Meet the Dance Teachers

Rafal Lautenbach

"I tried lots of other things but my heart was always in teaching dance", says Rafal Lautenbach, a highly experienced, multi-talented dancer, who is accomplished not only in the ten dances of Ballroom and Latin, but Salsa and Argentine Tango too.

Rafal has been the Senior instructor with Simply Dancing Partners for 15 years and with such a wide variety of dance skills and a wonderful work ethic we consider ourselves extremely lucky to have him.

Catalin Valcu

Catalin is from Moldova. He started dancing Ballroom when he was five years old. From 2010 he won the Championship of Moldova five years in a row.  He reached the semi-final at the World Championship in 2014 a year later started to dance for Germany. 

He is now working as a Teacher and Professional Partner for Simply Dancing Partners and is enjoying working with amazing people who continue to inspire and motivate him.

Eddie Slattery

Eddie Slattery is a London based choreographer and movement director.  Born on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, he trained at the Performing Arts Studio of Scotland in Professional Stage Dance. With over 15 years of experience as a performer, he has naturally moved into the creative space developing his own work across TV, film, and theatre.

After many contracts as a Performer and Dance Captain, Eddie moved to London and has now worked on shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, Bridgerton, Killing Eve, The Greatest Dancer, Matilda, The Courtship, My Fair Lady, Saturday Night Fever, Chicago The Musical and Made in Chelsea.

Eddie has taught for many Ballroom studios in London over the last 8 years and teach workshops / masterclasses in partner dance styles at many of the highly acclaimed theatre schools in London such as Arts Ed, Laine theatre arts, Italia Conti and Urdang.

He also specialises in hosting dance events and has experience in being the resident dance host on luxury cruise ships.

Honor Roche

Honor is a professional Ballroom & Latin American Dancer, competing until she was 21, and is now an experienced IDTA Associate Level Instructor in both Ballroom & Latin American styles.

Honor also has a Masters in Acting from London’s Central School of Speech & Drama, working consistently since then in television, film, and theatre as a dancer, actress and choreographer all over the UK and internationally. She has danced with the “Strictly” family on numerous occasions, including on their flagship P&O Strictly Come Dancing cruises.

Working more recently in television and film, she has appeared in Netflix, BBC and NBC USA productions, most notably as a dancer and assistant to the choreographer for Shondaland’s smash hit Bridgerton, helping to teach the actors.

Honor has taught ballroom & Latin for over 10 years at various studios and locations across London and the South-East, and internationally for P&O Cruises as a guest onboard instructor. She prides herself on making your lessons comfortable, fun and fulfilling, whatever your abilities.

Irena Baicea

Irina Baicea is a current competitor in the World Championships and has achieved 4th place in the UK Final and many other competitions. Ranking 27th in the world she has and established career within the dancing industry.

At the age of 4 she started to learn Ballet and followed Ballroom and Latin American dances. She has a background and music, business besides her dancing career.

Irina has a track record of coaching kids and adults, alongside her own competitive career.

Roman Sukhomlyn

Together with his partner Olga, Roman was forced to flee the war in Ukraine.

He was dancing with partners from different countries and has a lot of experience teaching all over the World in countries such as Ukraine, USA, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong. 

His dance journey started at age of six, and since that time he became Ukrainian National Champion, British National finalist and winner of the World Cup. Now he is dancing competitively in Professionals Ballroom, but also teaches Latin and American Smooth.

Diana Marcus