Ray Rivers

Born: March 7
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Current location: San Diego, CA
Current status:

Ray Rivers's dancing career has spanned over 60 years as an Amateur and Professional competitor, instructor, adjudicator and dance promoter. A protégé of Walter Laird, Ray was a recipient of the J. Sandy Award of Australia, a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Pursuit of Excellence in Ballroom Dancing.

Contents [hide]

1. Overview
2. Accomplishments
3. Instructors
4. Entrepreneurship
5. Photo Gallery
6. Video Gallery
7. References

Overview

Ray Rivers is a proud protégé of Walter Laird, the "Lord of Latin."

His gurus of the English Ballroom style (Standard) were the incomparable Brenda Winslade, Peter Eggleton, Alf Davies, Len Scrivener and Sunny Binick.

Ray's career highlights include becoming a World Latin Finalist, a World Ballroom Semi-Finalist, the Australian Professional Champion, 3-time Professional Champion of Champions in in 4 styles (Latin, Ballroom, and Exhibition Dancing (Theater Arts) & Australian New Vogue) and the Australian Amateur National Champion.

As a professional adjudicator, Ray has judged around the world for various competitions including the World Championships, World Cup, International Championships of London, United Kingdom Championships, United States Open, German Open Championships, Australian Open, South Pacific Championships, National Championships of Norway, Italy, Holland and Thailand as well as Grands Prix and International competitions in over 30 countries.

In addition, Ray has been a long time supporter and promoter of Ballroom Dance. He was the organizer of the 1988 Australian International Bicentennial Championships, Australia's largest ever event, a co-organizer of the 1972 World Championships, and a dance coordinator and organizer with Dance News U.K. in 1973 and 1974. He also did numerous individual dance promotions in Australia between 1964 and 1990.

Throughout his long career, Ray Rivers has trained hundreds of competitive dancers, including Australian and South Pacific Amateur and Professional Champions and World Representatives. He has coached finalist couples in many countries throughout the world in all four styles (Standard, Latin, Smooth, Rhythm).

Ray has received the title of "Coach of the Year" (USA Sammy Award) in 2000 and was a recipient of the J. Sandy Award (Australia), a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Pursuit of Excellence in Ballroom Dancing.

Accomplishments

World Latin Finalist
World Ballroom Semi-Finalist
South Pacific Professional Champion
Australian Professional Champion
3-time Professional Champion of Champions in 4 styles (Latin, Ballroom, and Exhibition Dancing (Theater Arts) & Australian New Vogue)
Australian Amateur National Champion

Professional Adjudicator

World Championships (5 times)
World Cup (2 times)
International Championships of London (8 times)
United Kingdom Championships (7 times)
United States Open (4 times)
German Open (8 times)
Australian Open (16 times)
South Pacific Championships (15 times)
National Championships of Norway, Italy, Holland, and Thailand
Grands Prix and International competitions in over 30 countries

Promoter

1988 Australian International Bicentennial Championships, Organizer
1972 World Championships, Co-Organizer
Dance coordinator and organizer with Dance News U.K. (1973-1974)
Conducted various individual dance promotions in Australia from 1964-1990
Recipient of the J. Sandy Award (Australia), a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Pursuit of Excellence in Ballroom Dancing
Past President of Queensland Society of Dance (Australia)
Founding National Director of Australian Dancing Society

Coach & Trainer

Trained hundreds of competitive dancers, including Australian and South Pacific Amateur and Professional Champions and World Representatives
Coached finalist couples in many countries throughout the world in all four styles (Standard, Latin, Smooth, Rhythm)
Received the title of "Coach of the Year" (USA Sammy Award) in 2000