Training Week 1: Meet the Contestants

By Luke Malkin
YCD Host

Meeting the Contestants

In this first week of practice, I thought I'd get to know the couples as they took to the dancefloor together for the first time. I must admit, they were all very impressive and everyone got on with training very effectively under the supervision of our professional dance teacher, Joel Chapman. I caught up with each of the couples during their breaks to see what they had to say about their progression so far. I'll also be giving my opinions on their progression over the next few weeks, so you'll be able to keep tabs on their (hopeful) improvement.

It gives me great pleasure (and a tingle of excitement down my spine) to say this to the world for the first time:

Let's meet the stars of our show...

Couple Number 1: Lewis Bretts & Emily Sargeant

“Are we allowed to donate to our own buckets?”

YUSU Democracy and Services Officer Lewis was pleasantly surprised with how much he enjoyed his first practice with Emily, “I've always steered well clear of dancing in the past. I'll do Kaylee's only if I'm hammered but I'm actually enjoying this”. The feeling of doing something good for charity is what's persuaded him to dance infront of a (hopefully) packed central hall. Not all the faces will be strangers however as both Lewis and Emily confirmed that their parents will be in the audience cheering them on.

Nouse placed Lewis as the early favourite for the competition and, after spending time with him in training, I found it very easy to see how instantly likeable he is; this stands the couple in good stead for the public vote before the dance even begins. They're wise to start lift training early on in the sessions so they can both become used to that part of the routine for the final, where it should be a highlight. From what I've seen so far I highly doubt that Emily will be in the unfortunate position of coming last in the competition for the second year in a row.

Couple Number 2: Anna Bucks & Nathan Burles

“We'll start somewhere in central hall and end up in the lake”

York Media Chair Anna is dancing with one of our new YCD males, Nathan. Anna hates being picked up and mentioned, “I might have to be drunk the first time you do it”. Despite learning a large part of the routine in the first practice, Anna has dismissed trying to out-rumba previous media star and ycd contestant Henry James Foy - who was a runner-up in the previous competition, “He's offered to give me lessons but i'm not sure how much he'll teach me as he just stood there while Harriet walked around him last year”.

Their practice is promising although Anna announced, “I can't spin”. Nathan was sympathetic, “you can spin, you just can't spin right.”

Nathan and Anna are a couple who've learnt a lot of choreography in a short space of time - which stands them in good stead for the competition. Learning a routine quickly allows our contestants to spend more time on technique, which is what makes a routine go from a selection of steps and movement into a polished performance.

Couple Number 3: Ollie Hutchings & Sarah Naylor

“The first time we did quickstep Sarah pushed my leg between hers and said - this is how we walk now”

Alcuin JCR chair Ollie Hutchings described the quickstep as, “clothed Victorian sex, as if dancing was legitimising this filthy act”. I instantly became very interested in how Sarah had gone about choreographing this dance. Sarah points out Ollie's strengths as, “how quickly he picked up the next few steps in the routine after a steady start". All this positivity is counterbalanced with criticism however because she also mentioned, “He has bad legs. They're not a problem, they're just there”. Ollie reposted by pointing out, “I think it'd be a problem if they weren't there”

Sarah and Ollie learnt a lot of their routine in only a short space of time- which is a great sign that they're developing well as a couple. Sarah's coming down hard on Ollie if he makes mistakes and she clearly expects a lot from him. I think she's right to be optimistic; his natural top-line is quite strong for a beginner. Also, they're dancing to the spiderman theme - and who wouldn't vote for that?

Couple Number 4: Gruffudd Jones & Abigail Fenton

“he is in so much trouble”

The winner of York Apprentice's Mr. York competition, Gruffudd Jones, is dancing with a new ycd dancer, Abi Fenton, in the American Smooth. Their practice started well, but then Gruffudd was heartbreakingly stolen, despite Abi's protests, by the rugby club as he had an initiation to attend. Upon being given the ultimatum by Gruffudd's brothers in arms that Abi too would be taken to the initiation if her protest didn't desist, the kidnapping took place and their partnership was put on ice. A rather confused Abi said, “he is in so much trouble.” I wonder if her punishment is more severe than any rugby initiation...

Before his abduction, they were progressing well and there's a lot to be positive about with this couple. They're clearly getting into dancing very quickly and Mr. York's arguably one of the most enthusiastic of our contestants; this can only be a good sign.

Couple Number 5: Ed Lewis-Smith & Sarah Cook

“Tango has the potential for drama. And Sexyfacing”

After deciding he was dancing as a guy, campus showman Ed-Lewis Smith descibed his first practice with Sarah Cook as, “encouraging”. The routine should feature lots of “sexyfacing”, a debateable scientific term employed at various points throughout our meeting. Ed mentioned he's, “looking forward to the challenge” after listing one of his faults as, “keeping it stiff in the upper body”.

Upon finding that Sarah was hoping to improve on her impressive 4th place from last year, Ed responded in the only way he knew how, exclaiming, “nerragh”. (an expression I asked him to spell, but I couldn't find the accent he wanted for the n)

Ed's the only (I think) contestant who's seen a Dancesport lesson previous to being asked to take part in this competition, but unfortunately his cha cha and jive training won't really be much help for his Tango routine. What does help Ed greatly is his passion for acting; his natural showman ability lends itself very effectively to make a great performance that would impress both the audience and our judges.

Couple Number 6: Steve Miller & Rosie Portas

“The Cha Cha's one of those dances that make the audience want to get involved”

Steve Miller is the head of Doorsafe, who help oversee that events run smoothly on campus. He's dancing with last year's winner, Rosie Portas. Steve described his partner's previous success as “a massive confidence booster”. They're looking to create a cha cha that's both funky and sexy and Rosie's looking to characterise their dance in this way with lots of fun turns and fancy feet. They're looking to put on a dance that will make everyone want to get involved and also hinted that some, “air time” would feature as a part of their routine.

Rosie is the reigning York Come Dancing champion, which she won last year after dancing a fabulous quickstep with Tom Flynn. Like last year, she's guiding her partner effectively through the steps and they're getting on well. They seemed extremely relaxed throughout the whole session which is a great sign that they've started their York Come Dancing campaign well and I wouldn't put money against Rosie winning the competition for a second year running.

Couple Number 7: Tim Ngwena & Harriet Waghorn

“This is very different to Sunday night Gallery”

YUSU President Tim and his partner Harriet were enthusiastic about their first practice, “he's picking up the steps well”. The samba steps for Tim are, “free-flowing” but it doesn't all come without danger as Harriet mentioned, “I've already smacked him in the face with my elbow”. Tim had an explanation why it wouldn't happen again, “you're holding onto her hand so you shouldn't direct it into your face”. Probably a good idea if you ask me.

Based on reports from other couples, Tim and Harriet are (largely) the favourite, at this stage, to win the competition. I must admit that, given he has a brief background in performing at Fusion, he was assigned the hardest dance; the Samba (a fact proved by Dan Taylor last year). He took it all in his stride though and progressed well with Harriet in their first practice and are definitely strong contenders in this competition.

Couple Number 8: Jason Rose & Claire Cornock

“Well, I can get round the room”

Campus commentator Jason and his partner Claire seemed pleased with their progress, “I've started better than Matt Burton did last year so it's going ok”. Following in Mr. Burton's footsteps would be a solid plan for a good result on the night, but Jason was keen to express that his main aim is to impress the judges and finally decided (after a lot of discussion) that he's looking to be in “the top half on judges scores”. Claire, who danced with Mad Cap'n Tom Scott last year, confirmed there would be no repeat pirate theme though she did mention that the routine would need, “a bit of cheese” and said that their Viennese Waltz would contain, “a lot of fanciness... that we haven't made up yet”

The Viennese Waltz is an interesting dance to come to as a beginner. What will help Jason is that once you've learnt the core step (called basics), he'll find that all other steps bear close resemblance to it, and that the variation of steps is quite small and hence easier to remember. What I thought he'd find frustrating is how it's a difficult dance to get into immediately, but he's done a good job of getting stuck in and attacking what is (initially) difficult choreography. This mentalility is a great sign that they'll put on a successful performance.

Couple Number 9: Emily Scott & Richard Barker

“Our dance ends in murder, does yours?”

Though YorkSport president Emily Scott is a Taurus, Richard was unsure whether she is to play the cape or the bull in their dramatic Paso Doble. The competitive nature in Emily shined through as she announced, “What's the point in doing anything if you're not going to win” when asked about where she'd like to finish in the competition. She was less pleased when she realised that the event is in Central Hall; a much larger venue than last year's ycd. “I kind of wanted to pull out, but I didn't want to lose face. We'll be fine with lots of practice and I trust wardrobe will make me look good”. Richard confirmed that he will be doing his own hair and make-up, and also that, to no surprise, the splits will feature in his routine, “Of course I'm putting the splits in. I do it in every opportunity I have. Do you know me?”

I was extremely impressed with Emily's performance in their first practice. Before the session I hope she doesn't mind me saying that she was the most nervous of our celebrities about dancing in central hall to a (hopefully) big crowd. It'd be very easy to let those nerves get to you and effect practice performance, but she really got stuck in with the spirit of dancing and made some great progress. Richard, arguably a campus celebrity in his own right, is planning an ambitious routine that will look amazing if they pull it off, and, given their progression so far, there is no reason that they can't achieve a great score in this competition.

Couple Number 10: Zoe Stones & Philip Sellars

“She's gone to drink punch”

One of the RAG presidents, Zoe Stones, is dancing the Waltz with the second of our new YCD males, Phil Sellars. I didn't catch the couple at an appropriate time for an interview, however I did find Phil leaning against a wall watching the competition. The conversation we had was brief enough to be included in full below:

L: Hey Phil, where's Zoe?
P: She's gone to drink punch.
L: Oh, is it that bad?
P: Yeah.
L: Are there any postives?
P: Not a lot. We know a few Waltz steps.
L: Where do you want to come in the competition?
P: I want to win.
L: Cheers Phil.

I didn't see much of Zoe and Phil during practice, they quietly got on with their routine in the corner of the room and kept themselves to themselves. Phil brought with him books on ballroom dancing, making him the most literary-resourced dancesport member to my knowledge (a title I'm sure other dancesport dancers wished they owned). I like the way Phil's structuring practices though; instead of trying anything fancy in the first session, he worked on basic steps and got straight to the real core of the Waltz. These are solid foundations to build your routine upon, and it's a clever strategy.

Couple Number 11: Peter Warner-Medley & Abigail Wilson

“We'll bring joy in pro plus form”

YUSU LGBT Officer Peter Warner-Medley is dancing with another of our new dancers, Abi Wilson, in the Jive. Their first practice included the teaching of a kick section and then they began thinking about their lift. “Both of us like the lift from Dirty Dancing. We've got a fieldtrip planned to Scarborough where we'll eat cucumber sandwiches and practice in the sea and boogie on a log” Abi hopes to recreate with their Jive the feeling she encountered when she first heard the song, Chihuahua by DJ Bobo, “We really want to create that holiday where I ate pizza onstage in Croatia - that's actually a dance” Peter ended this round the world tour of an interview with a suitably cheesy final quote, “If everyone can take a happy memory from our dance then we'll have won in our hearts”. The cute nature of his sentiment contrasts with their lift sequence, “It's a bit pornographic for me” remarked professional teacher Joel Chapman.

The partnership of Peter and Abi is a fantastic one. Both of them are beautifully, how do you say... slightly left of centre. This gives them a great likability and a passion for great performance. They're sure to attract audience votes with their energetic Jive. They're progressing well with the routine too, which should also impress the judges. Many onlookers have marked Abi and Peter as a darkhorse in this competition.