About us
Origins Dance Co. is a company passionate about latin dance and introducing as many people to it as possible. We all have our own origins, our own backgrounds, as do the dances that we teach – our aim is to bring all of this together to create a fun, educational and lively atmosphere in all our classes and shows.
Islay Gordon
Director | Teacher | Performer
Islay has been performing her whole life, from theatre and music to dance. Having lived in Brazil in 2003 her passion for performing and dance found a new home, Brazilian dance, including Samba no pe, forro, axe and pagode.
On returning to the UK and starting at the University of Leeds she quickly found herself going to a local latin bar and discovered Salsa. Starting with Cuban salsa she quickly mastered the steps and learnt much of what she knows on the dance floor. She also found another passion, reggaeton, thanks to Elisa Aloe.
In 2006 Islay was accepted as a teacher-in-training with The Salsaholics in Leeds where she complimented what she had learnt on the dance floor with the more technical side of New York style Salsa on1. This is also when she started New York style Salsa on2.
In 2006 Islay returned to Brazil where she trained with the dance school Casa de Dance Carlinhos de Jesus in Samba no pe, Zouk and Samba de Gafieira before returning to the UK and setting up Origins Dance Co.
Since 2006 Islay has been working with the University of Leeds teaching Samba no pe, Reggaeton and Salsa. Year on year the classes have grown and each year the students perform in the University of Leeds Dance Show, receiving great reviews.
Tamsin Elbourn
Teacher | Performer
Tamsin has studied Samba, Reggaeton, axe and baile funk for three years in Leeds and is a regular performer and teacher for Origins Dance Co. She is also a member of the Cambridge based Tabeeya dance company which specialises in Egyptian dance. Tamsin has studied this dance form for ten years and brings her knowledge of the dance to create Brazilian/Egyptian fusion pieces which bring a unique element to Origins dance company.
Natasha Siegert
Performer
Kristina Mitova
Performer
Millie Mabres
Teaching Assistant | Performer