A dance studio is only as good as its teachers. At Destine Dance we focus on employing people who will be best for you to become the best dancer you can be. Read on to find out about who you will be getting lessons with when you learn at Destine Dance.
Clint Steele
Clint has been dancing for over a decade. Before Destine Dance he was an academic and before that a professional engineer. While a dance student, he researched techniques to build the attributes of a dance to accelerate his development. This culminated in a collection of ideas on how to become a great dancer fast. These ideas were made into a book that Clint shared online. Today he has 2000 followers of his website Dance Better Now and 3500 followers on his Facebook page The Inner Game of Dance dedicated to sharing ideas on how to learn dance with ease. Clint has always viewed dance as a social experience and set up Partner Dancing Events in Melbourne and Victoria. This page let’s people know what’s going on and encourage them to try new styles so that they can get even more from dance and has over 2000 followers. After a payout from his last job and the decision to change careers, Clint now brings his experience in dance and knowledge of how dance is learned to Destine Dance where he can help you become a great dancer fast.
QnA with Clint
Why did you start dancing?
I had completed a number of degrees, and was bored needing something to learn. Dance always offers something new to learn so it satisfies that need.
What's kept you dancing?
The social element is primary motivator, but now that I understand how and why dance is so good for you I also dance for the health benefits.
What do you like most about teaching dance?
It’s simply good seeing a student develop a new skills that they enjoy and that opens a whole new part of their life.
What was the most challenging class you took?
When I had to teach some of the cast of Wentworth how to dance Argentine Tango. I had to teach them so they were not too good, but looked like they could dance. That was the first time I ever had to teach someone to dance like that.
What do you think most people do not know about dance but should know?
It is an amazing social tool. No matter where you are, you can always go to a nearby social dance event to meet people – even if you know no-one. I have always used dance when travelling to meet people: China, Japan, Hong Kong, Interstate and all over the US (San Jose, Portland and New York). I just find a local social dance event, show up and then I am connecting with the locals.
What's your favourite quote about dance and why?
'Dance: It’s a perpendicular expression of a very horizontal desire' because it always gets a reaction when people first hear it.
QnA with Clint
Why did you start dancing?
I had completed a number of degrees, and was bored needing something to learn. Dance always offers something new to learn so it satisfies that need.
What's kept you dancing?
The social element is primary motivator, but now that I understand how and why dance is so good for you I also dance for the health benefits.
What do you like most about teaching dance?
It’s simply good seeing a student develop a new skills that they enjoy and that opens a whole new part of their life.
What was the most challenging class you took?
When I had to teach some of the cast of Wentworth how to dance Argentine Tango. I had to teach them so they were not too good, but looked like they could dance. That was the first time I ever had to teach someone to dance like that.
What do you think most people do not know about dance but should know?
It is an amazing social tool. No matter where you are, you can always go to a nearby social dance event to meet people – even if you know no-one. I have always used dance when travelling to meet people: China, Japan, Hong Kong, Interstate and all over the US (San Jose, Portland and New York). I just find a local social dance event, show up and then I am connecting with the locals.
What's your favourite quote about dance and why?
'Dance: It’s a perpendicular expression of a very horizontal desire' because it always gets a reaction when people first hear it.
Serena Ferrante
Serena has been dancing since a little girl when she asked her mother to send her to dance lessons at the age of 4. This has taken her on a diverse path in dance that has included modern jazz, ballet, street Latin and ultimately into the broader world of partner dancing. Serena brings to Destine Dance these years of experience in dance and teaching.
She has worked as a professional dance partner in the dance clubs of Milano for 3 years: where she used her ability to engage with people and her excellent dance skills to get patrons dancing and creating a fun dance atmosphere. It is this ability to engage people in dance and make it fun that made her an ideal Destine Dance teacher.
While teaching all the styles Destine Offers, Serena’s strengths are in street Latin. She was part of the inaugural Milano dance crew for the World Team Project run by the founders of bachata sensual (Daniel and Desiree). And performed the developed choreography (including Dominican, ballroom and sensual bachata) around Italy. This was an exclusive auditioned role and you can see one of the performances here.
This high level experience in dance led to Serena becoming a dance teacher at Merate dance studio in Milano where she taught street Latin. During her time in the thick of dancing in Italy she was able to regularly attend congresses like the Dancin’ Bachata Fusion Festival where she learned the latest in European and world styles from people like: Jose Ferrante and Elena Avella, Andrea and Silvia, Simone and Serena, Daniel and Desiree, and Roland and Alba; all members of the European equivalents of the Australian Dancing society. Because of her expertise in street Latin, Serena runs the advanced class in the Destine Dance Monday bachata night as well as teaching our male students and couples in all the styles Destine Dance offers.
QnA with Serena
What do you like most about dance?
Dance is like a language without barriers. I have come from Italy to Australia and every time I have danced, I have felt that same way I feel back home. Anyone who dances will be able to connect with anyone else who dances anywhere in the world.
What do you like about teaching dance?
I love seeing students exceeding their own expectations. This happens all the time and it's really rewarding surprising a student like that.
What's your favourite quote about dance and why?
'Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.' I like to read and I like to dance and this quote means there is no guilt when I do these.
Why did you start dancing?
I was always meant to. Dance is not a luxury for me; it is an essential like food, clothing and shelter.
If you were tell people just one thing about dance, then what would it be?
It is actually about practice. There is no such thing as a natural. Anyone can dance if they put the effort in.
Why do you like partner dance more than other types of dance?
There is greater challenge and joy when you have the dynamic of two people dancing together in different, but complimentinhg ways.
She has worked as a professional dance partner in the dance clubs of Milano for 3 years: where she used her ability to engage with people and her excellent dance skills to get patrons dancing and creating a fun dance atmosphere. It is this ability to engage people in dance and make it fun that made her an ideal Destine Dance teacher.
While teaching all the styles Destine Offers, Serena’s strengths are in street Latin. She was part of the inaugural Milano dance crew for the World Team Project run by the founders of bachata sensual (Daniel and Desiree). And performed the developed choreography (including Dominican, ballroom and sensual bachata) around Italy. This was an exclusive auditioned role and you can see one of the performances here.
This high level experience in dance led to Serena becoming a dance teacher at Merate dance studio in Milano where she taught street Latin. During her time in the thick of dancing in Italy she was able to regularly attend congresses like the Dancin’ Bachata Fusion Festival where she learned the latest in European and world styles from people like: Jose Ferrante and Elena Avella, Andrea and Silvia, Simone and Serena, Daniel and Desiree, and Roland and Alba; all members of the European equivalents of the Australian Dancing society. Because of her expertise in street Latin, Serena runs the advanced class in the Destine Dance Monday bachata night as well as teaching our male students and couples in all the styles Destine Dance offers.
QnA with Serena
What do you like most about dance?
Dance is like a language without barriers. I have come from Italy to Australia and every time I have danced, I have felt that same way I feel back home. Anyone who dances will be able to connect with anyone else who dances anywhere in the world.
What do you like about teaching dance?
I love seeing students exceeding their own expectations. This happens all the time and it's really rewarding surprising a student like that.
What's your favourite quote about dance and why?
'Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.' I like to read and I like to dance and this quote means there is no guilt when I do these.
Why did you start dancing?
I was always meant to. Dance is not a luxury for me; it is an essential like food, clothing and shelter.
If you were tell people just one thing about dance, then what would it be?
It is actually about practice. There is no such thing as a natural. Anyone can dance if they put the effort in.
Why do you like partner dance more than other types of dance?
There is greater challenge and joy when you have the dynamic of two people dancing together in different, but complimentinhg ways.
Yes! I want to learn to dance.
Take a look at the dance lessons options to see how you can start your journey into the world of social dancing.