Raliza Velichkova
My dance journey began when I was 9 years old. Very quickly, what started as a hobby became a passion that ended up shaping my life.
I competed for the first time when I was sixteen, both Latin and Standard dance categories. In 2010 I proudly earned the title of Bulgarian 10 Dance Amateur Champion. Having made the decision to begin a career in dance, I moved to Italy to learn from some of the most prestigious dance teachers in the world. I kept developing my dancing and participated in many international competitions.
After three transformative years in Italy, I accepted an invitation to become a Senior DanceSport Teacher at one of the largest universities in Ankara, METU and now one of the biggest studios FAME, Turkey. There, my focus shifted primarily to teaching, and I became mentor to more than 50 couples, many of which became national champions. Today, I proudly celebrate the achievements of my students, including one who is currently a semi-finalist at the World Championship.
After five rewarding years in Turkey, I transitioned into the professional category, embracing new challenges as an international adjudicator. Now based in Singapore, I continue to coach students and dancers of all levels and ages while continuing to participate to international competitions as a professional competitor and esteemed adjudicator.
Convinced that dance has the power to inspire and connect people, I founded my own company called Utalente to enable organizations to achieve their goals through the joy of dance. Whether you are a hotel trying to enhance your guests' experience by hosting memorable shows and events, schools looking to incorporate dance into their curriculum, or individuals trying to unleash the dancer in you, I offer everything a range of services from technical workshops, personalized coaching to fun social events, which will help you achieve your goals.
I foster an inclusive and adaptable dance environment, welcoming all students regardless of experience or age.
My teaching approach is tailored to diverse objectives, from body conditioning to competition, using positive reinforcement to build confidence and motivation. I employ progressive learning, ensuring foundational skills are solid before advancing to complex techniques.
My classes cater to various learning styles—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic—and are structured with warm-ups, technique focus, choreography, and cool-downs.
Whether working with beginners, advanced dancers, children, or older adults, I provide customized lessons that meet specific needs, ensuring a supportive and engaging experience for all.
My Teaching Approach
Professional Journey, expertise and accomplishments
I am a seasoned dance teacher and sports coach with over 20 years of experience, specializing in competitive Latin and Ballroom dance, fitness coaching, and choreography. My expertise spans coaching, organizing workshops, show performances, and total body preparation for athletes and dance enthusiasts of all ages.
Work Experience
2024-Now - Founder, “UTALENTE”, Singapore
2017-Now - WDC Adjudicator
2014-2019 - Senior DanceSport Coach, “METU” & “FAME” Studio, Ankara
2010-2014 - DanceSport Teacher & Fitness Instructor, Fitness Club "DE ROSSI" & "TOTAL BODY," Italy
2000-2010 - Senior DanceSport Teacher, Sport Club SHUMEN, Preschool “BREZICHKA” & Primary School “P. POPOV”, Bulgaria
Education
2002-2006 - Bachelor’s Degree in Primary School Pedagogy and Foreign Language, “The St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo”, Bulgaria
2006-2008 - Professional Qualification: DanceSport Teacher (Latin and Ballroom), National Sports Academy "Vassil Levski," Bulgaria
Skills and Expertise
1. Coaching Experience:
· Competitive Classes:
I have over 15 years of experience teaching competitive dance to various age groups, covering all aspects of full-body preparation, including stretching, fitness, mental preparation, technical training, stamina building, and choreography. My coaching includes personalized support for dancers before and during competitions, from outfit selection to post-competition feedback.
· Hobby Classes:
For more than 15 years I am offering Ballroom, Latin and Social dance classes for kids and adults focusing on enjoyment, social interaction, and dance fundamentals. I create a welcoming and relaxed environment with simple instructions, varied dance styles, and confidence-building through positive reinforcement. My classes incorporate warm-ups and cool-downs, stressing the physical and mental health benefits of dance.
2. Dance & Fitness workshop:
· I organize workshops for athletes and dance enthusiasts of all ages, focusing on dance, fitness, and body conditioning. These workshops aim to improve physical health, enhance dance techniques. Each session addresses different aspects of flexibility, stamina, coordination, and overall fitness, helping participants develop skills beneficial to their specific sport or dance style.
3. Body Preparation
· I provide specialized total body preparation programs designed for athletes and dance enthusiasts, focusing on improving physical performance through tailored group classes. These programs include fitness training, stretching, coordination exercises and more, preparing participants to meet the physical demands of dance and other sports. They offer a comprehensive fitness regimen that strengthens the entire body, enhances coordination, flexibility, and endurance, and ensures both mental and physical readiness for competitions. The training is suitable for athletes refining their technique and individuals seeking to boost their overall health and body confidence.
4. Choreography and Show Performance:
· I have choreographed large-scale performances for various events, including the annual dance performances for METU University (2015-2018) and Fame Studio. Created a tailored themed performances for corporate events, schools, and enthusiast parties.
· My choreography and performance experience span several countries, including Turkey, China, Singapore, India, Bulgaria, Italy, and Thailand.
5. Judging Experience:
· With nearly 10 years of experience as an adjudicator, I have judged numerous prestigious dance competitions across Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Singapore, and Thailand.
6. Personal Sport Accomplishments:
1. Bulgarian Championship – Bulgarian adult 10 dance Champion, Bulgaria, 2010 🏆
2. The 2nd NegeriSembian Open - Amateur Rising Stars Champion, Malaysia 2015 🏆
3. Chumotov Grand Prix- Adult Latin 2nd Runner up, Check Republic, 2009 🏆
4. The 2nd NegeriSembian Open- Amateur Open Latin 2nd runner up, Malaysia, 2015 🏆
5. Pomorie Cup- Adult Standard Finalist, Bulgaria, 2008
6. Cumotov Grand Prix- Adult Standard Finalist, Check Republic, 2008
7. 13th Open and Bulgarian Cup- Adult Standard Finalist, Bulgaria, 2009
8. Bulgarian Cup Sofia- Adult Standard finalist, Bulgaria, 2009
9. Albena Open- WDSF International Open Latin Finalist, Bulgaria 2013
10. Rimini Open- WDSF Rising Stars Latin Finalists, 2013
11. 22nd Penang International Ballroom Dancing Championship – Latin Open Amateur Finalist, Malaysia, 2016
12. 11th Philippine Summer Ball Festival – Professional Open Latin Champion, 2023 🏆
13. Singapore International Charity Dance Championship- Professional Open 1st runner up, Singapore, 2023 🏆
14. Taipei Asian Tour - Professional Rising Stars 2nd runner up, Taiwan, 2023 🏆
15. Bailando cup- Latin Professional Open Finalist, Thailand 2019
16. Malaysia Open Dance Championship- Latin Professional Open Finalist, Malaysia, 2019