About Michael Sandham

Meet Michael Sandham

IDTA Fellow and Examiner | Former Chair of the IDTA Ballroom & Latin Faculty | Former World Professional 10-Dance Finalist

Welcome to StudyDance. I’m Michael Sandham, and I’ve spent much of my professional life teaching, examining and helping dancers develop their knowledge and understanding of Ballroom and Latin American dancing.

Together with my wife Marie I had a successful amateur and professional competitive career and was Former Uk, European and World Professional 10-Dance Finalists and British National Professional Latin Finalist.

As a Fellow and Examiner of the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA), and a former Chair of the IDTA Ballroom & Latin Faculty, I’ve been closely involved in professional dance education and examination standards.

As an IDTA faculty member, I have also been involved in the further development of the Guy Howard Ballroom and Laird Latin American technique books.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with dancers and teachers at many levels, from those beginning their professional studies to experienced teachers working towards higher qualifications.

Why I created StudyDance

I created StudyDance to make studying dance technique more accessible, structured and enjoyable, particularly for students preparing for professional teaching examinations.

My aim is not simply to help you memorise technical information, but to understand the principles behind the figures, develop your knowledge and approach your examinations with greater confidence.

Through structured online courses, technical explanations, questions and answers, and practical teaching advice, I hope to share the knowledge and experience I’ve gained throughout my career.

Whether you’re taking your first steps towards a professional qualification or developing your existing knowledge, I look forward to helping you progress.

Michael Sandham
IDTA Fellow & Examiner