Latin Dance Workshops | 2024–2025

Step by Step Together was proud to host our Latin Dance Workshops throughout 2024 and 2025, led by Co-Director Sue-Ellen Shepherdson.

Sue-Ellen began her journey in Latin, Ballroom, and Rock & Roll after graduating from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a Bachelor of Dance. She went on to build her Latin and Ballroom career at Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Adelaide, where she trained in and taught the Arthur Murray Medalist Syllabus.

During her time at Arthur Murray, Sue-Ellen successfully guided many novice dancers through to Bronze and Silver medals, while also supporting countless students to confidently understand lead and follow, with or without a partner. Her teaching emphasised strong foundations and accessibility, helping dancers develop skills that could be enjoyed socially for a lifetime.

Sue-Ellen later opened her own dance studio, Shepella’s, where she studied and taught the ISTD syllabus, further expanding her expertise in both performance and pedagogy. She eventually transitioned into education, becoming a middle and secondary school teacher, where she successfully implemented a number of highly regarded dance and creative arts programs across South Australian schools.

The Workshops

The Latin Dance Workshops were designed to be inclusive, engaging, and confidence-building, offering participants the opportunity to explore a range of Latin and partner dance styles in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Each session focused on developing strong foundational skills, including rhythm, timing, coordination, posture, and musicality. Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of lead and follow, with exercises that allowed dancers to practise both roles, encouraging adaptability, awareness, and connection — whether dancing with a partner or independently.

Workshops explored a variety of styles including Salsa, Cha Cha, Swing, and Rumba, alongside elements of Ballroom and Rock & Roll. Movement sequences were broken down step by step, allowing dancers to build confidence at their own pace before combining skills into short routines and social dance combinations.

A strong emphasis was placed on enjoyment, participation, and personal progress, rather than perfection. Sessions included warm-ups, skill-based exercises, partnered and non-partnered work, and opportunities for creative exploration, ensuring that dancers of all experience levels felt supported and successful.

The workshops also fostered social connection, creating a welcoming space where participants could move together, laugh, and share in the joy of dance. By the end of each session, dancers left feeling more confident, energised, and equipped with skills they could use both socially and beyond the studio.

Photos from the sessions: