MARCHANT BIRCH, Director

Marchant was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. Trained from an early age in Ballroom and Latin American, he is a much sought after performer and teacher both in the UK and internationally, and is reknowed for his smooth and effortless style of salsa. Marchant has won various awards over the years including Best UK Dance Act 2006, and the 2007 award of recognition for his contribution to salsa and for raising the standard of teaching in the UK.

As Director of Alchemy Dance Company, the performance branch of his work, Marchant wanted to provide the opportunity for the general salsa public to improve their dancing by way of the Alchemy method of dance training. So Alchemy Dance Academy was launched 2006. It is pioneering the Alchemy Way that is now Marchant and Davina's main focus. In 2007 they released their first instructional DVD 'Alchemy Way Partnerwork'.

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DAVINA, Director

Davina is the female exponent of the Alchemy Way of dancing mambo & salsa. From a trained background in Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz, Davina is a qualified ISTD teacher of Modern and Tap. She has a degree in Drama & Theatre Studies and a wide range of fitness teaching qualifications. Since 1996 she has taught in a variety of capacities, mainly as freelance dance teacher & choreographer in and around London. She is an experienced teacher to both children and adults.

In 2003 she took up salsa, attending classes with Marchant who soon spotted her potential and undertook her training. It was from this that Alchemy Dance Company was formed, Davina's jazz dance experience being part of the core technique training for the company. As one of the UK's finest salsa couples, Marchant & Davina are in high demand for their teaching & performances .

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The Academy's team of teachers have all been students of Marchant & Davina for a varying number of years. 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)

AMANDA STRATTON, Teacher

When did you start learning salsa & why? 2008. I’d seen people dancing salsa and they made it look so easy even though they were doing lots of spins, turns and hand movements. Best of all, they just looked liked they were having a great time. The music is infectious and you can’t help but tap your feet or rock to the beat. The atmosphere is fun and makes everybody want to join in.

What do you like/love about salsa? I love the salsa scene. It has an enormous social circle and I have met people from my home town to as far as Mexico. I have made loads of new friends and at each new event or party night I attend, it just seems to grow. Learning to dance salsa also has to be one of my biggest challenges! There’s a lot to remember in the beginning, but once you’ve mastered the foundation, you just seem to get better and better. It’s a very captivating hobby – if you’ve seen the Matrix, it’s like you’re constantly being uploaded with new programmes and you still want more!

A few of your thoughts about Alchemy & the Academy... It was more by fluke that I found Alchemy Dance Academy as it was my 'local’. However, I have to say that having danced with people from other clubs, you can certainly see the difference between the clubs abilities. Marchant and Davina have an excellent teaching technique which ensures constant development for their students. They show you how salsa dance fits in with the music, how you can follow your partner’s lead, or for the guys, how to lead a smooth and eye catching move and how to get in ‘the groove’! When you see these two dance, they are just amazing and who better to get you started on a fantastic new journey. In the words of ‘The Matrix’, all that’s left for me to say is “Don’t be a slave any longer - take the red pill, wake up to reality and” dance!

CHRIS HARVEY, Teacher

When did you start learning salsa & why? 2002. I had previously done ballroom at university and missed dancing. A few of us from my office went to a salsa class (of those who started I'm the only one who has kept going!)

What do you like/love about salsa? Aside from the dance itself, I love the music and quite happily listen to it on and off the dancefloor. There is also something new to learn or that can be improved, so for me there is always a new challenge and something to aim for. Perhaps one of the biggest things for me are the people. I have made some very close friends through salsa. I have met people from differnt parts of the world, with different backgrounds, but we all have a common hobby and interest. My life is all the better for meeting these people.

A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy... I have been very lucky to have Marchant & Davina as teachers and the Academy is a place where students are given the opportunity to learn salsa in friendly and fun environment, in a structured manner, where the emphasis is on techniques for leading and following. The smooth and fluid style of the Alchemy way is something to which I aspire.

ISOBEL SMITH, Front of House

When did you start learning salsa & why? 2005. I was dragged along by a friend, initially I was unconvinced but over a period of a few months I got completely hooked and have been dancing ever since. I’ve been to Spain on a salsa dance holiday and had great fun at all the weekenders I’ve been on.

What do you like/love about salsa? I love the music, especially the music that is played at the Academy and by Davina when we she is DJing at venues (and often make more of an effort to get out if I know she’s DJing!)

A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy... I think the syllabus at the Academy is fantastic and really wish that I had something like that when I first started! The emphasis on technique means there is always something I have to learn and there is a tremendous sense of achievement when I get something right. The smoothness and flow of the Alchemy way makes dancing such a joy – you can spot the men who have been there and learnt from Marchant & Davina"

JESS HOCKING, Teacher

JOE CHAMBERLAIN, Teacher

When did you start learning salsa & why? 2005. It had been something I'd had in mind for a long time. I'd always loved the rhythm of Latin music and dancing. I can remember it was quite hard at first and I could so easily have given up. But I met a good bunch of people who encouraged me to keep going. Once a week became twice a week and I soon began to really start enjoying the improvement I was making. Then I went along with my new salsa friends to a Salsa Congress and, wow, I was totally blown away - the dancing talent I saw was amazing. I was still a struggling novice but I knew I wanted a piece of that. Twice a week soon became more... I hit seven times a week by the end of the year! I was addicted and I still am!

What do you like/love about salsa? Salsa dancing has taken me on an amazing journey which I could never have imagined. It has provided me with a challenge in the same way as a demanding sport, like tennis, except there are no winners and losers. Dancing keeps me fit, healthy and happy and I've made so many good friends.

A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy...For me dancing is about training my body to move in response to the feelings I have inside. The Alchemy Way of dancing emphasises a deep understanding of how to move and control the body gracefully and naturally. In partner work it creates a connection between the dancers based on smooth movement and a flow of energy and feeling. This is the way I want to dance and it is why I have chosen to take my training at the Academy. All the levels of teaching here are carefully prepared and planned, it is an environment for those who are serious about learning and self improvement. I'm passionate about good teaching too and I am thankful to be able to share some of the joy salsa has given to me.

JON MELMOTH, Teacher

When did you start learning salsa & why? 2004. I had always wanted to learn to dance and changes in my personal circumstances at that time motivated me to fulfill a long held ambition.

What do you like/love about salsa? Salsa is my passion. The lifestyle offers everything – music, dance, parties, great friends, opportunities for holidays, challenge and endless fun!

A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy... I had only been dancing for a few months when I first saw Marchant when he performed at a show. He had a grace and a smooth flow to his dance that I had never seen before in Salsa and I knew then that I wanted to learn from him. I have had the privilege of learning from him ever since. Marchant is an absolute master of his art and Davina is his perfect partner bringing grace, beauty and elegance as they dance in harmony. Their passion for dance is infectious.

Marchant and Davina have developed an approach at the Academy that provides the very best in Salsa dance tuition. The classes follow a structured framework to ensure continuous progression in a fun atmosphere and a very supportive environment.

NIKKI SELMES, Teacher

When did you start learning salsa & why? 2005. I was worried about going without a partner, but once I had been, I realised how many great people go to salsa and that lots of people don't come with a partner. Having moved to a new area for work, I wanted to make new friends. I started because I had always wanted to do it and really wanted a hobby where I could meet people and learn something new, and I had always loved to dance. It was now or never!

What do you like/love about salsa? I love how dancing salsa makes me feel, it's a rush when it's all going right! I love the music too.

A few of your thoughts about Alchemy Dance Academy...I came to the Academy after attending a couple of Marchant and Davina's classes at party nights, but at party nights, you never feel you can consolidate what you've learnt. You learn a routine one week, a different one the next. I wanted to push myself to improve, and the Academy was recommended to me by a friend. The classes focus on technique, which means that I can concentrate on improving my dancing, and it's great to benefit from both Marchant and Davina's perspectives. I love that the Academy is such a friendly place, where people take the time to get to know you, bit like Cheers, sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name!