Interview with Nicky Lloyd Greame - The Salsaholics, Leeds
Written by JoJo
Monday, 09 July 2007
How, why and when did you get into salsa?
Back in 2000 – my (gay) housemate asked me to go along to a pub at the end of our street – in Chichester, West Sussex – to try out salsa classes… he was too scared to go on his own. I ended up going back every week – he never went again!!!!!
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
My very first teacher was Richard Pierre (Salsa Gold).
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
None whatsoever – unless you count hours and hours every weekend dancing in RnB night clubs. I am however a fitness instructor – so found a lot of that knowledge was transferable.
Tell me a little about The Salsaholics. When, why and how was it set up?
The Salsaholics was formed when Gormack (my ex partner) and I moved up to Leeds (my home town) from London. We realised that NY style was still an urban myth up here so we wanted to spread the word!!!
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Anyone and everyone –but especially my daughter and my students. Whilst I can get inspired by other teachers and dancers worldwide… I get most inspiration from the people I see and have an impact on every day. They inspire me to keep going and keep learning so I have more to show them.
Who do you admire?
There’s a big list – each one for different reasons….
Irene Miguel – for just being amazing – helped me to have belief in myself.
Nelson Flores – one of the first teachers I wanted to follow around the world.
Eddie Torres – for being Eddie – and for helping me truly understand dancing on2!!!!
Burju & Victor (HYM) – Proof that fame and exceptional talent does not necessarily breed arrogance. The ‘nicest’ most talented couple on the scene today (in my opinion).
Emma Moore, Susanna Montero & Mel C – for flying the flag for (successful) female teachers in the UK.
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
Pa’ Los Bravas - Grupo Latin Vibe
What are your all time favourite tracks?
My Favourite Things – New Swing Sextet
Merecumbe – Jonny Colon
Caravan – Eddie Torres Orchestra
What are your favourite albums?
Spanish Harlem Orchestra – first two albums
Grupo Latin Vibe - All That Vibe
What was the last CD you bought?
Grupo Latin Vibe – Mambo City
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
I don’t often listen to Salsa at home – unless I’m dancing with my daughter!!!! So it’s either John Legend or the soundtrack to Mary Poppins!!!!!!
Who are your favourite artists?
Too many to mention – but SHO are always near the top of the list.
If you were not a successful Promoter/Teacher/DJ, what would you be doing instead? Or if you also have a full-time job, what do you do?
I’m a full time single mother AND a teacher… so am kept very busy. If I didn’t teach salsa I’d still need to teach something. Either kids in a school or adults in a business… who knows.
I actually have my certificate in training practise so I would probably be using that in some way. Either that or event management.
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I was a bit of an adrenalin junkie in the past – paragliding, rock climbing, mountain biking, white water rafting, scuba diving and even a bungee jump!!!
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
Mambo City’s five star congress – there’s no atmosphere like it!!!
What has been your most memorable moment?
The birth of my beautiful daughter.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
Paul Young once dropped me on a crowded dance floor at the end of a dance!!!!!
Oh – and hadn’t tested a dress before wearing it to a Salsology night – it was a Marilyn Monroe dress and spun up around my hips – revealing everything!!!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Never very good at this kind of thing!!!! I guess the most valuable lesson I’ve ever learnt since I’ve being dancing salsa – is that you should never stop learning – and never take it too seriously.
There’s always more fun to be had… whether it’s by learning something new or by just smiling a bit more as you do the steps you know and love.
