Darran's obsession with Salsa started in 2000 starting originally as a fun past time but was soon very hooked with the music, the movement and the ever fun social element. Over the years Darrans passion grew to the point that he wanted to share his love for the dance to others and so decided to get qualified under the UKA and make teaching a full time career. He quickly went into partnership and helped run the successful dance company 'Sabroso' of his home city in N.Ireland which is still running to this day. His reputation as a fun teacher with a great eye for detail grew quickly and it was not long before he was asked to teach at various congresses throughout the UK and over the years parts of Europe. Darrans classes are filled with positive energy and fun yet always attentive to timing and good technique, he is able to get the best out of his students. 'I simply love it! The dancing, the privilege to teach others and the amazing people and friends I have met over the years.'
Vava started her salsa journey in Dublin in 2006 where she joined up for a 6 week salsa course and has not looked back since! Within a space of a year Vava was asked to join Hilary Hooks 'Danzon' as a teaching assistant which only encouraged her to dedicate more time and effort in developing her dancing style and teaching technique and over the next few years she expanded into performances with the 'Helles Belles' dance troupe directed by Helen Bangura. For Vava teaching is really great fun and extremely fulfilling. Her aim is to deliver dancing know-how in a light hearted, witty and precise way, harnessing the enthusiasm and effort of her students to help them flourish. 'I feel such great satisfaction in playing a part in peoples dance journey and hope to fuel both ability and passion. Sharing my love of dance and always striving for greater enjoyment and skill in both myself and students is a joyful privilege.'
In 2011 both Darran and Vava made the move to London to learn from some of the very best Instructors to further their own dancing abilities and teaching skills, but most of all to expand their performance experience. Most notably they both spent almost 2 years with the 'Pexava' student performance teams directed by Gil and Shelley, learning some of the finest techniques in performance and Vava enhancing her styling further more performing extra shows with the 'Pexava' girl groups. Then they both spent more than a year with the 'Sleek Arrows' student performance teams directed by Sam Mr.Sleek, learning precision of timing and movement which have all been filtered through to their teaching skills. Darran continues to dance and perform with the Sleek Arrows having worked up from the student team to semi-pro, and now to the pro team.
Darran and Vava now live in Bristol and have expanded their reach and popularity, where they have trained with Joseph Davids of the Latin Collective for the past 2 years in the importance of class structure, organisation and teaching techniques and skills and have seen them help set up and run one of the most popular Salsa nights, as well as their own weekly classes and ever growing monthly party.