Kele Baker, a native New Yorker, is a Ballroom, Latin American, Argentine Tango and Alexander Technique teacher, choreographer and coach. She is co-director of the Kensington Dance Studio, and founder and organiser of Dance Al Fresco. Kele received her bachelor's degree in drama from Northwestern University, and a graduate studies certificate from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). She is a member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) and a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique.

KENSINGTON DANCE STUDIO
Kele is co-director of the Kensington Dance Studio. Located in London's South Kensington, the Kensington Dance Studio aims to bring all forms of social dancing to everyone in an elegant and sociable atmosphere. The teaching is of the highest quality, whether at a social or medallist standard. Kele's business partner Ralf Schiller is also a certified teacher with the ISTD, a member of the Society's Club Rhythm Faculty, and co-founder and organizer of the Pink Jukebox, Pink Dancers, and Pink Jukebox Trophy. The Kensington Dance Studio offers group classes, courses, workshops and private instruction in a wide range of dances, including Waltz, Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Rumba, Quickstep, Samba, Ballroom Tango, Jive, Argentine Tango, Paso Doble, West Coast Swing, Salsa (Cuban & New York styles) and Merengue.

DANCE AL FRESCO
Dance Al Fresco is a series of outdoor charity dance events which raise money for tree planting in London's Regent's Park. In 1998 Kele created Tango Al Fresco - to date there have been eighteen events, many with live music and demonstrations. In 2005 Kele added ballroom & latin american dance events The Broadwalk Ballroom to the Dance Al Fresco series. Since 1998, Tango Al Fresco and The Broadwalk Ballroom have raised over £20,000 for tree planting in Regent's Park. Dance Al Fresco events have been covered frequently in the media, including BBC London (TV & Radio), London Tonight (ITV), LWT, LBC 97.3fm and LBC News, The Times & The Sunday Times, The Independent, The Guardian, Evening Standard and Time Out. Additionally, in 1999 a Tango Al Fresco event was organised in Malta to benefit The Gaia Foundation.

MEDIA WORK
Kele has choreographed and coached ballroom and Argentine Tango for some of UK television's leading programmes. She has appeared in numerous films, television programmes, plays and videos (cv available upon request). Below is a list of some of her recent UK work:

• Argentine Tango choreographer, consultant and coach for BBC's "Strictly Come Dancing" (2006 & 2007)
• Ballroom consultant and coach - "Joe's Palace", written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff for BBC - TalkBack Thames Production (2006)
• Ballroom choreographer and coach - AA "Strictly" Car Insurance - UK national television advertisement (2007) - Click here to view
• Argentine Tango master teacher - "Bump 'n' Grind" (series 2) - Trouble TV reality series - (2005)
• Argentine Tango dance expert and coach - "Would Like To Meet" - BBC reality series (2003)
• Ballroom coach - "Tell It To Me Straight" - Channel 4 reality series (2001)
• Argentine Tango consultant and dancer - "The Dancer's Body" - BBC documentary starring prima ballerina Deborah Bull (2002)
• Argentine Tango teacher - "Travels With My Tutu" - BBC series starring prima ballerina Deborah Bull -(2000)

DANCE TEACHING
Kele has been teaching partner dancing since 1994. In the UK, Kele has taught at London Studio Centre, the Oxford University Dance Society, University of London Union Ballroom & Latin American Dance Society, North London Performing Arts Centre, and the Central London Dance Studio (formerly known as Gwenethe Walshe Dance Studio). She was on the Club Dance Faculty (formerly known as the Alternative Rhythms Faculty) of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Kele has taught dance for The Flirting Academy, run by the world famous flirting coach Peta Heskell. In the US, Kele has taught at Dance New York, Stepping Out Dance Studio (New York) and the Fred Astaire Dance Studio (Red Bank, NJ).

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
Kele is a certified Alexander Technique teacher, having completed her teacher training at the Constructive Teaching Centre in London, run by Walter & Dilys Carrington. Kele is a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT).

CV
Complete CV available upon request.

CONTACT
Kele Baker can be contacted at kele@kelebaker.com.

STRICTLY COME DANCING - ARGENTINE TANGO
Images courtesy of the BBC