MEET THE TEAM
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MEET THE TEAM ✨
The members of the IDTA South East Area Committee work tirelessly to help promote and support IDTA members and their schools. Meeting three times a year, they discuss important issues and organise various annual events in the South East of the UK.
Events include area qualifying competitions for the IDTA Nationwide Finals, an annual dinner dance and workshop day and even an AGM and workshop day for members and their students. Each of the committee members are a vital part of the team and bring years of teaching experience and dance expertise to support this vibrant area.
JAMES MONTGOMERY - CHAIRPERSON
James was voted onto the committee at the AGM in 2015. He served as the PR Officer for the area from 2017 to 2023 and quickly started work to improve the areas website and develop our social media accounts. James created an instagram account for the area in 2017 and launched a brand new website in March 2018. James served as Vice-Chairperson from 2019 and in 2023 became Chairperson of the South East Area.
A previous Giles Bursary Award winner in Freestyle, James holds IDTA Fellowship Qualifications in Latin American, Street, Freestyle and a Salsa Diploma with the IDTA. He trains professionals and amateurs across the UK and lectures and adjudicates for the IDTA in a host of dance styles both regionally and Nationally. James very much looks forward to continuing to work with the IDTA South East Area Committee on it’s mission to support and represent the members of our area.
LINDA BELLINGER - VICE CHAIR
Linda is a lifetime member of the IDTA and a Fellow in Ballroom and Latin American. A well known international adjudicator and coach, she was elected onto the IDTA South East Area Committee over ten years ago and has been an active member since that time.
Linda has held a variety of positions of office including Vice Chairwoman and Chairwoman and more recently Welfare Officer. Having run her own school for well over thirty years, she continues to teach classes and train competitors at her daughter’s studio in Southampton. Linda attends all festivals and meetings and often compares for the competitions, which she enjoys greatly.
DARREN KELLY - IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Darren has been a member of the IDTA for over 20 years. He is qualified in Latin, Ballroom and Freestyle and runs a busy social and medallist school in Woking, Surrey. He was also elected as an IDTA Director in 2023.
First elected onto the IDTA South East Area Committee in September 2000, in that time Darren has held various positions of office including Treasurer, Vice Chairman and Chairman. This is his second time in the Chairman position for the Area in 2019-2021.
During his time on the committee he has attended area meetings and medallist festivals and also lectured a number of times for the IDTA. Darren has also used his IT knowledge & skills to set up a system to help with the smoother running of competitions and was responsible for initiating the area’s Facebook page.
He now takes on the Joint Nationwide Representative Role for the Area with fellow committee member Dawn Armitage.
PHILIP DIMENT- COMMITTEE MEMBER
Philip has acted as South East Area Chairman twice. He is also an IDTA Director, Examiner and Past President of the IDTA working tirelessly to promote both our regional section of the IDTA and the Association as a whole.
Philip has served on the South East Area Committee for over 20 years and is a hardworking and valued member, attending meetings and medallist festivals managing the door and acting as compère many times.
He continues to teach, examine and adjudicate internationally and trains professionals from his established school in Southampton.
CHRISTINE DIMENT - SECRETARY
Joining the committee in 2002, Christine was elected Area Secretary in 2004. In 2017 she was proud to be awarded the IDTA Exceptional Service Award for her commitment to the IDTA and the South East Area also that year her IDTA Life Membership.
Christine continues to teach from her busy school in Southampton and enjoys working with the committee on the the events. She is in charge of organising the trophies and awards for the various competitions we offer in the South East. As Secretary she produces letters and minutes for meetings held for the area.
DAWN ARMITAGE - NATIONWIDE REPRESENTATIVE
Dawn has been on committee for several years and has been in charge of event hospitality at all events for the IDTA South East Area. She is now also Nationwide Representative alongside fellow member Linda Bellinger and is enjoying organising these National Competitions.
Dawn has lectured for the IDTA on many occasions in Modern Sequence and was recently appointed as an examiner for the IDTA.
TRACEY ASPIN - TREASURER
Tracey has been an Examiner of the IDTA since 2003 and was voted onto the South East Area Committee in 2007. A Lifetime Member, she became responsible for hospitality duties initially and has also organised the raffles for selected Charities over the years.
More recently Tracey has become the Treasuer for the area and has kept the accounts up to date since 2013. Tracey is also responsible for sending out the tickets and wristbands for the competitions throughout the year.
With her school in Milton Keynes, training professionals and examining for the IDTA keeping Tracey busy, we are fortunate to have her on board the IDTA South East Area Committee.
CHRIS GREEN - FIRST AID OFFICER
Chris is a Fellow and Examiner for the IDTA and a long serving member of the Committee. She was the organiser of the Street Competition for many years and also is the First Aid Representative for the area. A Carl Alan Award winner she continues to train professionals in many genres from her studio in Southampton and works alongside the other committee members at the area events and festivals.
KEELY COLBORNE - SAFEGUARDING OFFICER
Keely joined the committee in 2015 at the AGM. A Fellow and Principal of a busy School in Aldershot, she trains amateurs for exams and competition work and professionals for IDTA teaching qualifications.
A three time Carl Alan Award Nominee and coach of her national champion team Remain Nameless, Keely has lectured for the IDTA both Nationally and Internationally. She continues to enjoy working on the committee and has just taken over the organisation of the Street Competition.
ELLIOT PLATE - PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
Elliot joined the committee in 2021 at the AGM. A regular choreographer for the IDTA in Street, Elliot has lectured nationally and regionally on a regular basis, choreographing one of the sections for the Online Street Scholarships 2021 and teaching a lecture for the IDTA Freestyle Congress Online also. Elliot adjudicates in Latin American and Ballroom regularly and is excited to be working on the committee.
ANITA KELLY - WELFARE OFFICER
Anita joined the committee in 2023 at the AGM. Anita has lectured a number of times for the IDTA swell as being a qualified Adjudicator in Ballroom and Latin American. Anita feels the most important thing for herself in teaching is for her pupils to enjoy themselves whilst learning. since joining the committee Anita has jumped in and become our new Welfare officer.