Wayne and Aga

Wayne started dancing salsa in 2006.

Not being the fastest learner he found it hard as a beginner to learn the turn patterns, keep the timing, lead the leads and think about what move to lead next without putting in 10 or 20 mambos first. He decided then that so many others must struggle in a similar way that a new method could be taught in the form of weekly courses as opposed to drop-in classes. Having given much thought to this and realising that this wasn't being done elsewhere (certainly not in the South West) he spent the next 18 months travelling all around the West Country trying different teachers and learning not just what works well but also learning and noting what doesn't work so well!

In 2008 Wayne set up his first class teaching a beginners course in South Bristol. His fun style and simplistic methods of teaching brings laughter to any arena and his courses allow pupils to learn at their pace and not to the teacher's ego pace! Such is the popularity of these courses that there are now at least three teachers available each night all taking different levels and teaching varying levels of technique and styling. There are now six courses running each Thursday night.

Since beginning on his teaching career Wayne has taught workshops for entertainment companies, stag and hen nights, at salsa parties and more recently for the Bristol balloon Fiesta. Wayne was most proud of this appointment but feels having four of the Red Arrow pilots take part in his lesson was the highlight of his career so far. In fact, the pilots enjoyed the group lesson so much that they later asked for a private lesson.

In 2009 he started teaching with Anri Adachi and during that time he feels he learnt a lot from this classically trained pianist. Unfortunately she left in 2010 to concentrate on her husband's business.

In 2010, Wayne started teaching and training his new assistant, Agnieszka who is already an accomplished dancer. Aga is the most natural of dancers and unlike Wayne a very fast learner, show her something once and she remembers it instantly. Such is the speed of Aga's learning that by mid 2010 she was ready to start teaching her own 8 week course in basic ladies styling.

This year Wayne has also been employed by the local authority to teach in primary schools, something he found challenging but most enjoyable. He has also taught for several charities including Oxfam and Mencap. More and more Wayne's life is dominated with learning new teaching methods and techniques.

 

Agnieszka Zembron

Agnieszka is also known locally as Aga and we'll let you work out why!

She started dancing at the tender age of eight and for the next few years trained in contemporary dance which included many different styles and techniques. The outcome of this was performing in groups at theatres around her home country in Poland. These performances told stories to children similar to the 'Nutcracker suite', some of these shows lasted several hours which took a lot of hard work and dedication from one so young.

Her interests in dance styles have changed; when she was 15 she started dancing various styles of ballroom. Aged 24 she discovered the beauty of Salsa and its various forms, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha and Reggaeton. Aga loves all the different combinations of Salsa and feels mastering just a few of them can give you so much confidence on the dance floor. She believes that no matter who you are dancing with there are so some many moves and turn patterns you never get bored.

She loves bringing her fun and flamboyant personality into her dance and thinks this can only be done by styling. "This can be learnt within just a few short weeks but with good practice everybody can look like intermediate dancer." In 2010, Aga taught her first 8 week ladies styling class!

Aga believes that Salsa music is easier to find the rhythm than many others and you don't have to follow strict rules like in ballroom dancing; it is fun, more enjoyable and suitable for everybody at any age.

Aga loves teaching and passing on advice/tips, as well as observing people's progress, feels is one of the best feelings she experiences as a teacher.

"All you need to have as a student in motivation!"