Head Dancer/ Event Choreographer
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Emma Silke-French

Emma Silke-French
Emma is back once again. This time she is not only the chair of the trust that is running the event but she is returning as the Dancing for a Cause Choreographer and Dance Teacher, Along with the help of Sally Gordon and her Husband Derryn French she is looking forward to the challenge of making Dancing for a Cause 2020 bigger and better than the first one.
Emma is a born and bred Nelsonian and has competed in the sport of Ballroom Dancing since the age of 6. She has won the right to represent her country on more than occasion and holds many New Zealand Titles in all styles as both an amateur and at professional level.
Emma and her husband Derryn French turned professional in order to give back to a sport they both love. They had the privilege of not only becoming NZ professional champions but also training some of Nelson’s top competitive dancers. These dancers, in turn, have gone on to compete overseas and some to open their own dance studios.
Some career highlights for Emma include representing New Zealand at the age of 16 at the World Youth Dance Sport Championships in Budapest, winning a professional title with her husband and watching her young students reach their goals of competing on the international stage.
Our Fabulous Dancers
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Shannon
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Anthony Hewson
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Brooke Silke-Atkins
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Oliver Black
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Joel Scott
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Hazel Adcock
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Sally Gordon
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Zara Fowler

Shannon
I started Jazz at 2 years old which quickly turned into a love of Ballroom when I went to watch a local competition.
I quickly started competing in National events & training out of Christchurch while still living in Nelson but this quickly led me onto the opportunity to compete internationally in Ballroom, Latin & New Vogue. During my time as a ballroom dancer, I walked away with many achievements & put away the diamantes at 15 just as Ballroom peaked here in New Zealand.
I was honored when I was asked to participate in Dancing for a Cause, I cannot wait to put on those dance shoes & raise as much money as possible for such an amazing cause!

Anthony Hewson
Anthony started dancing at the age of 6, competing nationally and in Australia throughout his childhood and teenage years. This isn’t Anthony’s first foray into show business, does anyone remember Battle of the Ballroom? Anthony brushed off his dancing shoes again 6 years ago when introduced to the Nelson dancing scene. He loved being back on the dance floor and got on with his dance partner Sarah so well that they soon married.
Three small children have put a halt on the competitive dancing for now however Anthony is thrilled to be part of this charity event for Hospice once again. He took part in the 1st Dancing for a Cause in 2018 and came away with a win with his partner Ros Pochin dancing the Samba!
These days when Anthony’s not engineering tor train tracks, he can be found leading the creche at his local church or working as a horticulturist.

Brooke Silke-Atkins
I started dancing at the age of 5 when I took up ballet. At the age of 8, ballroom dancing captured my attention. I have competed at both local and national levels. Along with ballroom dancing and ballet, I have also been actively involved in jazz, hip hop and contemporary dance styles at various periods throughout my life. I have gained many achievements across all styles.
In 2018 I was lucky enough to be involved in the 1st ever Dancing for a Cause where I dance with both Matt Lawrey and Pic Picot (& his dog Fido). It was such an amazing experience and I cannot wait to do it all over again in 2020.

Oliver Black
Oliver started at the age of 14. He competed both nationally and internationally in Ballroom, Latin American and New Vogue styles. Having danced and competed through high school Oliver went on to study costume construction at Toi Whakaari.
Oliver enjoyed being back on the dance floor for the 1st Dancing for a Cause in 2018, where he partnered Rachel Boyack dancing the Foxtrot. Oliver is now looking forward to the next challenge – Dancing for a Cause 2020. Oliver has a huge appreciation for all the work and support provided by the Hospice and can’t wait until show night!

Joel Scott
Hi, my name is Joel Scott. I started dancing back in 1995. I danced for 10 years, turning professional in 2005 to be able to teach dance here in Nelson.
In 2003 I was NZ C grade ballroom champion.
I moved away from dancing at that stage to work on the West coast. In 2010 I returned to Nelson and applied to get my amateur status reinstated … fast forward to 2019 and I decided to give it another try after 14 years away from dance.
My wife Vicki and I have two children, Carly (10) and Nixon (8). We have a lifestyle farm in Belgrove and run a small Hydraulics company here in Nelson. My other hobbies are Moto trials, golf, and working on classic cars.
I jumped at the chance to participate in this years Dancing for a Cause. It’s a fantastic event supporting Hospice and something that affects so many around us.

Hazel Adcock
Hazel is a Professional Ballroom dancer with a passion for all dance styles. She has competed all over NZ and more recently performed in musicals in Christchurch.
Hazel loves a chance to get back on the ballroom floor so couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be involved in 2020’s Dancing for a Cause! She’s so excited to perform for you while raising money for Nelson Hospice. Come along and enjoy the show!
Many thanks

Sally Gordon
Sally has had over 25 years of competitive dancing experience, achieving many awards in all styles, and training with top national and international teachers. She was privileged to represent New Zealand at the World Latin American Championships in Sweden while competitively dancing.
On returning to Nelson in 2003, the Sally Gordon Dance Studio was formed when Sally turned professional to teach all Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue dance styles. She holds NZFATD Latin American and New Vogue qualifications and Adjudicates at NZ national and local competitions. In 2018 Sally took part in the 1st dancing for a Cause both partnering Matt Bouterey. Sally also helped with both the choreography and teaching of the 2018 dancers. Sally is looking forward to the 2020 Dancing for a Cause challenge where she will again put her dancing shoes on as both a dance partner and one of the Choreographers for the event.
Sally is passionate about dance. Supporting the wider community for a good cause through being involved in the continuation of Dancesport is the ultimate.
Sally’s other passion is the outdoors and her day job involves running a successful landscape gardening business with her husband Duncan.

Zara Fowler
I started dancing at the age of five dabbling in Tap and Irish dancing. Until falling in love with Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue at age ten. Throughout my high school years I competed all over the country, including representing Nelson at five New Zealand national events and at one Australian Championship.
I love Ballroom Dancing as it’s a great social, creative and team building sport which encourages people to work together to achieve.
Day to day I now use my creative skills as a hairdresser where I like to be on my feet helping people feel their best.