The following article appeared in a recent edition of the Illawarra Mercury:
ABOUT GEOFF & SUE ROUTH – THE PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS AT FOOTLOOSE DANCE STUDIO
Geoff & Sue Routh have been teaching dance for almost 30 years! As the principals of Footloose Rockers, their aim is to instill a sense of fun and vitality into classes and social events, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Geoff first started learning rock n roll dancing in 1988 and by 1989, was learning with East West Rock n Roll, one of the original, and largest rock n roll dance studios in Sydney. Within a short period of time, he was asked to assist in teaching lessons, and also took over classes all together if the teacher was unable to attend.
In 1990 Geoff and some friends started their own studio – Rave On Rock n Roll. In 1992 Geoff went on to start Footloose Rock n Roll Dance Studio and has been successfully teaching all levels of rock n roll, swing, rockabilly, lindy hop, cha cha, waltz and step rock in Sydney and Wollongong since that time. The first location was in a hall in Campbelltown with new venues opening up in quick succession across Sydney.
Funnily enough, Sue also started learning to dance around 1988 – Ballroom and New Vogue, not rock n roll. After learning the more formal styles for a couple of years, she decided that it was time to look for something a bit more lively, and learnt both rock n roll and rockabilly for many years.
Geoff and Sue first met in December 1993 at a Rock n Roll Prom in Canberra, and the rest as they say, is history.
Geoff & Sue who were married in January 1996, made a formidable team and quickly created a thriving dance studio which is now teaching around 150 people a week. They have also been instrumental in training people to teach, with quite a few of their students now having their own successful dance studios.
In 1997 Geoff & Sue were approached to start teaching in the Wollongong area (about an hour south of Sydney). They started teaching at Pt Kembla Leagues and quickly opened in a succession of locations teaching 4 nights a week. Wollongong proved to be so popular they decided to move there in 2003 after travelling for many years. Geoff & Sue now teach solely in the Wollongong area, where rock n roll and swing are thriving.
They organise a huge amount of social activities for their students including weekends away, picnics, ten-pin bowling, harbour cruises, not to mention regular social dances. They also host overseas holidays – check our HOLIDAY’S page for details on where we are off to next!
