Kathryn is the President of the Oxford University Salsa Society 2018/2019. Would you like to know a bit more about her? We asked Kathryn a few questions to get to know her better. Here are her answers:
How long have you been dancing?
I first learnt to dance competitive Ballroom and Latin in October of 2013. The following January one of the ballroom dancers recommended I try Cuban Salsa and Rueda and I haven’t stopped since.
Why did you decide to start dancing?
I was walking through Iffley Sports Centre and stopped to watch some of the amazing dancers from the Oxford University Dancesport Team practicing. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get to their level, but I knew I wanted to try.
What do you like the most about dancing?
My favourite thing about social partner dances like salsa is the connection formed between leader and follower. Salsa gives both dancers such a great opportunity to share the awesome moves they’ve learnt, to surprise them, to make them laugh, and, yes, maybe to show off a little.
How long have you been teaching?
I started properly teaching salsa and rueda with Sam last year.
Why did you decide to start teaching?
As my day job I am a newly qualified Primary School teacher and I love to share what I know with other people. Recently I took my salsa teaching into school with my class which was really good fun!
What do you like most about teaching?
I find it really satisfying when a rueda wheel works together to execute a new move like a well-oiled machine, especially if we found it tricky to start with!
What is your favourite song?
Our family favourite is Mr Blue Sky by ELO, for which we will sing all the orchestral and sung parts at the tops of our voices, preferably on a holiday road trip under a sunny sky. Dance-wise, I currently love Tell Me How It Feels by Alex Wilson, which Sam and I danced to at a performance at LMH.
What’s the funniest thing that has ever happened to you that’s related to dancing?
When I was about 8, I decided to try to teach my dad to dance (having not learnt myself at this point!), so somewhere in our family archive is the first and only episode of ‘Salsa in Slippers’.
What is the most memorable place you have danced at?
After a competition, my friends and I went to a salsa night held in Blackpool Tower Ballroom. It was absolutely gorgeous and the dancing was phenomenal. We didn’t leave until gone 3 in the morning, despite the event saying it would finish at 1.30!
What are your other hobbies apart from dancing?
I am a massive board game, video game, TV and film geek. One of my favourite places to spend time in Oxford is Thirsty Meeples. Seriously, check it out, it’s the best!