold Award (with Hons) from Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance

1988 November Ballroom and Latin American Silver Award (with Hons) from Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance

Experience International

2007

 Havana and Santiago de Cuba Private lessons at Casa Granda and further study in Cuban style dances.

 2006

Cancun, Mexico Teaching basic Cuban style Salsa in various clubs and hotels in this metropolitan resort

 2005

Buenos Aires, Argentine Teaching Salsa in San Telmo and studying Tango with some of the maestros 

2004

Paris, France Weekend teaching in the city as well as studying Argentine Tango

2003

Porto Plata, Dominican Republic Teaching at Playa Dorado and in Porto Plata as well as a dance demo at Villa Dorado with Fun Club dancer.

2002

Pafos, Cyprus Some teaching in with people at King Jason Apts and also in several bars in the town.

1999

St Johns, Antigua Private coaching for International artist Nick Maley during August plus Sunnyvale, California where I did several classes at a local dance centre during December

 1998

Blanes, Spain …several exhibitions and classes during the summer Havana, Cuba for 2 weeks, performing at the Hotel Sevilla with Los Candelas

1997

 Paris, France Dance exhibitions and coaching in for a weekend 

United Kingdom

Dance evenings for International Students House, London. I began courses in Latin dances for West Herts College, Stanmore College and also work for YMCA centres local to Watford. SalsaDuende also ran the first hotel run Salsa weekend in England at the Pier Hotel, Sandown in 1999 and then ran a Salsa weekend at the prestigious Hotel Piccadilly in Bournemouth for August 2000. I have run dance parties for silver weddings, corporate functions e.g. Glaxo UK, Action Computers and a regularly participated in Watford Council events since 1995 Latest projects At present I am running a regular course on Sunday nights in Watford where I specialise in Salsa for beginners and advanced students. Some of my time is taken up with private lessons some of whom I can't name, however, I was teaching Jilly Johnson and husband Ashley ;Jive and Argentine Tango. I hope to continue with Salsa for them in their lovely home.

This year will be some more Argentine dance workshops in and around Watford. Training I have studied Salsa, Lambada, and Argentine Tango with some of the most experienced teachers in the world. I spent over one year training with Elder Sanchez (Salsotecha) and learned Lambada with Brazilian dancer Karinna Rebello for a year.

 I continue to study Argentine Tango with Paul & Michiko (London)

In 2002, I had  several private classes with Tamar Parada, recognised as one of the foremost teachers and dancers in the world. I had some lessons in Bachata in Dominican Republic with local bailador, Jose in 2003. In July/August 2005 I went to Buenos Aires to study Tango and to give Salsa lessons. I went to many teachers and was enthused with methods for Tango teaching. Company Aims To promote the study of Latin American dance in the authentic style. I aim to teach with fun and help students achieve their full potential.

They were good fun and did very well. I have run a dance night for the SIGNPOST charity in Watford and we had a fun evening teaching Salsa and Merengue for many of the hard working volunteers. Until 2008 I was the official Latin dance teacher for international health centre “Champneys” in Tring Hertfordshire, where I ran a regular dance evenings most weeks on a Thursday. I taught Salsa, Merengue and Argentine Tango to Guests and club members.

Biography

7th August 2007

Letters/emails from clients

Eisai Company Party November 2007

My CV

Berkamstead Collegiate Event September 2007

Dear Richard

 I wanted to write and thank you for the Salsa Class you gave for me. It was wonderful being able to give Kevin something special to remember for his birthday as well as treating our friends to something out of the ordinary. It’s always so hard trying to think of something new to give the man with everything, and he had always wanted to learn some Latin dance so it was a perfect solution. Everyone had a great time and as well as being fun, you did make sure we all learned the steps and could put a routine together at the end of it. The way you finished up with the Merengue put us all in the party mood and was a fabulous start to our celebration. Many thanks also for the picture you sent.

Very best wishes

Rosy James

Dear Richard,

I would like to thank you for providing the instruction and entertainment at our recent company summer party on the Thames. We have had great feedback from the event, with such comments as
"Definitely the party catered for all tastes in entertainment, it was excellent and really fun!" and "The event offered something for everyone: Food, booze, music and stunning girls. Is there anything else?"

All in all, everyone had a really enjoyable evening and you made the salsa lesson both fun and easy to follow.

Best regards,

D
 

17^th June 2003       

British Baton Twirlers Assoc.        Luton Centre 15^th June 9.30- 12.45pm 

Hi Richard, can I once again thank you for Sundays lecture. The response from my people has been very positive. Not only did they find it very enjoyable but also found it to be a great team building exercise. It was a new experience for us to be so close to many of our colleagues and the way in which we continually changed partners made this such a good experience. I would possibly like to take it further next time and be exposed to more steps and footwork, so may plan this for next year's convention.

Thanks, once again

Nicky

Hi Richard,
You may or may not remember us. We (Andrew and Nithila) attended your
beginners Salsa class at the Cookery before my back problems forced us to
stop.
We have now migrated (permanently) to Australia and live in Sydney. Last
week we attended the first in a set of Salsa classes that we have started to
take. It seems to be quite popular here, and the other week they had a Latin
Festival in Sydney with dancing displays etc. We still remember the old 'tap
- one - two -three' and having attended your classes it certainly makes it
much easier to start dancing again over here.
Hope all is well with you,
Best Wishes,
Andrew and Nithila.

Dear Richard
Once again, I just want to say thank you for helping me polish my technique
and for all the lessons.  It's been great fun and I will miss the crew.
Please keep in touch and keep me posted of any further new developments with
SalsaDuende, and as I offered, you're more than welcome to stop by for a
coffee, just let me know in advance.
Diane

18/11/2002