The LATIN AMERICAN Faculty
Established in 1904 the Imperial Society of Teachers
of Dancing (ISTD) is one of the world’s oldest and
most influential dance examination boards. Ever since
its inception the ISTD has developed new styles and
dance genres, and today with 12 faculties, no other
dance examination board has the breadth of genres
that the ISTD offers.
L
atin American dancing was first brought
to the UK in the 1930s by Pierre Jean
Phillipe Zurcher-Margolle (known
professionally as ‘Pierre’), but it wasn’t until
1947 that a section of the Ballroom Branch of
the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
(ISTD) was formed under the name of Latin
and American Dancing. The committee,
chaired by the renowned Pierre, created the
first Latin American syllabus consisting of
Cuban Ballroom Rumba, Brazilian Samba,
Spanish Paso Doble and American Swing
(Jive). All of these dances were based on the
national rhythms of the countries in which
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Our mission is to educate the public in the art of
dancing in all its forms, to promote the knowledge
of dance, to provide up-to-date techniques, and to
maintain and improve teaching standards across the
globe. The ISTD is always moving with the times to
keep pace with the latest developments in dance.
We regularly update our syllabi and introduce new
faculties to respond to changes in the world of dance.
they originated. The syllabus included ‘crush’ Above: Pierre, a pioneer in Latin
versions of each dance. This was deemed American dance development and
Chairman of the Latin Branch of the
necessary as due to the popularity of the style
ISTD since its foundation in 1951 until
in the venues where Latin American music was
his death in 1963
played they were notoriously crowded, hence
‘crush’ style. The demand for examinations Above left: Doris Lavelle, Pierre’s dance
had to be met by the only three examiners partner and one of the first three Latin
employed at this early stage: Pierre, Doris American dance examiners employed
by the ISTD (along with Pierre and
Lavelle (who had been his dance partner since
Doris Nichols)
the early 1930s) and Doris Nichols.
In 1951, approval was given for the
transformation of the Latin American section
into a Branch of the ISTD. The existing
committee at the time of Chairman Doris

Nichols, Constance Grant, Dimitri Petrides, Gwenethe Walshe
and Harry Tucker remained in office and were joined by Pierre,
Doris Lavelle and Holdora Mac.
In 1963, Pierre and the Latin American Branch committee
were honoured by the Official Board of Ballroom Dancing
when they were asked to describe the official technique of Latin
American dancing for a published textbook. This technique
would then be the one adopted by all societies on the Board.
Pierre was to be the recipient of the 1962 Imperial Award, a
unanimous decision of Council, for his unique contribution to
The performance presentation of Latin American dance
has moved with contemporary cultural trends. For example,
since the 1980s, the music has slowed down and costumes are
constantly changing in line with fashion. In the 1970s it was
very popular for men to wear catsuits but nowadays they wear
more subdued and casual separate tops and trousers to aid their
movement. For the ladies’ costumes, fringing was popular in the
1980s, then went out of fashion and has now returned. Penny
discs were fashionable in the 1970s, along with ruffles, which
likewise have now returned to style. Feathers and sequins have
been popular or otherwise but nowadays it is more common
to wear diamantes. Hairstyles for the ladies were very ‘large’ in
the 1960s and 1970s, with beehives and pleats, but nowadays
most Latin hairstyles are very slick: in a bun, ponytail or very
smart short or ‘bob’ cut. Recently, Strictly Come Dancing on the
BBC has enhanced the popularity of Latin American dancing,
especially with adults.
In 2001, the Latin American Faculty completed the new
technique in all five dances: Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Cha
Cha Cha and Jive. Faculty committee members held seminars
around the country to explain the new work to members and
students. Lorna Lee served for many years as the fifth Chairman
and now Julie Tomkins takes on that role. She serves on the
committee together with Vice Chair Graham Oswick, Simon
Cruwys, Janet Clark, Matthew Cutler and Jeffrey Dobinson. All
of these, through the Latin American Faculty, look to serve the
members and uphold the principles and high standards of the
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.
Julie Tomkins
Above left: Doris Nichols, one of the Below: Peggy Spencer MBE, currently
first three Latin American dance serving ISTD President

the technique and development of Latin American dancing. The examiners employed by the ISTD

Award was to be presented to him at a luncheon at Quaglino’s

restaurant, London on 3rd April 1963 but sadly Pierre passed
away just a week before the event. His colleague and partner,
Doris Lavelle, accepted the Award in his memory and the
Pierre Trophy was purchased for the Branch as a memorial.
The inscription on the trophy begins with: ‘Commemorating
his pioneer work as exponent and teacher in introducing Latin
American dancing into Great Britain’.
Circa 1972, a sub-committee of the Latin American Branch,
comprising Doris Nichols, Doris Lavelle, Peggy Spencer,
Elizabeth Romain, Dimitri Petrides and Sydney Francis, had
been meeting at ISTD Headquarters every week to work on
revisions to the Latin American technique. The long awaited
book of the complete revised technique was completed by 1974
and was subsequently adopted by ADTV (trans. General German
Dance Teachers Association), the supreme examining body of
Germany and was also translated into Japanese for use in the
Far East. Peggy Spencer became the third Chairman following
the retirement of Doris Nichols and served until 1999 when
Elizabeth Romain took over.

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