We are delighted to welcome our members and students back to Congress - where we will be joined by ISTD President Shirley Ballas.
For further information please contact: ballroom@istd.org
If you are attending, let your network know by sharing this social media asset to your channels, tag @istddance and use the hashtag #BLSCongress2025:
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Event details
We have an exciting day planned for both students, professionals and teachers, led by a wonderful group of industry experts, world champions and expert examiners. We are also delighted to welcome ISTD President Shirley Ballas, who will be joining us during the day.
You will have opportunities to observe, dance, discuss, analyse, and catch up with friends and colleagues.
Workshops will cover a wide range of content - from how to present yourself for an examination, to the importance of technique and Latin variations.
This is a great opportunity to come together as a community, to network and share good practice. So book today, so that you don't miss out.
Timetable
Morning workshops - Open to teachers | |
9:30 - 10:00 |
The Chinese Way: Developing the Standard of Juvenile and Juniors - David Yin There are two parts of how to improve the standard of juvenile and junior: the physical body training (having-doing-being) and the mental training(being-doing-having). supplemented with training and practice sessions to help comprehend. |
10:00 - 10:30 |
How to Present yourself for a Professional examination - Jill Bush This session will focus on ISTD professional qualifications, both in the Modern Ballroom and Latin American genres. Jill will share some of her training methods to assist the general presentation, from Student Teacher to Fellowship level, within the examination room. |
Break | |
11:00 - 11:30 | Exercises to improve the Ballroom Action - Stephen Arnold |
11:30 - 12:00 | The Importance of Technique - Rachid Malki |
Lunch | |
Afternoon workshops - Open to all teachers and students | |
13:00 - 13:30 |
Latin Variations - Anton Sboev and Patrizia Ranis A focused lecture for competitors and teachers exploring advanced Latin variations to develop precision, creativity, and competitive edge. Enhance your choreography, technical depth, and partner dynamics with powerful tools to elevate performance quality and inspire your students. |
13:30 - 14:00 | Ballroom Variations - Mark and Olga Elsbury |
14:00 - 14:30 |
Styling American Smooth - Jang and Adele Don Exploring the essential holds and positions of American Smooth in Associate and Licentiate. This lecture covers their fundamentals, transitions, and developments—refining your understanding of movement, connections, and style to elevate your dancing with elegance and clarity. |
Break | |
15:00 - 15:30 | Building Choreography - Jason Gilkison |
15:30 - 16:00 |
The Power and Beauty of Naturalism - Anne Gleave The most beautiful dancing is based on using natural forces. Anne will be exploring the use of gravity in the mechanics of the standing leg and hip. She will be describing the activity of natural CBM in the body for all important balance, and looking at the natural forces involved curving paths of movement, pure rotational figures such as spins, pivots, heel turns. |
Lecturers
Anne Gleave
Anne was trained in the ISTD metal system from the age of 6 to 14 and took all her medals as both lady and man. Anne was an Amateur World, European and British open Latin American finalist; and World, triple British open and European professional ballroom champion. Upon retiring, with her husband Richard Gleave CBE she founded the freedom to dance movement and it’s spread through 26 countries. Anne is now working to teach and support blind and partially sighted dancers in their quest to enter mainstream ballroom and Latin American competitions.
Anton Sboev and Patrizia Ranis
Anton Sboev & Patrizia Ranis are internationally renowned professional Latin dancers, coaches, and British champions. Together, they are multiple-time British and UK National Latin Champions, British National Professional Latin Show Dance Champions, and British Open Finalists in Blackpool. Known for their dynamic performances, technical excellence, and powerful connection, Anton and Patrizia have captivated audiences and inspired dancers across the UK and beyond.
With a strong background in teaching, they are both qualified by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and are passionate about developing dancers at all levels. Anton and Patrizia coach competitive couples, offering deep insights into technique, choreography, musicality, and artistry. Their lectures combine experience from the world’s top dance floors with a modern and inspiring teaching approach.
Dedicated to raising the standard of Latin American dance, Anton and Patrizia continue to share their knowledge through performances, workshops, and coaching.
David Yin
Chinese Professional Latin Champion for 12 consecutive years; Tutor of the Blackpool Dance Festival Latin Formation Champion for consecutive three years in 2005-2006-2007; The first Chinese couple to win the Carl Alan Awards, the Oscar of the world of dance; Winner of the Golden Lotus Award for the highest honor in Chinese dance industry; The first Chinese couple that was invited to Black Pool Masters Session organized by UK World Dance Council in 2009.
Jang and Adele Don
Jang and Adele Don are world-renowned ballroom dancers and educators, celebrated for their mastery across all four ballroom styles. Adele, originally from England, trained with British champions and later in New York, earning top credentials in multiple dance disciplines. Jang, from South Korea, holds a Doctorate in Dance and is also a 6th Dan Taekwondo Grandmaster. The couple met in New York in 2005 and married in 2008, launching a partnership marked by numerous titles, including the 2023 USA Dance Open Professional 9-Dance National Championship. They have also been champions in the UK, USA, and at the world level. Based in Florida, they teach and perform internationally, known for blending excellence with joy in dance. Their unique backgrounds, passion, and commitment have made them influential figures in the global ballroom dance community.
Jason Gilkison
To be updated shortly
Jill Bush
Jill is a senior, multi faculty, examiner for the ISTD and has over thirty years’ experience examining at all levels. As a teacher she specialises in professional training, enjoying the challenge of guiding and preparing candidates for their teaching qualifications. On many occasions, Jill has lectured and adjudicated both within the United Kingdom and internationally. Jill is also a Deputy Lead Examiner on behalf of the Society and assists with the standardisation of examinations, marking criteria and syllabus specification.
Mark and Olga Elsbury
World Champion in Professional Ballroom Showdance; British Professional Ballroom Showdance Champion; 20 times UK Closed and British National Champions; Multiple times Worlds finalists through Youth, Amateur and Professional; International Rising Star Professional Champions; World Gold Cup winners; Winners of the "Le Classique Dance Award"; DVIDA American Smooth Professional qualifications
Rachid Malki
To be updated shortly
Stephen Arnold
To be updated shortly
Further Information
Lecturers
In the instance of a change to availability, we may need to find an alternative lecturer (than the one originally scheduled) to lead a course. This will not affect the content covered in the course.
CPD hours
All hours stated next to each course refer to the earned CPD hours. This will be reflected on each certificate of attendance that you will receive.
Further questions
If you have any further questions, please contact ballroom@istd.org and a member of the team will get back to you.
Terms and Conditions
Booking Conditions and cancellations
All fees must be paid in full, with cleared funds, before bookings close for the event. Delegates may only attend once payment has been made.
The ISTD reserves the right to cancel or amend any session within this event and these terms and conditions without notice. Any changes to the event will be notified to participants as soon as possible by the organiser.
No refunds are payable once a ticket has been purchased and payment received.
This event relies on a certain number of entries being received. If insufficient entries are received the event may not be viable and in this case entry fees will be returned. Delegates are advised to book refundable travel and/or accommodation, as the ISTD will not refund any incurred costs if the event does not take place.
This does not affect your statutory rights.
Further Information
Certificates of attendance will be sent to each delegate via email as a PDF document, after the event has taken place. The CPD hours on the certificate will reflect the time attended by the participant with time deducted for late arrival or early departure from the session.
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing has the right to refuse bookings on the grounds of health and safety.
Course delegates are responsible for their own personal property and safety.
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing reserves the right to record any CPD for the purpose of further training. The ISTD is committed to the principle that the interests and welfare of participants taking part in dance activities is paramount. To comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, ISTD needs your permission before we take any photography or video of you. By acknowledging and agreeing to these terms I consent to ISTD photographing or videoing me at this event.
Filming /photography / recording of any content displayed or discussed during the class is not permitted by any delegate.
All work displayed is the intellectual property of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and appointed lecturers.
Behaviour and Conduct
Should any delegate display behaviour or conduct that is not deemed appropriate or respectful during or after the event then they may be asked to leave for the benefit of the other attendees.
How we use your information
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing will process your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. Please refer to our privacy policy which can be found in full on our website, www.istd.org
Any concerns should be emailed to ballroom@istd.org