Meet The Team
Stefano Soldati
Stefano Soldati is a seasoned ballroom dance instructor with a career spanning over three decades. Hailing from Rome, Italy, where he established his first dance studio in 1995, Stefano has dedicated his life to nurturing the passion for dance in countless individuals. Relocating to London in 2011, he continued to inspire and empower dancers through his expertise and unwavering commitment.
A multiple Italian ballroom champion, Stefano's infectious enthusiasm and friendly demeanor make him a beloved figure in the dance community. His ability to teach and connect with students of all ages and skill levels has earned him international recognition. As a semifinalist at the British Open Championship and a qualified ballroom and Latin judge, Stefano's accomplishments are a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication.
Natasha Soldati
Originally from Australia, Natasha moved to London in 2002 to pursue what became an elite ballroom career. Coming from a highly successful dancing family, she has been immersed in the dance world at the highest level for nearly her entire life.
Alongside her partner, Stefano, Natasha established a reputation as a world-class ballroom professional. During their competitive career, the duo reached both national and international finals across the globe. Following their retirement from competitive dancing in 2013, they channeled their expertise into business, co-founding and successfully running a thriving London dance studio for ten years. Recently, Natasha and Stefano chose to step away from their previous business partnership to focus entirely on exciting new independent ventures.
Today, they bring over 30 years of combined teaching experience to their students. A proven leader, Natasha also served as head coach for the Imperial College University Dancesport Team for a decade, guiding the squad to tremendous national success. Despite her elite background, Natasha is deeply passionate about helping students of all levels unlock their full potential. She believes that above all, dancing should be a joyful experience—so whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced competitor, be prepared for world-class instruction and plenty of laughs in her lessons!
James Rainford
James began dancing at the age of six, taking jazz classes with his identical twin brother. By the time they were eight, they had transitioned to ballroom and Latin classes. Over the next 18 years, James advanced through the open circuit ranks and now competes internationally in amateur ballroom with his partner, Maisie. In addition to being a skilled dancer, James is also a highly experienced and knowledgeable teacher, with nearly a decade of experience in teaching ballroom and Latin. He thoroughly enjoys his teaching career, and his students frequently reach the finals at Blackpool.
Maisie Ma
Maisie began her journey in Ballroom and Latin dancing as a young competitor in her home country of China. She first came to the UK to pursue her degree, and after completing her studies, she continued to follow her passion for ballroom dance. Now, she proudly represents England alongside her dance partner, James. In addition to her competitive career, Maisie has a genuine passion for teaching and derives immense joy from sharing her love of Ballroom and Latin dance with students of all ages and skill levels. Maisie eagerly anticipates inspiring everyone at the London Ballroom Hub!