which they started in 1998. They met, through dancing, at the age of 15
and soon became dance partners. By the age of 18, they were British
Youth Ballroom Champions and were representing England at the
European Championships. By the age of 21, they were England’s No.1
representatives in 10 Dance ( 5 ballroom/ 5 Latin ). They reached the World and
European finals and were in the top 12 in the world, in Ballroom.
Their dancing enabled them to compete, internationally, every weekend,
in Europe and, on many occasions, in the Far East and the USA. Their many
appearances on TV, including the original series of “Come Dancing”, have
gained them valuable experience, over the years. They have also performed
in front of Royalty and they appeared in the original film of “Shall we Dance”.
At 25, they turned professional and were immediately asked to teach
and demonstrate in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan for a 3 week period.
They also performed and taught on the QE2. During their professional
career, they demonstrated and competed in countries such as the
Philippines, France, Russia, Denmark, Poland, Finland, Slovakia,
Italy, Singapore and Sri Lanka, to name but a few. As in their amateur
career, they were equally successful, as professionals, and were the top 10 Dance couple in England. Their titles included 3 times Undefeated United Kingdom 10 Dance Champions, UK Closed Ballroom Champions and British National Classic Showdance Champions.
In 2000, Mark and Jayne retired from competitive dancing to
concentrate on their teaching. The Starlite School of Dance has been increasingly
successful, over the years. Children are taught from beginner level
to highly advanced. They also teach social dancers and open
competitive dancers, at all levels and ages, from beginner to
professional.
Within their Dance School, they also train formation dance teams.
Starlite is the top formation dance school in the South having
trained 3 Latin formation teams who have won the British title in 3
consecutive years - 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Mark was formerly the trainer of the South of England Adult Formation
Team who were British National Champions. He currently trains the
Kent Latin Adult Formation Team, a new team, which has already
qualified to dance at this year’s European Championships in Lithuania.
As well as their teaching, Mark and Jayne are international
Adjudicators ,Lecturers and Examiners which takes them all over the world.
Mark and Jayne have gained valuable knowledge and experience during
their careers and they take great pleasure in helping to encourage and
develop their pupils’ dancing, at all levels.