DJs
Ballroom DJs Michelle & Bob Friedman
have been part of the ballroom dance word for the past 30 years. As avid dancers they started with Ballroom Dance Lessons, and for the past 17 years as professional DJs – specializing in Ballroom Music. In 2001 they even won Top Couple in a Good Morning America 25 hour dance marathon. They have a comprehensive music library of over 40,000 tracks, which includes all types of Ballroom, Smooth, Latin, Rhythm, Hustle, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango and other specialty dances. They are northeast coast DJ favorites spanning NY, CT, NJ, PA, & DE areas, and are regulars at the world famous Stardust Dance Weekends. They are equally at home playing their music for Ballroom Socials, Showcases, Competitions, and professional performances for some of the world’s most famous ballroom couples. While preferences in music certainly vary from person to person, what they use as their criteria when choosing music to play is really very simple - does it make dancers feel like they just have to get up and move, or doesn’t it? They get great satisfaction when they watch dancers who were heading for their seats at the end of a song turn around and pull each other back out to the dance floor time and again as a new piece begins.
West Coast Swing/Hustle/California Mix Dj John Lindo
is an International Award-winning West Coast Swing Dance Champion & Instructor. He is a man of style, grace and humor. Above all, he is one of the most joyful advocates of the dance. After beginning in country-western dance in 1992, John quickly made his mark on the West Coast Swing circuit by garnering an astonishing number of awards and championships in Jack-and-Jill and Strictly Swing contests. First Place awards include the U.S. Open, Grand Nationals, and Phoenix Champion of Champions. John’s passion and talent for West Coast Swing has brought him international recognition. He actively participates in competitions and workshops around the world. John is sought after internationally for his knowledge, experience and teaching, in roles such as MC, organizer, judge, dancer, deejay and choreographer.
Argentine Tango DJ Leonardo Sardella
Latin DJ Harry Trinidad
mostly known as DJ Harry T. is a well-known Salsa DJ/Promoter in the NY Tri-state area since the year 2000. He is one of the Co-founders of Salsa Warriors Radio(www.salsawarriors.com) started in June of 2014 that is still going strong, serving Salsa lovers worldwide. Salsa music is his specialty, but he plays other Latin genres such as Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha etc. He is also a resident DJ on the world-renowned Salsa Cruise (www.salsacruise.com) that’s sails every year. He has deejayed in clubs in NY, CT, MA, FL and Puerto Rico. Harry also managed the Salsa in the Catskills weekend for 8 straight years (2010-2018). He currently plays throughout Connecticut where he lives and in New York.
INSTRUCTORS
Donna Desimone-Dance Instructor & Entertainment Director
has made dance her life long career since the age of 4. Her training, teaching and knowledge of tap, ballet, jazz, Broadway theater and ballroom has made her a diverse teacher and dancer to her students & classes. Donna has won countless dance and choreography awards in Ballroom and Hustle and resides on Long Island NY. Donna has been the Entertainment director for Stardust since 1993.
Wingo Hom
Wingo Hom - known as "The Dance Doctor" was born and raised in New York City. At age 11, he was introduced to partner dancing by his classmate’s parents. They were social dancers and demonstrated a variety of dances in their living room, which awakened his passion for all dances. His determination and motivation has rewarded him by studying under some of the finest instructors and coaches, which has lead him to compete in an array of dances such as, Hustle, American and International styles of Ballroom, Latin, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing and Salsa. He is known for his unique technique for diagnosing and improving your dance. The dance doctor makes house calls, you supply the floor space and he will bring the knowledge. Wingo has over 50+ years of dance experience and multiple accomplishments, which include: Recipient of the 2015 Artie Phillips Lifetime Achievement Award, Recipient of the 2014 Employee of the Year Award for Stardust Dance Productions, Winner of 10 Top Teacher Awards, Winner of the 2009 Dancing with the Stars Tour Version in Cha Cha and East Coast Swing competition in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, 2006 Amateur Male Hustle Dancer of the Year, First and only amateur hustle couple, with partner Angela McCabe, to defeat a professional Hustle couple in a competition, 649 first place titles, 34 Jack and Jill first place awards. Wingo is one of the very few instructors that is certified (lead and follow) in Hustle, 12 different American Smooth, Latin and Rhythm Styles at full Bronze and Silver Levels. He is also certified to Judge Dance competitions in all levels. Wingo is a familiar presence in the Hustle, West Coast Swing and Salsa community and is currently teaching in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida.
John Lindo-Dance Instructor/DJ
is an International Award-winning West Coast Swing Dance Champion & Instructor. He is a man of style, grace and humor. Above all, he is one of the most joyful advocates of the dance. After beginning in country-western dance in 1992, John quickly made his mark on the West Coast Swing circuit by garnering an astonishing number of awards and championships in Jack-and-Jill and Strictly Swing contests. First Place awards include the U.S. Open, Grand Nationals, and Phoenix Champion of Champions. John’s passion and talent for West Coast Swing has brought him international recognition. He actively participates in competitions and workshops around the world. John is sought after internationally for his knowledge, experience and teaching, in roles such as organizer, judge, dancer, deejay and choreographer.
Richard Givney-Dance Instructor
has a successful twenty four years’ experience in all aspects of the ballroom dancing industry through cultivating and achieving personal, professional and educational goals. He competed professionally in International Latin; has his teaching certifications in multiple syllabi, including both American and International dances, and franchised and independent curriculums. He continues to take lessons with top professionals for teaching and personal dance goals. Last year his ballroom dance program won the 2012 Best in Monmouth County, NJ Health & Life Magazine’s “Reader’s Choice Award”. Richard is available for private or semi-private lessons.
Nino DiGiulio-Dance Instructor
Owner and Executive Director of May I Have This Dance, one of the most popular social dance studios in the nation, Nino has created a unique curriculum and trained thousands of dance students and professionals. An expert in all ballroom and latin dances, he has won numerous top teacher awards and competitions in West Coast Swing and Hustle. He has been a featured instructor, coach, judge, and competitor at national events like Swing Dance America, World Hustle Championships, International Hustle & Salsa Championships, Swing City Chicago, Carolina Groove, NY Hustle Congress, and the Chicago Salsa Congress.
Nicole Gifford-Dance Instructor
A Senior Instructor with the prestigious May I Have This Dance studio based out of Chicago, Nicole is known for making even the most difficult steps easy. Students adore her and flock to her social ballroom dance classes. She also has a degree in dance and has directed her own Modern dance company for over a decade.
Amanda Doerr-Dance Instructor
A Master Instructor with the prestigious Chicago-based dance studio, May I Have This Dance, Amanda received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre/Dance at the University of Wisconsin. She is an award-winning choreographer and talented social dancer. Student's love Amanda's ability to put everyone at ease and make learning even complicated steps easy and fun.
Ben Morris & Victoria Henk
Ben Morris-Both a Champion Lindy Hopper and a Champion West Coast Swing Dancer; Ben Morris began swing dancing at the age of 12 and is now a 2 time World Swing Dance Champion, 3 time U.S. Open Swing Dance Champion, Spirit of Lindy Hop award winner, a California Swing Dance Hall of Fame award winner, and a featured dancer in the movie Love N’ Dancing and the Leann Rimes Music Video “Swingin.”
Victoria Henk began to compete and she quickly met with success, culminating in her winning the 2014 NASDE All Star Tour and immediately afterwards beginning to place and final in Champions divisions. She now teaches hip hop at Buddy Schimmer´s Dance Center, continues to train at the Edge Performing Arts Center in LA with the top choreographers in the world, travels around the globe to teach West Coast Swing with her new partner Ben Morris, and is a full-time student at a University.
Walter Perez-Dance Instructor
is a New York-based artist born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has built up his career as a Tango dancer, teacher and choreographer of Argentine Tango over 28 years. He is the founder and Executive director of Friends of Argentine Tango (www.friendsofargentinetango.org) a NY nonprofit organization established in 2013.Perez studied Psicologia Social at Nuestro Tiempo, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has performed and taught extensible worldwide at many festivals, dance companies, and theater performances: Argentina (1995-2000): Neotango Dance Company, La milonga, Los tangueros Dance company, Abecedario Dance company, Las tres Marias, De Refilon, and toured with the award winning musical Tangou directed by Anibal Pachano. USA (2000-currently): All that Tango; Red; Tango and Flamenco Fusion, The Trip, Let’s Speak Tango, Tango of the first century, Spotlight on Tango, Tango Connections and Recuerdo Tango, New generation Dance company (Jacobs Pillow), Las Vegas Red Carpet Tango Festival (2016,2017) In May 2018 Walter was the creator, director and dancer of the show “Male Tango” that was awarded by HOLA, outstanding Musical and outstanding performance in a musical together with Leonardo Sardella. Performed with Leonardo Sardella with World acclaimed band Tanghetto at Lincoln Center outdoor festival. In 2019 he was feature tango dancer at the film “Isn’t it romantic”, staring Rebel Wilson. Also performed at 2019 Cosquin Rock USA.
Teaching experience: Argentina (1994-2000): Ana Deustch Dance Studio, Colegio Nacional17, Holter Schule, Instituto Coreografico Argentino. USA (2000-Currently): Sandra Cameron, Dance Manhattan, Stepping Out Studios, Iati Theater, Dardo Galletto Studios, Friends of Argentine Tango, Brooklyn Public Library Creative Aging, Lifetime Arts, Hispanic Federation, Cothoa Luncheon S.C.
In 2010 he creates with Leonardo Sardella, “Malevaje Tango” same sex tango couple, teaching and performing worldwide. Since 2015 Walter Perez with Leonardo Sardella are the organizers the NY Queer Tango Weekend, a four days International festival, 2019 was the fifth year of the festival
Cameron Johnson-Dance Instructor
Hailing from South Africa, Cameron Johnson started his dancing career at the age of 5, under the tutelage of his parents.Cameron is the unbeaten South African International Standard Champion in the Junior, Amateur and Professional ranks. In 1996 Cameron represented South Africa in the Open Fleetwood Professional Championship in Blackpool, England and was placed 6th. Also in 1996, Cameron represented South Africa in the Open French Masters Professional Championship on the Isle of Reunion and was placed 3rd. In 2000, Cameron was invited to immigrate and teach in the USA, where he has since made his home. In 2008, Cameron represented the USA at the World Pro/Am Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina and was placed 1st. To date, Cameron is still active in the competitive Pro/Am arena where he teaches and moulds his students into the best dancers they can be. Since 1995, Cameron started studying to do his professional qualification exams and In 1996, achieved a Highly Commended pass rate as an Associate in International Standard through the South African National Council of Ballroom Dancing. In 1999, Cameron also achieved a Highly Commended pass rate as an Associate in International Latin and a Highly Commended pass rate as a Licentiate in International Standard through the United Kingdom Alliance in London, England.
FITNESS INSTRUCTORS
Marion Panos-Fitness Instructor
Belly Dance Instructor - In 2009, Marion joined our fitness staff and teaches Belly Dance classes at the weekends. Marion is trained in several styles of dance, including jazz, modern, Afro-Brazilian, African, Middle Eastern and Ballroom. She is proficient in American style ballroom and Latin and has also studied International Standard. She competed around the country at the pro-am level in American style ballroom and Latin for many years. She was a professional Middle Eastern dancer and has been teaching Belly Dance for more than 15 years.
Molly Gelsomino-Fitness Instructor
Molly will be having morning Zumba classes Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 am to get you ready to dance. Originally from Upstate, New York. She has a diverse background in the arts, including a BA in Dance from the University at Buffalo, over 15 years of performance and choreography in concert dance and 6 years as a Dance Educator in the Brooklyn Public Schools. Molly is a former professional cheerleader for the AFL, and spent 6 years in NYC as a Co-Artistic Director for The Movement Collective Dance Company. As a newer resident of Sullivan County, Molly found Zumba® to be the most exciting way to fuse her passion for dance. music and fitness. Molly enjoys inspiring her clients and encouraging her classes to feel the music, join the party and have a fun fitness experience upon stepping into the studio.
