Dimitri Petrides
Encyclopedia
Dimitri Petrides was a ballroom dancer who was important in developing Latin American dancing in England. He left Cyprus when he was eighteen with his mother after the death of his father, eventually settling in England. He was one of the founding members of the Latin-American Faculty of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
, and wrote one of the first text-books on the subject. He was a Fellow and Examiner of the ISTD.
Dimitri was also an adept linguist speaking Greek, English, French and Italian, so much so that, during World War II
he worked as a translator
on an prisoner of War
Camp for Italian Prisoners of War. Later, after the war, Dimitri was in a jewellery shop buying awards for a competition, when he met Nina Hunt
. She asked him to teach her to dance. They were later married, and had a son, Ian.
, (Pierre Jean Phillipe Zurcher-Margolle, Toulon, France, circa 1890 – London, 1963). Pierre was already an accomplished dancer and teacher in the English ballroom style when the Peanut Vendor started the rumba craze in Europe and America in 1931. The rumba and the beguine were demonstrated in London in 1932 by the French champion couple M. & Mme Chapoul at an event organised by The Dancing Times. Pierre was present and went to the Cabine Cubaine club in Paris to take a look at the dancers.
(ISTD). Meanwhile, Dimitri had met Josephine Bradley
, one of the greats of Ballroom dancing. Miss Bradley suggested to Gwenethe Walshe
that she might partner up with Dimitri. Dimitri and Gwenthe were Britain's first Latin American champions winning many of the earliest competitions before going on to build on their success and become popular as demenstrators, lecturers, coaches and judges. It is hard to imagine today that there was no Latin at the Blackpool Tower
, the International
had not started, and the Star featured a competition in rumba only. Dimitri and Gwenethe joined the new faculty very early on.
The Latin American section of the ISTD now included Gwenethe Walshe and Dimitri Petrides. This small band of dedicated specialists worked hard to establish an examination system and syllabus for both amateur and professional dancers. Sidney Francis and Walter Laird
also joined somewhat later. The syllabus they worked on was eventually agreed upon by 1955 and ever since been the basis of Latin American dancing. The group improved technique and the framework for teaching and assessment dramatically in these years.
Dimitri was important in pioneering and developing Latin American dancing. He worked on the figures, gave demonstrations, and taught students. He wrote one of the first technique books in English for Latin American dancing in 1949 entitled The Latin-American dances (later edition, 1960, The Latin American technique). Of this book the General Secretary of the ISTD, H. Vivian Davies said:
He was also part of a later committee of examiners, which included Sidney Francis, Peggy Spencer
, Doris Lavelle, Elizabeth Romain, and Doris Nichols. They prepared the Revised Latin American Technique. This states in its foreword "this is the official Latin-American technique upon which all future Imperial examinations are to be conducted" and is still used by the ISTD in five parts (one for each Latin dance).
Dimitri next turned his attentions to establishing competitive dancing and set up several competitions in England including the prestigious All England Championship with Nina and Sidney Francis. He became a leading examiner and adjudicator, as well as a Fellow of the ISTD. Dimitri continued to work until his death whilst judging at the famous Blackpool Dance Festival
.
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing is a leading dance teaching and examination board based in London, England and operating internationally. Established on 25 July 1904 as the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers, it changed to its current name in 1925 and is now a registered educational...
, and wrote one of the first text-books on the subject. He was a Fellow and Examiner of the ISTD.
Dimitri was also an adept linguist speaking Greek, English, French and Italian, so much so that, during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he worked as a translator
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
on an prisoner of War
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
Camp for Italian Prisoners of War. Later, after the war, Dimitri was in a jewellery shop buying awards for a competition, when he met Nina Hunt
Nina Hunt
Nina Hunt was an English Latin American dance coach and choreographer. She had a high reputation for coaching competitive Latin dancers.-Biography:...
. She asked him to teach her to dance. They were later married, and had a son, Ian.
Latin dance in England
The rhythms that make Latin American dance popular today were first brought to this country in the early 1930s. It was a Frenchman who introduced this style to the English dance scene. He had come to Britain as a young man, and was known professionally as Monsieur PierreMonsieur Pierre
Monsieur Pierre, or simply Pierre, was the professional name of Pierre Jean Phillipe Zurcher-Margolle, . Pierre was a professional dancer and dance teacher: he was primarily responsible for introducing the Latin American dances to England, and for codifying them, and laying the groundwork for their...
, (Pierre Jean Phillipe Zurcher-Margolle, Toulon, France, circa 1890 – London, 1963). Pierre was already an accomplished dancer and teacher in the English ballroom style when the Peanut Vendor started the rumba craze in Europe and America in 1931. The rumba and the beguine were demonstrated in London in 1932 by the French champion couple M. & Mme Chapoul at an event organised by The Dancing Times. Pierre was present and went to the Cabine Cubaine club in Paris to take a look at the dancers.
Career
In 1947 Pierre, his partner Doris Lavelle and colleague Doris Nicols founded the Latin American section of the Ballroom Branch of the Imperial Society of Teachers of DancingImperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing is a leading dance teaching and examination board based in London, England and operating internationally. Established on 25 July 1904 as the Imperial Society of Dance Teachers, it changed to its current name in 1925 and is now a registered educational...
(ISTD). Meanwhile, Dimitri had met Josephine Bradley
Josephine Bradley
Josephine Bradley MBE was a ballroom dancer and dance teacher. Though born in Dublin, she was raised from an early age in London, the youngest of eight children. Bradley was among the first ballroom dance professionals of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing who standardised the basic...
, one of the greats of Ballroom dancing. Miss Bradley suggested to Gwenethe Walshe
Gwenethe Walshe
Gwenethe Walshe, was a leading British Latin and ballroom dancer. Born in New Zealand, she lived most of her life in England and moved to Australia after her retirement...
that she might partner up with Dimitri. Dimitri and Gwenthe were Britain's first Latin American champions winning many of the earliest competitions before going on to build on their success and become popular as demenstrators, lecturers, coaches and judges. It is hard to imagine today that there was no Latin at the Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower Eye is a tourist attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire in England which was opened to the public on 14 May 1894. . Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it rises to 518 feet & 9 inches . The tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers...
, the International
International Latin American Dance Champions
The International Latin American Dance Championships were created after the Second World War in England by Elsa Wells, and are now organised by Dance News special events...
had not started, and the Star featured a competition in rumba only. Dimitri and Gwenethe joined the new faculty very early on.
The Latin American section of the ISTD now included Gwenethe Walshe and Dimitri Petrides. This small band of dedicated specialists worked hard to establish an examination system and syllabus for both amateur and professional dancers. Sidney Francis and Walter Laird
Walter Laird
Walter William Laird was a major influence in the development of Latin American dancing in Britain after the Second World War. He was World Professional Latin Dance Champion three times. He coached many successful dancers including Allan Tornsberg, Vibeke Toft, Espen Salberg, Jukka Haapalainen,...
also joined somewhat later. The syllabus they worked on was eventually agreed upon by 1955 and ever since been the basis of Latin American dancing. The group improved technique and the framework for teaching and assessment dramatically in these years.
Dimitri was important in pioneering and developing Latin American dancing. He worked on the figures, gave demonstrations, and taught students. He wrote one of the first technique books in English for Latin American dancing in 1949 entitled The Latin-American dances (later edition, 1960, The Latin American technique). Of this book the General Secretary of the ISTD, H. Vivian Davies said:
- "... Dimitri Petrides is today recognised as one of the foremost authorities in this county on Latin and American dancing... the author has justly earned a reputation for authenticity and style."
He was also part of a later committee of examiners, which included Sidney Francis, Peggy Spencer
Peggy Spencer
Peggy Spencer MBE is a British professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, competition adjudicator and organiser....
, Doris Lavelle, Elizabeth Romain, and Doris Nichols. They prepared the Revised Latin American Technique. This states in its foreword "this is the official Latin-American technique upon which all future Imperial examinations are to be conducted" and is still used by the ISTD in five parts (one for each Latin dance).
Dimitri next turned his attentions to establishing competitive dancing and set up several competitions in England including the prestigious All England Championship with Nina and Sidney Francis. He became a leading examiner and adjudicator, as well as a Fellow of the ISTD. Dimitri continued to work until his death whilst judging at the famous Blackpool Dance Festival
Blackpool Dance Festival
The 8-day Blackpool Dance Festival is the world's first and most famous annual ballroom dance competition of international significance, held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England since 1920. It is also the largest ballroom competition: in 2003, 1539 couples from 54...
.