Letter Service Vol. 4 with Marcus and Karen Hilton
The short answer: Marcus and Karen Hilton dance the Ballroom and Latin groups from issues 25 and 26 of the Alex Moore Letter Service, each shown to music, to a slow count and broken down: hobby class and advanced groups, demonstration entries and exits in Waltz and Slow Foxtrot, plus disco, party and children's dances.
What is the Letter Service on Video?
The Letter Service on Video was the video companion to the Alex Moore Letter Service, the variations and teaching notes Geoffrey Hearn wrote for teachers for 25 years. Each volume covers two issues. The Letter Service was published by Hearn & Spencer, the company Geoffrey founded with Peggy Spencer MBE, which later became DSI-London.
What's in Vol. 4?
Issues 25 & 26, chapter by chapter:
- 00:00 Welcome and Marcus & Karen Hilton
- 01:16 Waltz hobby class groups (issue 25)
- 05:28 Tango hobby class groups (issue 26)
- 09:40 Slow Foxtrot advanced group (issue 25)
- 12:02 Quickstep advanced group (issue 26)
- 13:36 Waltz demonstration entry and exit (issue 25)
- 18:26 Slow Foxtrot demonstration entry and exit (issue 26)
- 22:35 Rumba hobby class groups (issue 25)
- 27:09 Cha Cha hobby class groups (issue 26)
- 31:59 Samba advanced group (issue 25)
- 34:35 Paso Doble advanced group (issue 26)
- 37:08 Disco dance ideas (issue 25)
- 38:25 Party dance: Brother Louie
- 39:23 Children's dance: the Combing Hair Dance
- 40:42 Thank you and close
Key points
- Hobby class groups are built from syllabus figures for social and medal classes.
- The advanced groups show the competition choreography of the time.
- Demonstration entries and exits show how to open and close a show dance in Waltz and Slow Foxtrot.
Try this in your next practice
Pick one group at your level, hobby class or advanced. Learn it to the slow teaching count first, then dance it to the music with Marcus and Karen. When the steps feel automatic, watch again and match their timing and shape.
Frequently asked questions
How is each group taught?
Each group is danced to music, then to a slow teaching count, then broken down figure by figure where needed. The step numbers in the breakdowns follow the written groups in the Letter Service issues.
Who is the Letter Service on Video for?
Teachers first, and dancers who want fresh ideas: the hobby class groups suit social and medal classes, and the advanced groups are for competitors.
Who are Marcus and Karen Hilton?
One of the greatest Ballroom partnerships of all time. They were World Professional Ballroom Champions from 1990 to 1998 and were both made MBE in 1997.
Credits and permission
Dancers: Marcus & Karen Hilton
Presenter: Geoffrey Hearn
Video production: BCWC Video
Shared on Ballroom Mastery with the permission of DSI-London. All credit to the dancers, presenters and original production team. This is an archive film, so the picture and sound reflect the original tape.
Related lessons
- Letter Service Vol. 37 with Timothy Howson and Joanne Bolton
- Waltz basic and advanced routine with contra check
- Slow Foxtrot basic and advanced routine
Vaughan Liddicoat is a 4 time World Professional 10 Dance representative for Australia, an accredited coach and the founder of Ballroom Mastery. He has a passion for dance and wants to help you become the best dancer you can be and have an amazing time doing it.
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