India Phillips-Bullock

DSI Elite Performer India Phillips-Bullock was born on the 29th of February with 2 of her other sisters making them the first ever Leap Year triplets in the UK. India started dancing when she was 4 years old in her parents dance school. Her parents are professional dance teachers and were World Professional finalists as competitors. India shares: "Seeing footage of them performing and being surrounded by dancers ignited my love for dance".  Her first partnership was as a juvenile all-girls couple with her friend Rebecca where she was the leader, they entered some local competitions. India then partnered with a boy and they went on to become British & UK finalists and British Team members. In 2015, whilst competing as a Junior, India became a DSI Elite Performer. "I remember being starstruck at my beautiful new dresses and it's when I formed a warm and special bond with the late Holly Bullar who oversaw my DSI dresses at the time." India enjoyed a successful career being 4 times British Junior Ballroom & Latin finalist and a British Team member, "My Team match dress was a stunning black and white panelled dress with feathers which I will never forget." India currently competes in Amateur Ballroom and has enjoyed travelling to compete and train in different countries "I actually really enjoy the lessons and practice sessions but I also love the glamorous side of seeing my dresses being created and that indescribable feeling when you walk onto the floor feeling really special".  She also explains "I love Iceland which is such a beautiful country and is where me and my previous partner won the Icelandic Open Championships."  India's last competition before COVID was in Belarus where they became the IDSU Minsk World Cup Champions. But of course, Blackpool has a special place in India's heart: "I remember every single one of the 7 British finals I've been lucky enough to dance in".  A standout moment in her career was winning the North of England Championships in Blackpool, "I felt on cloud 9 dancing in the legendary Winter Gardens Ballroom wearing my stunnding yellow DSI dress. It was extra special for me as 27 years to the date my parents won the exact same competition."  

How does it feel to be a DSI Elite Performer? "I have had the honour of representing DSI since I was 13 years old and to this day I still feel a huge amount of pride to wear their dresses and every dress fitting is as exciting as the first. I am so grateful to DSI for their belief in me - they have played a huge part in my dance successes over the years. Gerald and the whole team have been a tremendous support every step of the journey. Emma along with Vicky are amazing to work with and are always coming up with new ideas.  I remember one moment in particular when I had a new Latin dress at Blackpool, it was stunning but Holly said it needed a big dramatic neck choker. The next day, just before the competition, she came running round with this fabulous fully stoned neck piece. It added the perfect finishing touch and Holly had sat up half the night making it. That's what everyone is like at DSI London, they go the extra mile to make you feel special. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, and make you feel like part of their family."

1. Top 22 in the Professional Ballroom, The UK Open, 2022 2. 7th in the Professional Rising Star Ballroom, The UK Open Championships, 2022 3. Professional Ballroom Champion, The Universal, 2022 4. Top 7 in the Professional Ballroom, Star Ball, 2022 5. Top 18 in the WDC World Professional Ballroom Championship, 2021 6. Top 10 in the Professional Ballroom, London Ball, 2021 7. Top 18 in the Professional Ballroom, The International Championships, 2021

2020 was the year my dancing world turned upside down!      With the onset of the Corona Virus pandemic, the closing of dance studios meant that I lost most of my teaching income which has been a real blow. Although I have been able to do some teaching online, I have been left with a real void in my life as my dance partner Roman, sadly was unable to continue his dance career due to his personal circumstances.    Therefore, I decided to be proactive and find a job to supplement my income and take my mind off things. I wanted to do something that was totally different and outside of my comfort zone while also helping the community.   In July 2020 I started working night shifts from 3am to 10am at Sainsbury’s selecting food for home delivery shopping. I found it more difficult than I thought I would but the job gave me something to focus on during this difficult time and I learnt some new skills.    Then in January 2021 I started to train as a covid vaccinator for the NHS. After months of studying online, I recently completed my first day of vaccinating. Working as a covid vaccinator has been a very rewarding job and I’ve found it quite moving, witnessing how much people appreciate getting the vaccine.      I was nervous at first but was soon put at ease by the wonderful doctors and nurses working with me and I feel incredibly lucky that I have this opportunity to help the community and play a small part in the world’s fight against Covid 19. On my first day I administered over 150 vaccines so I quickly got into the swing of things and enjoyed being able to reassure the nervous.   In April I was honoured to be a bridesmaid at the wedding of my sister Alicia to Yuriy Markovetskiy. Due to lockdown regulations, only 15 people were allowed at the wedding but it actually turned out to be an intimate and very special day despite many friends and family not being there. I felt very proud of them that, despite the obvious difficulties, they made it a day to treasure forever for all of us.     I am currently looking for a new dance partner and I have maintained my dance skills and training at every opportunity during the pandemic. I feel lucky that I am able to practice in our home studio and I am now ready for the next challenge whatever it may be, but one thing for sure, is that I can’t wait to be back on the dance floor wearing my beautiful DSI dresses.    India x