QuickSteps Dance / Club / Studio

Always proud of you Kevin and Jam. Well done and congrats from all of here at QuickSteps 💕

🌟 Student Spotlight – Ishan Honhaga 🌟

Some people work with algorithms.

Some people work with emotions.

Ishan has discovered that life is richest when you embrace both.

By profession, Ishan is a Senior Software Engineer and Artificial Intelligence researcher, specialising in multi-agent reinforcement learning. His work involves designing intelligent systems, publishing research and presenting at leading academic and industry conferences, including Australia's premier Defence Innovation Science and Technology Summit (ADSTAR) 2026.

His days are often filled with logic, mathematics and complex problem-solving.

But when the music starts...

Everything changes.

Dance has become the place where analysis gives way to expression.

Although Ishan had spent two years dancing in a hip-hop crew back in 2010, life eventually took him in different directions. A decade passed without dancing as work, study and moving between cities took priority.

Then, almost eighteen months ago, he discovered QuickSteps.

And something he thought he had left behind came back into his life.

"Dancing has reshaped my relationship with movement and music," he says.

"It gives me a sense of liberation and peace."

Since joining QuickSteps, Ishan has embraced every opportunity to learn, perform and challenge himself.

He has competed in both Rhythm and Smooth events, achieving impressive results across several categories.

At the Australian Social & Recreational Dance Championship (ASARC) 2025, he earned:

🥈 2nd Place – Bronze Rhythm Triple Dance (Cha-Cha, Rumba & East Coast Swing)

🥈 2nd Place – Newcomer Waltz

🥈 2nd Place – Newcomer Tango

🥉 3rd Place – Newcomer Cha-Cha

Beyond competitions, Ishan has become an active member of the QuickSteps community, participating in numerous Rhythm & Smooth Dance Challenges and performing in both the Winter Spectacular 2025 and the Summer Ball 2026.

He is currently preparing for this year's Winter Spectacular while also training for his next exciting challenge:

His first West Coast Swing competition.

Despite everything he has already achieved, Ishan believes dancing is about much more than medals or results.

His goal is simple, yet profound.

To deepen his connection with movement.

To explore greater freedom in dance.

And to share that feeling of freedom with every partner he meets on the dance floor.

Outside the studio, Ishan is endlessly curious.

Alongside his work in Artificial Intelligence, he enjoys racquet sports, photography, reading, cooking, playing guitar, chess and board games. He is also a talented artist, holding a diploma in painting.

Whether through science or creativity, he is driven by the same philosophy:

To keep learning.

To keep growing.

To keep exploring.

"I believe in maintaining balance between mind, body and soul."

For Ishan, that means challenging the mind through research, caring for the body through movement and fitness, and nurturing the soul through creativity and dance.

His story is a wonderful reminder that dancing isn't the opposite of science.

It complements it.

One develops intelligence.

The other develops connection.

One teaches us how the world works.

The other teaches us how to feel it.

Thank you, Ishan, for bringing your curiosity, creativity and inspiring energy to the QuickSteps family. We can't wait to see where your dance journey takes you next. ❤️

🌟 Student Spotlight – Sophie Edmeades 🌟

Sometimes, all it takes is one invitation.

One friend asking, "Would you like to come dancing?"

For Sophie, that's exactly how her dance journey began.

In early 2021, a friend invited her to a small Bachata class.

She had never learned music or dance before, but she thought, "Why not?"

A few months later, COVID lockdowns brought everything to a stop, and dancing disappeared from her life almost as quickly as it had arrived.

But the story wasn't over.

In 2023, another friend invited her to try Modern Jive.

Once again, she said yes.

That simple decision opened another door.

For the next two years, Sophie danced Modern Jive throughout New Zealand, discovering not only the joy of movement, but also the incredible sense of connection that partner dancing creates.

Then, at the end of 2025, life brought another big change.

She moved from New Zealand to Adelaide.

Starting over in a new city can feel overwhelming.

New streets.

New people.

A completely new chapter.

Looking for something familiar, Sophie found QuickSteps and joined in December 2025.

What she discovered wasn't simply another dance style.

She discovered a new family.

"I am so grateful to all of the lovely people that make QuickSteps the supportive, fun and welcoming place that it is."

Since joining the studio, Sophie has immersed herself in the world of West Coast Swing.

She loves learning about its history, musicality, techniques and endless possibilities for creativity and connection.

But perhaps the most valuable lesson dance has taught her isn't about footwork at all.

It's about authenticity.

"My favourite thing I have learned about dance is that moving the way that is authentic to you and your personality is always going to look the best."

Be yourself.

Smile.

Enjoy the music.

Everything else follows.

Today, Sophie continues to challenge herself every week.

She wants to improve her confidence, balance and dancing skills, but her biggest motivation is beautifully simple.

"To make my favourite teacher in the world proud of the dancer I will become."

Outside the studio, Sophie loves embracing new experiences and believes that it's never too late to discover something that changes your life.

Having never studied music or dance as a child, she wants others to know that they don't have to start young.

"The world of dance is so beautiful and special. It can seem overwhelming at first, but that's only because there are so many wonderful things to discover — including things about yourself."

For Sophie, dancing has become much more than a hobby.

It has helped her overcome struggles with self-image.

It has brought confidence.

Friendship.

Joy.

And a new way of seeing herself.

"I used to really struggle with my self-image, and dancing has brought so much love and light into my life that I hope to share with as many people as possible."

Her story is a beautiful reminder that one small "yes" can change everything.

One invitation.

One lesson.

One dance.

Sometimes, that's all it takes to discover a community, a passion... and a happier version of yourself.

Thank you, Sophie, for bringing your kindness, positivity and beautiful energy to the QuickSteps family. We can't wait to watch your dance journey continue. ❤️

🌟 Student Spotlight – Min 🌟

Dance Never Left Min's Heart

Some dreams begin in childhood.

Others simply wait patiently until the time is right.

Min has loved dancing for as long as she can remember.

As a little girl, she would dance whenever she heard music. It wasn't about performing or being admired—it was simply the place where she felt most alive.

At the age of eighteen, Min achieved what many young dancers dream of.

She successfully auditioned to train as a professional dancer.

For a moment, it felt as though the future she had always imagined was finally beginning.

But life had other plans.

Her parents believed that a university education would offer a more secure future, and encouraged her to study German literature instead.

Out of love and respect, Min chose to follow their wishes.

She put away her dancing shoes.

But she never put away her dream.

Over the next thirty years, life unfolded as it does for so many people.

She built a career.

She raised a family.

She embraced every responsibility life placed before her.

Yet quietly, somewhere deep inside, the little girl who loved to dance was still there.

Waiting.

Then, thirty years later, life gave her a second chance.

When Min discovered social dancing, something extraordinary happened.

It felt as though a forgotten part of her soul had finally awakened.

She immersed herself in every partner dance she could find—Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Salsa and Bachata—making up for the years she had missed with endless enthusiasm and curiosity.

Dance gave her far more than beautiful steps.

It gave her confidence.

It improved her health.

It created lifelong friendships.

It brought joy, purpose and a deep sense of inner peace.

Most importantly...

It led her back to herself.

Then came Argentine Tango.

Tango spoke to her heart in a way no other dance ever had.

It taught her that dancing isn't about perfect technique.

It's about listening.

Trust.

Connection.

Vulnerability.

Respect.

And embracing another person with honesty.

For Min, Tango became far more than a dance.

It became a philosophy for living.

Her passion eventually carried her around the world.

She travelled to study with renowned maestros, attended festivals and milongas, and immersed herself in the culture, history and music that give Argentine Tango its unique soul.

Every journey taught her something new—not only about dance, but about people, relationships and herself.

Today, Min shares that passion with others.

As a teacher, performer and organiser, she has built a warm and welcoming Tango community where people from all walks of life can discover the joy of connection through dance.

Nothing makes her happier than watching someone arrive feeling nervous or uncertain and leave with a smile, new friends and renewed confidence.

Min believes that dreams never expire.

Sometimes...

They simply wait for us to be ready.

Looking back today, she no longer sees those thirty years as years that were lost.

They became part of the journey that shaped the woman she is today.

A woman who knows that it is never too late to rediscover what makes your heart come alive.

Because dance never gave up on Min.

It simply waited patiently...

Until she found her way home. ❤️

🌟 Student Spotlight – Ann Chandran 🌟

Sometimes a hobby becomes something much more.

For Ann, dancing started over sixteen years ago while living in Malaysia, where she discovered the vibrant world of Salsa and Bachata.

At first, it was simply something fun to do.

But before long, it became a lifelong passion.

A passion that has brought her joy, confidence and friendships that continue to this day.

When Ann moved to Adelaide in 2015, she was looking for more than just a way to stay active.

She wanted to meet new people, challenge herself and build a new life in a new city.

Only one month after arriving from Malaysia, she walked through the doors of QuickSteps.

That was on 27 November 2015.

What she found wasn't just a dance studio.

She found a community.

A place where music, movement and friendship came together.

Over the following years, QuickSteps became an important part of her life. Dancing helped her grow in confidence, develop new skills and create wonderful friendships that she still treasures today.

Although life eventually took her in different directions and she stepped away from the studio for a few years, the connection with dance never disappeared.

Some passions simply wait patiently until the time is right.

On 2 April 2026, Ann returned to QuickSteps.

Coming back felt like reconnecting with old friends and rediscovering something that had always made her happy.

Today, her goals remain beautifully simple.

To keep improving.

To keep learning.

And to enjoy every single moment on the dance floor.

Because for Ann, dancing has never been about perfection.

It's about the feeling.

The music.

The rhythm.

The smiles.

And the people you meet along the way.

Outside the studio, Ann loves staying active and embracing new experiences. She enjoys travelling, discovering new places and creating memories through adventure. In fact, she is already looking forward to her upcoming solo journey through Tasmania and New Zealand.

It feels fitting somehow.

Whether she is exploring a new country or learning a new dance, Ann approaches life with curiosity, positivity and an open heart.

Her story is a wonderful reminder that dance has an amazing way of connecting different chapters of our lives.

Sometimes we leave the dance floor.

Sometimes we return.

But when something truly brings us joy, it always feels like coming home.

Welcome back, Ann. ❤️

We are so happy to have you dancing with the QuickSteps family once again, and we can't wait to share many more dances and memories together.