Andrew Cuerden and Hanna Haarala are a Top International Competitive Professional Latin American Dance Couple. They have been a dancing partnership since September 2003 and represented England as amateurs and Finland as professionals at many major championships around the world.

Andrew comes from a very musical and artistic family in South Africa and was inspired to dance by movies like Dirty Dancing, White Nights, Fame, Footloose etc at the age of 10. Andrew competed in Ballroom and Latin for 10 years in South Africa. However at the age of 20, in pursuit of his dreams, Andrew left his home and family in South Africa and moved to London to develop his dancing career. This new start without the support of family or friends was particularly hard and meant holding down a responsible job in the dance retail industry as well as devoting many hours to his dance training outside of work.  But this is when he gained invaluable knowledge of the dance world on and off the floor! 

Hanna on the other hand started her dancing career as competitive Ice Skater in Finland at the tender age of 8. Then at 10, was introduced by friends to the world of Ballroom and Latin American dancing. Needless to say she never looked back! After 7 years of competing Hanna decided to complement her dance training by joining a Dance Teachers Training College in Finland where she studied for 4 years. Gaining a diploma in Dance Teachers Training. Hanna moved to London in September 2003 to commence dancing with Andrew. Her initial time in England was also very tough as not only did she have to hold down a job and dedicate herself fully to dance training but had to learn to speak English! 

Together their amateur competitive career culminated with reaching 4th place in the UK competitive rankings and as Professional they achieved many semi finals and finals in championships around the world as well as being ranked 25th in the World Professional Latin Rankings. This was due to many years of discipline training from some of the worlds best Latin and Ballroom dance teachers and endless hours of rehearsals per week.

At the beginning of Andrew and Hanna's professional career they were lucky enough to be chosen to star in the BBC's 3rd series of Strictly Come Dancing. Hanna dancing with Will Thorpe from Casualty and Andrew (aka Zorro) dancing with Jaye Jacobs from Holby City.  Since this experience Andrew and Hanna have gone from strength to strength developing their professional career as performers, teachers, judges and dance event organisers. As a result they decided that it was the right time to retire from the competing and focus fully on developing their business under the name of "Latin Emotion"

Andrew and Hanna are both highly motivated and conscientious professionals with endless patience when dealing with students of all levels and abilities and backgrounds.

Their cabaret show "Latin Emotion" has a wide and diverse appeal that can been gauged by the fact that it has been well received in many wonderful and prestigious events around the world to highly respected and dignified audiences as well as West End clubs and dance schools throughout the country.

Latin Emotion has worked with or performed for the following clients: The Sun Newspaper, Price Water Coopers, Orange, Pepsico, London's "Move It Exhibition", Strictly Railway Charity Ball, Lloyd's Register, P&O Celebrity Cruises, Hilton Hotels, North West Tourism Awards, Christian Dior too name just a few.

As well as many sporting benefit dinners including, Richard Hill, Kyran Bracken, Gary Keedy and Josh Lewsey.

Latin Emotion's latest project has been touring with Brendan Cole's Live and Unjudged stage tour. 

Best Competitive Results

QUARTER FINAL OF “THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS” PROFESSIONAL LATIN 2006

5TH ITALIAN OPEN PROFESSIONAL LATIN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2006

7TH IN OPEN BRITISH PROFESSIONAL LATIN RISING STAR CHAMPIONSHIPS 2006

33RD OPEN BRITISH PROFESSIONAL LATIN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2006

18TH PLACE IN THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007

30TH PLACE IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007