Kimalee Piedad grew up in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She has studied many forms of dance, including ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary. She danced professionally with the Louisville Ballet and Ballet Met before joining Fred Astaire Dance Studios in 2005. She has been honored to represent the...

Marylynn Benitez was first introduced to the world of Ballroom dancing while attending the University of Southern California, where she became a member of its Formation Dance Team, headed by Carol Montez. She continued as an Amateur competitor in the International Latin Style. Her Amateur career ...

Olga was born in Novokuznetsk, Russia and studied ballet and gymnastics before starting Ballroom dancing in 1978. Over these years she’s danced at more than 500 Dance Sport Championships. Olga is currently a Long Island NY Area Franchise Developer, and an Owner and Manager of the Fred Astaire Dan...

Anastasia was born in Perm, Russia. She started ballroom dancing at the age of 5, and was part of the formation team “Circle of Friends.” She went on to become 5-Time Russian Champion, and represented Russia in the European and World Championships. She moved to the United States in 1998 and becam...

Being a well-recognized coach within the Fred Astaire Dance Studios Organization, Christina Penatello Hansen enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge of dance and business with professionals and amateurs of all ages. With over 30 years of dance experience, she is able to teach the newest dancer a...

Anastasia was born in Perm, Russia. She started ballroom dancing at the age of 5, and was part of the formation team “Circle of Friends.” She went on to become 5-Time Russian Champion, and represented Russia in the European and World Championships. She moved to the United States in 1998 and becam...

Mykyta (“Nikita”) is from the Ukraine. He started to dance at 8 years old and has never stopped! Since beginning his dance career, he has competed all over the world and racked up a number of high-ranking titles. He is an American champion, as well as a two-time World Champion. He has an eye for ...

Jan Mattingly resides in Houston, Texas and assists with coaching, student level examinations and adjudicating in the FADS Texas region. In all, she has been associated with the Fred Astaire team for over 20 years. She grew up in California and competed in International Latin and Standard as a Ju...

Istvan Cserven is an official United States NDCA Adjudicator and highly sought after-Coach, Trainer and Examiner. He has spent over 20 years with Fred Astaire Dance Studios, serving as Instructor, Dance Director, Studio Manager, Examiner and Regional Trainer. He has worked with students and high-...

Martin is an experienced Technique Specialist, Competitive Trainer and Mind Coach for Professionals, Amateurs and Students, in addition to being a Lecturer, Choreographer and world-class Adjudicator. Martin has competed and taught all over the world, at every level of dance. He has officiated in ...

Ilya coaches and choreographs in all levels and styles. A World Class Adjudicator and Choreographer, he’s been a member of NDC since 2005 and has collaborated in the creation of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios International Latin Syllabus. Ilya has also appeared on American Ballroom Challenge and ...

Gabriela is the Owner, Manager and Dance Director of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Morristown, New Jersey. She started dancing and competing in Ballroom at the age of 10 in her native Bulgaria, where she won the National Open International Standard title and represented her country in the Worl...

Emilia Poghosyan, born in 1984, moved to the United States in 2008. In her Armenian journey of dancing, Emilia was an Armenian 10-Dance and Latin Champion for several years. In America, in 2010, Emilia started to dance with her partner, Hayk Balasanyan in the Professional Latin Division. During ...

Chantal coaches at the Amateur, Pro/Am and Professional levels. She’s a Choreographer at all levels and styles, and is successful in making coaching, choreography and studio Showcases fun and easy to learn.

ACHIEVEMENTS
2-Time Undefeated Canadian Amateur Latin American Champion
2-Time Undefeated...

Eddie specializes in all areas of International Latin, Standard, American Smooth, American Rhythm, as well as choreography for Showcases, Solos and Novelties. Eddie is a Choreography Specialist on Open Routines and coaches top competitive couples in the country.

ACHIEVEMENTS
USA National Rising ...

Marina is equally strong in coaching in all styles of Dance Sport, for dancers of all levels. She is particularly interested in dance fundamentals, the articulation of the body, and developing an understanding of the mechanics of anatomy. She also enjoys assisting dancers in developing their own ...

Istvan Cserven is an official United States NDCA Adjudicator and highly sought after-Coach, Trainer and Examiner. He has spent over 20 years with Fred Astaire Dance Studios, serving as Instructor, Dance Director, Studio Manager, Examiner and Regional Trainer. He has worked with students and high-...

Tina is originally from Bulgaria, and has been dancing for over 25 years. In the year 2000, she made the decision to follow her dream to become a professional dancer, and moved to New York City where she resides currently. Tina immediately got a position at one of the leading dance studios in Man...

Olga was born in Novokuznetsk, Russia and studied ballet and gymnastics before starting Ballroom dancing in 1978. Over these years she’s danced at more than 500 Dance Sport Championships. Olga is currently a Long Island NY Area Franchise Developer, and an Owner and Manager of the Fred Astaire Dan...