Band
Jonathan Greene Grand Boubousse Band
founder of the Grand Boubousse Band is an in-demand clarinetist based in Saratoga Springs, NY. He is known by his peers and audiences alike for his lyrical phrasing, originality, and ability to adapt to a wide variety of styles, from classical, to jazz, to world music. As both a bandleader and sideman, Jonathan has performed with groups that shared the stage with Jay Leno, Marcus Roberts, Anat Cohen, Gabacho Maroc, Rebirth Brass Band among others. He has contributed to dozens of commercially recorded works, from CDs to TV commercials. Jonathan has also found success online with nearly 1.5 million Youtube views to date.
Jonathan has also applied his creative skills to the business world as an entrepreneur and consultant in the entertainment industry. Most notably, he is the Program Curator for the Flurry Festival, one of the largest folk dance and musical festivals in North America. Instruments: C, Bb, A Clarinets, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax, Flute, Mbira (Zimbabwe), Marimba (Zimbabwe)
Gordon Webster-Grand Boubousse’s Piano Man
Pianist Gordon Webster is one of the most sought after musicians in the lindy hop world. His tremendous musicianship and passion, supported by his first-hand knowledge of social dancing, have inspired dancers at hundreds of dance events worldwide. Drawing on influences as diverse as Fats Waller, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Gene Harris, Webster serves up a smorgasbord of styles unified by one characteristic: irresistible danceability.
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.
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 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 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!
Dance 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.
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 .
John Lindo-Dance Instructor
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.
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.
Linda Leverock-Dance Instructor
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.
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.
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 stretch 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. PLEASE BRING YOUR FLOOR MAT FOR THIS CLASS
