Toni Redpath is a professional ballroom dance champion and choreographer.
Toni Redpath | |
|---|---|
 Toni Redpath (2005) | |
| Born | October 8, 1972 |
| Occupation | Choreographer |
| Spouse | |
Biography
editToni Redpath was born in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia, and started ballroom dancing at the age of 9, after accompanying a friend to a local dance competition and deciding that it looked like too much fun not to try.[1]
At 18, Toni represented Norway for three years with then partner Jan Tore Jacobsen before moving to England and passing her Imperial Society Professional Exams with high honors. Toni later joined her family in the United States and began her professional career as an instructor at the Champion Ballroom Academy in San Diego, California.[2]
Dance career
editToni formed a professional partnership with Michael Mead and developed a unique style that ultimately led them to setting a record by winning the Open Championships 4 years in a row (undefeated throughout) before retiring from competition in 2002.[3] On September 28, 2000, Toni and Michael were married on the island of Kauai. Currently the couple are based in San Diego and coach many of the U.S. top competitive couples, as well as judging for competitions and traveling the world doing shows.
Related projects
editSince July 2011, Toni has maintained a YouTube channel and blog where she has provided expert commentary on Dancing with the Stars performances.[4]
In April 2013, Toni launched a wedding dance instructional program on DVD developed for couples preparing for their first dance. The program, called Forget the Feet, consists of 4 DVD discs and a wedding dancing planning guide, according to the official website.[5]
TV and Film
editMichael and Toni have made numerous appearances on TV and film. Most notable TV credits are as choreographers on FOX So You Think You Can Dance, featured dancers and champions on PBS America's Ballroom Challenge[6] and Championship Ballroom Dancing, and in the feature film Dance with Me.
So You Think You Can Dance
editToni and her husband Michael provided smooth ballroom choreography for the first three seasons of So You Think You Can Dance.
In 2010, Toni made her debut as a guest judge on season 7 and supplied choreography for the Las Vegas eliminations.[7]
| Season | Dancers | Style | Music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Ashlé Dawson Blake McGrath |
Smooth Waltz | Rilassamento—Gianni Pavesi |
| Season 2 | Donyelle Jones Benji Schwimmer |
Viennese Waltz | Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?—Bryan Adams |
| Martha Nichols Ivan Koumaev |
Waltz | Sandy's Song—Dolly Parton | |
| Season 3 | Jamie Goodwin Hok Konishi |
Waltz | Angel—Sarah McLachlan
Judge on Ballroom Blitz |
| Jamie Goodwin Dominic Sandoval |
Viennese Waltz | Man of la Mancha—Linda Eder | |
| Season 7 | Las Vegas Group Callbacks |
Cha Cha | Just Dance—Lady Gaga |
| Season 8 | Jordan Casanova Tadd Gadduang |
Waltz | "Nocturne"—Secret Garden |
Achievements
edit- Four Time Undefeated U.S. Ballroom Champions: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002.
- World DanceSport Classic Showdance Champions Finalists.[8]
- National Professional Rising Star Champions: 1998.
- Canadian Open American Ballroom Champions: 2000, 2001.
- National Showdance Championships Runners Up: 2001.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ ClassicDancers.com - The Official Site of Michael Mead and Toni Redpath - American Ballroom Champions Four-Time Undefeated
- ^ Champion Ballroom Academy - Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Swing Dance Lessons in San Diego Archived 2007-05-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ News & Press :: DanceVision.com Archived 2008-05-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Why no lifts on Dancing with the Stars?
- ^ Forget the Feet Wedding Dance official website.
- ^ America's Ballroom Challenge . The Competition . Season 2 . Episode One | PBS
- ^ http://blog.zap2it.com/korbitv/2010/04/so-you-think-you-can-dance-vegas-week-new-judge-toni-redpath-takes-contestants-to-the-ballroom.html New judge Toni Redpath takes contestants to the ballroom
- ^ Instructors :: Michael Mead & Toni Redpath :: DanceVision.com