MAKING ALL THE RIGHT MOVES
HOW WICKLOW IS STEPPING IT OUT IN STYLE WITH THE HELP OF ALEX AND ELAINE BONICI
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WHILE many people look at Strictly Come Dancing and fanaticise about slipping into a sequined, sparkly little number, for two Glenealy residents it's been a way of life. Alex and Elaine Bonici spent years taking part in the glamourous world of ballroom and Latin dancing. The couple met while at university in Manchester and, having joined the Manchester Students' Dance Society, began taking part in dance competitions, where they both specialised in the Jive. Over time their friendship blossomed into more and they became partners on and off the dancefloor.
The couple took a temporary break from competing when they left university in 1999 but returned to Latin dancing in 2002 following a move to the Netherlands.
They took part in the seriously competitive Dutch dancesport circuit and broke into the country's top 20. After a move to Malta, the Bonicis (who married in 2001) came third in the Maltese championship in 2004.
While the final product is simply stunning, there's plenty of blood, sweat and tears behind every Rhumba, Jive or Salsa.
'People see the finished product like on Strictly Come Dancing but they don't see all the stuff behind it,' said mum-of-two Elaine. 'It is hard work and you have to have a strong will and determination. We used to work all day, come home for a quick dinner and then rush out again to practice from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. four or five times a week. Then the whole day on Sunday is taken up with competitions,' explained Elaine.
' You do get criticised but you have to ride over that. Dancing is a subjective thing and not everyone will agree that the things you do are good so it's very open to criticism.
' You have to have a strong belief in yourself and you just have to go for it, no matter what people say,' advised Elaine.
Alex's work necessitated a move to Ireland in 2008 and when the couple came to view a house in Glenealy, they ' fell in love with the place.'
Although they retired from competitive dancing following the birth of their sons (Max in 2005 and Joshua in 2007), the Bonicis decided to take on a new challenge: teaching.
Wicklow Latin Dance now caters for children and teens who wish to learn the skills of Ballroom and Latin Dancing, and for adults who want to increase their fitness through the fun and energetic Latin Dancercise classes.
'It's proven to be a good move,' said Elaine. ' To see people dancing and enjoying themselves, and to see the parents' faces when they see their children's achievements, it's just brilliant.'
Clearly there's something in the Bonici blood as both of the couple's two boys are now award-winning dancers.
Four year old Joshua recently won the All-Ireland Under 5 solo Cha Cha and came second in the Under 5 solo Waltz. Meanwhile, five year old Max and his dancer partner Naoise O'Neill were recently crowned the All-Ireland Under 8 Ballroom and Latin Dancing Champions.
While Elaine and Alex do coach their children, they do so at the boys' own pace.
'We don't push them at all. If they want to learn a new dance, then we'll teach them but it's all at their own speed.'
To find out more about the dance lessons, visit www.wicklowlatindance.com
