Teachers
On this page you will find details of Stardust Ballroom’s teachers.
Melina Hamilton
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Melina 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 and Ballroom (American style) at the Gene Kelly Dance Studio in Athens. She also studied International style with Giuli Muzafiarova at the Protipo Kentro Horou in Athens. Melina also teaches Greek dances (Syrtaki, Hasapiko, Zeimbekiko and Kalamatiano).
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. Additionally, Melina is certified to teach African dance after a training programme with the Sacoba Theatre Company. In 2005, Melina studied yoga with Bikram Choudhury in Los Angeles and became a certified Bikram yoga teacher.
Melina enjoyed teaching at Kensington Dance Studio for eight years before opening Stardust Ballroom in April 2009.
Melina is a member of and certified by the ISTD. She has 15 years experience of teaching ballroom and latin dances.
To book a lesson, please call Melina on 020 7735 2278 or on 07951 742346.
Andrew Cuerden
From the inspiration of Dirty Dancing in 1986 to performing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005, Andrew has worked tirelessly to become a world class championship dancer. Competing from the age of 12 to 20 in both Ballroom and Latin, then emigrating from South Africa to England, to compete and perform in nearly every continent around the world in major Latin American championships, whilst representing England and Finland.
Since his retirement from competing in 2008 with his Finnish professional dance partner Hanna Haarala, Andrew has focused his passion on performing, teaching and adjudicating. With a strong desire to continue his development as a dancer and teacher Andrew has decided to continue studying to gain even higher teaching and adjudicating qualifications as well as mastering other social partner dancing styles to add to his repertoire.
Andrew is available for private lessons in our studio.
To book a lesson, please contact Andrew directly at andrewcuerden@hotmail.com
or on 07736 069145
Elizabeth Anderson
Elizabeth began dancing when she was 5 years old, focusing in Jazz, Freestyle, Ballroom and Latin, Contemporary and Ballet, also studying Street, Funk, Tap, Musical Theatre, Rock and Roll, Afro -Caribbean, Flamenco and Classical Indian Dance. Throughout her career she has been a performer, competitor, choreographer and teacher of dance.
She began her teacher training with Peggy Spencer MBE. Attended the B.R.I.T. School, partaking in dance and theatre programs. And the Laban Centre to study contemporary dance and choreography. She spent 9 years in the U.S.A. with Fred Astaire Dance Studios, owning and directing her own studio from 2003 – 2008, moving on to become a consultant in teaching methodology throughout the New England Region.
Elizabeth has 16 years of teaching experience, and is certified in International Style through the I.S.T.D and American Style with the Fred Astaire Studios.
To book a lesson with Elizabeth please call: 07983 255 436 email: elizabethmranderson@gmail
Scott Cole
Having been undefeated in his native New Zealand, Scott moved to London 10 years ago to further his dancing career. As Scotland's No.1 representative, he competed all over the World and trained under ballroom dancing's most repected and accomplished coaches. He retired from competitions in 2003.
Major achievements:
3x Undefeated New Zealand Champion
2x Undefeated Champion of Scotland
Quarter Finalist in major International Championships
Scott is the brother of Strictly Come Dancing's Brendan Cole.
Scott is available for private lessons in our studio.To book a lesson, please contact Scott directly at scottcole01@yahoo.co.uk or on 07912 362235
Guest Teachers
Craig Shaw
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Craig Shaw, was ranked with his last partner Natasha Manderson in the top 25 in the world. Their titles included:
Former: Junior and Youth British Open and International Finalist
Current: British Professional Classic Showdance Champions
All England Professional Ballroom Champion
International Rising Star Professional Finalist
Craig is available for private lessons at Stardust Ballroom. To book a lesson please contact Craig directly at craigpshaw@mac.com on 07936 263997
Ian de Sousa
Ian de Souza is a Fellow and Examiner of the ISTD and teaches regularly at Stardust Ballroom.
Despite having taught dance at all levels for over 30 years, he is not old, just experienced. :-)
Since 1990 Ian has spent much of his time in Europe, where he was responsible for training the German Youth Latin Champions and World finalists, as well as helping many leading couples including, national Ballroom and Latin finalists from Germany, Poland, Luxembourg and Belgium.
Although Ian specialises in professional examination training for Dance Teachers wishing to qualify with the ISTD and is a much sought after professional coach, he enjoys teaching singles and couples of all levels and ages.
If you would like to book an individual lesson, or participate in one of his workshops, please contact Ian directly by
Email on: ian@iandesouza.de
Telephone 077 22 79 51 88 or contact Stardust Ballroom.
Ian’s website is www.dancing-teacher.co.uk
<http://www.dancing-teacher.co.uk/>
Debora Bonemei
Originally trained in Italy as gymnast during her childhood, Debbie's journey into movement shuffled from sport to dance and within dance from the glamorous and charismatic world of Salsa, Latin and Ballroom rhythms to the adventurous and colourful landscapes of contemporary dance.
After taking part in the Salsa musical “Somethin’ Hot” as salsa dance captain (Greenwich Theatre) Debbie has been performing and teaching with Cultura Latina for major corporate events.
In the last few years she dedicated her time to explore more in depth the art of movement zooming in into the Laban Movement Analysis and Bartenieff Fundamentals while studying Choreography and Movement at The Place, Birkbeck University and National Awards in Dance Performance at Kensington and Chelsea College.
To book a lesson, please call Debbie on 0796 0652 344
Hanna Haarala
Hanna is originally from Finland where she started her dancing career at age of 10. At age of 22 she graduated from Ballroom & Latin Dance College with high marks. Hanna moved to London 2003 to dance with Andrew Cuerden and learn more of Ballroom and Latin dancing. She competed at the highest level for over 20 years from juniors through to the professional ranks representing Finland and England. Hanna has qualifications with IDTA in Licentiate level in Ballroom and Latin.
Now retired from competing, Hanna teaches and dances in exhibitions around the world. In 2005, Hanna partnered Will Thorp in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. To book a lesson, please call Hanna on 07834361199.
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