Instructors

Hailing from all over the world, our staff offers you the best training available. Most of our staff members are still actively competing professionals who have won awards and have been finalists in such prestigious competitions as the Ohio Star Ball (seen nationally on PBS every year), United States Ballroom Dance Championships in Miami, British Open Championships in Blackpool (the Wimbledon of ballroom dancing), Russian Open Championships, German Open Championships, Italian Open Championships and many more.

Not only are our staff members great dancers, but they are gifted educators as well. All have passed rigorous exams given by the Imperial Society of the Teachers of Dance as well as Fred Astaire Curriculum certification. They have experience working with students from every age group and level of ability. Several have advanced degrees in teaching and sports education, and are certified, particularly for teaching children in a school environment.

Olga Barasihina - Olga Barashihina was born in Latvia and moved to New York in 2003.  She is an International Ballroom and Latin DanceSport competitor, coach and adjudicator.  In 2008, Olga was a finalist in the American Rhythm Rising Star Division of the Ohio Star Ball, telecast as America’s Ballroom Challenge; she was the winner of the 2005 Emerald Ball Showdance;  American Smooth World Championship Finalist; 2004 United States American Ballroom Grand Finalist; 2002 Czech International Latin Vice-Champion; 2000 Latvian International Latin Champion; 1999 and 1999 World Cup International Latin finalist.

Aleksandra Bokova -Prior to joining the West Side Studio earlier this year, Aleksandra represented Russia in competitions including the International Dancesport Federation sponsored Italian Open in Alassio, the Grand Prix of Latvija, and the Austrian Open.  She dances with Boris Rudenko.  Their most recent competition was Blackpool, the Wimbledon of dancesport.

Mladen Iliev - Originally from Bulgaria, Mladen Iliev joined the West Side studio two years ago.  Mladen has competed in both the international Latin and Standard divisions, with international titles including Sofia Cup and the Varna Cup 2008, and the IDSF (International Dance Sport Federation) Ljubljana Open, Vice Championship Medal, as well as three times Bulgarian Championship.  He is delighted to be part of the Fred Astaire West Side family.

Indike Kularatne - Currently the West Side Studio’s manager, Indike joined the studio in the spring of 2006.  He became a part of the Fred Astaire organization in 2000 and was FADS Rookie of the Year in 2000.   Prior to his arrival in the U.S. in 2000, Indike was a member of the Executive Committee of the National Ballroom Association in Sri Lanka and received teaching certifications in Sri Lanka and Australia . He represented his native Sri Lanka in both international Latin and Standard professional competitions around the world, particularly in the Pacific Rim, from 1989 until 2000.

Tonja Martin - Tonja has been a part of the Fred Astaire family for 15 years.  She began dancing when she was 3, including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, as well as Ballroom, Latin and Theater Arts.  She has been the Fred Astaire National Rising Star American Smooth Champion and the Fred Astaire National Open Professional American Smooth Champion.  In 2007, Tonja was a finalist in the Professional American Smooth division of America’s Ballroom Challenge, broadcast on PBS.

Boris Rudenko - Boris Rudenko recently joined the West Side studio.  Prior to joining the West Side, Boris represented Russia in international competitions including Blackpool, the Imperial Championships in London, the IDSF Opens in Poland, the Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Belarus and Bulgaria.    He dances with Aleksandra Bokova and their most recent competition was Blackpool, the Wimbledon of dancesport.

Timofey Shalnev - Tim Shalnev is a world renowned championship ballroom dancer, winning International Dance Sport Federation events in Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Romania and the Ukraine.  He has developed dancesport school programs in those countries as well as in Bulgaria, Poland and France.  Tim has a masters degree in fine arts / dance education from the State University Teachers College located in Voronej, Russia.  In 2008 Timofey was named Fred Astaire Top Teacher in New York State and in 2009 Outstanding Male Teacher.

Coaches

Bruno Collins is 7-time US Theatrical Champion, 2-time World Cabaret Champion, 3-time Blackpool Cabaret Champion, US American Rhythm Finalist, 5- time Fred Astaire Rhythm Champion. He has performed around the world, in top competitions and shows, as both a guest star performer and champion. In addition, he has been featured on PBS' Championship Ballroom Dancing. He has choreographed show numbers and showcases for top professionals across the country including several showcases for the West Side including The Fabulous Forties and An Evening At Smokey Joe's Café.

Linda Dean is a former U.S. American Style Champion and U.S. Theater Arts Champion. She was the U.S. International Latin Champion for four years and was four times a finalist in the World Championship in International Latin. Ms. Dean has been a member of the Fred Astaire Dance Board 25 years. She currently serves an adjudicator at major United States and world championships.

Rufus Dustin is a World Dance and DanceSport Council professional, coaching, choreographing and judging throughout the world. He has been certified as an adjudicator by the WD&DSC and Fred Astaire Dance Studios Inc. in international standard and latin, American smooth and rhythm, and theater arts. As a professional dancer, Rufus competed nationally and internationally, holding national titles in international latin, American rhythm and theater arts. He currently choreographs for the top professionals and amateurs. He has performed all over the world, including special presentations at Blackpool.

Wendy Johnson is a World Dance and DanceSport Council professional, coaching, choreographing and judging throughout the world. He has been certified as an adjudicator by the WD&DSC and the Terpsichore Teachers of Dancing (British council) in international standard and latin, American smooth and rhythm, and theater arts. As a professional dancer, Wendy competed nationally and internationally, holding national titles in international latin and standard. She currently coaches and trains the top professionals and amateurs.
She has competed and performed all over the world.

Hans Luxholm - Former World, U.S. and European Professional Standard Dance Champion, he is the uthor of a book on the techniques involved in of championship level dancing, “Would You Like to Dance”, currently in its fifth edition and companion DVD. He currently coaches and judges throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

Marianne Nicole is former United States Rising Star American Style Champion, undefeated United States Theatre Arts Champion, North American International Latin Champion, Canadian Theatre Arts Champion, undefeated Fred Astaire American Style Champion, undefeated Fred Astaire Theatrical Champion, undefeated Fred Astaire International Latin Champion and World Latin Representative.
She is a World Class Adjudicator & Coach, and Co Organizer of the Capital Dancesport Championships and a National Examiner for the DVIDA Organization and former examiner for the Fred Astaire Dance Studio organization.