We met in person a few decades ago and got to know each other better during numerous summer workshops in Italy. Robin and Rita are both kind and gentle, and they are always a pleasure to be around. This summer, we reconnected in the beautiful Opatija during the Adriatic Pearl event. I immediately felt inspired to write a blog about them and conduct an interview to acknowledge their legacy and contribution to the dance world.

Adriatic Pearl, Opatija 2024

Robin Short

Robin Short was born on October 30, 1942, in Birmingham. His parents, Bobby Short and Peggy Davis, were dance teachers. In the Short family, dancing goes back three generations. Robin's grandfather competed in the 1930s, and his parents carried on the tradition after World War II, eventually turning to teaching and promoting. His father became the editor of Dance News and the organiser of numerous dance events.

In his childhood, Robin loved cycling and road racing, but as a teenager, he became interested in ballroom dancing, attending the Butlin Festival with his parents. Under their coaching, he soon reached the finals in the Junior Ballroom category.

After leaving school, he did office work for his parents, who were already known as leading organizers of dance competitions.

Robin had a brief amateur career, turning professional at 18, soon after passing all the examinations in both branches. He decided to take time off from dancing to sell classy cars. However, his heart missed dancing and he restarted competitions, first with Pauline Thornton and later with Beverly Scobie, a former partner of Michael Barr. Neither partnership lasted long.

Rita Last

Rita Last was born on June 4, 1943, in Birmingham. Her father, George Last, was an engineer and it was her mother, Doris Nicholls, who encouraged her to join dance classes. Rita started dancing when she was twelve, initially doing only medal tests. When she was eighteen, she partnered with a dancer from Austria, started taking lessons with Robin's parents and became interested in competitions. She later competed at some novice events, but her talent required a more skilled partner and this was when she met Robin.

Meeting Each Other and Creating a Career

When Robin was twenty, his mother introduced him to Rita Last. They matched perfectly and started dancing and competing together. Within twelve weeks of meeting, they were engaged and married a year later.

Robin continued selling motors and since Rita was a hairdresser, they bought a shop with a flat above it, obtaining both a business and accommodation. However, they both wanted to devote more time to dancing. They took a risk, sold the shop and decided to pursue a dancing career. Living in Warwickshire, they traveled 100 miles each way to take lessons in London.

They soon entered the semi-finals and by 1971 were in the finals of major events. They were runners-up at the British Open Professional Ballroom in 1974 and 1975, as well as second at the World Professional Standard Championships in 1974 and 1975. Due to Rita's persistent knee problems, they had to retire in 1975.

Coaching and Promoting the Best Possible Future for Dance

Teaching has always been their passion. They established quite a following in the Midlands, teaching hundreds of dancers of all age groups. Many of my colleagues still recall their early days, with Robin and Rita being their first teachers who followed their careers with interest and expertise in a gentle, respectful way. 'Gentle' is the expression that best describes them.
They continue to coach many of the world's leading dancers, lecturing and mentoring globally.

Robin and Rita both became members of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing (BATD) and in 1980, Robin took over the presidency for three years. He was then elected to the British Dance Council and became a delegate in the World Dance and DanceSport Council (today WDC).

Robin also served as World Dance Council president from 1993 to 1999. During his presidency, due to his diplomatic skills, the WDC membership increased from 39 to 51 countries. Being a peacemaker by nature, he managed to establish greater harmony and unity within the organization.

Family

They were blessed with a son, Christopher, who was born in 1983. Following the family tradition, Christopher successfully competed for several years, but his heart led him towards promoting and organizing dance events, teaching and establishing his own family.

Christopher and his wife Ekaterina, married for 11 years, they are parents to a little girl who undoubtedly sparkles up the whole Short family.

Friendship Through Dance

Today, the Short family successfully runs two of the world's biggest dance festivals: the International Championships in London and the United Kingdom Championships in Bournemouth. Together, they manage to preserve a 70-year-old tradition while introducing innovations in dance disciplines and applying modern technology in marketing and management.

Their motto, "United Dance World," is an objective the Short family started decades ago. It continues to guide them in reconnecting the global dance community for the good of dancing.

Welcome to listen to the podcast with Robin and Rita on Spotify - Barbara's Dance Room.