Background - In the early nineties, Laucinda was trained at the London Studio Centre where she studied Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary Dance, Music and Theatre/Acting. It was during this time that she performed in the West End and toured with a Theatre Company to Europe. Laucinda has been teaching, performing and choreographing dance for 34 years but, during this time, has also sung professionally including session work for Universal Records and as a lead vocalist for jazz/folk cover bands. In dance, she has worked in a wide variety of areas and genres such as delivering dance classes in the community and schools / private sector, running dance events for all ages and abilities, rural arts, council work and musical theatre dance work through to teaching and performing on the international circuit at a high level.

Ballet - Laucinda has taught ballet on children's dance experience / activity weeks for The Galtres Centre (as part of a programme for Hambleton District Council), for North Yorkshire County Council’s youth programmes and for White Rose Theatre Arts (including musical theatre choreography). Laucinda is a Royal Academy of Dance Silver Swans Ballet Licensee. Silver Swans is a gentle class and, much like the ‘Gently Ballroom’, is aimed more towards elderly clients (over 55s) or those recovering from injury (but under 55s are also welcome).

Ballroom - In 2013 Laucinda was inspired to teach some classes for those who are more elderly or recovering from injury. She trained with Matthew Cutler from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing (winner in 07’ with Alesha Dixon) and James White of White Diamond Entertainment to create her own brand ‘Gently Ballroom’. This class involves elegant, gentle paced, recreational Ballroom and Latin dance steps (such as the Foxtrot and Tango) without the need for a partner. Laucinda launched this class in 2013 and it is still going strong. Although aimed at over 55s, under 55s are also welcome. The current clients are all aged between 60 and 89. Laucinda has also delivered this concept as a course plus tasters / experience days to City of York Council’s ‘Engage over 50s’ programme, Hambleton District Council, Rural Arts programmes, for WI groups and for North Yorkshire County Council as well.

Salsa / Mambo (plus other Latin dances) - In the year 2000 Laucinda started specialising to teach and perform Salsa and gained her UKA Licentiate certificate. Laucinda met her husband Gareth while he was training at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2001 and, together, they became international standard dance partners teaching and performing and launched a company called ‘Encuentro Latino’ (some elements of which have now been merged into Jorvik Dance). Although they specialise in New York Style Cross Body Salsa (choosing to perform Eddie Torres On2 Mambo timing), they also teach Cross Body On1 timing and Cuban style. In June 2003 they received a grant from the Arts Council Of England to train with highly sought after Latin Dance companies and instructors in New York such as Frankie Martinez of Abakua and Santo Rico to name but a few. They went on to teach and perform on the international circuit and became very well known on the national Congress scene making 9 international appearances. They have also regularly guest taught / performed at events all over the north of the UK from Birmingham to Newcastle, Manchester to Hull and ran weekly classes, socials with monthly clubs and events for 21 years. They now teach occasional workshops, private lessons and are still available to hire for private events / shows if their schedules allow.

Other Latin dances / experience – Laucinda and Gareth have also trained in and teach the following: Afro-Latin Cha Cha Cha, Afro-Cuban Rumba, Pachanga, Samba No Pe', Bachata and Merengue. Laucinda also teaches the Latin Ballroom Samba, ChaCha, Rumba and Paso Doble'. Gareth has 6 years of professional latin percussion training and performed Congas for a northern Salsa group 'Mambo Con Rumbo' for several years back in 2009-2011.