Jive Buddies

Jive Buddies

By Ton Voon & Paul JefferyLeisureHobbies
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Jive Buddies episodes

  • Episode 101: Bapi - Experiencing His Teachings In Dance Connections

    The Jive Buddies have wanted to talk to Bapi for a long time and so we were at his Be In Time & Be Connected workshop to find out what the fuss was all about. This is a special episode, recorded straight after the class, in Penkridge village - it's a fascinating discussion about thoughts on the workshop and dance connections, interwoven with some of this well loved teacher's history.

     

    Chapters:

    • Bapi tells us about the workshop [1:29]
    • Where did Bapi's expressive dancing come from? [5:56]
    • Paul learns the difference between pressure and touch [11:51]
    • Find out why Bapi got all the workshop attendees to skip around the room [16:22]
    • An exercise with using an invisible string between two dancers [20:21]
    • Being in time with the partner, not the music [24:25]
    • Can you take lessons from this workshop into a Ceroc main room? [28:45]
    • Bapi as a social dancer, not a competition dancer [32:18]
    • Summary [35:43]
    • Up next [37:01]

      •  

      YouTube video of Fred Astaire dancing with a hatstand: https://youtu.be/faN0kPOQykM 

       

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      38 min
    • Episode 100: Tim Sant - Ceroc's Head of Dance Tells His Fascinating Story

      For our 100th episode, we had an extra special guest: Tim Sant. And we ask him the questions that only the Head of Dance at Ceroc can tell us: Why do you keep changing the beginner's syllabus? Why was SILC developed? Has the dance styles changed with the music, or is music changing the dance? Who thinks of new ideas to implement in Ceroc classes?

       

      But we also find out some of Tim's personal history: his dance journey at 14 years of age; how it changed the course of his education and his life; what are the proudest bits of his job.

       

      This is a great chat to celebrate our milestone.

       

      Chapters:

      • Where did Tim's dance journey start? [0:54]
      • Listen to how dancing impacted Tim's education choices [4:58]
      • As Head of Dance, Tim explains part of the process of changing moves [11:11]
      • What is the process for updating the beginner's syllabus? [16:38]
      • Has dance styles changed with the music? [18:28]
      • Tim gives some examples of new ideas and how to roll them out to Ceroc classes [22:06]
      • Why was SILC developed? [27:13]
      • Find out why Tim thinks music is ruined for dancers! [30:32]
      • What is Tim's proudest moment as the head of Ceroc? [35:42]
      • Summary [38:29]
      • Up next [40:14]

        •  

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        41 min
      • Episode 99: The Scarborough Awesome Weekender Review with Jane

        Jive Buddy Ton, with his friend Jane, went to the Scarborough Awesome Weekender, organised by Pulse Dance. This is their review of the venue, the lessons, the 2 rooms, the music, and of course, the dancing.

         

        Chapters:

        • How many times has Jane been to the Scarborough weekender before? [0:43]
        • Music in the main room, provided by DJ Lily Duffield [3:00]
        • Jane describes the 2nd room [6:32]
        • Ton lists some of the different classes available [10:20]
        • Jane and Ton like the dedicated break times, to allow social interactions [14:15]
        • How does Jane relate to the blues room? [18:29]
        • This weekend had 2 themed nights: Hawaiian and Nautical! [21:39]
        • Summary [23:02]
        • Up next [24:42]

          •  

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          26 min
        • Episode 98: Jo Emmerson - Seeing the Changes As Ceroc Evolves

          Jo Emmerson has recently qualified as an intermediate Ceroc teacher. Her dance story illustrates just how much Ceroc keeps evolving. After a hiatus to West Coast Swing, coming back to Ceroc was like walking into a room full of friends she didn't know yet, and a smoother slotted style of dancing.

           

          Listen to her opinions on rotational versus slotted dancing, whether it's harder for leads or followers, and how she balances private life with teaching.

           

          Chapters:

          • How did Jo start with Ceroc? [0:40]
          • The reasons Jo wanted to be a taxi dancer [4:30]
          • Moving to Manchester meant no Ceroc! [7:15]
          • Ceroc style had changed when Jo went back to a more slotted style [10:10]
          • Jo gives her thoughts on why there is more slotted dancing in Cambridgeshire [12:55]
          • How did Jo get into teaching? [15:26]
          • What was going through Jo's head when she first taught a class? [17:57]
          • Find out why Jo thinks Ceroc is hard for followers, as well as leads [21:56]
          • Blood sweat and tears for Jo's intermediate Ceroc training [26:45]
          • Shout out to Jo's private classes [28:44]
          • Balancing private life with teaching [30:55]
          • Summary [31:21]
          • Up next [32:31]

            •  

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            33 min
          • Episode 97: Review of the First Ever Core Daventry Weekender With Carrie

            Jive Buddy Paul was at the first ever CORE weekender in Daventry with Carrie and her dance gang. Ton finds out what it was like, how social it was, and what it was like being in a group.

             

            Chapters:

            • How did Carrie find the weekender? [0:53]
            • Carrie's thoughts on going in a group [3:34]
            • Weekenders as an opportunity to meet people, particularly of the same gender [6:27]
            • Differences of going to a weekender on your own versus being in a group [12:15]
            • Did Carrie get better from her dancing at Core? [14:50]
            • Paul praises the responsiveness of the organisers for extending the SILC floor [18:14]
            • The top recommendation from Carrie for attending a weekender [19:00]
            • Paul's highlight of dancing outside [22:49]
            • Carrie has already booked the next Core Daventry weekender! [24:10]
            • What time did Carrie stay up until? [26:19]
            • Summary [27:25]
            • Up next [29:35]

              •  

              Find out more about Derby Speaker's Club at https://www.facebook.com/p/Derby-Speakers-Club-ASC-61564291809309/ 

               

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              30 min
            • Episode 96: Tor Khan - A Ceroc Teacher With An Expressive Twist

              We got hold of Tor Khan to find out how she first started Ceroc, how she got into blues dancing and who her biggest influencers were. Listen out for "blue fox", "treacle jive", "bugg" and "practicas"!

               

              Chapters:

              • How did Tor first get started in dancing? [0:50]
              • Some women not keen with Tor leading in the intermediate class [4:23]
              • Listen to what got Tor into the Blues room for the first time [7:20]
              • What is "treacle jive"? [10:02]
              • Blues not having moves, but movements [12:30]
              • Becoming a demo then teacher with Sara White [15:10]
              • What is "fox"? [17:53]
              • What is "blue box"? [20:35]
              • Teaching blue fox at weekenders [25:35]
              • Tor becomes a Ceroc teacher [28:20]
              • How did the free expression classes come about at Burton Town Hall freestyles? [30:55]
              • Tor explains the Inspire and Evolve workshop events [33:25]
              • Summary [36:38]
              • Up next [37:53]

                •  

                Book on the next Inspire and Evolve workshop on 17th May 2026 at https://facebook.com/events/s/inspire-and-evolve-workshop-an/798823416204742/ 

                 

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                39 min
              • Episode 95: Shannon Finn & Jordan Fellows - The Secrets to Their Dance Competitions

                Shannon and Jordan tell us about the wonderful world of dancing competitions: how they started; what the competition bug is; when they got together as a competition couple. They tell us about some of the secrets to their inspiration, what kind of training they do, even what outfits they wear - not sure Jordan should have told us about his grey, smelly blazer! This is a funny, insightful and bickering conversation from a much loved duo.

                 

                Chapters:

                • Jordan's first competition at World Modern Jive Championships in Blackpool [0:55]
                • Doing ProAm for Shannon's first competition [3:51]
                • What is the competition bug? [4:50]
                • How did they both start dancing together? [6:41]
                • Paul explains his ProAm experience [10:20]
                • Are Shannon and Jordan choreographing their routines? [12:00]
                • Find out how they up their game for upcoming competitions! [15:55]
                • Do any of the big moves fail to work? [19:05]
                • What kind of outfits do Shannon and Jordan wear on the dance floor? [21:00]
                • Watching videos for inspiration [24:20]
                • Does Jordan still get nerves? [26:10]
                • What are the differences between freestyle and competition dancing? [28:55]
                • Top tip for competition newcomers [33:53]
                • Shannon asks Paul "Do you want to go to competitions again?" [36:24]
                • Summary [39:12]
                • Up next [40:54]


                  • Listen to how Shannon (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6d6oWd2wqbICYfEAc98nt6)
                  and Jordan (https://open.spotify.com/episode/2eae6F1Ca9IEpeNhsDWXYN) started their dance journeys.

                   

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                  42 min
                • Episode 94: Nigel & Katy - Before and After Their First Ceroc Class

                  Nigel, a fitness instructor, and Katy, a yoga teacher, try Ceroc for the very first time at Ceroc Inspire Derby. The Jive Buddies get their initial thoughts just before their first class, and then a deep dive a few days later. Listen out for the moment when Katy felt like she was really dancing, and why Nigel got a score of 10 out of 10!

                   

                  Chapters:

                  • Thoughts just before their first ever class! [0:55]
                  • How did the first 15 minutes of the beginner class work? [3:00]
                  • Worries about changing partners during the class [6:25]
                  • Katy feels like she is dancing and Nigel thinks he's flowing! [10:40]
                  • Feeling a sense of achievement, like in Nigel's exercise classes [15:37]
                  • Praise for the coaching on the night [18:25]
                  • Nigel and Katy care about their evenings and this is social, but less time together [21:10]
                  • Maybe we can send Paul to a yoga class? [24:50]
                  • Summary [26:25]
                  • Up next [27:25]

                    •  

                    Check out Nigel and Katy's fitness classes at https://www.derbyoutdoorfitness.com 

                     

                    What did you think? Add your comments athttps://www.facebook.com/share/1HZMfhsL73/ 

                     

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                    28 min
                  • Episode 93: Matthew Butler - Dancing in Shrewsbury

                    The Jive Buddies go to Shrewsbury to visit Matthew Butler in his weekly Ceroc class and the SY2 Sunday chillout freestyle, which he was instrumental in setting up. We find out what the fuss is all about.

                     

                    Chapters:

                    • Why there's a younger demographic at Matthew's class [1:23]
                    • The importance of intermediate dancers in a class [5:25]
                    • What brought the SY2 freestyle about [8:50]
                    • Some opinions from the dancers at SY2 [12:50]
                    • The friendly dancers in Shrewsbury [15:55]
                    • Thoughts on the music at SY2 [18:20]
                    • The "after SY2 social" in the curry house as a way of connecting with people [22:13]
                    • Summary [25:00]
                    • Up next [26:55]

                      •  

                      Details of the next SY2 event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1465324035098574 

                       

                      Listen to Matthew's thoughts on Etiquette at https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MiRVew9XXt7GNGeimsLuC 

                       

                      What did you think? Add your comments at https://www.facebook.com/jivebuddiespodcast 

                       

                      Go to our Facebook page and hit our Follow button at https://www.facebook.com/jivebuddiespodcast so you get the links to every new episode.

                      28 min
                    • Episode 92: Gemma - From West Coast Swing to Ceroc

                      The Jive Buddies interview Gemma about her experience of starting social dancing with her mum. Gemma started with West Coast Swing and only later found Ceroc. We chat about the differences in the learning experience and how her WCS techniques helped Gemma make progress with her Ceroc moves.

                       

                      Chapters:

                      • How did Gemma get into social dancing? [0:37]
                      • What made Gemma and her mum go to West Coast Swing? [3:27]
                      • Paul introduces Gemma to Ceroc [7:50]
                      • Gemma finds her first Ceroc class easier due to connection and flow [11:20]
                      • Plug to Evolve for re-opening a West Coast Swing class at Kegworth [15:05]
                      • Thoughts on the Step-Up line and workshop [17:10]
                      • Gemma appreciates a tip from Ton [21:40]
                      • Finding it hard to ask a person to dance [23:50]
                      • A challenge for the new year - Gemma tries being a lead in class [25:05]
                      • Gemma gets asked to be a taxi [29:30]
                      • Up next [33:40]

                        •  

                        West Coast Swing classes in Nottingham restart in April 2026: https://www.evolveswing.com/nottingham-class 

                         

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                        34 min

                      About Jive Buddies

                      From the publisher's feed

                      Ton and Paul chat about their fun on the Ceroc & Modern Jive dance floor.

                      Go to our Facebook page at