Kickstarted by Olga, BoogieCamp ran its first classes in September 2008 in a carpeted yoga studio on LaTrobe Terrace, Paddington, Brisbane. Carpeted? Yes, carpeted, and hence why the first classes were barefoot Latin dance classes called "Barefoot Boogie". The carpet proved a problem with Salsa, a dance style with lots of turns, and unfortunately, lots of carpet burn alongside it...
Since then, there's been a lot of changes and evolution, but BoogieCamp's vision is still to create a fun, relaxed and personalised atmosphere in which people can learn to dance and have the freedom to be themselves without judgement. After all, dance is about self expression!
Who is Olga?
"Strangely enough, I discovered Street Latin dancing whilst in Egypt; our tour guide was a dance instructor, and as our felucca sailed down the Nile, we were learning some basic Salsa and Merengue steps on the boat's bow.
After coming back to Australia, I started beginner classes at Rio Rhythmics, and I'm grateful to have found a group that really bonded. After class, we would go out to dinner and then practise our moves at South Bank (when free dancing was held on Friday nights).
A year later, I became a student supporter at Rio Rhythmics, which involved helping the teachers out in beginner classes and being available to dance with beginners at the social dance nights. My commitment and passion for Street Latin dancing was ignited, and I kind of went crazy doing 4-5 classes a week, helping out as a student support and attending social dance nights.
In January 2007, I taught my first ever Street Latin dance class for another dance studio, Let's Dance Co, and something inside me changed; I knew that being a dance instructor was what I wanted to do with my life. BoogieCamp was born 18 months later."
~ Olga Gjokmarkovic