James & Claire Taplin
James started dancing at the age of five. Born into a dancing family, both his mother and father danced competitively, as well as his two brothers. James had a very success Juvenile and Junior career, winning the British Junior Championships.
Claire started with ballet at the age of three, and her first dance appearance was in a Ballet & Arts competition in London at the age of four. At six years old she started Ballroom and Latin classes, and by 15 Claire was one of the youngest winners of the Hampshire Amateur Ballroom Championship. She won the same title for another two years before partnering with James in 1993.
James and Claire had a very successful amateur partnership. They were the top couple for Wales, representing Wales in European and World Championships. After moving to England In 1995, they became England’s second leading amateur couple, making many international semi-finals including the United Kingdom Championships and the International Championships.
In 2001 James and Claire turned professional, enabling them to embark on their teaching career as well as carry on competing. They were finalists at the British National Championships, and semi-finalists in the United Kingdom and International Rising Star Championships. They also reached the top 30 in the world at the Open British Professional Championships.
In 2004 James and Claire hung up their competitive shoes to concentrate on their teaching careers, and are both fully qualified instructors with the IDTA (Members), ISTD (Associates) and FitSteps®. Whether teaching social dancers, medalists, competitors, traveling to Guernsey, judging, lecturing or demonstrating, they both love to pass on the joy of dance, and hope that one day one of their pupils in their children’s class will carry on in their footsteps and become the next British Junior Champion.
Claire started with ballet at the age of three, and her first dance appearance was in a Ballet & Arts competition in London at the age of four. At six years old she started Ballroom and Latin classes, and by 15 Claire was one of the youngest winners of the Hampshire Amateur Ballroom Championship. She won the same title for another two years before partnering with James in 1993.
James and Claire had a very successful amateur partnership. They were the top couple for Wales, representing Wales in European and World Championships. After moving to England In 1995, they became England’s second leading amateur couple, making many international semi-finals including the United Kingdom Championships and the International Championships.
In 2001 James and Claire turned professional, enabling them to embark on their teaching career as well as carry on competing. They were finalists at the British National Championships, and semi-finalists in the United Kingdom and International Rising Star Championships. They also reached the top 30 in the world at the Open British Professional Championships.
In 2004 James and Claire hung up their competitive shoes to concentrate on their teaching careers, and are both fully qualified instructors with the IDTA (Members), ISTD (Associates) and FitSteps®. Whether teaching social dancers, medalists, competitors, traveling to Guernsey, judging, lecturing or demonstrating, they both love to pass on the joy of dance, and hope that one day one of their pupils in their children’s class will carry on in their footsteps and become the next British Junior Champion.
Christine La Belge
Christine was born in Belgium. During her youth she became proficient in sports and hobbies such as baseball, horse riding, ice-skating, motorcar racing, modelling, and enjoyed a bit of rock ‘n’ roll now and then.
Some years later Christine moved to Guernsey and it was here that, in 2006, she was introduced to ballroom and Latin dancing. What was initially supposed to be a hobby soon turned out to be much more serious when she began taking dancing medals all the way up to gold bar 3 in 2011. Christine also entered many competitions in both Guernsey and Blackpool, achieving first and second places, and performed demonstrations in various events.
In 2012 Christine decided to train as a teacher by taking associate exams with the IDTA in both Ballroom and Latin. She assists with the running of the Guernsey Ballroom Dance Club in conjunction with professional teachers who fly over to Guernsey from the UK every two weeks.
Christine has an enormous passion for dancing and thoroughly enjoys passing this on to the students. She believes that dancing is best perfected by having fun with it, which makes you feel good about yourself. Dancing is also a type of exercise which keeps you very fit.
Christine offers group classes, private tuition and wedding dance instruction in ballroom, Latin, Argentine tango and rock n roll. She also holds social dances once a month at La Trelade Hotel, where all her teaching takes place.
When not dancing, Christine runs her own hairdressing business, and taking long walks around her adopted island.
Some years later Christine moved to Guernsey and it was here that, in 2006, she was introduced to ballroom and Latin dancing. What was initially supposed to be a hobby soon turned out to be much more serious when she began taking dancing medals all the way up to gold bar 3 in 2011. Christine also entered many competitions in both Guernsey and Blackpool, achieving first and second places, and performed demonstrations in various events.
In 2012 Christine decided to train as a teacher by taking associate exams with the IDTA in both Ballroom and Latin. She assists with the running of the Guernsey Ballroom Dance Club in conjunction with professional teachers who fly over to Guernsey from the UK every two weeks.
Christine has an enormous passion for dancing and thoroughly enjoys passing this on to the students. She believes that dancing is best perfected by having fun with it, which makes you feel good about yourself. Dancing is also a type of exercise which keeps you very fit.
Christine offers group classes, private tuition and wedding dance instruction in ballroom, Latin, Argentine tango and rock n roll. She also holds social dances once a month at La Trelade Hotel, where all her teaching takes place.
When not dancing, Christine runs her own hairdressing business, and taking long walks around her adopted island.
