About Phil

Phil is a truly multifaceted dancer, originally trained in Ballroom, Jive, Swing and Jazz. With his origins planted deeply in Zambia and South Africa, African based dance adds an extra dimension to his dancing.

Phil became passionate about Salsa twelve years ago, and for the last nine years has been an inspiring teacher worldwide. He has a huge following in the North of the UK, tailoring his classes to suit all abilities, and ensuring that he really engages with his students.

Phil has been an Associate of the United Kingdom Alliance (UKA) since 2005, and in 2007 became a Licentiate of UKA and is qualified to instruct other teachers. However, it is those taking their first tentative steps onto the dance floor that Phil feels really committed to and prides himself on motivating new comers to join the Salsa world.

On the dance floor, Phil is a charismatic dancer, adding flavour and taking musicality to new heights, seasoned pro or beginner, you feel fantastic, and are sure to have fun. Always one for bringing something fresh to the floor, if you happen to catch him once the music starts, get him to take you through a Jive Swing Rueda.

Phil is also a keen competitor, and he loves the focus it brings to his performances. It all stepped up a gear in Miami where, with his partner Leah, he became a finalist in the World Salsa Federation Championships in 2006. Following Miami, they have built an impressive track record in the competitive world arena, and were Cup Winners in 2007 and currently hold the IDO World Champion Salsa Shine title, along with many other Championship achievements.

June 2006 Instructors Diploma - American Style Swing, Foxtrot, Walz and Tango
Member of World Salsa Federation

Championships

WORLD CHAMPIONS Salsa Shines IDO World Dance Festival, Nauders, Austria 2008
Grand Finalist Salsa Solo Shines IDO World Dance Festival, Nauders,
Austria 2008
Grand Finalist at IDO World Dance Festival, Seefeld, Austria 2007
Ranked 6th IDO World Champion Salsa, 2007
Ranked 6th IDO World Champion Merengue, 2007
Ranked 7th IDO World Cup Champion Bachata, 2007
Ranked 7th IDO World Champion Latino Show, 2007
1st Place Winner of IDO European Cup Salsa, Latvia 2007
1st Place Winner of IDO European Cup Bachata, Latvia 2007
Finalist in the World Salsa Federation Championships - LA Style, Miami 2006 - Go to WSF web site for pictures and more WSF web site pictures
Ranked 7th World Salsa Federation Champion - LA Style Salsa, 2006
Grand Finalist IDO World Championships Salsa, Seefeld, Austria 2006
Ranked 7th IDO World Champion Salsa, Seefeld 2006
3rd UK Salsa Champion 2006 - UKA
Runner up Irish Salsa Open Champion 2006
13th European IDO Salsa Champion 2006
6th UK Salsa Open Champion 2005
14th World IDO Salsa Champion 2005
Midlands Salsa Champion 2005
4th UKA Salsa Champion 2005 (Chris and Jaclyn of Cuban Groove came 1st and went onto win the World Championships for the 3rd year in a row)
4th British Salsa Champion 2003
North West Salsa Champion 2003
3rd British Merengue Champion 2002
Joint 2nd British National Salsa Champion 2002

Testimony from Former Student!

I attended your classes during 2007 and managed to attain my bronze award
(my first ever dance certificate wow!). Sadly I am no longer living and working in Preston and have since moved to London in the 2nd quarter of 2008. Looking back at my Salsa classes with you and your assistants I really enjoyed your lessons and got to meet some good people. I liked your particular teaching style in 'cross body lead', your enthusiasm, the structure of lessons, and salsa parties.

As I am now living in London I have tried some places to carry on salsa classes. I feel where I was attending the lessons were not structured to teach the whole salsa picture - basics intermediates all the way to gold level and encourage dance exams, I didn't feel I was getting my moneys worth. Goes to show what a big impression and good standards you and your salsanorthwest team has left on me, you are the benchmark at the moment, keep up the good work.

I was wondering if you know or can recommend a trustworthy salsa class in London that will help me continue the cross body lead style and to carry on for my silver and then gold. Or in other words is there a salsanorthwest equivalent salsa class in London. I would be most grateful for your suggestions and recommendations

Teaching/Performance Credits 2009

March, Adlington, nr Chorley, Charity Salsa night (£2,785 raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care)
March, Bello's Restaurant, Preston, Birthday Party
February, Longridge Civic Hall, Charity Night
February, Macclesfield
February, Salford, Charity Night
February, Cleveleys, Charity Night
February, Preston College, Day course
January, Newbury, Janet's Party, Performances and Teaching
January, Edinburgh, 1st Scottish Salsa Congress, Performances and Teaching
January, York, 12th Night Salsa Weekend, Performances and Teaching

2008

December, South Africa, Wedding Party
December, Park Hall, Charnock Richard, Bootcamp
December, Preston, Charity Party
November, Longridge Civic Hall, Charity Day/Night
November, Carlisle, Salsa Party
November, Next Generation Club, Team Building course
November, Sligo, Ireland, Sligo Salsa Congress, Performances
November, Carlisle, Salsa Party
October, Next Generation Club, Team Building course
October, Whalley Range, Salsa Party
October, Preston NHS, Charity Party
October, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Charity Party
October, Darwen Salsa Party, Performances and Teaching
September, Cyprus, Salsa Jam, Performances and Teaching
September, SalsaKingdom, Teaching
August, Linkway West, Merseyside, Salsa Party
July, Newcastle, Salsa Party, Performances and Teaching
July, Eccleston Park, Birthday party, Perfomances and Teaching
June, Turkey Salsa Festival, Performances
May, Dublin, Irish Salsa Congress, Performances
April, North Wales, Salsa Party, Performances and Teaching
April, Prestwich, Birthday Party, Performances and Teaching
April, Source Cafe, Carlisle, Salsa Party
March, French Latino Festival, France, Performances
March, Source Cafe, Carlisle, Salsa Party
February, Darwen Salsa Party, Performances and Teaching
February, Ewood Sports Centre, Charity Salsa Night
January, Newbury, Janet's Party, Performances and Teaching

2007

June, Turkey Salsa Festival, Performances
May, Dublin, Irish Salsa Congress, Performances
April, Latvia Dance Festival, Performances
March, Radcliffe, The Latin Crew Salsa Charity Noche, Performances and Teaching
February, Ilkley, Hollygarth Party with Blukana Cuban Dance Band, Performances and Teaching
February 2nd, Interview on BBC Radio Lancashire Tony Livesey show
January, Newbury, Janet's Party, Performances and Teaching
January, Penrith, Salsa Silhouette Party, Performances

2006

December, Next Generation Club, Team Building Day, Teaching
November, Harrogate, Dance Carnival, Performances and Teaching
November, Miami, World Salsa Federation Championships, Teaching
October, Preston, Ignite Night Club Opening Night, Performances
October, St Helens, Houghwood Golf Club
September, Bradford, Salsa Workshop
August, Hollygarth, Ilkley, Silver Fox Salsa Party
July, Manchester, Claire and Phil's Wedding
June, Lancaster University, Charity Event
June, Bury, The Latin Crew Salsa One Day Event
June, Imperial Hotel, Blackpool, Company Event
May, Kendal, Charity Event
April, Preston, World Dance Day
April, Swallow Hotel, Preston, Zaco African Party
January, Newbury, Janet's Party
December 2005, Hollygarth, Ilkley, Silver Fox Salsa Party

Plus numerous other private bookings for performances/teaching, including many bookings for Schools and Colleges

Phil's Dance Partners

Leah Pritchard

WORLD CHAMPIONS Salsa Shines IDO World Dance Festival, Nauders, Austria 2008
Grand Finalist at IDO World Dance Festival, Seefeld, Austria 2007
Ranked 6th IDO World Champion Salsa, 2007
Ranked 6th IDO World Champion Merengue, 2007
Ranked 7th IDO World Cup Champion Bachata, 2007
Ranked 7th IDO World Champion Latino Show, 2007
1st Place Winner of IDO European Cup Salsa, Latvia 2007
1st Place Winner of IDO European Cup Bachata, Latvia 2007
Finalist in the World Salsa Federation Championships - LA Style, Miami 2006
Ranked 7th World Salsa Federation Champion - LA Style Salsa, 2006
Grand Finalist IDO World Championships Salsa, Seefeld, Austria 2006
Ranked 7th IDO World Champion Salsa, Seefeld 2006
3rd UK Salsa Champion 2006 - UKA
Runner up Irish Salsa Open Champion 2006
13th European IDO Salsa Champion 2006
6th UK Salsa Open Champion 2005
Midlands Salsa Champion 2005
Member of World Salsa Federation

Phil and Leah in Latvia European Cup Winners

Leah became an Associate of the United Kingdom Alliance (UKA) of Professional Teachers of Dancing in July 2007 and is a fully qualified dance teacher. Leah is my niece and has only been dancing Salsa since 2004, but within the first year, due to her unique but natural dance style, she became my dance partner. She learns new moves extremely quickly and easily brings in her own style to the moves, which makes her dancing very attractive to watch. In 2005, we won the Midlands Salsa Championship, held in Birmingham, which qualified us for the UK Salsa Open Champion 2005, held in Bognor Regis, where we came 6th. Leah also went to Aruba where we came 1st in a pre World Championship Competition.

As well as entering competitions, Leah is my partner for shows, performances and demonstrations, which we are invited to present all over the UK and abroad!

Phil's Previous Dance Partners

Andrea Hulme

1st Place UKA Medallist of the year 2006 (Gold and above 25 and over)

Phil & Andrea

I met Andrea in 2004. We started dancing together after she came to both my private Salsa Lessons and Salsa Classes in Mamma’s Too in St Anne’s and Bello’s in Preston. Andrea is extremely keen on learning new moves and is a very fast learner, with natural rhythm and styling. She had danced for many years before Salsa, which helped her progress so fast in Salsa. In 2005, Andrea became my support teacher and was also my partner for demonstrations, which we were invited to present all over the country. Andrea is a great dancer and works very hard on new moves and presentation. In April 2006, Andrea partnered me in the Salsa World Cup in Turin, where she did extremely well.

picture courtesy of Latin ART Online. Go to www.latinartonline.co.uk where you may find a salsa picture of yourself!!

Kasia Mierzejewska

In 2002, Kasia started Salsa lessons at Dancers, where I met her. She then became one of my students and due to her dancing talent progressed to support teacher in 2004. In 2005, at Blackpool, Kasia won the medallist of the year (gold and above) and became my partner, as Geraldine’s substitute, in the World Championships. These were held in Aruba, and we became 14th World IDO Salsa Champion 2005.

Geraldine Ling

Phil & Leah I also met Geraldine in 1997 at the same classes as Jackie, so we had danced together before we became partners for the UKA IDO Salsa Championships 2005, held in Blackpool, where we came 4th. This was the qualifying championships to represent the UK in the World IDO Salsa Champion, held in Aruba. Geraldine is an excellent dancer, well known for her ladies styling.

www.salsalicious.co.uk

Jenny Griffiths

I met Jenny at Lancaster Salsa classes. We started dancing together after she came to my private Salsa Lessons and she then became my support teacher at Mamma’s Too in St Anne’s and Next Generation Club in Chorley. Jenny is a very talented dancer and teacher.

In 2003 Jenny and I qualified, in Manchester for the British National Salsa Championship. Along with Jenny and her Mother, we produced a beginners and an improvers salsa teaching video.

Jacqueline Moss

My first dance partner. I met Jackie in 1997, when I first started salsa, at Jim and Heather’s Salsa classes at Chorley. I was a bit nervous to ask Jackie to dance because she was already a really good salsa dancer, with a long history of dancing. However, we danced really well together and we became dancing partners.

In 2002 we became Joint 2nd British National Salsa Champion and 3rd British Merengue Champion, held in Blackpool. The next year, in 2003, we became North West Salsa Champion, held in Manchester and 4th British Salsa Champion, held in London.

I would like to thank all my dance partners for their hard work and dedication. - THANKS

I would like to say a special thanks to Jim and Heather, who taught me salsa and started me on the road to salsa addiction! Thanks to Heather who MADE me lead!!