About Elaine & Contact Me - Come Dance With Me In Dundee

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Hi There, Thank you for stopping by....Well, what can I say?....

I was definitely born with dancing in my genes....

My Grandmother, Sophia Douris, was a very keen dancer. Born in Dumbarton she danced on many a night at Glasgow's Locarno Ballroom. She once told me that she used to stand in a dancers booth, situated around the side of the dance floor and people would pay to dance with her, she was a fabulous dancer. Full of grace and sophistication, on and off the dance floor.

My Mum & Dad, Monika & Jim, were also very keen dancers. They won many competitions as Jive & Twist Champions over the years & they toured all over the U.K. as part of a twist team. In their younger days they took part in many shows. One of the shows they appeared on also had Rolf Harris on the bill!!

I started dancing at the age of 4 and have tried and enjoyed, many different styles of dance.

Highland, Tap, Jazz, Two Step, Nightclub Two Step, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Contemporary, Sequence, Flamenco, Salsa and not to mention Scottish Country Dance, to name but a few.

My favourite dance styles however, are Ballroom, Latin American, Linedancing, Modern Jive and PopLaRoc (latin style linedance).

In 1977, I started training in Ballroom & Latin American Dancing with Chic McDonald, Elizabeth Keenan and Kathleen Brown at The 4M's Dance Studio in Wolsley Street, Dundee.

In 1981, Chic and Kathleen decided to emigrate to America, where they continued to teach dance alongside Chic's World Champion Son and World Champion Grandson....
Brian and Gary McDonald.

Chic (who in my opinion was One of the Greats!)
was exceptionally proud of his family's dancing achievements.
Not only is his grandson Gary a world champion but he has also helped choreograph routines for the film "Shall We Dance," while also appearing in the film, as the dance partner of Paulina, the dance instructor character, (played by J Lo)

While Chic and Kathleen jet setted off to the U.S of A. Liz stayed behind and asked her brother Andrew, myself and my then dance partner Lee to train as dance instructors while also helping her to run the dance studio in the process.

It was a very proud moment the day I passed my teaching exam for Ballroom. On the big day, examiner Harry Rollins
(Another One of The Greats!) awarded me with a
Highly Commended Recommendation.

All thanks to Liz for her excellent teacher training!!
I was a professional dance instructor with letters after my name:

Elaine Douris UKA PTD BB

Wow!! What a feeling, I was on top of the world!!

While teaching at the 4M's I also had the pleasure of helping Liz with the training of my wee brother and youngest sister to dance, competitively. They partnered each other and it wasn't long before they won 1st place, achieving the status of
Scottish Ballroom and Latin Champions for their age group.

Not only was I proud of my "wee" brother and sister's achievement but I was also proud of the fact that I had helped them achieve their dancing goal! I continued teaching until 1986 when unfortunately, work commitments had to take priority.

There was no question that I would continue to dance socially and in 1996, when my son Cavan was 4 years old, I decided to start teaching Linedance.

Well...One class led to another and before I knew it I was teaching 16 classes a week but still managed to find time to choreograph a few linedances.

One of my dances "Lovestruck Fool" which was choreographed to a Brady Seals song called "Love You Too Much" became so popular that it was included on a compilation C.D.
"Linedance Fever 9"

I also ran many charity dances, social events and workshops, inviting many world class champions & choreographers such as Pedro Machado, Brian Barakauskas, Peter Metelnick, Judy McDonald, Hill Billy Rick, John Robinson, Steven Sunter and Michael John
(My now Husband and now also known as, 'The Magicaton')
to name but a few, to come along and host some of the events. I continued teaching until 2001 when again, unfortunately, work commitments took priority.

In July of 2001, I was introduced to Modern Jive.

Partner dancing that was easy to master for the absolute beginner...wow!! It was like a breath of fresh air!!

By Jan 2002 I was travelling down to London to audition to become a Ceroc Instructor and over the next 18 months, and many more visits to London, I completed my training.

I continue to teach Modern Jive and PopLaRoc which is a form of Linedance with a strictly Latin / Pop feel to it but recently, there were many requests for me to start teaching beginners classes in Ballroom and Latin American. So please don't forget to check out the Partner Dancing Page regularly for updates of
new course dates and times.

Update

'Your My Addiction' a line dance I choreographed, was one of 4 winners at The Scottish Heats of The Lindancer Magazine Choreography Competition held in Glasgow. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my team members for all their hard work and for making it such a fun, special day. If you would like to view photos of the team in action then visit the choreography page by clicking the

'Your My Addiction' link above. Due to illness I had to give the finals a miss, but there's always next year!!

News Update 10/03/10

2010 - Angus Inter Schools

'Strictly Come Dancing Competition'

After the success of last years competition, I was very honoured to be invited along, once again, to various schools throughout the Angus area, to teach Ballroom & Latin American dancing to the 5th & 6th year pupils. The Final was held on Tuesday the 10th of March 2010 at Monifieth High School.

The whole evening was a wonderful experience and I felt very priviledged to be a part of it. The pupils put on a fantastic show, entertaining a very enthusiastic crowd of spectators.

The Finalists were:

(in alphabetical order)

Christina Milne & Stuart Blackwood 2nd Place Winners

Jolene Guthrie Sebastian Varney

Kerry Townsend & Mark Addison

Rachael Lennie ndrew Arnot

Sian James & Alistair Rae

Symone Galbraith & Neil Dunbar 1st Place Winners

I would just like to say that all the pupils who took part in the event, are all winners in my eyes.
I am so proud of you all for the effort, commitment & dedication
you have shown over the weeks.
It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with you all.
Well Done Everyone!

News Update June 2010

Yipeee...I Have just qualified as a Zumba Instructor and can't wait to introduce Zumba Dance Fitness To Dundee

For ZumbaDundee Dance Party Details please visit

www.zumbadundee.com

Well................As you can probably tell by now, I simply live and breathe dancing and honestly can't imagine not having it as part of my everyday life!!

I truly hope you enjoy your dancing as much as I do!!

Please take a look around the site and if you have time, drop me a line and say hello.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!!

Elaine x