Our Tutors
FELLOW & EX-EXAMINER, U.K.A, M.N.A.T.D, M.G.P.T.D., CHAMPIONSHIP ADJUDICATOR
Bio:Christine started Ballroom and Latin American dancing before the age of 5 and worked her way through the medal system dancing as man as well as lady.
Although she was a successful competitor at National level, by the time she was 19 Chris knew she wanted to be a teacher and in 1980 took the first of her many professional teaching qualifications. In 1981 she moved to Cornwall and started her own school in Falmouth. As an International and Championship adjudicator, Chris has judged as far afield as Australia and was an examiner for 10 years before resigning to concentrate her energy on her school.
Christine Redfern has been running The Gemini Dance studios since 1981, she has trained people from Beginners to Competitors and also trains other dance professionals.
She has choreographed many wedding dances and special event dances, as well as going in to schools and colleges to choreograph various dances for shows.
Christine started The Gemini Dance Studios in 1981 having moved to Cornwall from Manchester. She was born and raised in a dancing family – Christine’s parents were North of England Ballroom Champions in the 1950s and ran a very successful dance school in Manchester for over 30 years.
Christine had a successful dancing career as a competitor and medalist from the age of 5, until taking the first of her professional dance qualifications at the age of 20.
The Gemini Dance Studios has three other members of staff, all are professionally qualified.
All members of staff have been through the medal system before taking their professional dancing qualifications. Two, like Chris, were also amateur competitors.
For 25 years Christine taught dance classes for the Falmouth/Penryn adult education and for a few years she also taught dance classes for Camborne/Redruth adult education before deciding to concentrate fully on her own dance school.
Chris is also a very experienced Championship adjudicator having judged competitions all over the country and in 1992 was invited to judge at the Asian Pacific Dance Championships in Perth, Australia. She is a regular judge at the Torquay Dance Festival which is run in June every year.
In July 2012 Chris bought the old Lanner Bandroom on the main road in Lanner and has renovated it into a lovely dance studio with kitchen, waiting room and 2 toilets (one of which is wheelchair friendly).
FELLOW & U.K.A BALLROOM & LATIN AMERICAN LICENTIATE U.K.A OLD TIME
Bio: Helen started Old Time dancing at the age of 10. She went on to become a competitor and was South West of England Junior Old Time Champion.
In 1990 she joined Chris to train for her teaching qualifications in Ballroom and Latin American as well as Old Time and Rock & Roll. After taking a short break to produce two lovely children she took her qualifications.
Since 1997 Helen has been Chris’ right hand.
Associate U.K.A – BALLROOM & LATIN AMERICAN
Bio: Sophie began learning to dance with Christine at the age of 6 after being introduced to it by her grandparents. It very quickly became her passion; she progressed through the medal system and competed all over the UK. She is particularly proud to have competed at the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
Sophie returned to help with classes at the end of 2013 and after a short break again to have her son took her first professional qualification.
Associate U.K.A – LATIN AMERICAN BE.D
Bio: Heidi started the beginner’s classes with Chris in 2001.
She has taken medals in Ballroom & Latin and is an associate in Latin American.
Heidi is often found in classes partnering those who come on their own. She has a background in Education and enjoys helping others with their learning.
She is dyslexic herself and enjoys looking at ways to overcome barriers to learning and breaking things down to make them easier to remember and finding quirky ways to remember things, making her an asset to the school.