Jan Zwijsen

My name is Jan Zwijsen, born in The Netherlands on the 8th of February 1967. From a young age it was clear that I was a sportsperson. When I was 10 years old, I was selected to play football with the Ajax Youth. At 11 years old my focus changed to sailing (Optimist class) and again I was in the Dutch selection and 5th in the West-European Championships. In the mean time I was studying at a sport school (C.I.O.S.) to become a tennis teacher.

Since 1985 my whole life changed again and I started dancing with my sister Mirjam Zwijsen. We were 8 times Dutch Amateur Champion, travelled all over the world competing in 10-dances, ballroom and Latin competitions. We won several Europe Cups and World Cups and in 1994 we became World Amateur Champion over 10-dances.

Again I wanted more, so we turned professional and a few months later we became Vice- World Professional Championship over 10-dances. I had enough of competing, so I retired and became fulltime teacher/coach.

I can proudly say that I have made many Dutch Champions, starting from beginner's status until Dutch Champion. And that these champions have had super results in Blackpool (the Wimbledon from the dancing world) and other International events.  

Els Zwijsen

My name is Els Zwijsen-Gevaert, born in Belgium on the 12th of January 1964. Together with my brother Wim Gevaert, I started ballroom and Latin dancing when I was 11 years old. Before that, we had been involved with classical/jazz ballet and music. From the start it was clear we had talent. So next to our normal school we went once a month to England to have lessons with Sammy/Shirley Stopford for the Latin and Glenn Boyce and later George Coad for the ballroom (Top coaches of the world).

We became Belgian Champion several times in Ballroom, Latin and over 10-dances and we were in 1983 proud winners of the British Open (the Wimbledon of the dancing) Youth Latin Championship and second in the Ballroom Championship. This was unique for a Belgian couple at that time.

After that we took lessons from the best coaches/teachers in the World: Nina Hunt, Pat Thomson, Walter Laird, Benny Tolmeyer, Anthony Hurley, Steven/Lindsay Hillier, Kenny/Marion Welsch, Bill/Bobbie Irvine, etc. And the hard work paid off, as the next year we were 4th at the European Championship Ballroom and 3rd at the World Championship over 10 dances. That's where my dancing carrier stopped with Wim and I moved to England to dance with Richard Porter.

Again with 'blood, sweat at tears' and the help of many Top teachers (Alen/Hazel Fletcher, Peter Maxwell, Ruud Vermey, etc) my success continued and together with Richard, I became 3 times British Closed Amateur Champion and Grand Slam Champion of all International Championships: as Europe Cup, Word Cup, Asian Open, US Open and Vice-World Amateur Champion.

In 1990 we turned professional and were again in the Top 3 of England. (At that time the best dancers of the world were British) We were finalist in all International competitions: European, World, International Open, British Open, United Kingdom Open, etc. This was the time when Donnie Burnes and Gainor Fearweather were undefeated Champions for 14 years. In 1995, my carrier as a competitor finished. The couples above us were waiting for Donnie and Gainor to retire. We decided not to wait and retired.

In 1996, I partnered up with Dennis Trembley (Canadian professional) to give shows. Together with Peter Maxwell and Ruud Vermey we made a super show. We where honoured to be invited to give 'The show' at the Royal Albert Hall in London at the International Open Championships. Unfortunately my knees gave me great troubles and I had to stop dancing! That was the end of my dancing career.

Whilst we where professional, Richard and I travelled all over the world teaching, judging and demonstrating and were involved with many great dancers. I remember that I knew that Michael Malitovski was going to be a champion when I thought him. And, look now, in 2008 he is taking all the International Professional Latin titles. We were giving lectures and private lessons in Belgium, France, Finland, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Hong Kong, Japan and America.

On one of the trips to Holland I fell in Love with Jan Zwijsen (see under) and after a while I settled in the Netherlands and stopped travelling. With all our experience Jan and I have built up a very successful dancing school. We teach from beginners up to International Champions.

From 2007 I am a board member of the NADB (Dutch Amateur Association). Apart from generally organising that everything is good for the competitive amateur dancers, I am in charge, together with 2 other people, of the 'Top sport' in the Netherlands.