Ian and Lindsey first learned to dance in England in 2009 while Lindsey studied her Masters degree in Medieval Studies. Their first coach was a fellow student and former competition dancer from South Africa who was teaching dance to earn some extra money while studying his PhD. After returning to Australia, Ian and Lindsey continued their dance journey at Long-Steps when preparing for their weddin
g. Their bridal dance was choreographed by former 2 time Australian champion and former Long-Steps co-owner, Carla Long. While perfecting their bridal dance, Ian and Lindsey continued to study other styles of dancing under Carla's tutelage. After a successful bridal waltz and relaxing honeymoon, Ian and Lindsey returned to Long-Steps and haven't looked back. After accepting an offer from their coaches (Carla and Ian Long) to take over Long-Steps when they retire, Ian and Lindsey continued their own dance pursuits, as well as starting to instruct classes and teach private clients. On July 1 2016 Ian and Lindsey formally took over the Long-Steps studio and continued to work hard on their own dancing and teaching skills, and choreography techniques. In the years since taking over Long-Steps, Ian and Lindsey have continued to study dancing and dance teaching methods. They each hold six dance teaching diplomas across a range of dance styles including a Modern Ballroom Fellowship with Comdance. Ian and Lindsey have chosen not to dance competitively, preferring to dance for self-enjoyment, fitness, and fun. They enjoy bringing a more scientific approach to their dance education delivery and believe it allows for greater adaptation in methodology when instructing a cohort that has a wide age range and numerous ability/disability considerations. Lindsey is a young adult fantasy fiction writer, and the proud author of James Munkers series. Both Ian and Lindsey keep an active lifestyle when not on the dance floor, including regular gym sessions, boxing training, and swimming. IAN LITTLE
General Manager | Chief Theoretician
Fellow Comdance (MB) | Licentiate Comdance (LA, UL, NV, MJ, AT)
Ian is a big softy, though you might not get that at first. Ian’s journey into dancing started later in life when Lindsey bullied him along to a class in York, England. It didn’t take long for Ian to become hooked, though he didn’t want to admit it straight away. After popping the question, and getting a yes from Lindsey, it was time to revisit the dancing front back home in Tasmania. While the initial goal was “don’t look silly on our wedding day”, it was quickly apparent this was going to become a mainstay of the Little household. In 2017, 12 months after purchasing Long-Steps, Ian left his position at the University of Tasmania to work for Long-Steps fulltime. Ian now holds several Comdance diplomas for dance teaching, and enjoys bringing a scientific approach to dancing to help people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and mobility levels dance to their full potential. After teaming up with Lindsey and representatives from Comdance to develop the Stream 2 award system for New Vogue, Ian is currently helping to develop the Steam 2 Comdance award system for Modern Ballroom. Ian enjoys the challenge of teaching dances without a sequence and believes in a balanced teaching approach of figures, technique, theory, and practice. When not dancing, Ian enjoys a range of activities, but cannot go past a good red with a movie after a hard day on the dancefloor. LINDSEY LITTLE
Creative Director | Chief Choreographer
Fellow Comdance (MB) | Licentiate Comdance (LA, UL, NV, MJ, AT)
Lindsey loves to dance, and she wants to learn all the dances! Lindsey began her dancing obsession in 2008 in the UK, and carried it home to Tasmania with her. In 2012 she started taking lessons at Long-Steps Ballroom Dancing with Carla and Ian Long, learning a wedding dance and performing medal examinations in Modern Ballroom, New Vogue and Latin American. In 2016 Lindsey and Ian took over the running of Long-Steps when Carla and Ian retired. Lindsey has a Licentiate award from Comdance in Latin American, Urban Latino, New Vogue, Modern Jive and Argentine Tango, and a Fellow award for Modern Ballroom. She is currently choreographing the Modern Ballroom dances for Comdance’s Stream 2 gemstone examinations. Lindsey loves how versatile ballroom dancing is, with its wide variety of music and movement. She likes a well-executed figure, but loves the unseen benefits of joining a dancing community more. From physical exercise to mental health improvement, from the intellectual pursuit of figuring out a move to making friendships to last a lifetime, Lindsey sincerely believes that a dancing life is a better life. In her spare time, Lindsey writes and publishes fantasy adventures for young adults. Today her favourite dance is the Modern Waltz. Tomorrow it’ll be something different.
