Band
Eight to the Bar
A six-person group of consummate musicians and vocalists who can play everything including ballroom, jazz, swing, the blues, and even country and pop.
COLLIN TILTON - TENOR AND ALTO SAXOPHONES, FLUTE
Van Morrison's Moondance Etta James’ which included being on the Rolling Stones' “Some Girls”Caldwell-Winfield Blues BandJames Cotton’s Johnny Tillotson, Robbie Dupree Carla BleyVanJethro Tull. Best known for his sax and flute playing on Van Morrison's quadruple-platinum-selling Moondance album, Collin went on to play in Etta James’ band which included being on the Rolling Stones' 1978 U.S. Tour (“Some Girls”). Before joining ETTB in the late eighties, he served as horn arranger/section leader with Clarence Clemons and the Red Bank Rockers. His eclectic resume also includes being a member of the Caldwell-Winfield Blues Band, a member of legendary bluesman James Cotton’s band, Johnny Tillotson, Robbie Dupree (“Hot Rod Hearts”), and making a jazz record with Carla Bley. Most recently, his flute solo on Van Morrison's epic song "Mondance" was selected to be in a book called "25 Great Flute Solos", released on Hal Leonard Publishing, along with other heavyweights such as Jethro Tull.
CYNTHIA LYON - BAND LEADER, VOCALS, KEYBOARD Inspired by the legacy of her mother (who sang with her two sisters in a vocal trio during WWII), Cynthia started Eight to the Bar in 1975 and had her three sisters join her in the band’s early days. She is ETTB's band leader, keyboard player and primary songwriter and arranger and has also played with Amyl and the Icons and the Dirty Blondes of New York City.
BRINNA JONES - VOCALS, PERCUSSION started singing professionally in 2002, working with a Boston-based show band followed by backing vocal gigs with many different tribute artists. In 2005, she opened for Bob Newhart, backed by a 10-piece orchestra. The following year she joined the Northeast-renowned group Souled Out, singing background vocals, and opening for The Drifters, The Pointer Sisters and The Temptations. Brinna has written some songs for ETTB, notably the cool, Latin-flavored "September Blue" from the band's 11th CD "The Romper Room".
KEVIN JOHNSON - GUITAR, VOCALS holds a Masters of Music Degree from Portland State University where he studied with world-renowned guitarist and composer Brian Johanson. He fronted the lively duo Celtic Corner in Portland, Oregon and appeared aboard Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seasand Radiance of the Seas. He also plays bass, fife, flute, and saxophone.
ERIC KUHN - BASS GUITAR, VOCALS has been a bassist, vocalist, and composer in Connecticut since the late 1970s. In 1988 he formed The Bus
beloved Middletown, (CT) rock trio, with Michael Cleary and Paul Bozzi. Eric is known for a voice that can range from do-wop bass to swing soprano in the vocal trio.
JUSTIN BLACKBURN - DRUMS, VOCALS A versatile drummer and soulful singer, Justin holds a degree in Music from Eastern Connecticut State University. He has performed with many local and national acts including Dave Costa and Peter Tork as well as his pursuing his own projects. Justin currently resides in the quiet corner of CT where he can be found teaching drums and jamming with the local musicians.
Entertainers & Dance Instructors
Marcos Pereira & Florencia Borgnia
Marcos Pereira is an Argentine Tango dancer, performer and instructor, born in Chubut, Argentina, where he started studying Tango as a teenager, with a background in ballet, contemporary and argentinian folk dancing. At the age of 21 he moved to Buenos Aires, the cradle and heart of Tango, where he decided to stay forever. He started studying with many of the best teachers and "milongueros" from Buenos Aires. It was in 2013 when he met Florencia, with whom started their career working in several Tango Shows in Buenos Aires and teaching at the "Escuela Argentina de Tango". In 2015, they got the Second Place in the Buenos Aires Tango Championship, and they were 3 times finalists of the World Tango Championship. In 2016 they started to travel to the US, and during the latest years, they have been travelling all around the USA, Asia and Mexico, teaching and performing at most important Tango Festivals, Schools and Events.
Florencia Borgnia is an Argentine Tango dancer, performer and instructor, born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As the daughter of a ballet dancer, Florencia inherited a passion for dance, beginning her ballet education at the age of 4. But was being a teenager when she discovered Tango in her neighborhood (Almagro), the dance that would captivate her forever. Since then, she never stopped studying from the many of the most well known masters in Buenos Aires. It was in 2013 when she met Marcos, with whom started their career working in several Tango Shows in Buenos Aires and teaching at the "Escuela Argentina de Tango". In 2015, they got the Second Place in the Buenos Aires Tango Championship, and they were 3 times Finalists of the World Tango Championship. In 2016 they started to travel to the US, and during the latest years, they have been travelling all around the USA, Asia and Mexico, teaching and performing at most important Tango Festivals, Schools and Events. They are currently based in New York City where they teach and perform regularly.
Marcos and Florencia's dance combines the elegance, smoothness and precision of the Tango Salon style, with the virtuosity and fantasy achieved with their stage work throughout their career. As instructors, they are characterized by their deep technique and organized work.Among their recent works and achievements we can mention: Instructors and Judges at the 2023 ATUSA (US Official Argentine Tango Championship) - Instructors and Judges at the 2022 Mexican National Tango Championship. VALENTANGO Festival (Portland); LAS VEGAS TANGO FESTIVAL; PITTSBURGH TANGO FESTIVAL; ALBUQUERQUE Tango Festival ; TANGO ARGENTINA Show US Tour ; ELLA ES TANGO Show at the Gala Hispanic Theatre. -Washington DC- (with the Pan American Symphony Orchestra); DENVER TANGO FESTIVAL; NEW YORK CITY Tango Festival; among others.
Tatiana Keegan & Anatoliy Shvarts
Tatiana Keegan was the Russian Amateur National Champion in Ten Dances before coming to the United States and winning many of the top professional Open and Rising Star International Latin championships, including the Ohio Star Ball and the U.S. Ballroom Championship with Tony Dovolani. After a seven-year break to get married and start a family, she returned to reach the World Professional Latin Championships in Germany. Last year, she turned amateur to compete in her age category and formed a successful partnership with Anatoliy Shvarts.
Anatoliy Shvarts started dancing in his native Moldova, where he was the national youth champion. After moving to the United States, he partnered with Renata Golbert and placed 3rd in the U.S. National Amateur Latin Championships. The couple turned professional and made the finals in many top U.S. national and international competitions. In 2001, Anatoliy retired from competitive dancing to pursue other career interests but returned to the competitive circuit last year as an amateur with new partner Tatiana Keegan. 2019 U.S. amateur national champions in International Latin (age 35+) and 3rd in the WDC amateur world championship (40+) in Ireland. Sponsored by Freed of London.
DJ's
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.
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.
Argentine Tango DJ Maia Martinez
is an Argentine Tango dance instructor & performer. Maia has been focusing on building the Tango community in the Hudson Valley for the last decade. In efforts to expand Tango, she started DJing for her own events where she found great joy and discovered a new exciting way to make people dance. For the last few years Maia has been exploring and learning about the magical world of Argentine Tango DJ’s. Maia takes DJing very seriously, which means she knows we must have fun. She brings an exciting selection of well known pieces with a few delightful and fresh tunes. A Milonga with Maia is a dance party!
WCS/Hustle/Country DJ Lou Brockman
a past national ballroom champion and the only ever National Dirty Dancing Champion, as seen on the Oprah Winfrey Show, has been a deejay for major dance studios and special events in New York City for more than two decades, including residencies at Dance New York and Dance Manhattan, bringing his championship dancer’s love to the sounds that make everybody want to move.
Dance Instructors
Edgar Osorio-CEO & Dance Instructor
Professional World Class Ballroom and Latin Dancer, Salsa and Argentine Tango,choreographer ,Teacher, Coach, Dance Performer and Pro /Am partner Of many successful students. Owner CEO and founder of the “OSORIO DanceSport studio” Ballroom and Latin dance. Located in the ballroom of the Hurleyville performance Art centrE, 219 Main St.Hurleyville N.Y. 12747 Edgar started dancing at the age of 14 learning the disciplines of Mexican Folk Dance as well as jazz, Ballet, Modern Dance and Martial Arts. He also participated in TV commercials and theatre art productions . He moved to Buenos Aires Argentina for one year to study Argentine Tango with the legendary Carlos Gavito In Marcella Durán. Because of his passion for dance , he decided to move to New York and dance 24/7. Edgar started working at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios for 13 years , learning the business and making Ballroom and Latin Dance his priority and new career. He had great success in teaching, competing and coaching . His outstanding performance made him gain many National titles since 2000. He holds multiple titles as a champion in the Rising Star category and open professional , finalist in the U.S Nationals in American Rhythm competition. In 2010, he placed first in the professional National USDCS, United States Dance Championship, U.S. Mambo Championship and the World Salsa Championship held in Miami and Puerto Rico. His great abilities for dance gave him the opportunity to work with the 4th grade children’s at the White plain Elementary School and several semesters for the ballroom program at the campusat SUNY Purchase University, New York, as well as coaching Raising stars and professionals. Edgar has been participating in many Professional and Pro/ Am competitions around the world, traveling to Greece (Greece OpenChampionship), Italy (Castelbrando Cup), Costa Rica (Costa Rica Classic Championship), Mexico, ( Mexico Open Dance Championship) Blackpool (London ) and throughout the United States. His outstanding performances, creativity and character brought him to a successful career in Ballroom dancing, mastering the International and American styles salsa and Argentine Tango . In 2011 Edgar was one of the choreogrspher for the movie MUSICAL CHAIRS directed by Susan Sideman. Edgar worked with both professional able bodies and disabled wheelchairs dancers. Edgar also choreographed the mayor dance scenes .
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.
Heather Gehring-Dance Instructor
originally from Vermont, studied classical ballet with Boston Ballet, School of American Ballet and Hartford Ballet, becoming a professional at age sixteen. Besides the stage, Heather has danced on TV (MTV, Gossip Girls, Today Show, Tony Danza Show, Boardwalk Empire), and in movies and commercials (Enchanted, Little Manhattan). With her partner Lou Brockman, she has traveled the world teaching and performing their unique “Silver Screen Style” as well as performing in many infamous NYC venues including Town Hall (with Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks), 54 Below, Rainbow Room and Birdland. They have taught and performed at Jacob’s Pillow, Harvard University and NYU.
Lou Brockman-MC/Dance Instructor
a Chicago native, began ballroom dancing when he was a young teen. He has lived in NYC for over two decades and has danced in films (Mona Lisa Smile, Disney’s “Enchanted”), and had featured performances on television (The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, NBC’s Today Show, Michael Feinstein’s American Songbook, Boardwalk Empire), and on stages around the world (The Kennedy Center, Joyce Theater, Jacob’s Pillow) Lou was a member of the acclaimed American Ballroom Theater and is a highly respected choreographer who has taught master classes at Harvard University and NYU.
Linda Leverock-Dance Instructor
Joyce Henderson-Dance Instructor
Founder and Executive Director, Faith In Motion Dance Studio. Joyce was born in Brooklyn, but has lived in the Hudson Valley for over 30 years. She has 20 years of Ballroom and Latin teaching and performing experience that includes over 10 years of Author Murray training and competitive dance. Joyce specializes in Latin and Ballroom genres but also teaches Hustle, Hip Hop and liturgical dancing. With Joyce's extensive dance background and her passion for teaching, Faith In Motion Dance Studio was founded and opened over 4 years ago and has been growing and thriving ever since. Faith In Motion teaches the genres of Salsa, Argentine Tango, Bachata, Rumba, Samba, Swing, Foxtrot, Waltz as well as Hip Hop, African dance and much more! Joyce takes great pride that Faith In Motion is invited to perform throughout the Hudson Valley all year long (i.e. annual Hudson Valley Fiesta Latina, YMCA's Cultural Day, Goshen's Great American Weekend, as well as various Chamber of Commerce events). Our Instructors have extensive experience and are committed and dedicated to seeing each and every student grow into the best dancers they are fully convinced they can be! All the while having fun doing what we all love to do....dance!
