Rock This Town

ROCK THIS TOWN is the Ultimate and Only BRIAN SETZER Tribute Band in the USA. It is at the forefront of the swing revival in popular music, blending a vibrant fusion of the American sounds of classic 50’s rock & roll and big band swing with the energy and spirit of contemporary culture.

ROCK THIS TOWN is much more than a simple tribute band, it takes inspiration from Brian Setzer’s approach to the music and some of the most influential creators of this uniquely American art form. The band’s guitar-horns infused music and legendary high energy show introduces this genre to the younger generations as well as bringing back precious memories to the more mature audiences while remaining cognizant and respectful of the music’s rich legacy.

Ballroom DJs Michelle & Bob Friedman

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.

West Coast Swing/Hustle/California Mix DJ Philip C. Spinka

Working as a Disc Jockey, event planner & director for over 30 years, Philip has been invited to DJ at dance events around the country. Working as a professional dancer, instructor, & performer for nearly 20 years, Philip received teaching certifications in Hustle & West Coast Swing from the IHDA & GPDIA.  As a competitor, he won & placed in hundreds of events, including Rising Star placements.  Excelling at West Coast Swing, Hustle & Theater Arts, he also trained in Ballroom, Tango, Latin, Country, Ballet & Jazz. Based in New York at Stepping Out Studio for several years, Philip taught & performed in NY & across the USA.  On staff at Stardust Dance Productions for nearly 20 years, he has worked in NY & on cruise ships.  Philip now teaches mostly at his “Studio 221” in Clarks Summit, PA.

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!

LUIS RAMIREZ & ANALIA CARRENO

YURII ZHYLTSOV & VALERIIA ZHYLTSOVA

Yurii Zhyltsov, a Professional dancer and Ballroom/International Latin teacher, based in New Jersey, Yurii was born in Ukraine and recently moved to NJ. Yurii started when he was 4 to continue the family tradition, Yurii's parents are professional Ballroom dancers and teachers. After graduating from the Dancing conservatory Yurii started his career as a Professional dancer on cruise lines (AIDA, Royal Caribbean). For 5 years he performed World Wide in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Yurii was a Lead dancer in different production shows with multiple styles like Jazz, modern, fusion, and Latin choreography. After some time of working as a Lead dancer, he continued his career as Dance Capitan and Featured Ballroom dancer with Cruise lines companies, which gave him a chance to experience and be successful in managing and training Cast members and Choreographing shows on board the ships Yuri Holds Multiple titles in Ukraine as Champion and Finalist in the most prestigious competitions in Ukraine, Open Latin and Rising Stars category. In 2015 and in 2018 Champion of South and East Region in Ukraine, 2019 Finalist in Ukrainian championships Top 4 couples of the country. With his great experience as a professional stage performer and International Latin Competitor Yurii moved to NJ and successfully started his teaching career in DanceWithMe. Yurii learned and danced Jazz, Modern, Pop, Fusion dance styles but his passion is Latin dances where he thinks dancers can go through a variety of emotions, and its his pleasure to share that with the World.

Valeriia Zhyltsova Started dancing at 4 as a ballet dancer, mastered that in yang age, and wanted to challenge herself more with the other styles like: jazz, modern contemporary, afro-jazz, so after years of experiencing different styles find something very competitive and exciting is international Latin and started to compete in this style. With her partnership after 2 years she got Ukrainian champion title in 2017 and 2018 back to back, after she successfully continued her career as a featured dancer on Cruise Line Royal Caribbean. Valeriia Zhyltsova is a dancer who works every day to fulfill the highest expression of herself as a human being and an artist. Valeriia has studied at the Ukrainian University of Culture and Arts and graduated with a bachelor of choreography. For more than 5 years Valeriia has performed on stages in the world-famous cruise company Royal Caribbean. Worked with famous choreographers, and directors ( Kevin&Marcel Wilson, Laris Gec, Michael Malitowki, Joanna Leunis, ) . She worked in different show styles jazz, commercial, cabaret, musical theater, but still the Latin American program remains her favorite style as one of the most technical directions. Since moving to the US, Valeriia has deepened her knowledge of the professional Latin American sports program and showcases are now pursuing a career as a professional Latin dancer. 

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.

Edgar Osorio-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 .

Linda Leverock-Dance Instructor

Maia Martinez & David Salvatierra-Dance Instructors

are Directors and instructors of Dojo Dance Company. They bring a refreshing touch to the dance community of The Hudson Valley, New York. Dojo dance company is a Dance school located in Hudson valley that performs and teaches Argentine Tango, Latin Rhythms & Martial Arts. Their main goals are to share cultural values, create community through dance and improve life style by inspiring people to move. Dance Company opens a new way for people to learn HOW to dance, HOW to connect with themselves and then to everyone else. They are truly committed to their students, and offer an unique style, original and organic of teaching/learning. They are able to connect your inner and outside music!! 

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-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.

Sergei Slussky-Dance Instructor

discovered Ballroom Dance while he was a student of Fine Arts in Yaroslavl, Russia. Drawn to the world of competitive ballroom dance, Sergei joined the Dancesport Formation Team "Vesna," touring in Russia, Poland and Romania and earning top honors in many events. Sergei's competition experiences eventually led him to teaching when he became the dance coach of a Formation team in his birthplace, Arkhangelsk, Russia. In 1991, Sergei came to Portland, Maine where he taught before entering Brigham Young University, renowned for having the largest collegiate Ballroom Dance program in the world. While at Brigham Young, Sergei excelled at the Ballroom Dance Medal Tests and danced with the BYU Formation team. After his time at BYU, Sergei taught dance in Boston before returning to Portland, Maine, his adopted hometown.

In 1998 with a "Highly Commended" score he became a member of the prestigious Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) and later, Dance Vision International Dance Association (DVIDA) both members of the National Dance Council of America. In 1999 Sergei opened the American Ballroom Dance Academy in Portland and then his current Aquarius Ballroom Dance Studios. Sergei has continued to compete in Professional and Professional-Amateur competitions throughout the US and Canada helping his students win awards while earning the Top Teacher title himself.

Sergei’s wide range of dancing and teaching experiences as well as his unique characteristics of meticulous, methodical presentation of material, warmth, style, grace and humor enables him to work well with a variety of students, ranging from beginners learning the foundations of social dance to experienced dancers wishing to hone their skills for in preparation for performance. Sergei joined The Ballroom’s dance faculty in January, 2000.

Aleksandra ‘Ola’ Kozlowska

Aleksandra Ola Kozlowska Born in Warsaw, Poland, Aleksandra “Ola” Kozlowska started her ballroom dance training at the age of 10. In her youth she represented Poland at many international competitions in the junior, youth, and amateur categories in both International Standard and Latin styles. She received her training from some of the best and leading dance coaches in the world. In 2003 she decided to move to United States in order to pursue her professional career and continue to perform, compete and teach. Previously an international Latin professional, Ola’s focus has shifted her professional career into American Rhythm, Salsa and Bachata. She is a former US Open Professional Bachata Champion and Salsa on2 runner up. She is also the NDCA World Salsa Finalist for 2008 and 2009. She was also ranked 6th at 2011 World Latin Dance Cup in Professional Bachata as well as salsa on2 in the following year. In 2013 she won bronze medal at United States Professional Mambo Championships. She specializes in teaching Salsa, Bachata, International Standard and Latin as well as American Smooth and Rhythm. She also designs and makes ballroom costumes for herself and other dancers.

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.

Kayla Vurckio-Fitness Instructor

Kayla Vurckio has been dancing since age 4. Starting locally at the Joan Pletter School of Dance in Hurleyville training in classical ballet, modern, and jazz up until junior year. Kayla finished her senior year attending Marya Kennet School of Dance in Goshen, NY. She then continued her study of dance at Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts receiving an Associates Degree in May of 2010. During college breaks, she also participated in classes at the Broadway Dance Center.  Through dancing Kayla also found a love for pilates at age fifteen, which was beneficial for performance and recovery from dance injuries. Kayla pursued further training to become an instructor, starting in July of 2012 completing beginner mat with Power Pilates in Manhattan. October of 2012, she then completed level one apparatus training. After a couple years of teaching locally, Kayla completed the six month comprehensive apparatus training at Power Pilates. Her certificate was awarded to teach all levels for mat work and apparatus on March 28, 2014.  February of 2019 Kayla started ballroom and Salsa dancing at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center. She continues her dance training with Osorio Dance sport.