Duo takes on dancing world

By Kelly Yates
DANCERS Andrew Nolo and Shannen Clarke say they are ready to take on the world – the dancing world that is.
The 17-year-olds will travel to Russia next month to compete at the 2009 World Ten Dance Championships.
The World Ten Dance Championships is judged over 10 ballroom and Latin American dances: waltz, tango, foxtrot, Viennese waltz, quickstep, cha-cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive.
Andrew from Berwick told the News he was excited and pumped to compete on the international circuit for the first time in his dancing career.
“We are now doing as much practice and training as we can,” Andrew said.
Andrew said he had high hopes for the competition.
“We are hoping to make it through to the top 25 in the world,” he said.
The dancers will make a stop in the United Kingdom on their way to Russia to learn from some of the best ballroom and Latin teachers in the world.
“We will be learning from the top of the top,” he said.
Shannen said she was excited to travel to Russia as she believes some of the best dancers can be found there.
Andrew and Shannen have been dancing together for a year and seven months.
Andrew, who started dancing at Bagheera’s The Dance Place in Hallam at the age of four, is hoping to continue dancing into his adult years, with a goal to travel overseas and be part of a stage show.
Andrew and Shannen’s coaches include Hallam-based teacher Malcolm Batty, Shane Hocking, Kym Smith, Jim McPherson, Larry and Kerry Clarke and Adam Blakey.
Once they return from overseas, the dancing duo will then start an intense training program to get ready for this year’s Australian Dancesport Championships held in December.