Sandeep Pigera & Emma Learmonth
“Dancing with her was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Victoria · Standard, Latin & New Vogue
Rivals first, partners second, with a Ballarat–Melbourne commute in between and no plans to pick a favourite style. Meet Sandeep and Emma.
It started with a little rivalry
Emma started ballroom at six, after a boy at school asked if she'd take lessons with him. She was hooked straight away.
Sandeep caught the bug watching So You Think You Can Dance with his mum. Growing up in the Middle East, he didn't get the chance to try it himself until later. He started dancing in 2018.
Before teaming up, they competed against each other in different partnerships. There was an unspoken rivalry, but they'd never actually spoken until their tryout.
“I always thought he came across as arrogant and reserved in passing, but soon came to realise that was not true at all! Sometimes he doesn't stop talking.”
Sandeep's worries going in? The Ballarat–Melbourne distance. And, he admits with a grin, Emma's many ear piercings. He got over both, and they've been dancing together since February 2025.
Two studios, one partnership
Emma has danced at The Dance Studio Ballarat since her very first lesson. She calls it her second home and family, and loves watching new dancers start out and improve week by week.
Sandeep started at MarShere Tullamarine and now trains at MarShere Greensborough. He's taught social classes and partnered competition and award students, but has stepped back from teaching to focus on his own competing.
These days, their training runs between Ballarat and Greensborough.
Favourite style? Ask again tomorrow
Emma loves something different about every style, although eight competition rounds can briefly test that. Right now, Samba and Tango are fighting it out for favourite dance.
Sandeep starts with the music: Samba's rhythm, Slow Foxtrot's effortless cool, and Tango, which feels especially “him”.
Emma reckons he's a ballroom boy at heart. Sandeep says the dance that's most like Emma is Samba. Handy, since it's one of her favourites too.
Dance more than one style too? Browse Women's Latin shoes, Women's Ballroom & Standard shoes or Practice & teaching shoes. Not sure of your size? Our sizing guide walks you through it.
What makes it work
Emma on Sandeep: his knowledge, determination and discipline. He knows the figures, footwork and alignments back to front, and pushes them both to put in the extra effort.
Sandeep on Emma: her patience. And this:
“She has an incredible ability to know what to say, when to say it, and occasionally when to say nothing at all!”
He says she brings out the best in him, as a dancer and as a person.
The show they'd relive
Asked for a favourite memory, they gave the same answer: their first show at the North Queensland DanceSport Championships. They built a medley across all three styles, and the lights, music and atmosphere made it a shared core memory. For both of them, it was about the freedom to perform as artists and share their work with an audience.
Their advice for your next comp
Emma: Trust yourself. As a perfectionist, she's learned that connecting with the music and your partner means letting go of doubt and trusting the work you've done in training.
Sandeep: Enjoy the journey. Taking a leaf from Master Oogway in Kung Fu Panda, make the most of every opportunity and appreciate where you are along the way.
What's in the bag
Emma has a degree in Marine Science and a soft spot for animals and the environment. Her training bag is ready for almost anything: practicewear, a sharp shoe brush, snacks, and the hairbrush that keeps every strand out of her face.
Sandeep is a serial list-maker. Every competition gets its own checklist, and he jokes there's probably another checklist reminding him to check it. His other non-negotiable: arriving at least four hours early.
“Some people call it excessive. I call it being prepared. Emma might have another word for it.”
Packing your own comp bag? Start with shoe brushes and shoe care.
Emma's Ray Rose shoe edit
Three shoes, three jobs: Latin, practice and Ballroom. Here's what Emma dances in, and why, in her own words.
Latin
Ray Rose 814 Frost · Light Tan Satin
$199.95
“I absolutely love a T-bar Latin shoe, so these are perfect! I size down compared to my ballroom shoe, and they're a perfect fit. The T-bar gives so much support, the satin finish has a beautiful shine, and I love the way the slimline heel elongates my legs.”
T-bar Latin sandal with a ruched front, designed with Bryan Watson and Carmen Vincelj. 2", 2.5" or 3" heels, Normal or Wide fit.
Practice
Ray Rose 410 Breeze · Black Leather & Suede
$219.95
“I wear these so much! The most comfortable shoe to practise in when you don't feel like wearing heels. They let me feel my feet working through the floor, and I have more control through my movements thanks to the lower heel.”
Lightweight practice and teaching shoe with a flexible split sole and a 1.5" Contour heel.
Ballroom
Ray Rose 116 Rockslide · Flesh Satin
$219.95
“The ballroom shoe I've worn from the start. They've been tried and tested, and I keep coming back to them. They offer a lot of support and are definitely the most comfortable ballroom shoe I've worn.”
Closed-toe court for Ballroom, Standard and New Vogue, with a diagonal strap and diamante buckle. 2" or 2.5" Flared heel, Normal or Wide fit.
Currently loving
Ray Rose 965 Claudia · Light Flesh Satin
$204.95
Emma has recently been trying the strapless 965 Claudia for comps. The light flesh colour suits her dress, and she's been loving them. She says she prefers the look of no strap on a ballroom shoe these days, so the Claudia might be her new go-to.
Every dancer's feet are different, so pick the fit and heel height that work for you. Ray Rose uses UK sizing: check our sizing guide, or ask us and we'll help you choose.
Competition highlights
In 2026, Sandeep and Emma made the Adult Open final in all three styles at both Premiere and Evolution.
2026 Evolution DanceSport Championship10 October 2026 · La Trobe University, Bundoora
- 4th, Adult Open New Vogue
- 6th, Adult Open Standard
- 6th, Adult Open Latin
2026 ADS Vic Premiere DanceSport Championship5 September 2026 · Broadmeadows Town Hall
- 4th, Adult Open Standard
- 4th, Adult Open New Vogue
- 5th, Adult Open Latin
More highlights
- Champions, Adult B Grade New Vogue, 2025 ADS 79th Australian Championship
- 7th, Adult Open Latin, 2026 Tasmanian Open
- 2nd, Adult B Grade Latin, 2026 ADS Victorian Crown
- Finalists, Adult Open Standard, 2026 ADS Victorian Crown
- Finalists, Adult Open New Vogue, 2026 ADS Victorian Crown
- 6th, Adult Open Standard, 2025 ADS Southern Cross Championship
Results link to the official DanceSport Australia results pages.
Follow Sandeep & Emma
Training clips, comp moments and news: @sandeep.emma.dancesport on Instagram.
Shop the styles they dance in
- Women's Latin Shoes: Shop now →
- Women's Ballroom & Standard Shoes: Shop now →
- Men's Dance Shoes: Shop now →
Not sure of your size? Read the sizing guide.
Story drawn from Sandeep and Emma's own answers, October 2026. Photos supplied by the couple. Photography: Feather Finish Photography.
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