PROFILE
DANCE: Professional Latin | PARTNERS SINCE: February 2005 | REPRESENT: England | PLACES OF BIRTH: Michael: Otahuhu, New Zealand | Lauren: Westmead, Sydney, Australia | BASED: Beckenham, Kent, UK.
ACHIEVEMENTS: WDC Professional Rising Star Latin Runners Up (Paris, 2015), WDC Professional Dutch Open Rising Star Latin Finalists 2015, British Closed Professional Latin Finalists 2015, British Closed National Amateur Latin Champions 2014, UK Closed Amateur Latin Champions 2014, British Open Amateur Latin Quarter Finalists 2015, Receipients of the Classique de Danse Amateur Latin Award 2014/15, Allied Amateur Latin Champions 2014/15, UK Open Amateur Latin Rising Star Finalists 2013.
CHOSEN SHOES: Michael: 'Rumba' | Lauren: 'Bela' (Click the shoe names to view)
DANCE TALK
FAVOURITE DANCE: Michael: Changes every week! | Lauren: Rumba.
FAVOURITE COMPETITION/VENUE: Michael: Royal Albert Hall, London for the International Championships | Lauren: Blackpool Winter Gardens.
BEST MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER: There are many but the best was winning the Closed British Nationals in 2014.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A COMPETITION: Prepare your mind, body and spirit.
HOW TO RELAX AFTER A COMPETITION: Sleep and drink a lot of water.
MOST RESPECTED OPPONENT COUPLE: Andrew Escolme & Amy Baker.
ADVICE FOR ANY YOUNG DANCER READING THIS: Stay true to yourself and never let anyone tell you that you're not good enough to succeed. Be honest and truthful and love what you do, if it doesn't make you happy don't do it!
DANCE WORLD ICON/INSPIRATION: Michael: Michael Jackson | Lauren: Tamara Rojo, Prima Ballerina.
SHOE TALK
WHY CHOOSE INTERNATIONAL DANCE SHOES?: The shoes are made and manufactured in the UK!!! Very rare these days, the shoes are comfortable and sterdy and the staff are so easy to work with!!
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURES OF A DANCE SHOE?: Comfort, flexibility and quality of the materials used.
YOU'VE VISITED OUR FACTORY BEFORE, WHAT DID YOU THINK?: Very organised, clean and the staff are passionate about getting the product perfect!!
AWAY FROM DANCE
FAVOURITE SPORT AWAY FROM DANCE: Michael: Rugby Union | Lauren: Not sport, just shopping!
FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Michael: Vietnam | Lauren: Vietnam
FAVOURITE FILM: Michael: Evil Dead | Lauren: Avatar
FAVOURITE MUSIC ACT/ARTIST: Michael: Bob Marley | Lauren: Sia
INTERESTING FACT: Michael: I was a school teacher in Australia teaching Physical Education. | Lauren: In 1999 I came to Blackpool Junior Festival when it was still held at the Blackpool Tower and made the final of the Juvenile Latin 5 dance competition, at the time I was representing Australia.
TEACHING, LESSONS & BOOKINGS
To arrange private lessons, coaching, demonstrations and workshops, contact us via email - laurenandmike@live.com or call us on 07785 970801.
GET FOLLOWING
Michael Hemera & Lauren Hemera Official Facebook Page
Lauren Hemera on Instagram (@lozzimac)
Photography Credits:
Main Sponsors Page - Unknown Source (Click here)
Header Image - Sheela Udvarlaky Photography (Click here)