Mr. Michael Barr was born on January 27, 1946, in Harrow, North-West London.
Michael’s parents supported a local studio in Harrow run by Sydney and Dorothy Winter, which offered special children’s classes during the summer holidays. At the age of nine, Michael began dancing, starting with medal tests and quickly progressing to competitions. He was inspired by his teachers’ professionalism and sense of humor, which later influenced his teaching approach, helping students relax and absorb information more effectively.
In 1961, Michael won the International Junior Championship with Beverly Scobie, who also danced with Robin Short for a time. However, when Beverly’s family emigrated to America, Michael took a two-year break from dancing.
Mrs. Vicky Barr (née Green) was born on August 9, 1947, in London.
Vicky began dancing at the age of four, attending a local stage school where she studied tap, acrobatics and ballet until she was ten. She continued with ballet lessons until a secondary school friend, Evelyn Wade (sister of Janet Gleave), introduced her to ballroom dancing under Rita Power, a gifted teacher.
Vicky was also inspired by the Victor Silvester Dance Club TV show, particularly by elegant performances from dancers like Brenda Winslade, Doreen Freeman and Christine Norton.
After completing her medal tests, she began competing, winning the International Junior Championship in 1962 at her first attempt. Later, as an adult, she spent some time dancing with Patrick Johnson.
Meeting Each Other
As junior champions Michael and Vicky never competed against each other because Michael was a year and a half older.
When Michael found himself without a partner, Len Armstrong informed him that Vicky was also available. With help from Richard and Janet Gleave, he obtained her address and contacted her.
In 1966, Michael and Vicky began dancing together. Michael was twenty, and Vicky was eighteen.
Competitive Career Together
Michael and Vicky competed in both Ballroom and Latin until they turned professional. Their first significant success was placing second in the Under-21 British Open in Ballroom. During this time, they practiced in central London, often meeting at the iconic Hammersmith Palais. Despite the logistical challenges of living with their parents before marriage, they made it work.
As Under-21 competitors, they had their first moments of truly enjoying dancing together. Victories soon followed, with Michael and Vicky becoming World Amateur and British Open Amateur Ballroom Champions in both 1972 and 1973. A week after winning the 1973 British Open, they married and honeymooned in Corfu.
In 1973, they turned professional, touring the world to demonstrate, lecture, teach and compete. As amateurs they danced Ballroom and Latin and they danced Latin as pros for a short while, winning the UK Professional 10 Dance Championship.
Their illustrious career included six European titles, five UK titles, five British Open titles, and five World Professional Championship Ballroom titles between 1980 and 1985. Retiring undefeated, they continued performing shows and demonstrations for five years, enjoying the freedom from competitive pressure.
Michael recalls a memorable World Championship in Tokyo, where he felt their dancing excelled. To prepare, he wrote pre-competition notes to focus his vision, such as “be more relaxed,” and later reflected on performances to improve. He often discussed these insights with their teachers.
Their Teachers and Mentors
Len Scrivener had a profound influence on their dance development. Vicky had taken lessons with Len before meeting Michael and the couple continued learning from him. Michael admired Len’s structured, logical, yet artistic teaching style and his sharp sense of humor.
Sonny Binnick was another pivotal teacher, known for his simplicity and focus on quality. He emphasized the importance of beautiful dancing above all else.
Both Michael and Vicky deeply respected Brenda Winslade for her impeccable foot articulation. Her untimely death was a great loss to the ballroom community.
Other influential figures included Peter Eggleton, Bill and Bobby Irvine MBE and Anthony Hurley, who served as role models and mentors.
Helen Richey, a renowned Australian Latin dancer, designed and made Vicky’s competition dresses.
Studio “Telemark”
Inspired by visits to Holland, where many dance teachers had studios attached to their homes, Michael and Vicky fulfilled their dream of opening their own studio in their early thirties. Studio Telemark became a hub of expertise, coaching countless dancers from around the globe.
Philosophy on Competitive Dancing
Michael emphasises the importance of sound technique tailored to a dancer’s character and physique, believing technique is the key to unlocking full potential. His love of music, particularly big bands and jazz, was a constant inspiration—he bought his first jazz record at age eleven.
For Vicky, the ultimate goal is musical expression, with technique as the foundation. She advocates two types of practice: analytical practice for mastering details and continuous dancing for stamina and floorcraft. She also stresses the value of general physical preparation as a backup during demanding events.
Constructive practice and criticism were central to their progress, helping them find solutions and resolve disagreements. They always approached practice with clear goals in mind. After retiring, they studied dance-related topics to refine their teaching skills further. Judging competitions also gave them a clearer understanding of the values that define great dancing.
Michael and Vicky admire how today’s dancers are fitter, stronger and more polished in their performance skills. They envision a future with less physically demanding dancing, greater focus on musicality and deliberate rhythmical variation.
Most importantly, they hope dancers will dance for the pure love of it, rather than solely chasing results.
Enjoy the inspiring interview with Michael and Vicky on Spotify - Barbara's Dance Room
Source of information
Article by Graham Perkins - Dancing Times, April 1974
Brigitt Mayer-Karakis, U.H. Mayer - "Ballroom Icons"
