ALCHEMY ONLINE
ALCHEMY ONLINE
ALCHEMY SALSA ON2 CLASSES ONLINE, ON DEMAND
ALCHEMY SALSA ON2 CLASSES ONLINE, ON DEMAND
Learn to dance salsa with Marchant & Davina in the comfort of your own home. Our monthly subscription package gives you access the Alchemy Online, our extensive ON DEMAND VIDEO LIBRARY of classes for improver to advanced dancers as well as a complete Introduction to On2 course for On1 dancers. You can learn at a time that suits you at your own pace. New tutorials and classes are uploaded regularly.
Read some of our amazing 5* reviews
Currently included in the monthly subscription are our LIVE & INTERACTIVE ZOOM CLASSES. These classes can also be joined on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The Alchemy Online community is a growing network of dancers. We have a private Facebook group for subscribers where we keep everyone up to date with new online tutorials, have discussion and answer questions.
For Beginners we have a complete Beginners Course that can be bought as a separate package.
For salsa On1 dancers wishing to learn to dance salsa On2, we have a comprehensive Introduction to Salsa On2 course. This is recommended to get the most from our classes, which are all taught On2.
Learn to dance salsa with Marchant & Davina in the comfort of your own home. Our monthly subscription package gives you access the Alchemy Online, our extensive ON DEMAND VIDEO LIBRARY of classes for improver to advanced dancers as well as a complete Introduction to On2 course for On1 dancers. You can learn at a time that suits you at your own pace. New tutorials and classes are uploaded regularly.
Read some of our amazing 5* reviews
Currently included in the monthly subscription are our LIVE & INTERACTIVE ZOOM CLASSES. These classes can also be joined on a pay-as-you-go basis.
The Alchemy Online community is a growing network of dancers. We have a private Facebook group for subscribers where we keep everyone up to date with new online tutorials, have discussion and answer questions.
For Beginners we have a complete Beginners Course that can be bought as a separate package.
For salsa On1 dancers wishing to learn to dance salsa On2, we have a comprehensive Introduction to Salsa On2 course. This is recommended to get the most from our classes, which are all taught On2.
Alchemy Dance Academy
Teachers
The Academy's team of teachers have all been students of Marchant & Davina for a varying number of years. Most have trained/performed with the Alchemy Performance Team. All have shown dedication to the Alchemy Way along with a great attitude to learning, continual growth in their dancing, not to mention friendly, down-to-earth personalities! All teachers are part of a on-going programme of teacher training with Marchant & Davina.
Here follows a little insight in to their personal salsa journeys. (shown in alphabetical order)
CHRIS GREEN
When did you start learning salsa & why?
I’ve always had a passion for music after learning musical instruments from a young age. This interest turned to dancing after University when I was looking for a fun, social, and challenging hobby to learn alongside playing tennis. I saw salsa classes advertised locally and after listening to the music and watching some of the dancers, I knew it was the right match for me.
What do you love about salsa?
I love dancing salsa as it’s an opportunity to really have fun expressing yourself to the music. The music is very captivating, and there’s always new techniques and moves to learn to keep it challenging. It’s also a relaxed and extremely social environment, which ensures you meet like-minded people to really have fun with.
A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy...
Learning to dance at Alchemy has really transformed my dancing ability, and allowed me to develop a similar fun, smooth and elegant style to Marchant and Davina. I really enjoy dancing at the Academy as it has a real family feel, where everyone is happy to dance with each other, and the classes are taught in a fun, friendly, and well structured manner.
ELLIE ROUTLEDGE
When did you start learning salsa & why?
Back when I turned 18, I started going to salsa with my sister for a year before she went travelling, fast forward to 2019 and I stumbled across Marchant and Davina rehearsing in dance studios in Winchester. After ten minutes speaking to them I had already signed myself up for my first class.
What do you love about salsa?
I love having a community that revolves around a shared experience of music and dance, and you don't have to wait untill 2am to bust out your best moves on the dance floor.
A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy...
The amazing thing about Marchant and Davina is that back in that studio they could have been rehearsing some Morris dancing and I would left wanting to be a Morris superstar! It is their passion and enthusiasm that is absolutely electric. Thankfully they have got me hooked on on2. Their love for music and rhythm really resonated with me -having worked as a street dance teacher for 8 years, its a side of my dancing that they have always embraced and nurtured.
I am delighted to now be part of both the teaching and performance teams. I thought my performing days were past. I am now able to dance in ways I never thought I was be able to, and that is all thanks to Alchemy.
Tell us something else of interest...
After studying theatre at college I went on to train as an actress at East 15 drama school. After graduating I performed at the Edinburgh Fringe festival with 'Cafe Ruse' which won an award to be performed in Poland. I then went on to co-write and perform in a two woman production on the West End that went on to tour nationally. After years of teaching I was cast in my dream role of Velma Kelly in Chicago which was due to be performed the week of the first lockdown. I also recently wrote a Theatre in Education piece called 'Trashmouth' which is a children's puppet show, teaching the importance of waste management. I am Integr8 Dance's creative director and am in charge of writing and producing the show each year at the Theatre Royal in Winchester.
FRASER LAMB
When did you start learning salsa & why?
I started learning salsa in 2016 after a friend of mine brought me along to a social event nearby. I was sceptical at first but really enjoyed that event, and found Alchemy not long after that.
What do you love about salsa?
I love all the amazing people that I've met, and the experiences I've had with them. I've met some life long friends through salsa and been able to travel all over, dancing as far as Croatia and New York!
A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy...
Alchemy is a great place to learn salsa - from taking your first steps to improving your technique through all the levels. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming, we all just want to have fun and dance.
Tell us something else of interest...
Before Salsa I learned Scottish Country dancing back home in Scotland. I had to learn all the dances at school for Christmas parties. It has stuck with me ever since and I still get to use it at Ceilidhs and Scottish weddings!
EMMA MARSTON
When did you start learning salsa & why?
I first learnt Salsa in 2006. I saw an advert in the window of a spanish restaurant and decided to go and try it. I was hooked straight away and spent every spare evening salsa dancing.
What do you love about salsa?
Having danced since the age of 3, where I learnt Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, National, Greek, Contemporary and Flamenco, I have always loved trying new styles of dance and salsa was no different. I love the varied ways of expressing yourself, whether you are dancing with a partner or using body movement as part of your free footwork.
A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy…
At Alchemy every teacher is willing to answer any question, and there is an atmosphere of fun and great enjoyment.
HELEN BOTTERILL
When did you start learning salsa & why?
I've danced my whole life - contemporary, ballet, african dance, capoeira, ballroom and latin - and well anything I could get my hands on. I tried Salsa at the recommendation of a very good friend and salsa fan, who was determined I should learn to dance it properly. At the time I lived in London and found a salsa club where I could relax, learn, and enjoy myself. It was a great escape from London life and somewhere I could safely go on my own.
What do you love about salsa?
I love that you can dance it almost anywhere in the world and that you don't need to speak the language, and you can turn up and have fun. I love that it is a social activity, where you can meet so many different people. Everyone at salsa events are there because they want to be, so everyone is smiling and full of the joys of dancing. There is nothing better than looking around a busy dance floor and seeing all the smiles and happiness.
A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy...
Having learnt salsa in a haphazard way until I walked into the Alchemy studio, it was fantastically refreshing to find technique and detail in teaching which I could learn from, and actually feel the difference in my dancing. From the moment I walked in there were friendly faces everywhere. People were interested in me and what brought me to salsa, and of course there were lots of offers to dance. Things have never changed, the amazing positive energy you feel when you first enter a class, never stops because as with every good organisation it starts at the top. Marchant and Davina, have a love for salsa and goodness to share with everyone they meet and it just spreads through the school :) Why would you go anywhere else?
KATERINA SALIVAROVA
When did you start learning salsa and why?
Back in my teenage years my parents would try to force me and my brother to attend ballroom dancing classes as they were keen social dancers themselves. Being a teenager I of course rebelled and wanted to have nothing to do with dancing. However, about seven years ago, in 2008, I established that dancing is quite an enjoyable hobby after all but wanted to do something much cooler than my parents. I loved all the Latin American tunes so salsa was a natural choice for me.
What do you love about salsa?
I love the music and the fact that I can dance to the songs. I love the way I can connect with people from different parts of the world, speaking different languages through the shared passion for dance.
A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy...
I met a friend at one of the salsa events in Reading. She spoke very enthusiastically about Alchemy and I decided to come along with her since it sounded like the sort of place where I would like to learn. Since the first day she took me with her I was totally hooked to Marchant and Davina’s teaching style and the fact that there is an emphasis on the technical side of dancing rather than just rehearsing countless steps and routines. I like the focus on the lead and follow concept and the fact that I naturally look up to them as teachers.
KEVAN BISSOON
When did you start learning salsa & why?
I started salsa in 2005. I used to teach and compete in Shotokan karate, but because of injuries I had to give up. In many ways karate and salsa are similar. Take away the explosive speed and power of karate, the skill sets are transferable - balance, timing, coordination, to mention a few. Replace kata with salsa patterns, kumite with free dance, and a bow with a smile & thank you!
What do you love about salsa?
I loved clubbing with my friends, we traveled around to jazz funk clubs, all-dayers and weekenders, collecting music and dancing. Again the salsa scene is similar, but salsa has a fixed structure - we learn to listen to the music and count the beat, and then step on the beat, and eventually you are dancing on beat.
I look forward to salsa after a days work. It is a good wind down. The teachers and students are happy to see you. The classes are relaxed and fun, it is a great social.
A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy...
I have always enjoyed salsa where ever it has been. I first saw Marchant and Davina at a salsa party where they were guest teaching and performing. I looked down at Marchant's footwork during the warm up and I had to smile, I had not seen footwork like that from a lead, his flexed knees, and stepping on the balls of his feet gave a very light appearance. It so happened that Marchant and Davina opened the academy in my home town Basingstoke a few months later. They have taken salsa to another level. The teaching is consistent and well paced to learn a clean accurate lead. Marchant and Davina are very patient when listening and answering students questions. Most of all the evenings are fun.
Tell us something else about you...
I got to 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate before having to give up. I now keep very active outside salsa, and also love to cook the food of my parents home of Trinidad & Tobago!
PHILLIP MARSTON
When did you start learning salsa and why?
I first started salsa in 2008, when I was invited along by a friend and once I started I was hooked and loved it. It was the best decision I ever made. I have always either played a musical instrument, sang or danced in clubs, so I think it was a natural progression for me and I always wanted to learn a dance, so when had an opportunity came along, I jumped at the chance to try something new!
What do you love about salsa?
For me, I love everything about salsa because it's given me so many great experiences. I remember when I first started salsa and how much of a struggle it was sometimes, but I always left the night feeling happy and it always cheered me up because of the great people that I met and the social side of dancing.
So what I probably most love/like about salsa is the friendships I have gained and the fun and experiences that I have been able have while dancing that I will treasury for the rest of my life.
A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy...
Alchemy Dance Academy is a great place to start your salsa journey and learn and improve your salsa, cha-cha and body movement and have fun at the same time! Marchant and Davina are amazing teachers and one of the most respected teachers in the UK for the quality of their teaching and performances. I also love the Alchemy Dance Academy classes because they cover the techniques and fundamentals of dancing salsa that has help to improve the quality of my salsa dancing. Alchemy Dance Academy also offers great opportunities for 1 to 1 time with Marchant and Davina to enable you to get advice and tips on how to improve your dancing.
ROBERTO TAMBELLINI
SUZIE BOYLE
When did you start learning salsa & why?
I started salsa in 2007. I used to ballroom dance when I was younger in Australia and missed it, and when looking for dancing in England came across salsa. After going just once, I knew I had found my new dancing passion.
What do you love about salsa?
I love dancing full stop, and salsa is the best social dancing I've ever done. The salsa crowd are a friendly bunch and there is such a variety of events to meet your interest level. This varies from your weekly salsa for general interest to weekend workshops and events for the hardcore salsa fans. I have made some great friends at salsa and can't imagine my life with out it. Beware - once you start you will be hooked for life and you will suddenly find all of your spare time consumed!
A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy...
Marchant and Davina are amazing to watch and have set up a brilliant academy for learning salsa. Alchemy is the perfect place to build a solid foundation in salsa if you are a beginner or to refine your technique if you are an experienced dancer. One of the best features of Alchemy is that Level 2-5 have both a male and female teacher, which allows you understand how each person needs to move to interact with each other in a smooth manner. Plus its great fun!