CLASSES & TEACHERS
CLASSES AND TEACHERS
Our main aim in creating the LUX experience is to build confidence in dancing to different genres of music. Consequently the line-up of teachers always reflects the varying styles suited to each dance space - but more importantly our teachers are selected because of their teaching ability, experience and understanding of the lead and follow techniques required to develop their students. Of course approachability and a keen sense of fun are also high up on the list of requirements.
Our ‘A’ List Teacher Line-Up is shown below and the schedule of classes can be viewed HERE
The workshops taught at LUX will reflect the following styles:
Ceroc, Blues & SILC/UTOPIA Style
TEACHERS AT A GLANCE
(In alphabetical order)
Bill & Becky Cooper, Caine Langford, Dale St. Rose, Dan Hewitt-Green, Debbie Attwood, Ivan & Kate Burton, Lucky Skillen, Marc & Rachel and Steve Thomas.
BILL & BECKY COOPER
Bill and Becky's history of partner dancing goes back over 30 years and establishes them as one of the original group of teachers that helped put Ceroc on the National dance map. In addition to teaching at many main London venues they have been franchisees of Ceroc Thames Valley since the late 90s and ran numerous venues throughout the Bracknell and Reading areas as well as co-founding LUX with David and Val in 2009. They are, however, best known for their ever popular Friday class and freestyle nights in Twyford which have been attended by literally thousands of people over more than two decades and is always a buzzing night. With experience in Latin, Ballroom, Line Dance, NU-Line and Nightclub 2 Step, their keen interest in footwork brings diversity and creativity to all their classes.
Fun ice breaker Line Dance class (Bill) - Sat 8 - 8.30pm - Sequoia - All
Come and kick off your LUX dance night with Bill's fun line dance class.
Night Club 2 Step - Sun, 12.15 - 1.15pm - Juniper - All
Introduction to this popular close hold, social dance, also sometimes referred to as the Hustle and very popular in USA. You’ll have fun in this class with Bill & Becky and in the process of learning this dance style, you’ll also pick up tips for connection, lead, follow and frame.
CAINE LANGFORD
Host of the popular Bristol SILC Sundays and veteran teacher / DJ on the dance weekender scene, Caine is a smooth dancer, a joy to watch, and a pleasure to dance with. He has been teaching for around 15 years, currently in the Bristol area after a long time teaching in Sussex and the South Coast. Caine focuses on technique and connection and this makes him a natural choice to lead the foundation and progressive SILC classes at PURE.
SILC Fundamentals - Sun, 2.45 - 3.45pm - Sequoia - INT
SILC is the smooth, slotted dance that finds its home in the Chill-out & Utopia zone. The techniques taught allows room for interpretation and style that suits the slower music genres plays in the Chill Out and Utopia zones. The session is designed for those new to this style and focuses on mastering the art of slotting and timing.
SILC New Moves - Sun, 6.30- 7.30pm - Sequoia - INT SILC
You will need to be an experienced SILC dancer to participate in this session where Caine & Millie will introduce you to some fresh look SILC!
DALE ST. ROSE
Teacher & Franchisee of Ceroc Smooth, Dale has a passion for different dance styles and his dedication to dance has led him to win 1st place at the Ceroc Championships twice, the Blues Open Championships in 2007 & 2009 and joint 1st place winning spot in the Blues showcase Category in 2010..... And 2017 the Open Winner at the London Ceroc Champs. His background in Line Dance, Salsa, Kizomba, Bachata and WCS influence his style and syncopation, and this makes for classes that are full of pure body and soul. He's also a talented Dj and will be playing in both the Main Room and Chill Out room over the weekend.
Bachata - Sun, 1.30 - 2.30pm - Juniper - All
This session will introduce you to Bachata which is a style of social dance from the Dominican Republic. Its slow and sensual and danced in 'hold' with simple, but rhythmic patterns.
Change the Tempo - Sun, 4 - 5pm - Sequoia INT+
Learn a lovely smooth routine and then add some musical interpretation to it, by dancing to different genres and tempos. See how easy it is to shed a new light on your existing repertoire.
DAN HEWITT-GREEN
Southampton based teacher and franchisee, Dan Hewitt-Green is one smooth teacher! One half of the original SO Ceroc, and now Ceroc Fever, Dan has been teaching for twenty years and is known for drilling down into technique, fluid moves and style plus golden nuggets of wisdom that help propel dancers to that next level. He’s also known for his propensity for mischief and getting the party started…
Rolling Momentum - Sun, 2.45pm - 3.45pm - Juniper - Int+
Creating a smooth, seamless style by maintaining momentum and naturally rolling from one move to the next without anchoring.
Effortless - Sun, 5.15pm - 6.15pm - Sequoia - Int
Adopt better frame and body leading techniques, to improve connection and smooth out your lead & follow to make you an all-round better freestyle dancer.
DEBBIE ATTWOOD
Debbie is the darling of the West Midlands! The hostess with the mostess on many of the Dance Holidays, including the ever popular Medfest, Blaze and dance ski holidays. With years of teaching experience and dedication to building her lovely community of dancers on the west side of Birmingham, her passion for dance never diminishes. She’s always dipping a toe into this dancefloor and that, gathering experience and skills that continually enhance her talents.
Fresh Flow - Sun, 1.30pm - 12.30pm - Sequoia - Int+
This creative class will teach you inspired new move variations that demonstrate beautiful flow and smooth movement.
MASTERCLASS - Followers Flow & Style - Sun, 11am - 12pm - Pines - All
This masterclass is for Solo followers and focuses on the movement, posture and flow that gives ladies / follows smooth, effortless and poised style
IVAN & KATE BURTON
These dedicated Franchisees from Ceroc Devon not only manage their regular class nights and freestyles, Ivan & Kate are also the hosts of the South West Ceroc Championships and the Summer Sizzler Weekend. They have many years of experience teaching both Ceroc & SILC with Ivan being one of the original SILC teachers on the circuit. Despite there SILC skills you will often see them sharing their Ceroc repertoire on weekenders and they particularly relish the opportunity to bring impressive routines that will challenge & satisfy the advanced dancer.
Move Maker - Sun, 11am - 12pm - Juniper - Adv
Choreograph your own moves using a variety of techniques taught in this class. Using multiple entries and exits to give your repertoire a dynamic flow and a creative edge.
MASTERCLASS - Mind Melt - Sun, 1.30 - 2.30pm - Pines - Adv
This masterclass will provide you with some tricky advanced moves. Its billed as advanced and the moves are difficult so this one is not for the faint hearted!
MARC & RACHEL
Slinky, bluesy, elegant dancers Marc & Rachel have been introducing our dancers to Argentine Tango and Pure Blues on many of Ceroc's largest weekend events now for a number of years – not just through classes but with their involvement and introduction of Milongas at the Escape Weekenders.
Fusion Sun, 6.30 - 7.30pm - Juniper (INT+)
This class will teach you to dance to slower music, fusing Argentine Tango with open hold movements for the Chill-Out dance floor. There is no requirement to be experienced in Argentine Tango to participate in this lesson.
MASTERCLASS - Picture Perfect - Sun, 12.15 - 1.15pm - Pines (INT+)
This Fusion-based masterclass explores off-axis movement with ideas that translate beautifully into both Blues and Tango. Through elegant leans, shaped suspensions, tilts and showcase moments, we’ll look at how to create those picture-perfect lines dancers love while keeping everything grounded in connection, control and musicality. No previous Tango experience is required, and while some familiarity with Blues will help, the class is designed to make the principles clear and accessible. Rather than treating dips and dramatic shapes as isolated tricks, we’ll show how these moments can grow naturally out of the dance, giving your social dancing more style, sophistication and visual impact.
STEVE THOMAS
Steve is a veteran of over 25 years of Ceroc teaching and has taught at all major Ceroc Escape Dance weekenders for more years than we care to remember. As an event organiser he not only made the Dance Junction one of the most popular dance nights on the circuit but has also introduced some astonishing venues to our dance community; these include events at Ministry of Sound, O2, i360 and the Cutty Sark. His laidback and humorous approach, coupled with an extraordinary understanding of technique makes him an ever popular choice.
Whipcraft - Sun, 12.15 - 1.15pm - Sequoia - Int+
Whips put the whoosh and dynamic into your dancing. You probably have one in your repertoire, but this workshop will drop a few more in and make sure you have that technique absolutely right so that you create the momentum, capture the energy and redirect. The most popular class on last years schedule, so Steve returns with some new whip variations for those of you who love the exhilaration of a whip!
Mix It Up - Sun, 4 - 5pm - Juniper - Int-
Fresh variations on familiar, foundation moves to help expand your repertoire and boost your freestyle confidence for those new to the intermediate classes
New Day New Moves! Mon, 11am - 12pm - Sequoia - Int
Start your bank holiday Monday with something fresh! This class introduces a selection of brand new moves, perfect for anyone looking for inspiration and a repertoire boost.
LUCKY SKILLEN
Back by popular demand all the way from the US of A, is the incomparable Lucky Skillen! Through the magic power of his huge smile, he brings dancing joy wherever he goes. Lucky started dancing in 1996 and began teaching in 1998. Since then he has taught and performed many styles of dances in Asia, Europe, and North America. He has also had the privilege of working with such celebrities as Neil Young, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Katie Holmes, and Frankie Manning. He will be teaching a classes over the weekend that will suit the Blues room and the Utopia Room.
Baby Blues - Sun, 11am - 12pm Sequoia - All
Lucky & Chelsea are our king and queen of blues and this class is designed to introduce and develop your Blues style. Even if you have done some Blues before, you can be sure to take something away from this Blues Oracle, Mr Lucky Skillen!
Blues Masterclasses (£15 per head per session or £20 for both sessions - pre-book)
Session 1 Tornado - Mon, 11am - 12pm - Pines
This is a great masterclass for intermediate+ and advanced dancers to hone their skills. Leaders and followers alike will benefit from this masterclass which is all about tricky techniques for executing stylish spins and centripetals. Counterbalance, core and confidence will preside!
Progressive Blues - Sun, 5.15 - 6.15pm Juniper - BEG+ Blues
Step -up your Blues skills; add in some new patterns; figure out timing for musicality and build confidence on the Blues Dance-floor.
Session 2 Micro-Blues - Mon, 12pm - 1pm - Pines
People regularly stop me in my tracks to rave about this masterclass with Lucky & Chelsea. This is a modern style of blues that uses small movements to communicate to your partner. This is the glue that holds the dance together and further develops the intricacy of connection