Fred Astaire Dance Studios have given the joy of dancing to tens of thousands of New Yorkers. Today, over 60 years since its establishment,
the Fred Astaire Dance Studio Curriculum is still based on the original teaching methods perfected by the Master himself.

Our studio is one of the happiest, friendliest places in the city. People from all walks of life have been coming to us for over 20 years - for fitness, for a hobby, for that memorable first dance at their weddings, for self-expression, for a boost in confidence and social grace.

Our students and staff share the benefits of dancing through lessons, parties, showcases, amateur competitions, performances and great tours all over the world.

Becoming part of our studio family will open doors to a new world for you – one of excitement, new friends and great time on the dance floor to the calming sounds of a Waltz or the hot rhythm of a Latin-American tune.
We make learning to dance easy and fun no matter what your age, experience and goals are. Walk into our studio today and dance out!

Studio Directors Marina and Taliat Tarsinov began dancing together in Russia in 1974, a partnership that later blossomed into marriage and family. In 1988, after winning the Russian Amateur Championship, they turned professional and danced until 1995, when they announced their retirement from the competitive floor. Their professional awards and achievements are numerous including winning several national titles between 1990 and 1995- the Russian National Latin Championship, the Russian National Ten Dance Championship, and the Soviet Union National Standard and Latin Show Dance Championships. Out of the five possible national titles in their home country, they held four of them and were ranked second place for the fifth title, International Standard. Their show numbers, which they created and choreographed themselves, were particularly beloved and are fondly remembered even today. Some of their best numbers are “West Side Story”, “Fred and Ginger”, “Seagulls”, “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”, and “Safari.”
They represented Russia at more than twenty World and European Championships, where they were Ten Dance finalists in Europe and semi-finalists in the World. In Holland, they were Exhibition World Championship finalists. They too were finalists of the European and World Cups in the Professional Latin American and Standard programs as well as many other prestigious international competitions including the German Open, Dutch Open, and the United States Ballroom Dance Championships.
In 1992 they moved to New York and have run the New York East Side Fred Astaire Dance Studio since 1994. They are former National Fred Astaire Professional Standard and Latin Champions and were selected to be members of the National Fred Astaire Council of Dance. They are also members of the National Dance Council of America and the World Dance and Dance Sport Federation. The Tarsinovs are acclaimed adjudicators and have been selected to represent the United States at all types of international competitions including World Championships.
For three years they were the hosts of a Russian television show called “Dance Globe” and starred on many other popular television shows in Russia. Taliat is the author of numerous articles published in Dance News (England), Dance Beat (USA), Dance Sport (USA), Dance Notes (USA), The Professional (Russia), Ballet (Russia), and other European dance publications. Interviews and articles about the Tarsinovs have frequently appeared in print, such as in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Dance Beat, and The Professional.
Marina and Taliat are also very beloved coaches and choreographers in the United States. Their credits include:

• Jonathan Wilkins and Katusha Demidova- Professional World Champions in the Classical Show Dance Division, choreography for Superstars Japan
• Max Kozhevnikov and Yulia Zagoruychenko- two-time Professional World South American Show Dance Champions, Ohio Star Ball Show Dance 1st Place winners, choreography for Superstars Japan
• Nick and Elena Kosovitch- Professional World American Smooth Champions, two-time Professional World Runners-Up Classical Show Dance Division
• Emmanuel Antoine-Pierre and Joanna Zacharewicz- Professional World Mambo Champions, Ohio Star Ball Professional Rhythm Show Dance- 1st Place (seen nationally on PBS), show dance number for ABC’s hit show Dancing With the Stars
• Tony Dovolani and Elena Grinenko- Professional World Rhythm Champions
• Bob Powers and Julia Gorchakova- ten-time United States Professional Rhythm Champions
• Gary and Rita Gekhman- 3rd Place winners of the Professional World Classic Show Dance Championship
• Dmitri and Svetlana Ostashkin- 5th Place winners of the Professional World South American Show Dance Championship
• Pasha Pashkov and Inna Brayer- United States Youth Ten Dance Champions, Amateur United States National Standard and Latin Finalists
• Andrey and Anastasia Abrashin- Fred Astaire Professional National Champions, United States National Professional Rhythm Finalists, three-time Nine Dance United States Professional Champions, United States Professional Theater Arts Champions
• Jonathan Roberts and Anna Treybunskaya – show dance number for ABC’s hit TV show Dancing With the Stars
• Taliat is also a consultant for Tatiana Navka and Roman Kastomarov, Olympic gold medalist ice dancers.

Before coming to the United States, Taliat also choreographed for both television and professional theater.

Dessi Iakova started dancing ballroom and Latin at the age of 14. From 1985 to 1997 she was a finalist in various Dance Sport championships in her native Bulgaria and other European countries, performed in numerous ballroom and Latin show programs, and trained with some of the best coaches in the world.
In 1989 Dessi graduated at the top of her class from one of the most prestigious high schools in Bulgaria, specializing in English Language and Literature. In 1993 she graduated summa cum laude from the Medical University in Sofia, Bulgaria with a degree in nursing and diploma in health management.
Her true passion for dance was with her throughout years of performing and competing, and during this time she shared her expertise by teaching young children and teens the art of dance, the value of partnership, and the skill of memorable performance. Her ballroom and Latin classes were so popular that in 1997 her dance school had 90 children attending classes five days a week. Her students enjoyed great results and even now are still top ranked in Bulgaria.
In 1998 Dessi decided to pursue ballroom and Latin dance professionally in the United States. She has been teaching with Fred Astaire Dance Studios since her arrival in New York, being one of the most sought-after teachers.
In 2001 she was employed as a business manager of the New York East Side Fred Astaire Dance Studio and has been training new professional teachers and giving outstanding customer service ever since. She is a holder of the “Top Manager” award for the New York area for both 2001 and 2002. Under her management, the East Side Fred Astaire Dance Studio has received “Top Studio” Awards at numerous competitions. Her leadership skills have created an outstanding team of professionals and inspired many of our teachers to seek perfection in their careers as educators and performers.

Instructors