Dance Weekend Faculty

Fran Chesleigh — is the Dance Director and Emcee for Stardust Dance Productions. An accomplished dancer and musician, Fran has been teaching social dance for more than 50 years. He currently teaches at Dance Manhattan, at the Argentine Consulate in New York City, and at the Firehouse in Maywood, New Jersey. Fran co-produced the well-received AMC documentary “Gotta Dance.”

Donna Desimone — 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.

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.

Norma Granofsky— has been teaching ballroom dancing for all of her adult life, including 5 years at the world renowned Grossinger Hotel. She has taught master classes for Dance Educators of America, and performed at Madison Square Garden. Norma choreographed over 30 musicals, including at the Westbury Music Fair. She currently teaches independently on Long Island, New York.

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, New York specializing in choreography for wedding couples.

Galina Nikitina — started to dance at 3 and was offered her first job as dance teacher’s assistant at 17 for Rostov-on-Don State University’s dance team. In the US she taught at Fred Astaire and Kaiser Dance Academy in Queens and coached advanced students and teachers at Arthur Murray in Long Island, NY. As a competitor in American Rhythm Professional division Galina danced in finals and won Arthur Murray Championship in 1999. Presently Galina is a guest teacher at BIS dance studio in Moscow, Russia and as a coach at Arthur Murray Studio in Green Brook, N.J.

Leon Harris has been dancing tango since 1992 and has studied with some of the most renowned Argentine Tango Instructors. Not only does he dance and organize Argentine Tango events, but also all sorts of Latin dances parties (Salsa, Merengue, ChaCha, Afro-Cuban dances). Leon teaches small and large groups of students in his studio and other locations throughout the Washington DC metro area.

Wingo Hom –Throughout his 40 plus years of dance experience, Wingo achieved more than 450 first place titles; 31 Jack & Jill first place titles, and with his partner, received the International Hustle Dance Association Points Awards as the 2006 Amateur Hustle Dancers of the year. He earned the Top Teacher Award at the world Hustle Dance Championships. At Disco American 2009, he was the Top Male Hustle Teacher.

Esther Odescalchi — began ballroom dancing at the age of twelve in her native Hungary. Currently, she teaches, performs, choreographs and lectures on ballroom dancing. She is a certified Dance Master and member of the NY Society of Teachers of Dancing. She is the author of numerous dance-related articles, lectures at colleges and universities.

Jack Kellner & Miyoung Kim — are three time US Theater Arts champions. Miyoung is originally from Korea where she completed her college degree in dance. She studied ballroom in England, salsa in LA and Latin in NY. In 2003 she finished second in the US in pro/am international Latin at USDSC. Jack is from New York and is also a two-time US cabaret dance champion. He has performed in ballets and in major motion pictures. Miyoung and Jack are three times US Theater Arts Champions awarded by USA Dance.

Paolo Lanna — has been specializing in swing partner dances such as the Lindy Hop, Balboa and Collegiate Shag since 1995. In 2000 he was invited by Wynton Marsalis to travel with The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Shortly thereafter, he joined with "Swing Dance American" and "Forever Swing". A returning guest instructor at Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing for the past 10 years, Paolo is also co-founder of Summer Jamboree Dance Camp in Italy, Central Park Swings, Swing Remix and the Shake, Rhythm & Roll Festival.

Emily Vanston—is a passionate teacher performer, and social dancer, specializing in Lindy Hop and other swing-era dances. She teaches at Dance Flurry festival in Saratoga Springs, Swing Out New Hampshire Dance Camp, and is based at Dance Manhattan Studio in NYC. Emily has danced with New York's Big Apple Lindy Hoppers, the Lindy Hop All-Stars, the Jivadeers, the Vanaver Caravan, General Mischief Dance Theater, and the Palmer Arts Collaborative. When not teaching, competing, performing, or choreographing, Emily can usually be found in her natural habitat..on the dance floor.

Diana Heilig—began dancing at an early age studying tap, jazz, ballet, and hip hop. Diana competes in every major dance competition in the Latin division and has won numerous awards including Harvest Moon Champion and Indiana's Professional Rising Star Champion.  In 2003, Diana and her partner finished 3rd out of 50,000 competitors on ABC Family's Dance Fever reality show. Today she continues on her dance journey, teaching, competing, learning, and inspiring others.

Rodrigue Edouard—born and raised in Haiti has demonstrated his talents as a seasoned teacher, competitor and performer. Since coming to the United States, Rodrigue has made a significant impact to the ballroom and Latin dance culture in South Florida, and he now brings his talents to New York. In the competition circuit, Rodrigue placed fourth place in the 2003 World Mambo competition and the 2008 US National Mambo Championship. His most recent TV appearance was on Season 10 of Dancing with the Stars.

Valeria Carmel & Daniel Rodriguez—Valeria has been performing and teaching Argentine Tango for the past 12 years throughout the USA, Europe, and in Argentina. She taught and performed on various stages at the Escuela Argentina de Tango. Daniel trained in his native Buenos Aires with various tango maestros and authentic milongueros. A popular guest teacher in England, France, and the United States, Daniel teaches at the Cultural Center Torquato Tasso and La Escuela de Tango in Buenos Aires.

Erik & Anna Novoa—Erik has been dancing for 20 years, starting with ballet and continuing through jazz, modern dance, musical theater, and West Coast swing. In the years following, he soared through the rankings and has been a top ten finalist in the US open three times. Two years after starting West Coast Swing, he also won the national championships for Hustle. Anna combines the discipline of classical ballet with the creativity of partner dancing. She trained and performed in both classical and modern styles and also competed in ballroom/Latin dance while at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is known throughout the northeast for her "spins, turns, and technique" classes for partner dancing.

APPEARING ON OUR STAGE

• Valeria Carmel & Daniel Rodriguez-Argentine Tango Masters

• Paolo Lanna & Emily Vanston-All-Star Lindy Hoppers

• Erik & Anna Novoa-Showcase Exhibitionist

• Rodrigue Edouard & Diana Helig-American Rhythm Competitors

• Jack Kellner & Miyoung Kim-Theater Arts

DANCE WEEKEND DJ'S/Band

The Joey Thomas Big Band-Classic foxtrot, jumping swing, sultry salsa..you name it, they play it! This award winning ballroom dance orchestra features 16 top professional musicians plus male vocalist, playing a wide range of tunes for your total dancing pleasure. Nominated three times for the Grammy Award, with a music library of over 2000 arrangements, this band does it all!

• Your Ballroom Favorites MB Music - Michelle & Bob Friedman

• Buenos Aires Style Milonga Mark Sakowski

• Hustle, Swing, West Coast, and Latest Dance Music Johnny Ortiz

• Hippest, Hottest Latin Beat with La Maganette's Jeff Stennett