1. Marie Rambert – Founder of the Ballet Rambert
Marie Rambert – Founder of the Ballet Rambert
Marie Rambert was a pioneering figure in the world of British ballroom dance. Born in Poland in 1888, she moved to London in 1910 and quickly established herself as a teacher of ballet and other forms of dance. In 1919, she founded the Ballet Rambert, which went on to become one of the leading companies of its kind in the world.
Rambert was a visionary in the world of dance, and she was determined to create an environment where dancers of all ages and backgrounds could express themselves. She was also a staunch advocate of collaboration between dancers and choreographers, believing that the best work was created through a mutual understanding and respect.
Influence on British Ballroom Dance
The Ballet Rambert was one of the first companies to introduce ballroom dance to Britain. Rambert was a great believer in the power of ballroom dance to bring people together and to create a sense of community. As a result, the Ballet Rambert was responsible for popularising ballroom dance in Britain, and for encouraging people from all walks of life to take part.
Rambert’s influence on British ballroom dance was felt long after her death in 1982. Her pioneering spirit and commitment to collaboration between dancers and choreographers has inspired generations of ballroom dancers in Britain, and her legacy lives on in the vibrant and diverse ballroom dance scene that exists today.
2. Josephine Bradley – Founder of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
Josephine Bradley – Founder of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
Josephine Bradley was a pioneer in the British ballroom dance scene, having founded the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in 1904.
Prior to founding the Imperial Society, Josephine had been teaching ballroom dancing in London since the late 19th century. She was a highly influential figure in the world of British ballroom dance, and her legacy lives on through the Imperial Society, which is still going strong today.
Josephine was passionate about the promotion of ballroom dancing, and she was the driving force behind the introduction of the Imperial Society’s syllabus and examinations. This syllabus is still in use today, and it remains the standard for ballroom dance instruction in the UK.
Josephine was also the first woman to be awarded the title of ‘Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing’, and she was instrumental in the establishment of the Imperial Society’s ‘Professional Dancers’ Association’ in 1921.
Josephine’s commitment to ballroom dancing was recognised by the establishment of the ‘Josephine Bradley Memorial Trophy’ in her memory. This trophy is awarded annually to the Imperial Society’s most successful student.
Conclusion
Josephine Bradley was a pioneer in the British ballroom dance scene, and her legacy continues to be felt through the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Her commitment to the promotion and advancement of ballroom dancing is still evident today, and she is remembered through the Josephine Bradley Memorial Trophy.
3. Ernest Belcher – Pioneering Ballroom Dance Teacher
Ernest Belcher – Pioneering Ballroom Dance Teacher
Ernest Belcher was an influential figure in the British ballroom dance scene in the early 20th century. He was a pioneer in the field, known for his innovative approach to teaching and his willingness to embrace new forms of dance.
Born in London in 1877, Belcher had a passion for dance from an early age. He was an avid student of the popular ballroom dance styles of the day, such as the waltz, polka, and quadrille. He was also known to be an avid follower of the new dances that were emerging in the early 1900s, such as the foxtrot and the tango.
Belcher was a highly sought-after dance teacher, and he opened his own school in London in 1906. He quickly gained a reputation for being an excellent teacher, as he was able to combine traditional dance styles with modern innovations. He was also known for his patience and ability to make even the most difficult steps seem easy to his students.
Belcher was a passionate advocate for the importance of ballroom dancing in British culture. He wrote several books on the subject, as well as articles for magazines and newspapers. He was also a regular contributor to the BBC, appearing on radio shows and giving lectures.
Belcher’s influence can still be seen in the British ballroom dance scene today. He was one of the first to recognize the importance of ballroom dancing to the culture of Britain, and his teachings and writings continue to inspire dancers of all levels.
4. Harry Smith – Ballroom Dance Champion
Harry Smith – Ballroom Dance Champion
Harry Smith was one of the most influential figures in British ballroom dance history. He was a champion dancer who won numerous awards and competitions throughout his career.
Early Career
Harry Smith began his career as a dancer in the 1930s. He quickly rose to prominence, winning competitions and awards at both local and national levels. His skill and technique soon earned him a reputation as one of the best ballroom dancers in Britain.
Competition Success
Harry Smith was a regular competitor in the British ballroom dance championships, and he won a number of titles throughout his career. He was the British National Ballroom Dance Champion in 1938, and he also won the World Ballroom Dance Championship in 1939.
Legacy
Harry Smith was a major influence on the development of British ballroom dance. He was a passionate advocate for the art form and was instrumental in popularising it throughout the country. His legacy lives on in the many dancers who continue to enjoy the art of ballroom dance today.
5. Victor Silvester – Popular Ballroom Bandleader
Victor Silvester – Popular Ballroom Bandleader
Victor Silvester was one of the most influential figures in the history of British ballroom dancing. He was a bandleader, composer, conductor, and choreographer whose music and style revolutionized the ballroom scene in the UK during the mid-20th century.
Silvester was born in London in 1900 and began playing the piano at the age of six. By the age of 17, he was already leading his own band and performing at prestigious venues such as the London Palladium. He soon became a popular dance band leader and was commissioned by the BBC to lead the BBC Dance Orchestra in 1929.
Silvester’s Impact on British Ballroom
Silvester’s influence on British ballroom dancing was immense. He wrote and arranged music for many of the most popular dances of the era, including the Foxtrot, the Waltz, and the Quickstep. He also wrote several books on ballroom dancing, which helped to popularize the art form.
Silvester was also a prolific choreographer, creating many of the classic ballroom dances of the time, such as the Viennese Waltz, the Tango, and the Quickstep. He also developed the popular ‘Silvester Method’ of teaching ballroom dancing, which emphasized the importance of technique and rhythm.
Legacy
Victor Silvester’s legacy lives on in the British ballroom scene. His music and choreography are still performed and enjoyed by dancers across the country, and his books and teaching method are still used by many modern ballroom instructors. He is remembered as one of the most influential figures in British ballroom dance history.
6. Fred Astaire – Hollywood Icon and Ballroom Dancer
Fred Astaire – Hollywood Icon and Ballroom Dancer
Fred Astaire was an American dancer, singer, actor, and choreographer who is best remembered for his numerous appearances in Hollywood musical films. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1899 and began his career in vaudeville and Broadway in the 1920s. In 1933, he made his first film, Dancing Lady, with the help of his sister, Adele.
Astaire was a master of many forms of dance, including tap, ballroom, and jazz. He was particularly known for his innovative and intricate choreography, which often featured unique lifts and spins. He was also a skilled ballroom dancer, and he often used his ballroom skills in his movies.
Astaire’s most famous ballroom dance partner was Ginger Rogers, with whom he starred in ten films between 1933 and 1949. The pair were well-known for their graceful and romantic performances, which included the iconic dance number in Top Hat (1935).
Astaire was also a major influence on the development of ballroom dancing in Britain. He was a regular visitor to the country, and he often taught classes at the London School of Dance. His influence can be seen in the style of many of the leading British ballroom dancers, including Anton du Beke.
Legacy
Astaire’s influence on British ballroom dance continues to this day. He has been credited with popularising the art form, and his legacy lives on in the performances of many of Britain’s top ballroom dancers.
Astaire is remembered as one of the greatest dancers of all time, and his influence on British ballroom dancing will continue to be felt for many years to come.
7. Antony Dowson – Creator of the Dowson System of Ballroom Dancing
7. Antony Dowson – Creator of the Dowson System of Ballroom Dancing
Antony Dowson was a British dancer and choreographer who was born in London in 1894. He is best known for his pioneering work in the development of the Dowson System of Ballroom Dancing, which revolutionized the way in which ballroom dancing was taught and performed.
Dowson was an avid dancer from an early age, and it was his passion for the art that drove him to create a new system of teaching and performing. He believed that the traditional methods of teaching ballroom dancing were outdated and inefficient, and sought to create a system that would be more accessible to the general public.
In 1922, Dowson published his first book on the Dowson System, titled ‘The Dowson Method of Ballroom Dancing’. This book outlined the principles of the system, which included an emphasis on technique, posture, and grace.
Dowson’s system was quickly embraced by the British ballroom dancing community, and it quickly spread across the world. It is now the most widely used system of ballroom dancing in the world, and has been adopted by professional dance associations in many countries.
Legacy
The legacy of Antony Dowson’s work can still be seen today. His system of teaching and performing has been used as the basis for many of the modern ballroom dance competitions and events, and his influence can be seen in the way that many of the top dancers approach their art.
The Dowson System of Ballroom Dancing is a lasting testament to the creativity and skill of Antony Dowson, and his contribution to the world of ballroom dance will never be forgotten.
8. Anton du Beke – Professional Ballroom Dancer and Judge
Anton du Beke – Professional Ballroom Dancer and Judge
Anton du Beke is one of the most influential figures in British ballroom dance history. He is a professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, and judge, who has been a major figure in the world of ballroom dancing for over two decades.
Du Beke was born in Kent, England, and began dancing at the age of five. He went on to study at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London and has since become one of the most renowned ballroom dancers in the world.
Du Beke is best known for his appearances on the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, where he has been a professional dancer and judge since the show’s inception in 2004. He is also a judge on the British version of Dancing with the Stars.
He is a two-time winner of the British National Professional Ballroom Championship, and has also won the World Professional Latin Championship. He has choreographed for some of the world’s biggest stars, including Elton John and Shirley Bassey.
Du Beke is an ambassador for the British Ballroom Dance Council, and is a passionate advocate for ballroom dancing in the UK. He has been credited with helping to make ballroom dancing more mainstream and popular in Britain, and has been instrumental in inspiring a new generation of dancers.
Awards and Achievements
Du Beke has been the recipient of many awards and accolades, including the National Dance Award for Outstanding Achievement, the British Dance Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the British Ballroom Dance Council’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also been inducted into the National Ballroom Dance Hall of Fame.
Legacy
Du Beke is one of the most influential figures in British ballroom dance history. He has been credited with helping to make ballroom dancing more popular in the UK, and inspiring a new generation of dancers. His legacy will continue to influence the world of ballroom dancing for years to come.
9. Len Goodman – Professional Ballroom Dancer and Judge
Len Goodman – Professional Ballroom Dancer and Judge
Len Goodman is one of the most influential figures in British ballroom dance history. Born in April 1944 in London, Goodman started his professional career as a dancer in 1965. He quickly became a well-known and respected figure in the ballroom dancing world and was a frequent competitor in the British Open Championships.
Goodman was also a successful teacher and choreographer, and he was a judge for the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing for 12 years. During his time as a judge, he was a mentor to many of the contestants and his expertise and insight helped to shape the show’s format and style.
Goodman was also instrumental in the revival of ballroom dancing in the late 80s and early 90s. He opened his own dance school in London in 1992, and he also wrote several instructional books on ballroom dancing.
Goodman is still an active member of the ballroom dancing community and continues to be a highly respected figure in British dance history. He has been awarded a number of accolades, including an honorary doctorate from the University of East London, and he is a patron of the Royal Academy of Dance.
Len Goodman’s Legacy
Len Goodman’s influence on British ballroom dance history is undeniable. He has helped to shape the modern ballroom dancing scene and has inspired countless dancers, both professional and amateur. He has also helped to bring ballroom dancing back into the mainstream and has helped to make it more accessible to everyone.
Goodman’s legacy is one of passion and dedication to the art of ballroom dancing. He has dedicated his life to the promotion and preservation of this beautiful art form and will continue to be an inspiration to generations to come.
10. Shirley Ballas – Professional Ballroom Dancer and Judge
Shirley Ballas
Professional Ballroom Dancer and Judge
Shirley Ballas is a professional ballroom dancer and judge, best known for being the head judge on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. She started dancing at the age of six, and was a professional Latin American dancer for over 25 years. She won the British Open to the World Professional Latin American Championship in 1989, and the World Professional Latin American Championship in 1996.
Ballas is a judge on the British and American versions of Strictly Come Dancing. She has also judged competitions around the world, including the World DanceSport Federation World Latin Championships, and the International DanceSport Federation World Latin Championships.
In addition to her judging work, Ballas is a dance instructor and the author of the book, ‘Adventures in Ballroom Dancing’. She is also an ambassador for the charity, Dance for Life, which raises money for cancer research.
Ballas has been influential in the British ballroom dancing scene for many years, and is a respected figure in the community. She is a role model for many aspiring dancers, and her work has helped to bring ballroom dancing into the mainstream.
