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Three words sum up Olya‘s teaching style; highly-skilled, professional and fun. We have been taught by Olya for over three years and have learnt more than seven dances across both Latin and Ballroom to an assessment standard. Olya tailors her approach to the individual and structures the lessons to encourage and drive us to the next level. Olya and Richard are excellent at balancing our focus on dancing with an active social calendar open to all students to promote sharing of experiences.
Alex and Penny
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Richard and Olya are fabulous, kind and very patient dance teachers. Our Group are so enjoying our classes, so thank you Richard and Olya.
Jo Fish
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I love the very detailed level of analysis Olya and Richard provide, always combined with humour and patience. My lessons have very clear structure and purpose, so I know what to work on and where we're going. With every lesson I understand more of what I'm trying to achieve, and we have great fun along the way.
Shelley
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Not all great dancers are also great teachers. But Richard and Olya are both national dance champions and also excellent dance teachers. Over the past 5 years I have attended many of their Social Classes and Olya has also recently been my very supportive Pro-Am partner at several very successful competitions. I have found their teaching style to be an excellent balance of focus on technique and learning new steps, all in a relaxed and enjoyable class environment. Their focus on teaching techniques for leaders and followers when social dancing is something special that I have also enjoyed learning recently. I readily recommend their classes for anyone who wants to be a dancer, whether it is just to dance socially or if you want to go further and compete.
Doug Troon
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Olya's natural ability to adapt her teaching approach to help each individual person, to impart her very considerable technical knowledge and outstanding professional dance experience has been a true revelation to me. When I compete with Olya, despite the recognisable pressure I feel, she ensures my confidence and focus remain strong. I am transported into the dance through her support and sense of partnership.
Chris
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Whether you are a complete beginner taking your first dance steps or a more accomplished dancer looking to brush up your competition skills, you will blossom with Extend Dance. Richard and Olya are exceptional teachers who share not just their experience, but also their passion for dance. They are intuitive and patient, knowing just how to explain the technique and steps, with endless encouragement and a lot of laughs along the way too (…try doing a Tango face when you are having so much fun you can’t stop smiling!) They really care about their students and put exceptional preparation and attention not just into their lessons but a whole calendar of social activities as well. At Extend Dance friendship and dancing go hand in hand – it’s more than just a school of dance, it’s a dance family!
Aimee
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Richard and Olya are not only amazing dancers, they are amazing teachers. Their positive attitudes make their classes fun for all and I thoroughly enjoy them. I have been having private lessons with Richard for over 5 years, which has led to my success in both competitions and medal tests. Not only do Richard and Olya ensure that you are learning the correct dancing technique, they also make sure that everybody has fun. I love, love, love dancing with Extend!
Maddie Naylor
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I can highly recommend Richard and Olya as teachers; I have been having lessons over a number of years with a variety of ballroom teachers, and they are excellent.
They are both well qualified. Constantly striving to improve technique in their own dancing and thus passing the relevant information on to their pupils.
They teach all styles of Ballroom and Latin dancing, at all levels, and ages, ensuring that the methods are relevant to the standard and ability of the pupil concerned.
Punctuality, constructive criticism when needed, first class dancing and teaching skills, all add up to total professionalism and a great deal of pleasure.
Trish Clapham
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I met Richard and Olya in late 2016 when I had only been dancing for about 18 months. I admit that at the time I was really not the most focused student, some might even say a little lazy, but I certainly had fun! However, within a couple of months of our initial lesson, Richard and I did our first Pro-Am competition together at the New York Dance Festival in February 2017. Since then we have competed in at least 10 other Pro-Am competitions including twice more at the NYDF as well as one in Las Vegas! Richard has the patience of a Saint, a ready smile, a strong work ethic, he trains me hard and is an absolute joy to have a dance teacher. Both Richard and Olya run great technical classes and they set their students mini challenges to keep them (literally) on their toes. Between them both and their teaching, I feel that I can finally call myself a 'dancer'. Thank you both so very much.
Suellen
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Richard and Olya have a passion for dancing which is infectious and inspiring. I really enjoy all my lessons with them, private lessons with Richard, and classes in which they both teach. They are professional, knowledgeable, encouraging and caring.
Both Richard and Olya teach all levels and age groups; they love to get people dancing; beginners, those wanting social dancing skills for an enjoyable night out dancing, to high level competition dancing.
They are both excellent teachers, sharing their knowledge in their easy friendly manner. I have learnt such a lot from the helpful tips and comments made during lessons. They see what needs working on and know how to explain and demonstrate what is required to help their students improve.
I've recently entered competition dancing with Richard, he's worked with me to help me feel confident and prepared. Both Richard and Olya know all about technique and style, extending and encouraging their students to reach their potential.
I enjoy their humour and understanding approach. Lessons are always relaxed and fun, while I learn heaps.
Thank you Richard and Olya - I love my dancing
Lynn
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I have had Latin and Ballroom lessons at Extend Dance with both Olya and Richard for several years. Such a kind and patience couple with a sense of humor which is an important element to enjoying your lessons whilst working hard. I have gained confidence with my dancing and my technique has improved. I have taken ISTD medal exams and participated in numerous competitions over the years and have always enjoyed being partnered by Richard. During these last few months I have also had private lessons on Zoom whilst we have been in lockdown. I most definitely recommend both Olya and Richard for learning ballroom or latin dancing… whether you are a beginner or a more advanced student. They are both committed to their vocation and are brilliant and talented teachers and dancers.
Eleonora
