Peter and Lynn’s Story
Peter and Lynn’s journey is unique in many ways. They became the most successful all-around competitive couple of all time, setting records that still stand today. As the youngest competitors in the history of ballroom dancing, they won all major events in both Ballroom and Latin, progressing from Junior to Professional under the guidance of just three teachers: June McMurdo, Benny Tolmeyer and Walter Laird.
Benny Tolmeyer, a professional dancer from Holland, moved with his wife, Sylvia Silve, into the top floor of Peter’s parents’ house in Tooting in 1951—two years before Peter was born. He later opened his own dance school in the area. Both Peter and Lynn attended classes there, with Peter starting at around five years old and Lynn at nine. They began dancing together at eleven.
In 1964, they became finalists in the International Juvenile Championship and in April 1965, they finished second in the Blackpool Juvenile Latin Championship.
From 1966 to 1968, they were Blackpool Junior Latin and Ballroom Champions, winning their first Junior title at just 13 years old—a record that remains unbroken. By the age of 16, they had claimed the Youth Ballroom and Latin American Championship titles.
In 1974, they won both the British Open Amateur Ballroom and Latin Championships, as well as the World Latin Championship. Having secured all major amateur titles in both disciplines, Peter and Lynn turned professional that same year.
Their professional achievements included representing Great Britain in the British Open Professional Team Match, winning the World Cup 10 Dance Championships and becoming finalists in the British Open Professional Ballroom Championship.
They also won the World Professional Latin Championship in 1976, the United Kingdom Professional Latin Championship in 1977, the International Professional Championship in 1978, and the British Open Professional Latin Championships in 1976 and 1978.
Becoming a World Professional Latin Champion at just 23 was an extraordinary feat. To this day, no one has surpassed their entire record.
Peter and Lynn received two Carl Alan Awards together—the first as amateurs, presented by HRH Princess Margaret and the second as professionals, presented by Their Serene Highnesses Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco.
Peter Maxwell
Peter Maxwell was born on August 15, 1953, in London, England.
After retiring from competitive dancing at just 26, he went on to study other forms of dance in New York City. During this time, he partnered with Victoria Regan and together, they starred in The American Dance Machine.
Peter later created Peter Maxwell’s Ballroom Dance Theatre, which toured the USA and internationally for six years with great success. His innovative genre of “Ballroom on Stage” received glowing reviews from major newspapers, including The New York Times and The Boston Globe.
After seven highly successful years in the U.S., he returned to London to establish Semley Dance Studio, which became one of the most respected and popular studios in the world for top-tier competitive dancers.
Peter is renowned for coaching numerous world champions and is unique in his ability to train champions consecutively in both Ballroom and Latin.
We first met more than three decades ago and since the early ’90s, Peter was a part of our Urška team for over fifteen years, sharing his knowledge with Slovenia’s top dancers.
As a judge, he has served as Chairman of Judges for the British Open in Blackpool and was the inaugural Chairman of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) Grand Slam Series.
Today, he dedicates much of his time to mentoring highly talented couples and teachers, helping them refine their skills.
As an exceptional dance educator and expert, Peter has been honored with the BDF Presidents Award and the Bill and Bobbie Irvine Award.
In 2022, Peter became the first inductee into the WDSF Hall of Fame, receiving the “DanceSport Legends Award” for his pioneering role in shaping and sculpting DanceSport.
In 2024, he was granted an honorary doctorate in Sports Science by the University of Tuscany.
Lynn Harman
Lynn Harman was born on April 23, 1953, in London, England.
She began dancing through the medal test system and transitioned to competitions at 11 when she started competing with Peter Maxwell.
After retiring at an early age in 1979, Lynn became a highly respected judge, officiating at all major events, including the World and European Championships.
With decades of experience as a dance teacher, coach and educator, she continues to work with the world’s best dancers and remains in high demand.
Since 1993, she has been the founder and co-owner of Dance Options Cheam Studio in Sutton.
In 2017, Lynn received the BDF Sonny Binick Lifetime Achievement Award. To celebrate this prestigious honor, Peter wrote:
"In the history of dancing, very few can call themselves Star, United Kingdom, British, International, European, and World Champion—even in just one category. To achieve those titles across almost every age group is an extraordinary accomplishment. To do so in both Ballroom and Latin is simply unparalleled.
Without question, the recipient of this award must be considered the most successful competitor of her generation, with a strong claim to being the most successful of all time based on those criteria. Furthermore, she achieved these legendary accomplishments while having to put up with me!
Lynn Harman is not only the best and greatest partner but one of the greatest of all time.”
In 2018, Lynn received the Carl Alan Award for her Lifetime Dedication to Dance.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lynn is a devoted family woman with two children and five grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys reading and attending the theatre.
You are invited to listen to a very interesting podcast with Peter and Lynn on Spotify - Barbara's Dance Room.
