Bronwen Morrell

Professional:  Dancer, Dance Instructor, Choreographer

The Instructor

Bronwen Morrell has been a dancer for almost 25 years, a teacher for 15, and is trained in Jazz, Funk, Ballroom, Latin American, Salsa, Zouk and Bachata. From age 13 she began teaching jazz and funk for Dance Corporate and the YMCA in New Zealand. From 1998-2003 she put aside her teaching career to focus on competing in Ballroom and Latin American. However, in 2004 she resumed teaching for Kaos Dance Company in New Zealand and joined the LDA team shortly after moving to Sydney in 2005. As a member of Latin Dance Australia since 2006 Bronwen has taught salsa, zouk, bachata and cha cha, bringing to her teaching a strong technical base provided by her extensive dance training.

The Performer

Bronwen began performing at age 4 when she took up modern funk and ballet. She continued with funk for twelve years during which time she appeared in over 60 live performances including as a promotional dancer for a local radio station and clothing company, as well as several television appearances.  

After seeing Strictly Ballroom at age 12 Bronwen fell in love with the elegance of the ballroom which drew on her earliest dance inspiration – Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. During her 10 years as a Ballroom and Latin American dancer her performance skills were honed through over 25 exams as both man and lady in Ballroom, Latin and New Vogue, which involved mastering the standard 10 dances (Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha, Paso Doble and Jive) as well as over 20 New Vogue dances. Bronwen’s superlative performance abilities were recognised by examiners - she received Highly Commended Honours Passes for all her exams and for her highest level Latin American exam her examiner awarded her 100+ out of 100, explaining that he had “obviously to invent a grade higher than 100”. Bronwen began competing at age 15 and her performance ability led her to win numerous competitions including the Canterbury Rising Stars in 1998, as well as placing second in the National Youth Ballroom competition in 1999.



In 2002 to 2005 Bronwen was forced to sacrifice her Ballroom and Latin American dancing due to academic commitments. During this time she maintained two outlets for performing – as a professional funk dancer with Kaos Dance Company and Greek dancing at a friend’s family restaurant!

In January 2006 Bronwen discovered Latin Dance Australia and took her very first salsa class. After jumping up through the levels in her first four months of salsa she decided to take part in the 6th Annual LDA Ball, signing up for 4 choreographies including, rather cheekily, the invitation only SWAT team routine. At the ball Bronwen was awarded Best New Talent and Best Advanced Female and was asked to join the LDA pro team. As a member of LDA Bronwen trained with Sean Thomas for the 2007 Sydney Salsa Congress LDA semi-professional team performance of ‘Chicago’.

Salsa LDA Ball 2007

At the 7th Annual LDA Ball in 2007 she and partner Sean Thomas made their professional debut as solo performers. Together they performed their routine at several weddings, and were guest dancers on Mornings With KerriAnne.

In early 2008 Bronwen began a new partnership with fellow pro team member Ben Tassie, with whom she began dancing and teaching Zouk lambada. Together they developed a unique Zouk style, encapsulated in their solo Zouk routine to “Seven Seconds” by Neneh Cherry and Youssou N’Dour, which was accompanied by a 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!

Today's Show - Bronwen & Ben

In 2010 they performed with LDA’s Zouk Pro Team at the Sydney Salsa Congress.

LDA Zouk Pro Team - Sydney Salsa Congress 2010

The Person

Bronwen grew up in Christchurch, New Zealand, regularly visiting her extended family in the UK. She studied Political Science and History at the University of Canterbury and has first class honours in Diplomacy and International Relations. After moving to Sydney in 2005 she took up a position as a Research Academic with the Centre for Values, Ethics and the Law in Medicine at the University of Sydney where she is currently researching the influence of health-related industries on health journalism and news, and is Managing Editor of the Journal of Bioethical Inquiry. Throughout her academic life she has received numerous scholarships, has presented at national and international conferences and currently has five publications, including in the American Journal of Bioethics. Outside of work and dancing Bronwen enjoys photography, travel, craft and design, gardening, cooking, reading and film. She is also a fully trained advanced scuba diver and has a passion for protection of animals and the environment.