How it all started
The story of Dizzyfeet Dancing begins long before the name existed — with a young man from Southampton who loved Ballroom & Latin so much he never really stopped. After a successful Amateur career, James turned professional in 2004, throwing himself into teaching, training and completing his qualifications. His early approach wasn’t just about perfect technique; it was about helping people enjoy dancing and actually feel good doing it — even if their feet occasionally disagreed.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a talented young dancer named Kelly was growing up in Australia, training under some of the country’s best and unknowingly preparing to change James’ life entirely.
Enter Alan & Donna Shingler — world-class professional dancers and mutual mentors. Alan & Donna taught James from his early twenties, and they had both taught Kelly too, and between them they orchestrated what can only be described as the most Ballroom-appropriate matchmaking service ever created. One day, Alan called James and said:
There’s this brilliant Australian girl looking for a partner… She’s willing to move to the UK — but you’ll need to fly out and meet her first.
So, in October 2006, James hopped on a plane to the other side of the planet (as you do), met Kelly, and — fortunately — they danced well together… and got along even better. By December, Kelly had packed up her life in Australia, moved to England, and the next chapter began.
In 2007, after a short spell teaching together in Portsmouth, James and Kelly made the leap and moved to Fareham, where Dizzyfeet Dancing was officially born. What started as a single weekly class quickly became two, then three, then an entire weekly schedule filled with people discovering that dancing was not only achievable — but genuinely fun.
From Fareham the classes grew, eventually expanding into Eastleigh (and previously Southampton and Totton). Today, Dizzyfeet runs six days a week, (seven if you include our party nights on a Saturday) offering everything from Absolute Beginners to Improvers, Modern Sequence and social dance nights and cabaret events. Most importantly, the atmosphere remains exactly what James and Kelly intended: warm, inclusive, encouraging, and maybe just a little bit cheeky.
After all, dancing should feel good — not like a test you’re terrified of failing.
Dizzyfeet Dancing continues to be a place where absolute beginners, seasoned dancers and everyone in between can learn, grow, laugh and share in the magic of movement.
James Prouton - LISTD, LNATD
Co-Founder · Professional Coach · ProAm Competitor · Occasional Trouble-Maker (Online)
James began dancing at the age of 2½ after enthusiastically copying Adam Ant on Top of the Pops — a moment his parents now describe as “the point of no return.” A childhood filled with tap, ballet, jazz and ballroom soon led to competitive success across the south coast, culminating in the British National Youth Championship title at age 20 and a string of national and international results, including UK Ten Dance Champion and representing England at World level.
Turning professional in 2004, James dedicated several years to refining his teaching craft while patiently waiting for the perfect partner — a search which eventually took him all the way to Australia and (thankfully) back again with Kelly.
Today, James is the engine room of Dizzyfeet Dancing. He’s known for his sharp technical eye, his uncompromising honesty (“controversial” to some, refreshingly truthful to most), and his ability to make even the most nervous dancer feel right at home.
These days he focuses largely on private lessons, coaching social dancers, couples, medallists and an ever-growing team of ProAm competitors. He’s regularly spotted trotting through airports en route to competitions around the world with one of his fabulous students.
James also works heavily behind the scenes on the organisational side of the studio and the wider dance industry — from BDSA advocacy to ensuring higher teaching and safeguarding standards across the UK.
Alongside Kelly, he also co-organises the award-winning Britannia Dance Championships, voted No.1 ProAm event in the UK (2023).
Still taking on new students — especially those who actually want to learn properly.
Kelly Prouton - LUKA
Co-Founder · Ballroom Specialist · Creative Lead & Mindset Mentor
Kelly’s love affair with dancing began at age nine in Townsville, Australia, when she attended a ballroom competition with her grandmother and became instantly hooked by the sequins, gowns and glamour. From that moment, the dance floor became home.
A natural competitor, Kelly rose quickly through the North Queensland ranks before moving to the Gold Coast to compete at national level. Multiple state titles, national finals and a top-seven finish in New Vogue followed, along with strong Ballroom results across Australia.
Then fate stepped in — in the form of a phone call from Alan & Donna Shingler — which led her to James. After a whirlwind meeting in Australia in 2006, Kelly packed up her life, moved across the world, and the partnership began.
Fast-forward to today: Kelly is the creative heart of Dizzyfeet. She manages the studio’s social media with the dedication of a woman determined not to let misinformation rule the dance world, bringing dancers clear, honest, high-quality advice online and on the floor.
When not championing better standards across the industry or organising major events like the Britannia Dance Championships, Kelly teaches private lessons in Fareham and competes ProAm with her student, Julian, dazzling audiences wherever they go.
Warm, witty, straight-talking and endlessly supportive — Kelly is one of the main reasons Dizzyfeet is what it is today.
Elaine Hardy - LIDTA
Ballroom, Latin & Sequence Specialist · The Woman Who Knows Everything
Elaine has been part of the local dance world for longer than she’ll ever admit, bringing with her decades of teaching experience, technical knowledge and calm, steady expertise.
A highly respected Licentiate of the IDTA, Elaine teaches Ballroom, Latin, Modern Sequence and Old Time — and seems to have an uncanny memory for every dance ever created.
She leads our hugely popular Monday Modern Sequence class and oversees the Friday Practice Night, where she is always on hand with help, encouragement and the occasional perfectly timed correction. Whether you come as a couple or solo, she’ll make sure you’re dancing — and dancing well.
And yes: she also provides tea, coffee and biscuits… but she absolutely reserves the right to withhold them until you’ve earned them.
Dianne House - AUKA
Modern Ballroom Teacher · Patient, Kind & Thorough · Our Thursday-Daytime Star
Dianne has been part of the Dizzyfeet family for over 14 years and brings a calm, thoughtful, encouraging presence to every class she teaches. After stepping away from competition, she discovered a real passion for helping others grow — a journey that led her to qualify as a Modern Ballroom teacher in 2020.
She’s now working towards her Latin qualification and continues to be one of our most dedicated and supportive instructors.
Dianne teaches Monday evening, Thursday day and evening plus our Friday evening classes in Fareham, and she is available for private lessons for dancers who appreciate a patient, structured approach.
Carly Millington - AISTD
Ballroom & Latin Teacher · Technique Queen · Proud Dance Mum
Carly’s dance journey began in childhood and took her all over the country as a keen competitor before she moved into professional teaching at 19. With more than 30 years of dance experience, she brings a warm, structured, encouraging approach to every class.
Her teaching style blends clarity, technical detail and a knack for making even the trickiest steps feel achievable. When she’s not in the studio, Carly can usually be found ferrying her two boys around — neither of whom, much to her amusement, decided to follow in her dance shoes.
Carly teaches Tuesday evenings in Eastleigh and Wednesday evenings in Fareham, and is available for private lessons in Fareham.
Sarah-Jayne Craig
Ballroom & Latin Teacher · Sunday Night Specialist · Dizzyfeet Through-and-Through
Sarah-Jayne began dancing as a child, competing throughout her early years before joining Dizzyfeet at 16 to train under James. Over the next several years she worked her way from assistant to trusted teacher, earning a loyal following thanks to her patience, clarity and genuine warmth.
Life briefly paused her professional progression, but she’s now revisiting and restudying her formal Ballroom & Latin teaching qualifications — picking up where she left off with renewed focus and determination. Exams are planned for the near future and she’s more motivated than ever to achieve them.
Sarah-Jayne leads the ever-popular Sunday Night classes in Fareham, bringing structure, fun and encouragement to dancers of all levels. She is also available for private lessons and continues to grow as a talented teacher at the heart of the Dizzyfeet community.