The Studio History

George senior and Doreen started dancing together in the 1940’s in London competing all over England and were finalists in the Star Ballroom Championship one the most prestigious evens of the era . Their coaches were the likes of Billy Hooker, Jimmy Holland, Elsa Welles, Arthur Norton & Henry Jacques to mention a few. In 1949 they danced on one of the first of the “Come Dancing” television programs. They also decided to cement their partnership for ever and married 18 September 1948.
They made the decision to emigrate to New Zealand and in 1952 arrived in Wellington. They continued dancing and teaching over New Zealand and in 1956 had a son, George, followed two years later by a daughter, Jackie. In 1960 the pair bought the Margaret O’Connor Studio off Kathlene O’Connor. This was a well established studio set up in the 1930’s.
The Studio flourished and its name became synonymous with good teaching creating great competitive couples and instilled a love of the art in all whom ever attended classes, be they social or competitive dancers.
The Studio has always been run as a family business and in the 1980’s George junior and Jackie joined the teaching ranks after very successful amateur careers.
In 1985 George Senior passed away and has been terribly missed by all those whom were infected by his love of dance. His Studio was always like a family and his belief that technique and good basic fundamentals were the cornerstone of becoming a great dancer are now carried on through Doreen and his children Jackie and George.