Toni was born in Australia, and started ballroom dancing at the age of 8. Over the following 10 years she excelled in all styles Ballroom, Latin, New Vogue and Ballroom & Latin Formation Team. She competed around the world reaching the Finals at the International Latin Youth Championships.
At the age of 21 Toni moved to England to study under Liz Romaine in ISTD Ballroom and Latin and passed both her Imperial Society Professional Exams with high honors. Toni later joined her family in the United States and began her professional career as an instructor at the Champion Ballroom Academy in San Diego, California.
That’s where she found her partner and now husband of 20 years, Michael Mead. They started to dance together in 1996 and were Open to the World Rising Star National Standard Finalists and World Open Standard Showdance Finalists before starting to compete in Smooth.
After retiring from competition they have devoted their time and efforts to spreading Smooth to the international dance community.
Toni’s professional achievements include:
– Open to the World Rising Star National Standard Finalists
– World Open Standard Showdance Finalists
– 4 times undefeated US Open professional Smooth champions from 1999 to 2002.
– First ever Smooth Guest Lecturer and Adjudicator at Blackpool
– Commentator for Ohio Star Ball
– Guest Judge and Choreographer on SYTYCD
– Presenter and Producer on Niles Media Group America’s Sport Network
– Co-Organiser of the Ballroom Beach Bash
– Member of the Syllabus Invigilation Committee NDCA (National Dance Council of America)
– 2015 Hall of Fame Inductee -CEO and Creator of the Global Smooth System
