LYNN ARMSBY MA CLTHE
Director, examiner and fellow IDTA
Member of the latin faculty
Lynn has a wealth of experience in dance and a proven record of achievement. As a competitive Latin American dancer, Lynn danced with partner Alan. They achieved success nationally and internationally winning the British National, the West and Mid European Championships, and the International Championships. They spent several years teaching and training competitive dancers in Europe and then decided on a change of focus and began teaching on some of the world’s most luxurious cruise liners. This proved to be an amazing experience as it not only exposed them to dance from around the world but their talent was used as choreographers in the theatre and floor shows at sea. They worked with many dancers and some of the best entertainers in the world.
On these solid foundations, Lynn built her dancing school, now called Dance Action in Cambridgeshire which has successfully trained dancers for over 28 years.
Lynn comes from a dancing family. Lynn’s brother Keith and sister in law Judy won the British National Championship four times. They were awarded a Carl Alan award for outstanding services to dance and run the successful Cliftons Dance Academy
Many of you will know Kevin Clifton (from Grimsby) Lynn’s nephew a professional dancer on Strictly and filling venues with his own shows and Joanne Clifton (Lynn’s niece) who is now a shining light and leading lady in musical theatre. Both Kevin and Joanne were former dance champions, Joanne winning the World Championship. Lynn’s Mum and Dad both become qualified dance teachers and even won the London quickstep Trophy! It was difficult not to be a dancer in the Clifton family. Now Lynn’s daughter Kate is a specialist in teaching dance to people with diverse learning abilities and is the founder of Family Thing. We dance, talk about dancing, and hopefully inspire others to dance.
Lynn has always maintained strong links with fellow dance professionals and it was through her association with Jill Kemp and Jill’s husband Professor Chris Kemp that she became associated with Bucks New University. Lynn joined a cohort of professionals who achieved a Foundation Degree Arts in Dance Teaching and then went on to help develop two Bachelor of Arts Degrees at the University. Following her Masters Degree in Leadership and Management, Lynn became a Senior Lecturer at the University. She was Course Leader for the two degrees: BA Dance and Performance and BA Dance and Fitness. Under her leadership, the students flourished and many have gone on to have careers in dance and in fitness.
Lynn became an examiner for the International Dance Teachers Association over twenty years ago and considers visiting schools to examine their students and other professionals an absolute privilege. It was inevitable that Lynn would be passionate about the IDTA having trained with Walter Laird and with Joan Knight. She is a member of the Latin Faculty and is a Director of the Association.
Lynn’s passion now is for sharing knowledge. Whether this is teaching someone who has no dance experience or providing networking opportunities and business advice for fellow professionals.
“Although I started in a fiercely competitive dancing environment I came to realize that true joy comes from sharing with others and empowering people to achieve their own success. Whatever they perceive that to be.” - Lynn Armsby
“Leadership to me should be inspiring, motivational and selfless.” -Lynn Armsby