Coaches
Marina and Taliat Tarsinov began dancing together in Russia in 1974, a partnership that later blossomed into marriage and family. In 1988, after winning the Russian Amateur Championship, they turned professional and danced until 1995, when they announced their retirement from the competitive floor. Their professional awards and achievements are numerous including winning several national titles between 1990 and 1995- the Russian National Latin Championship, the Russian National Ten Dance Championship, and the Soviet Union National Standard and Latin Show Dance Championships.
Linda Dean is considered a living legend in the ballroom community. She and her partner, Vernon Brock breathed new life into the International Latin division when they debuted their partnership in 1975. They went on to win the USDSC Latin title for the next four years. Linda is now a dance board member, and coaches and judges all around the country. Her professional demeanor and impeccable taste have made her one of the most sought after coaches in the industry.
Dan Rutherford and Nicole Carroll - U.S. Champions of Professional American Rhythm. Dan Rutherford and Nicole Carroll have danced competitively together for ten years. Combined, they have won every major championship in the United States including the title of top overall professional couple. They have been featured performers on "America's Ballroom Challenge" as seen on PBS in February 2007 and most recently, they have been invited to perform in the results show for this season's "Dancing with the Stars".
Marianne Nicole is former United States Rising Star American Style Champion, undefeated United States Theatre Arts Champion, North American International Latin Champion, Canadian Theatre Arts Champion, undefeated Fred Astaire American Style Champion, undefeated Fred Astaire Theatrical Champion, undefeated Fred Astaire International Latin Champion and World Latin Representative.
She is a World Class Adjudicator & Coach, and Co Organizer of the Capital Dancesport Championships and a National Examiner for the DVIDA Organization and former examiner for the Fred Astaire Dance Studio organization.
Stephen Knight started in the Dance Business in 1976. Chicago being his home, he still managed to move to Wisconsin for more growth and opportunity. Over the years Stephen became one of the Top Teachers in the United States winning many Top Teacher Awards Regionally, and Nationally. He also had many Top Ranking Students in the United States in the competitive world.
Eddi Apolonov is the Regional Dance Director for the Wisconsin Region, and occasionally, we are lucky enough to have him in our studio. As a competitor, Eddi competed on the most renowned floor in the world as a Rising Star Finalist in International Latin at the Blackpool Dance Festival. He was also the undefeated Fred Astaire International Latin Champion. With a Bachelors Degree in Choreography from the University of Fine Arts of Russia, Eddi creates some of the most interesting and beautiful routines. His passion and enthusiasm for ballroom dancing is highly contagious, and he is sure to inspire greatness.
Ilya Ifraimov & Nadia Goulina
Ilya and Nadia are one of the top professional Latin couples in the dance world today. They have been dancing together for nine years and have toured the world in competition, enjoying considerable success. Some of their most recent achievements have included:
2008 North American Professional Latin Champions, 2008 World Master Champions, 6 time Fred Astaire National Professional Latin Champions, United States Professional Latin Finalist, 2007 Ohio Star Showdance Champions, 2007 Heritage Classic Professional Latin Champions 2006 World Cup Vice Champions
Jesse DeSoto started as a dance instructor in 1999 at a Fred Astaire Dance Studio near his hometown of Greendale, WI. He discovered that his love for competition, challenge of the dance floor and freedom for artistic expression were a perfect match for a future in ballroom dancing!
Jesse was fortunate to be paired with a gifted and naturally talented dancer, Jackie Josephs and they went professional in 2003.
They were a featured couple on the 2005 PBS’s American Ballroom Challenge dance program. Jesse and Jackie are sponsored by Randall Designs, Showtime Shoes and Championship Productions and are Affiliate Members of the Fred Astaire National Council of Dance.
Valentina is a Ukrainian-American Ballroom Dancer and US and World American Smooth Champion
Special guest on TV show “Dancing With the Stars”
Chantal LeClerc, 7 Time Undefeated Canadian 10 Dance Champion, Coach, and Choreographer,
Marylynn Benitez - Ranked among America’s top coaches, Marylynn Benitez has seen and done it all in the dance world. From competing in the world renowned Blackpool competition in England to coaching some of the country’s greatest performers, she is a rare talent. As a competitor, she has represented the United States on some of the biggest stages in the world. She now specializes in coaching and choreography in all styles, and travels the country as a national adjudicator judging some of our countries best.
Bruce Hasson - Former Hustle Champion, American Smooth and Rhythm Finalist, International Standard and Theatre Arts Finalist, Winner of several Top Teacher Awards