Last week, the Stratford Press spoke to Simon Forsyth and Nerida Cortese about the upcoming workshop in Hawera, Dance Like a Star, organised by Simon and Maria Cashmore of The Modern Jivers.
This week we speak to Maria along with Kingsley Gainsford, president of the New Zealand Dance and DancesportCouncil.
Kingsley says he started dancing at the age of eight, after watching his elder siblings enjoy dance classes, and has never looked back since.
Teaching others to dance, he says, is always a pleasure, especially when "you see them smiling because they have mastered a step".
Maria agrees, "the moments when you see dancers you are teaching having fun and looking good on the dance floor, they are the times teaching dance feels fantastic".
Maria started dancing 10 years ago, and says she loves everything about it.
"The joy of being able to express my love of music with the movement of my body, the challenge of knowing different moves and being able to dance properly on the dance floor."
Both Maria and Kingsley agree that workshop participants don't need any prior experience on the dance floor before coming along on the day. "People just need to bring along an open mind and the willingness to get moving," says Kingsley. Maria adds comfortable shoes and clothing are needed.
"Shoes with flexible soles that will enable you to glide on the dance floor, bring a water bottle and a towel and be prepared mentally to have fun and learn heaps."
Maria says Nerida and Kingsley are fantastic teachers and will bring the latest techniques and trends in dance with them.
"They are constantly updating themselves and pass this on to their students."
Both Maria and Kingsley encourage people to come along to the workshop and give it a go. Kingsley says he is looking forward to meeting everyone on the day.
"Remember the first night is always the hardest.
"Don't think you can dance like Fred and Ginger after one go, but come along and enjoy the social aspect of it all. Dancing really seems to attract great people."
Dance Like a Star with Nerida Cortese and Kingsley Gainsford. August 1. Hawera Presbyterian Centre. For more information visit the website: www.themodernjivers.co.nz
