How did you decide to come to live in Tregaron?

The reason I live in Tregaron is very romantic. I had a large dancing school in South London, I was busy dancing cabaret as well as teaching and competing. One day Reggie walked into my class - he had come to London on a course. As I had married off many of my students I knew this man was right for me - I walked away from that life and passed the school to my partner. Having the right life-partner is far more important than having a dancing partner and school.

Please tell us about the work you do teaching dance in Wales.

My students are all ages. I also teach for the local authority; I have evening classes in Tregaron, Ciliau Aeron, Llangeitho and at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth. The classes are Ballroom, Latin American & Salsa, I aim to give an all round knowledge of dance steps. I teach at local schools; ages 4 yrs & upwards. This is great fun, as the pleasure they get from dance is amazing. We have some fun! - Disco moves, Hip Hop, add a little Latin American and just build in other styles.

You were voted World Champion 7th position Latin/American dancer. This probably makes you the most qualified dancer in Wales.

I competed as a Professional in Ballroom and Latin American on Strictly Come Dancing. The best position I achieved was 7th in the World Championships (only the winner counts!). I am highly qualified as a teacher of dance - I am a Fellow of the United Kingdom Alliance of Teachers of Dancing. I qualified in Ballroom, Latin American, Classic Sequence, Salsa, Disco Freestyle, Western Dance, American Style, and Cheer Dance. I take teaching seriously and so do not approve of unqualified teachers. The ability to teach is as important as the ability to dance. I hold a Championship Adjudicators Licence and also am a qualified Scrutineer (decides marking criteria), which enables me to be Chairman of the Board of Adjudicators. The answer to your question is: I am probably the most qualified dance teacher in Wales - I hope I am the most enthusiastic.

It has been said that dance is the best cure for depression, as the combination of music, movement and companionship cannot fail to lift the spirits. Practising the steps, the brain's memory is kept alert and active into old age - one cannot underestimate the importance of dance in any society.

Yes, I used to start my adverts with "Dance for fitness - Dance for Fun". It is true that dancing will keep you both fit and happy. I believe in bonding the class members together, and encouraging them to help each other, and to help new members that come along. Some who come are lonely, hoping to meet new friends and add to their social life, learning to dance is a good way to do this.

If you come to my classes your fitness will increase and your tired brain will work at remembering the steps, you won't even realise it is happening. As you learn to dance your heartbeat will become fitter and there is laughter all the time, new friends are easily made in this environment.

You teach human contact skills through dance; how to move with poise and grace, act with consideration and elegance towards the opposite sex - these are very important human values.

Dancing is one of our social graces. It used to be a way to get on at work and in society, i.e. being able to dance with the boss' wife. It looks very good and so can impress, perhaps now you will find the boss' wife can't dance either, but it's worth a try. Don't let this stop you learning; every partner can make the person they are dancing with feel and look good, (whether they can dance or not). When I dance with a beginner I get pleasure from their ability to just get round the room nicely, I find just as much pleasure when I dance with a colleague at Dance Congress in Blackpool, and can really let my hair down and go for it. Being able to dance helps you relate to others, and will help you interact with people on and off the dance floor. Dance will increase your circle of friends and your enjoyment of others.

At this time there is a rapidly growing interest in most forms of dance. What can be done to see that this need is met here in Wales?

What can we do to raise the awareness of dancing? I don't think we can do better than the BBC "Strictly Come Dancing" - it shows us that rugby, football & cricket stars want to dance. Dancing requires strength and fitness when you reach high standards. I think that dancing at schools as part of the curriculum and fitness plan would inevitably increase its popularity, and also lessen obesity in those age groups. Everyone can dance, some will be better than others. Everyone can benefit from dance.

What guidance can you offer someone in Wales who wishes to become a professional dancer?

To become a qualified professional it is important to take proper training with a qualified teacher. You should train in one of the associations which are members of the British Dance Council. Their website is www.british-dance-council.org If you contact me I will put you in touch with someone who can help you. When you have your dance qualification it is also useful to get a teaching certificate or PGCE as well. For this you will need to attend a college for two years part time and it is worth it. Knowing the steps is not enough, you need to be able to communicate this in a way that the class will understand and enjoy. Teaching is an art, not just something you do when you are too old to perform, not that I am admitting that I am too old.

Please could you describe for us some of the many dance activities you are involved with?

I work with some of the best dancers and enjoy this very much. At present I am coaching a division one dancer for the European Dance Championships in February. Working with the local W.I. last year we formed a Line Dancing team to perform in the Eisteddfod. They came first! They all had a great deal of fun, which is so important. I help to organise many dance competitions in Wales including the Welsh Open Line Dance Championships and chaired the committee for the Welsh Medallist and Open Championships in Carmarthen for Freestyle Disco, Slow Dance, Street and Rock & Roll; competitors age six years and over.

Couples are coached by you to take the first dance at their wedding. Entering society as man and wife with the confidence and enjoyment of bonding through a shared love of dance is a great gift!

In our village, when the local publican Grahame and his bride-to-be wanted to learn to dance their first dance with style, they chose the Samba, which had the crowd in an uproar - Well done!

Please tell us about your work teaching children in the locality, and what opportunities there are for them.

I enjoy working in schools teaching 4 - 11 year olds, I teach them to dance to the music they most enjoy then expand their experience of music and dance. Teaching young people is important as they are the future. Dance can bring them many benefits, keeping them active and giving them an interest, so it is good for both their health and social life in the community. We use basic skills; numeracy and literacy, for example in cheerleading. Dance has brought so much into my life - I enjoy every opportunity to pass this pleasure on to others.

You visit many places in your role as Dance Adjudicator and Lecturer. Keeping up to date in the world of dance is an interesting part of your life - please tell us what is you find most enjoyable?

I have had a great life through dance and this has taken me to so many places in the world. I travelled on cruise liners as a cabaret judge and I demonstrate dancing. I have made television appearances and later, in Wales I did the Lottery show from Swansea with Lionel Blair. I remembered him from when I was a child, so it was wonderful for me to teach him some steps for the programme.

How was your life changed by moving to Wales, and what is it you enjoy about life here?

My life changed so much when I married Reggie and moved to his home in Tregaron. The focus of my life in London was my studio and travelling to perform in Cabaret, Hotels and Cruise Liners, all fitted in around the professional dance competitions. Suddenly moving to Wales changed all that - so together we opened a restaurant and taught dance in the evenings! I loved Wales and knew I'd never leave. Tregaron seemed a special place, almost in a time-warp: where people asked each other how they were in the street and helped out when anything was needed. It is a great place to be. I enjoyed the walking and wildlife, and developed a keen interest in gardening; I grow most of my own vegetables now!

Please tell us of forthcoming events that you are involved in. More competitions are planned for this year and there will be a broad range of dance classes offered in Salsa, Ballroom and Latin American, also Line Dancing and Disco.

I hope to keep teaching and adjudicating for many years and sharing my love of dance with as many people as possible. All the happiness in my life has come in some way through dance, I wish everyone else to have that pleasure.

It was a pleasure to be able to interview Gill Knight. Surely Wales's most qualified dancer, she is almost impossibly busy.

Question and Answers between Victoria Whiteland and Gill Knight