MARCHANT BIRCH BIOGRAPHY

Marchant Birch was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. He started his formal dance training at the age of seven studying Ballroom and Latin American. He trained in these disciplines for ten years winning over one hundred trophies in various competitions. Marchant moved on to "Boogie" dancing (similar to street jazz) and won all three major competitions in Cape Town with his brother's dance team 'The Cool Boys'. In 1999 He won the Cape Jazz Championship (South African partner dance similar to salsa) beating over five hundred couples.

In 2000 Marchant moved to England and was introduced to salsa. He understood the need to learn the dance form from its authentic Latino roots and has trained with the worlds best Puerto Ricans, New Yoricans, and Cubans. Marchant was invited to start teaching and performing salsa in 2001. He performed salsa with a group called Yes Brazill, and then the London Allstar Latin dancers.

In 2002 Marchant formed a performance partnership with another former member of the LAL dancers, Lilly. Their show 'Burglars' was a huge hit with salsa audiences. Marchant then teamed up with Andrea Stewart (director of Duende Dance Company). In December 2003 Marchant and Andrea received an award at the British Salsa Congress for 'Most Outstanding Newcomers'. Marchant then worked with Candice Leong, performing at the UK Salsa Congress 2004, and at other events in the UK and Europe.

In 2005 Marchant's choreography of Tito Puente's ‘Take Five’ received high acclaim from the Mambo King himself, Eddie Torres. It was considered a ground-breaking choreography at the time for its flowing use of line and arms, and intricate musical interpretation. The influence of this can be seen today in UK salsa performances. Marchant and then partner, Miriam Oppel were 2006 winners of the Best UK Dance Act, voted for by the salsa public and awarded at the UK Salsa Congress.

At the 2007 UK Salsa Congress, Marchant was given a special award of recognition for his contribution to salsa in the UK and for raising the standard of teaching in the UK.

Growing up in Africa undoubtedly contributed to Marchant's intricate sense of rhythm, from the raw sound of the carnival drum, to the sophistication of the Cape Town jazz musicians. In his years in salsa he has taken his teachings from the latinos, and blended it with ballroom technique, jazz and afro movement, developing a smooth, elegant style of salsa and mambo known as the Alchemy Way. He is reknowned for bringing 'smooth' and 'flow' to UK salsa.

Marchant and partner Davina together formed Alchemy Dance Company in 2005. They took both their past dance experience and combined the techniques and methods for the performance company. Originally a team of four, they performed nationwide at many events and salsa congresses.

In 2006 they launched Alchemy Dance Academy, giving the salsa public the opportunity to improve their dancing by way of the Alchemy method of dance training. For 2 years they ran the Academy by way of intensive courses and workshops at different venues around the south. In March 2008 Alchemy Dance Academy launched its permanent residence in Hampshire, where students travel from far and wide to learn the Alchemy Way. It is pioneering the Alchemy Way that is now Marchant's main focus with Davina. In 2007 they released their first instructional DVD 'Alchemy Way Partnerwork', which, produced in two versions, was the UK's first On2 instructional DVD.

Now representing Alchemy Dance Company as a solo couple, Marchant & Davina are known for their captivating performances, world-class choreographies, and excellent teaching methods, and are in high demand to perform and teach around the UK and internationally (click for calendar).