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BENJAMIN SOENCKSEN (New York City) is originally from Germany. He can look back at a career of over 40 years in the world of partner dancing, having gained experience by studying, teaching and performing all styles and learning about their history. He competed in International Style Latin and Standard all over the world for about 30 years.
Benjamin has taught, coached, choreographed and staged couple and group pieces, and managed several dance studios (for the past 17 years Stepping Out Studios, the only Studio in New York City to have OUTdancing as part of their programs).
For the past 14 years, Benjamin has also been actively involved in the same-sex partner dance scene. He competed in 2 Gay Games, 2 Eurogames, and various competitions in Europe and the US. This culminated in a 4th Place at the 10-Dance Championships of the Gay Games 2002, in Sydney, Australia. Since then he retired from actively dancing. But he continues to be involved as a judge (i.e.: Eurogames 2004, in Munich, Germany; Pink Jukebox Trophy, London, UK, in 2005; 5-Boro-Dance-Challenge in 2007, NYC), and a coach for couples, who look for his special expertise in the art of switching lead within a dance, and his cunning eye for connection, which has given him the unofficial title of “The Doctor.”
He also acts as an advocate for this sport, which led him to help start up DAGE (Dancesport Alliance for Gender Equality) in NYC, and he is currently an elected board member of the newly formed NASSPDA (North American Same-Sex Partner Dance Association).
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MICHEL GUIMOND (Vancouver)
Specialty
International style Standard and Latin, American style Rhythm & Smooth, private lesson instruction, CDF medal test training, social dancing, Pro-Am and Amateur competition training, Professional exam training, Salsa, Stage Dancing
Michel started ballroom dancing in Laval, QC and competed as a junior amateur in 1969. He became a professional competitor in 1980 and danced mostly in North America. Highlight of his competitive years: dancing at the British Open Dance Festival in Blackpool, England. Michel became a certified dance instructor from La Corporation des Professeurs de Danse du Québec in 1992 in both the Latin and Standard divisions. Then qualified with CDTA in both Latin and Standard.
In 1993 Michel moved to Calgary where he became a prominent coach and choreographer to many amateur and professional competitors. His frequent coaching trips to Vancouver in the early 90’s prompted him to move to Vancouver in 1996.
Michel has always been active in the dance community. He served as President of CDTA Alberta in 1994/1995 and, in March 2000, was elected Chairman for CDTA — BC Branch Ballroom Division. He is the founder and President of The Canadian Dancesport Foundation, an organization formed solely to financially assist Canadian amateur and professional representatives to attend their respective World Championships.
Achievements
Qualified Chairman of Adjudicators
Adjudicator — Canadian Closed Amateur & Professional Championships for the past 15 years
Chairman of Adjudicator and Juge — IDSF Open to the World SnowBall Classic, Kingston Cup and UBC Gala Ball.
Chairman — CDTA BC Branch — Ballroom Division
President - CDTA Alberta Branch
President & Founder — The Canadian DanceSport Foundation
Licentiate Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association Latin American
Licentiate Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association Standard
A+B+C+D+ Championship Level Adjudicator
CDTA qualified scrutineer
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