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.

Sergei Chernukha - Sergei began his career in the Ukraine, representing the Ukraine in international competitions throughout Russia and Europe. He was sponsored internationally by Ukrainian/Japanese car manufacturer and a leading dance apparel designer . In addition to his international competitive career, he was a sports commentator/spokesman on Ukrainian Television, a sought after coach and judge and produced shows and competitions throughout the Ukraine, Russia and Europe.

Olga Barasihina - Olga

Indike Kularatne 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 . He joined the Fred Astaire organization in 2000 and was FADS Rookie of the Year. Indike joined the West Side studio in the spring of 2006.

Tonja Martin - Tonja joined the West Side after several years within the Fred Astaire organization, being Top Female Instructor nationwide for two years and among the top ten female instructors for the past five years. She has competed professionally for many years, winning both the Fred Astaire National Rising Star Championship and Open Championship in American Smooth. She was a finalist at the Ohio Star Ball in 2007. Tonja currently competes professionally with Tony Scheppler.

Tim Shalnev - Tim

Anna Turowska - Anna has been dancing since she was 14, achieving success as a finalist in international standard and Latin competitions throughout her native Poland, Europe and North America. With her formation team, she placed 8th in the World Championships in Germany. Anna has extensive experience teaching students of all ages, from children and beginners through adults and competition level amateurs.

Clive Uter - Clive

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.