Benjamin Tassie

The Instructor

Benjamin Tassie began his dancing career four years ago at the LDA Broadway studio – with Jaime Jesus teaching his first Beginners course. Within a year Benjamin was invited to the LDA Pro Team. He has subsequently taught salsa, zouk and batchata.

The Performer

In 2005, Benjamin supported a close friend by attending the LDA Ball. Being utterly impressed with what he saw on stage he realised how much fun he was missing. Only by early 2006 had Benjamin plucked up enough courage to enrol in a salsa beginners course. He quickly became addicted, enrolling in multiple classes and signing up for a student performance team for the LDA Ball.

Within a year, Benjamin was invited to the Advanced student S.W.A.T team. Shortly after, he was then invited to the LDA Pro team.

In the meantime, Benjamin also discovered what would soon become his passion – zouk/lambada. Benjamin, and other die hard zouk addicts, would stay after class (until asked to go home) to practice, social dance and learn from each other.

Benjamin performed two choreographies in the 2007 LDA Ball – S.W.A.T and Zouk Advanced – and received Best Advanced Male in each. He subsequently performed at the 2008 Sydney Salsa Congress.

In early 2008 Benjamin began a new partnership with fellow pro team member Bronwen Morrell, with whom he began dancing and teaching salsa and zouk/lambada. Together they choreographed a routine to “Seven Seconds” by Neneh Cherry and Youssou N’Dour, accompanied by a powerful multi media projection. Their performances at the 8th Annual LDA Ball, 101° Brazilian Party, the LDA Christmas Party, Pump House, as well as nationally at Riorhythmics Dance Studio in Brisbane and the Byron Bay Latin Fiesta have earned them a reputation as unique and emotive performers with a strong message behind their dancing. The story of their partnership and romance was featured on Channel Nine’s Today Show – much to their embarrassment!

Click here to see Ben's at Today Show
 
The Person

Benjamin grew up in Sydney, Australia. He completed his HSC in 2003 and subsequently received the Premier’s Award for All-Round Excellence. He then completed a year long leadership program abroad in 2004. In 2008, Benjamin graduated from his Medical Science degree at the University of New South Wales, specialising in Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Pharmacology. In 2009, he was accepted to study Medicine at the University of Sydney.  Outside of his studies and dancing, Benjamin is a support worker for children with disabilities.