Sandy & Ray Ivory (principals of Sunshine Coast Rock 'n' Roll) have been dancing since they were small children & have been teaching for 13 years. While everybody else was walking Sandy & Ray were running, taking hold of every opportunity possible to help people relive those classic dance days.

Sandy & Ray met at Rockabilly dance lessons (a style that neither one had done before) in 1995 at Maroochydore in Qld. Their quick wit & love of dancing soon set off the sparks & they were instantly attracted to each other & after a whirlwind romance they were married in 1996. Their wedding was a "classic Rock 'n' Roll theme" complete with the bridal car from 1950's & their wedding dance was "Can I have this dance for the rest of my life" followed by "I knew the bride when she used to Rock 'n' Roll".

A few weeks prior to their wedding the instructors of the Rockabilly had decided not to make the trip up from Brisbane anymore so Sandy & Ray were pressured to take over the dance classes, & a week after their wedding "Sunshine Coast Rock 'n' Roll" was born at Kawana Waters Bowls Club.

After 6 months the classes were thriving & they were again pressured to open another dance studio at Maroochydore, so they began classes at Horton Park Golf Club not only for adults but began teaching children aged from 5years to 18years in the afternoon before night classes.

They soon began to explore the world of dance competitions & entered a "Triples Event" at Wintersun R'n'R festival on the Gold Coast in 1997 & won that National Title. This was the start of many dance championships in Qld, NSW, SA & Vic. Ray still holds the title of "Open Invitational Freestyle Champion" with one of his students at the Australian Rockabilly Federation Championships. (Freestyle meaning lift work & Open Invitational is open to professional & amateurs). The list of achievements in dance competitions is endless not only with each other but with their students in all age categories in Pro/Am's as well (professional & amateur).

Sandy & Ray were approached by the Australian Rock 'n' Roll Dancesport Council to open up the Qld Branch which they did in 1997. After completing their accreditations in all styles Ray was voted in as President & Sandy as secretary, they successfully organized the Qld Rock 'n' Roll Dancesport Championships that was described as the best in country for 7 years. Dancers travelled from all over Australia to compete at what could only be described as the toughest & highest standard competition around.

They were then approached by the Asia Pacific Masters Games Committee to organize the dancing at the Masters Games on the Gold Coast. This was later changed to the Pan Pacific Masters Games where Sandy & Ray were offered a 6 year contract to organize all styles of R'n'R dancing at the Games Village. This was a huge success, not only did it attract dancers from all over Australia but from New Zealand as well.

Sandy & Ray soon became sort after to conduct dance workshops all over Australia from Adelaide to Cairns & as far west as Mt Isa as their vast knowledge in all styles of dance made it easy to teach variety & also to meet some of the most interesting & colourful characters in the dancing world.

Then came an opportunity too good to pass up the chance to put together a professional floorshow, they were approached by a booking agent who wanted an hour dance show with a group of dancers. Hence "Classic Rock Floorshow Entertainment" was born. This troupe of 12 dancers took the stage by storm they keep the audience alert & entertained with their variation of dance styles & routines dating back to the 1920 to 1960's in every conceivable variation possible. It was apparent that professionals were performing as the advanced footwork & lift work was a treat for all ages. With a one or two song costume change time they were a very close knit group (that was apparent as it was not the time to be shy, the question was often asked who did do up that zip?). Classic Rock was nominated for "The Best Cabaret Act" in the Qld Entertainment Awards & was runner up for 3 consecutive years. Sandy & Ray choreographed all of the dance routines. In one given show there would be up to 20 different dances. Every new show means new routines, so the challenge goes on.

Over the past few years Sandy & Ray have put together a series of teaching DVD's in both Rock 'n' Roll & Swing Jive, they are easy to follow step by step instructions, each set of 7 DVD's has (1) Beginner (2) Intermediate (4) Advanced with approximately 8-12 moves on each one (depending on the length of the move). They have sold them to numerous people & dance schools from all over Australia who have adopted that style of teaching (including a large dance club in New Zealand) these DVD's are available from the web site www.sunshinecoast-rocknroll.com

Sandy & Ray are active members of the Australian Sports Commission &Active After-School Community & teach at different schools on the Sunshine Coast, they also teach the students for their graduation formal at the Caloundra Christian College each year.

They take a lot of pride & pleasure in teaching people to dance weather it for that special occasion, to keep fit, to meet new people, or just simply because you can. Dancing makes most people smile, so smile to-day OK? – "Happy Dancing"