FRAN CHESLEIGH —
is the dance director and emcee for Stardust Dance
Productions. An accomplished musician and dancer,
Fran specializes in Tango. He co-produced the AMC
documentary “Gotta Dance”, is currently writing a
book on Palladium era Mambo and teaches at Dance
Manhattan.
DONNA DE SIMONE
— Co-owner, director and choreographer of Dance
Odyssey and Entertainment Director for Stardust,
Donna holds numerous Ballroom and Latin Titles. She
has performed throughout the US and China as a solo
and ensemble dancer.
NINO DIGUILO —
Founder and Executive Director of May I Have This
Dance, Nino is one of the most popular instructors
and performers in the mid West. Teaching for over
12 years, he trains and manages a staff of over 20
top dance professionals. Although a Master
Instructor in all Ballroom and Latin dances he is
most active on the West Coast Swing, Salsa and
Hustle circuit and was recently a featured staff
member at the World Hustle Championships and Swing
Dance America.
JACKIE HORNER —
A long-standing member of Dance Educators of
America, Jackie has an extensive background in
Ballroom, Latin and performing arts. She was the
story consultant and inspiration for the film “Dirty
Dancing”.
NICK LECAKES —
Nick’s 48-year career as an instructor has taken him
from Hawaii to
Puerto Rico where he was
a featured dancer on TV as well as a choreographer.
Long affiliated with Arthur Murray in addition to
teaching jazz for the last 10 years, he currently
works with Dance Manhattan.
NORTON HYMAN —
toured the US as a dance professional for over 20
years as a member of the acclaimed dance team Norton
and Patricia. Now retired from stage and screen he
teaches ballroom dance with his wife
AGI in Monticello, NY.
BEN MURTHA
& ESTHER ODESCALCHI — Esther began dancing in
Budapest at the age of twelve. Ben has taught at
Dale, Arthur Murray, Fred Astaire and other leading
dance studios across the country. They are
co-owners of E&B
Dance Academy.
FRANK ELIA — was
a night club performer before joining Dance
Educators of America in the 1970’s. At present he
teaches dance for a number of colleges and Fortune
500 companies in addition to working as a
professional DJ. He is associated with various
dance studios in
Westchester NY
specializing in choreography for wedding couples.
NORMA GRANOFSKY
— has been teaching ballroom dancing for all of her
adult life, including 5 years on the staff of the
world renowned Grossinger Resort and Country Club.
She has taught master classes for Dance Educators of
America, performed at Madison
Square Garden and
recently choreographed a show at Westbury Music
Fair. She currently teaches independently on Long
Island, NY.
ANGEL GARCIA
CLEMENTE — Director and Choreographer of TANGO Y MAS
Theatrical dance company. Originator of DANCE FURY,
and ROXANA'S TANGO nominated for best musical and
best director in 2007 by the ACE awards. He is one
of New York’s most popular and accomplished dancers
and Choreographers. Audiences throughout the U.S.,
South America and Europe
have cheered the intensity and authenticity that is
the hallmark of his work. Angel is known for his
elegant and passionate interpretations of Argentine
Tango and Latin American Folklore, including Salsa
and Merengue.
ROBERTO PAGAN —
Owns, directs and produces an entertainment company,
New York Express, which was been established over 20
years and for the past ten years he has owned
Roberto’s Dance Studio in New Jersey. He has earned
over 200 professional dance titles including
American Smooth & Rhythm, Hustle, Mambo, Salsa,
Theater Arts & Show Dance. He has trained in
International Latin & Standard and special skills in
drops, lifts and tricks. Roberto Pagan and his new
Dance partner Rosa Guiliana Paredes took 1st place
in Disco America- 3 dance championship (Hustle,
Salsa, & Swing); in the World’s Hustle Championship-
1st place in the Closed Hustle Division, and 2nd in
the Open Hustle Division.
JASON COLACINO
— is highly regarded in the dance world, with a
wealth of talent in West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop,
East Coast Swing, Country Western, Argentine Tango,
Salsa, Jazz, and Ballet. He won the US Open Swing
Championship as well as the World Country Western
Championship. Jason has been featured in several
stage productions including Swango, Tango Dreams,
and A Broadway Tribute. Jason teaches
internationally and judges Country Western and West
Coast Swing competitions.
MARIANA PARMA —
Dancer/choreographer, is widely known and admired
for her masterful expertise in Argentine Tango and
Swing. She is an in-demand performer and has
choreographed theater productions. Mariana has been
featured in film, including Random Hearts, and on
national TV. Based in NYC, she was a producer and
performer in the off-Broadway hit Swango, the
Musical, and coached Chita Rivera on how to tango
for Venecia.
FIDEL E.
GONZÁLEZ — has been dancing since he was a child in
Ecuador and taught for both Arthur Murray and Dance
World Studios. He has taught all styles in studios
and privately for close to 20 years. Today he is a
sought-after private instructor in the DC metro
area. Competent and well grounded in all styles of
dance, it is the Latin dances, especially Salsa, Cha
Cha, Rumba and Merengue that remain particularly
close to his heart.
MARIANA FRESNO —
One of the most dynamic Tango performers, Mariana
graduated from the National School of Dance in
Buenos Aires, where she studied Ballet, Folklore,
Jazz and Modern Dance until she met Tango. She has
studied under such prominent porteño instructors as
Juan Carlos Copes, Mingo and Esther Pugliese,
Graciela González, Gustavo Naveira, José Garófalo,
Facundo and Kely and with renowned milongueros such
as Tete and Silvia. She starred in Buenos Aires
Tango Show with the Walter Ríos Orchestra in Japan
and toured Chile with Osvaldo Zotto's show as well
as dancing in the film Evita.
LUCAS JAIME
& JANA SAMKOVA — are North American Champions
in American Rhythm who recently placed third in the
US Ballroom Championships in Theater Arts. Jana was
ranked 24th in the World Championships at Blackpool
in 2002 and is a former Czechoslovakian Latin
champion. Lucas’ titles include US Rising Star in
Theater Arts and Canadian Theater Arts Champion.
They each showcase their Latin, Ballroom and Ballet
training in the Divino Ritmo Dance Company founded
and directed by Lucas. They teach, coach, compete
and perform together throughout the US and Canada.
MARK JAMES — A
member of the Hustle Hall of Fame and 1999’s Around
the Floor Teacher of the Year Mark holds over 30
championship titles. He is an independent teacher,
coach and choreographer with extensive training in
American and International Rhythm and Smooth. He
lives, performs and teaches on Long Island where he
hosts the popular Dance Zone.
KAREN LUPO — is
a much sought after coach, teacher and choreographer
known for her elegant and sensual style. She is a
former American Rhythm champion who is a regular
performer in and around NYC as well as on
international cruise ships. She and her partner
Mark James integrate their exciting performances
with lifts and drops for added punch
GEORGE MADERSKI
— began dancing at the age of six. In 1974, he
performed with the Joffre Ballet and in 1986 and
1988 with the American Ballroom Theater. He won
first place in theatrical and cabaret at the
American Star Ball, The Professional Harvest Moon
Ball, and second place at the Texas Challenge, as
well as Classique Du Quebec. He has taught for Fred
Astaire, Arthur Murray, and many independent dance
studios. At present, he teaches privately in
Merrick,
NY, as well as adult
education classes in Nassau
County.
PETER LOCURATOLO
— is a Ballroom, Swing and Latin dance performer who
has been featured at resorts, clubs and dance events
throughout the US. He is a member of Dance Masters
of America who currently teaches and coaches at
Dance Manhattan.
