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Elena’s top 7 and half dance costumes
Being involved in so many dance shows and competitions has left me with a rather large dance costume cupboard and more importantly some amazing photos. With some many great pictures of florescent leotards, tutus and sequins, here are my 7 top outfits which I couldn’t not share…
As cheesy as it sounds I can’t remember a time in my life that I haven’t danced. I went to my first ballet class aged 3, first performance on stage aged 4 and completed in the dance festival circuit from the age of 5 to 18.
Throughout my life, I’ve studied ISTD ballet, tap, jazz and modern with a brief stint in Bharatanatyam, classical Indian dancing, when my family moved to Italy when I was 8 years old.
I went on to study drama and Italian at university but always kept up with the dancing. In 2012, I had the opportunity of a lifetime by performing at the London Olympics Closing Ceremony. It was just a year later when I met Fiona and we started working together.
Being involved in so many dance shows and competitions has left me with a rather large dance costume cupboard and more importantly some amazing photos. With so many great pictures of florescent leotards, tutus and sequins, here are my 7 and half top outfits which I couldn’t not share.
Costume one 'I can sing a rainbow'
Elena: Age 4
This photo is a true 90s classic - lilac leotard with puffy sleeves with my matching purple cycling shorts. This outfit was for my first ever performance at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham with my dance school Central Stage School of Dance and Drama (Now Dance Studios) where we sang ‘I can sing a rainbow’ and where I remember singing too loudly and feeling mortified!
Costume two 'The Butterfly Catcher'
Elena: Age 6
Now in love with the whole concept of dressing up and performing I took part in my first dance festival. These are dance competitions run throughout the country. I entered the ‘character’ section where I acted out being some sort of victorian butterfly catcher and was placed 4th much to my delight at Loughborough Dance Festival.
Costume three 'Squirrel Nutkin'
Elena: Age 8
Flying high from my previous success, I continued dancing in festivals and when I was 8 I was placed twice on one day! 3rd for my ballet solo and 2nd ‘character’ number where I acted out Squirrel Nutkin at Nottingham Dance Festival. The costume included my mum dying my ballet shoes brown, some papier mâché acorns and a mighty headpiece. Unfortunately you can’t see the impressive squirrel tail I also had!
Costume four and five - 'Ballet and Bharatanatyam' Elena: Age 10
At the age of 8 my family moved to Italy for 3 years due to my dad’s job. I was quickly enrolled in a local dance school ran by an English ballet teacher. I soon became involved in dance shows and even learnt classical Indian dancing with my American dance teacher. I particularly love this classic silk indian outfit which I keep always keep.
Costume six - University of Kent
Elena: Age 20
The teen photos are always the most cringe which I can’t quite bear to share but I can just about cope with this one from my second year at uni so skipping forward 10 years here is me performing in the annual show in a lyrical number that I choreographed (obviously!) and dresses from Primark which I customised for everyone. Each dress was just £1!
Costume seven - 'The Lennon Head' at the London 2012, Olympic Ceremony. Elena: Age 24
At the age of 24, I decided to audition for the Olympic Ceremony and I was cast as a ‘Lennon head’. The section was to the track 'Imagine' where the dancers performed with giant jigsaw pieces coming together to make John Lennons face which then suddenly broke apart to reveal the one and only George Michael in the centre! It was the most magical experience with some amazing people and not to mention a string of celebrities including the Spice Girls (the 10 year old within me was delighted to be backstage with them!) Following this experience I was completely reignited by love for dance and performance which pushed me into going along to Fiona’s jazz class which lead to a completely new chapter in my life...
…. oh and of course here is half costume, my first Charleston photoshoot with Fiona but it is just the headpiece so technically it doesn’t count as a full costume but still a nice memory of where the Charleston adventure all started in 2013.
Fiona's Story - From Irish dancing to Charleston
I was born in Portsmouth, the second eldest of four children, we are all loud, lively and prone to bursting into song. Needless to say it was a vibrant and somewhat raucous household.
I was born in Portsmouth, the second eldest of four children. We are all loud, lively and prone to bursting into song. Needless to say it was a vibrant and somewhat raucous household.
Many of my clothes were hand-me-downs from my older sister as were my first dance lessons. She was in the habit of starting classes and dropping out so to get my parents would send me along in her place. When I was eight I decided I wanted to learn Irish dancing, my Dad is Irish and I loved the dresses. Back then they were beautiful hand sown designs and you didn’t have the tacky wigs which have sadly become standard. I competed in regional and national competitions until I discovered Jazz in Pompey…
Fiona in her 80's leotard and leggings!
Portsmouth Youth Dance were auditioning for a new dance toupe, I attended wearing a swimsuit as I didn’t have a leotard and to my surprise I got in! The drama centre where we rehearsed became the centre of my universe. It was here I meet my future husband Tom aged 11! The friendships from that group have lasted a lifetime and it’s all thanks to Donna Bish, my slightly scary dance teacher who I love. She whipped me in to shape and had some success in getting me to stop talking!
Tom and Fiona at Portsmouth Youth Dance
Tom and Fiona dancing at their wedding
I kept on dancing all through university and during my ten year career at the BBC. The styles I liked were Jazz, Street, Bollywood and African. I found an amazing teacher Francis Angol who leads they way in contemporary African dance. It was while working on a dance show for Angol that I had my road to Damascas moment. I was suddenly sent to Thailand for some filming and had to miss out on the performance I’d been rehearsing for. I realised how much dance meant to me and decided it was time to make it central in my life.
I moved to Brighton with Tom and I signed up for a course in street dance at Brighton city college. It was a real eye-opener being a 30 something in a class with 18 year olds but it gave me the confidence to start running my own classes. It was in January 2013 Elena came into my Jazz class I had just been asked to put together a little Charleston Troupe and she was up for getting involved. We had no idea then what would develop from that small performance but we must have recognised something in each other. Through our passion for dance, creativity and Charleston we began plotting and the rest as they say is history.
Fiona and Elena's first performance in February 2013.
I’ve recently been reading about the roots of jazz dance in America and it emerged from a fusion of Irish Jigs with African American dances. So I guess my journey from Irish dancing to Charleston was meant to be.
Fiona
Radio Interview: Learn to dance online with MyCharleston
Hear Elena from MyCharleston on the radio today talking about how to get active at home and learn to charleston with their new online courses.
Hear Elena from MyCharleston on the radio today talking about how to get active at home and learn to charleston with our new online courses.
Online courses start this week. For a list of all the levels, click here
3 Online Charleston Courses Now Available
We have 3 new online Charleston courses now available from beginners up to intermediate level. Now anyone can dance with us from the comfort of their home, regardless of their age or level!
We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we have 3 new online courses now available from beginners up to intermediate level. Now anyone can dance with us from the comfort of their home, regardless of their age or level! Our aim is to bring joy into your home, get you active and socialise in our virtual classrooms. By booking a space you are adding something positive to your day and supporting our small business during these difficult times.
Level 1: Learn to Charleston - Online Tutorials
This introductory course teaches you the basic Charleston step then builds your skills with 5 online video lessons: Charleston basics, variations, classic moves and a short fun routine set to the tune “Yes Sir That’s My Baby”. This course does not include live streams.
Book Level 1: Learn to Charleston Course
Available to pre-order now. Course will be live from 1st April. £25
Level 2: 4 Week Charleston Course, Online Tutorials & Live Stream Lessons
Our 4 week Charleston course is ideal for those who have done at least one course with us before or have some dance experience. We will be teaching our favourite Charleston steps and a fun routine inspired by the “Black Bottom”.
Book Level 2: 4 week Charleston Course.
Our online and stream course offers the unique combination of professionally filmed tutorials and streamed live lessons at Tues, 7-28 April 6-7pm or Weds, 8-29 April 7-8pm. If you miss a virtual lesson, you can access a catch-up video too. £36
Level 3: 4 Week Intermediate Charleston & Musicals course, Online Tutorials & Live Stream Lessons
Our 4 week Intermediate Charleston course is perfect for those who have done many Charleston, Musical or Intermediate courses with us or can pick up steps quickly. We will be teaching our Intermediate Charleston routine inspired by the 1950s Musical “Tea for Two”.
Book Level 3: 4 Week Intermediate Charleston Course.
On this four week course, you will have a combination of online tutorials and a live weekly streamed lesson. Stream Slots: Tues, 7-28 April 7-8pm or Weds, 8-29 April 6-7pm. Catch up videos of streamed lessons will also be avaialble. £36. See Elena demo the routine here
If you have any questions about the online courses please do not hesitate to get in touch and HUGE thanks to everyone supporting our small business - we are incredibly grateful!
Elena & Fiona
MyCharleston
Important Update: COVID - 19
20th March: Please read current updates In regards to COVID-19
Please see below current updates In regards to COVID-19
CURRENT COURSE ATTENDEES
We have been looking at the Government guidelines and we have decided that the rest of this term’s classes will be live streamed with Elena and Fiona and the week's lessons are already available in full with online videos on our website.
Full lessons available online
We are in the lucky position that our courses are already all filmed including your warm-ups, groups exercises, travel moves and cool-down. We have created this week’s lesson online for you which you can login into at any point this week so you can practice whenever and whatever time you like. We have also uploaded music to the page too for the exercises. We want to make our courses accessible in these tricky times and bring some joy to you at home. We would love to see how you get on so please post your clips in the FB groups. Your logins have been emailed to you.
Live Streaming
The remaining lessons for this week will be lived streamed through Google Hangouts where you can dance along with Elena or Fiona. All you need is a quiet space away from other noises in the home (i.e. tv, partners making dinner, radio etc) and you can login.
Streaming slots
Each group you will receive your login via email
Tuesday - 6pm Charleston & 7pm Musicals
Wednesday - 6pm Musicals & 7pm Charleston
Thursday - 10:30am Charleston & 6pm Solo Jazz
Charleston in a day - Weekend Workshop: 21 March
Many thanks for booking a place on our weekend workshop, we are sorry to say we will postpone the workshop in response to the Coronavirus and Government guidelines. We know this is a real disappointment for everyone who had booked, we were also looking forward to this event but we want to do our bit to limit the spread.
As soon as we have a clear steer on when services and gatherings can return to normal we will be in touch with potential new dates. We kindly ask if you would be happy to defer so we can transfer your booking to another date which works for you.
At a time which is difficult for everyone we really hope we can still offer you excellent customer service with the personal touch which comes from running a small business. In recognition of the inconvenience we will be sending you a mini online Charleston course free of charge so you can practice at home and be owning those moves by the time we all come together to dance. Once it's up and running we will send you the link.
We have other things which we hope will keep you entertained while this is going on and will be offering out more soon!
Facebook - Dance Warm-Up 9.30 on FB live - stretch, flex, strength and restorative moves with an emphasis on hip flexers
https://www.facebook.com/mycharlestondance/
Youtube - Move of the Week - mini tutorials teaching the essential moves from the Twenties
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzCdYyuMu2fAH_G61JgBKyw/featured?disable_polymer=1
We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and support from so many of our regulars and people who we have recently engaged with.
We wish you all the best during this phase and really hope to be back and dancing with you soon
Future Bookings
We very much hope that we will be able to resume our normal service as soon as possible and we have every intention of running our April courses and summer workshops. However, if the government continues it’s policy on social distancing we kindly ask if you would be happy to defer so we can transfer your booking to another date which works for you.
There are changes on a daily basis and we will endeavour to deliver our classes to you as soon as we can!
With much love,
Elena and Fiona,
Co-Founders
MyCharleston
Charleston with Skye Humphries
To celebrate a hundred years of the Charleston, we are running a series of masterclasses with some of the biggest names in Charleston and Solo Jazz world. The first masterclass was with Skye Humphries. His amazing style and energy made it an inspiring day of dance.
To celebrate a hundred years of the Charleston, we are running a series of masterclasses with some of the biggest names in Charleston and Solo Jazz world. The first masterclass was with Skye Humphries. His amazing style and energy made it an inspiring day of dance.
Skye Humphries is a founding member of some the most influential modern Lindy Hop troupes. He has won titles at all of the major Lindy Hop competitions and as a dancer he is memorizing to watch. As a teacher, Skye’s infectious energy and easy manner puts you at ease, energises you and motivates you to take on new challenges.
Skye has also won titles at all of the major Lindy Hop competitions- including ULHS, ILHC, ALHC and the World Lindy Hop Championships.
This workshop focused on fine tuning style and technique. The students also learnt a Charleston routine which had the joy and energy of this iconic Twenties dance.
To book an upcoming Masterclass, visit: www.mycharlestondance.com/masterclasses
What's on February: Course Previews
There are only 2 weeks left to join our upcoming courses starting in February: Vintage Musicals, Charleston Open Level and Intermediate Jazz & Charleston.
There are only 2 weeks left to join our upcoming courses starting in February: Vintage Musicals, Charleston Open Level and Intermediate Jazz & Charleston.
Charleston Courses
From 24th Feb, we will be a teaching a brand new routine to the classic tune 'Shimmy Like My Sister Kate' in all our locations. Take a peek at our preview!
Book Your Charleston Course
Adult Dance Courses available in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne, Lewes, Portsmouth, Shoreham and Worthing
Musicals Course - Chicago
In our next musicals course we will be teaching the iconic routine from Chicago- Hot Honey Rag. We will be teaching the orginial choreography from the 2002 movie.
Book Chicago Course.
Available in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and Worthing. Book Charleston and Musicals and get 20% off!
Intermediate Solo Jazz & Charleston
Elena will be back in Hove from 27th Feb teaching a Jazz and Charleston routine themed around a Marching Band to the song 'Snake Hips'. This routine focus on characterisation and fast footwork.
Courses start the week of 24th February. If you would like to join just here to book online your adult dance course.
Radio Interview: Welcome back to the 20s!
Elena and Fiona were on the radio today talking about all things 1920s and MyCharleston. Listen to the interview here!
Elena and Fiona were on the radio today talking about all things 1920s and MyCharleston. Listen to the interview here
What's on 2020: Course Previews
Our first term of 2020 is coming up and with that in mind we have put together 3 quick snapshots of what’s coming up on each course.
Our first term of 2020 is coming up and with that in mind we have put together 3 quick snapshots of what’s coming up on each course.
Charleston Course - The Charleston 2020
This is our main Charleston course for beginners and improvers being taught in our locations including: Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne, Lewes, Shoreham Worthing & Portsmouth.
Musicals Course - Bugsy Malone
In our next musicals course we will be teaching the iconic routine from Bugsy Malone - Fat Sam’s Grand Slam in Hove, Eastbourne and Worthing.
Intermediate Jazz & Charleston Routine
In our next Intermediate Jazz course, Elena will be teaching this dynamic routine focused on Jazz Roots steps and rhythmic variations. This course is available in Hove only.
Christmas Speakeasy 2019 - Video Highlights
Well done to all our fantastic performers who joined in for the 'Great Show' at the Xmas Speakeasy! It was brilliant to have students from Eastbourne, Portsmouth, Lewes, Worthing, and Brighton all come to perform. Here are the highlights from the weekend with the 3 class routines.
Well done to all our fantastic performers who joined in for the 'Great Show' at the Xmas Speakeasy! It was brilliant to have students from Eastbourne, Portsmouth, Lewes, Worthing, and Brighton all come to perform. Here are the highlights from the weekend with the 3 class routines.