Dr.Priti Gupta is a physiotherapist by profession and Shannon Benjamin an IT professional. Their love for DanceSport has seen them achieve remarkable feats. They are popularly known as ‘India’s Golden Couple’ in the field of DanceSport. The overwhelming choreography and effortlessly graceful steps gives them a one up stance on any other Latin Duo in India.
They made history by being the first Indian couple to participate in the International DanceSport Federation World Latin Championship held in Singapore in 2006 and at the Indoor Asian Games 2007 with blessings and sponsorships from Mrs.Jaya Bachchan. And ever since, they haven’t looked back.
They have trained with numerous international trainers, examiners, adjudicators and world champions in various parts of the world. They also studied the Flamenco (A Spanish Gypsy dance from Southern Spain) under the Guidance of Rosanna Maya & Maria Del Sol in Malta.
They have competed in several international DanceSport Championships – Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, etc – and are steadily moving up the international rankings.
The duo won the All India Latin Special Competition at the Sansui Boogie Woogie on SONY Television in Jan 2008. Their visit to Hungary in Sept 2009 also brought them the opportunity to teach internationally. They are also trainers at grooming schools for Social Dancing etiquette, Poise & Posture development.
Dr. Priti apart from being a trained Bharat Natyam & Flamenco dancer has also featured in the ‘Limca Book of Records’ for being a key participant in the ‘World Longest Dance Party’, dancing non-stop for 55 hours 15 Minutes. She has also been a part of theatre, for a brief period, for projects with Mishti Verma, Rajesh Shringarpure, Gunn Nayar, Tom Alter and has been a teacher to Pony Verma & Jennifer Winget.
Priti and Shannon have played a key role in choreographies for:
- Pooja Bhatt’s ‘Holiday’ starring Dino Morea & Onjolee Nair
- Times Music Album ‘Joombish’ for singer Kunika Sadanand Lall.
- Universal Motion Pictures Production Music Album ‘Sunoh’- Starring Babul model-actress Urvashi Gandhi and Shannon playing the key dancer.
The duo has trained in all forms, and today train people in all forms of Latin American and Standard Ballroom Dances, namely Rumba, Samba, Cha Cha, Jive, Paso Doble, Bolero, Bossa Nova, Meringue, Salsa, Tango, Waltz, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Bachata, Mambo, Foxtrot.
Roll of Honour:
- 19th Lion City DanceSport Championship – Singapore, Aug. 2006: Quarter Finals
- 1st National DanceSport Championship – New Delhi, Dec. 2006: Grade A – Ranked 1st – Gold Medal
- Creative DanceSport Championship – Malaysia, Jan. 2007: Ipoh Ranked 9th
- Hong Kong Open DanceSport Championship – July 2007: Ranked 5th
- 2nd Indoor Asian Games – Macau, Nov. 2007: Quarter Finals
- Hong Kong Open DanceSport Championship – March 2008: Ranked 2nd – Silver Medal
- Sri Lankan DanceSport Championship – Colombo, Nov. 2008: Ranked 2nd – Silver Medal
- Supremacy Awards UK – London, April 2009: Semi Finals
- Sri Lankan DanceSport Championship – Colombo, June 2009: Ranked 1st – Gold Medal in 4 categories & Ranked 2nd – Silver Medal in 4 categories.
- ISIS Cup – Hungary, Sept. 2009: Szombathley Finals – Ranked 6th