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Studio 22 guarantees that all core instructors are fully certified and have many years of extensive training and experience in their field of dance.
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 Sergey Korshunov
International Latin & Standard, Club Latin
469.556.7755
Website
Sergey is a current professional competitor in the International Latin American division. He travels all over the world competing in the most prestigious competitions with his partner, Michelle Hafle. Together they are ranked two-time U.S. Professional Rising Star Latin Finalists and 2009 British Open Rising Star Quarterfinalists. He has worked extensively with Mark Cuban prior to his appearance on Dancing With the Stars and has choreographed for Emmit Smith during his debut on the show. In 2007 Nike hired Sergey to choreograph and perform at one of their exclusive events with Carrie Ann Inaba. Since Sergey's partnering with Michelle he has also been invited to perform at such locations as the Virgin Islands, Cancun, Los Angeles, as well as many local events in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. In 2008 and 2009 he was invited to dance on "Baile Deportivo", aired on Fox Latino Sport, and in 2006 and 2007 he was invited by WFAA's Good Morning Texas to be the official commentator for the Dancing With the Stars show. Sergey began dancing at the age of nine as an Amateur and eventually in 1998 he gained the title of St. Petersburg Standard Champion in his division and the following year he received an award as the top Latin couple. Resume »
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Michelle Hafle
International Latin & Club Latin
310.804.5991
Website
Michelle is a current professional competitor in the International Latin American division. She travels all over the world competing in the most prestigious competitions with her partner, Sergey Korshunov. Together they are ranked two-time U.S. Professional Rising Star Latin Finalists and 2009 British Open Rising Star Quarterfinalists. She has worked extensively with Mark Cuban prior to his appearance on Dancing With the Stars and has choreographed for Emmit Smith during his debut on the show. Since her partnering with Sergey she had been invited to perform at such locations as the Virgin Islands, Cancun, Los Angeles, as well as many local events in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. In 2008 & 2009 she was invited to dance on "Baile Deportivo", aired on Fox Latino Sport. In 2006 & 2007 she was invited by WFAA's Good Morning Texas to be the official commentator for the Dancing With the Stars show. Prior to her partnering with Sergey she was involved in several commercials and music videos. In 2004 she was hired by ABC Family to be a contestant on a dance reality series, Dance Fever. There she was able to work with Carrie Ann Inaba, Carman Electra and MC Hammer. She also performed at such events as the Los Angeles Salsa Congress and was hired as a permanent dancer for Wayne Foster's National Entertainment Company. Resume » |
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George & Jairelbhi Furlong
Argentine Tango
469.939.4120
Website
Having been born to an Argentinean and musical family,George began his music education and exposure to Tango early on in life. George started formal music training at the age of 10 and continued though high school and college. During these years his teachers noticed his exceptional musical ability, and with their encouragement he expanded his knowledge by learning several instruments. In 1992 George discovered Shaolin Kung Fu and through constant diligence and patience he became Senior Instructor and performed demonstrations in several cities in the U.S. A native of Caracas, Venezuela.
Jairelbhi Furlong began her dance training at the age of 9. She joined Las Voces Blancas, one of the top dance schools for kids. Jairelbhi was exposed to several different dances but clearly her passion was tap dancing, and was asked to be an assistant instructor. Because of her graceful movements and perseverance she became part of a dance troupe in Las Voces Blancas traveling to many places and included television performances.
Together with her partner, George, they have performed and taught in cities throughout Texas, where they reside, and have expanded to other cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Maui, San Diego, Phoenix, Atlanta, Savanah, Mexico and Buenos Aires, Argentina. They have performed with the Fort Worth symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Opus Cuatro and with Bandeonistas Lisandro Adrover, Horocio Romo, and Daniel Binelli. George and Jairelbhi toured several cities in the U.S. as part of the cast of "Tango Buenos Aires", and several cities in Mexico as part of the cast of "Emporio Tango". In 2005 they created "Evolutiontango", a dance group based in Dallas, Texas, and have produced, directed, and choreographed two tango productions: "Tango: Now and Then", and "Evolutiontango".
Today they are part of "Tango and Fire" Dance company.They are privilege to work with artistic director Hugo Patyn and musical director Lisandro Adrover best known for his arrangements for the Broadway hit "Forever Tango"
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Tom & Leslie Daniell
West Coast Swing
Tom - 817.798.5500
Leslie - 817.657.4247
Tom & Leslie began dancing together in 1995. Originally, they competed on the UCWDC Country dance circuit. Tom was the original founder and producer of the Dallas Dance Festival, a national UCWDC competition event held in Dallas in November of each year. Together, Tom and Leslie produced and directed the 1996 Dallas Dance Festival.
Shortly thereafter, Tom & Leslie began to focus on West Coast Swing, which has now become their passion. In 2000, they won the Novice Traditional Division at Dallas DANCE. The next year, they won the Rising Star Division of the Chicago Classic Swing Dance Championships. Since then, they have won numerous titles in West Coast Swing at local, regional, and national events.
Some of their accomplishments (individual and joint) include:
- Southwest Regional Championships: 1st Place Novice Division.
- Texas State Swing Dance Championships: 1st Place Open Division.
- America's Classic Championships: 2nd Place Rising Star, 2nd Place Advanced Strictly Swing, and 2nd Place Master's Strictly Swing.
- Dallas D.A.N.C.E: 1st Place Novice and Advanced Strictly Swing, Finalists Open Classic Division, Finalists and 1st Place Advanced Jack & Jill, and 1st Place Master's Division. In 2009, Tom was inducted into the Dallas DANCE Hall of Fame.
- U.S. Open Swing Dance Championship - 3rd Place Advanced Strictly Swing, 2nd Place Sophisticated Swing, and 1st Place Master’s Division.
Tom & Leslie live in Bedford, TX, where Leslie owns and operates Salons N Motion, a multiple stylist hair salon and Tom owns and operates his own Aviation Consulting Business. Tom is also a part-time flight instructor for CAE SimuFlite on the B-737-800 Business Jet.
Together, they teach group classes for both Studio 22 and the Texas Classic Push Club. They also choreograph and coach competition couples and teach private lessons to all levels of dancers in both the competition and social dance arena. Additionally, they compete with their students at various national Pro-Am competitions throughout the country, and have won several Top Teacher Awards.
Tom & Leslie have a unique teaching philosophy which focuses on the technique needed to make their students better dancers. They believe that dancing is a journey, not a destination. They continually strive to improve their own knowledge and skills by frequently taking lessons from numerous national teaching professionals. Then, they strive to impart their dance knowledge without reservation to all of their students.
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Ryan Lewis
International Latin
214.600.7191
Ryan began completing in International Latin in 2002. He has worked with such coaches as Corky Ballas, Colin James, & Louis Van Amstel, to name a few. He has traveled all over the US and represented Texas in many competitions. Native to Arkansas and beginning his training in 1998, Ryan has been trained exclusively in International Standard and International Latin styles of Ballroom Dance. Ryan relocated to Houston, TX for 7 years, to continue his training under Kevin King, Olga Rodionova, and Patricia Kaniowski. Ryan has had many achievements as an Amateur Dance Competitor has a passion for both competing as well as teaching students at various levels. Ryan moved to Dallas in the fall of 2007 and has made Dallas his home. The following are his most recent competitive achievements.
2008 Ohio Star Ball Semi-finalist - 11th Place
2008 United States Open Semi-finalist - 8th Place
2008 Emerald Ball Finalist - 4th Place
2008 California Open Finalist - 5th Place
2008 Desert Classic - 2nd Place
2008 Texas Challenge - 1st Place
2008 Embassy Ball IDSF Open |
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Cody Knight & Maya Apodaca
American Smooth & Rhythm
972.352.7025
Cody was born and raised right here in Dallas, he attended school at the KD Actor's Conservatory of the Southwest, and after graduating in 2002, began his dance training in the American Smooth and Rhythm styles. He became a professional teacher shortly afterward, and since has had the pleasure of training under many world-renowned coaches and dance champions. He has competed at numerous competitions in the Pro/Am category as well as professionally with his partner, Maya Apodaca, attaining multiple Top Teacher awards throughout the years. In 2008, Cody turned his focus back to acting, and is currently represented in the Dallas area by the Linicomn Agency for acting, dancing, and voiceover in film and television.
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Gene & Donna Villarreal
Country & Western
214.803.3909
Gene Villarreal has been teaching Country Western dancing since the early 90's.
His love of music, teaching and dancing has been his driving force. He and his wife Donna met in 2000 and have shared the same passion for learning and sharing his knowledge of dance with family and friends.
Currently he teaches at "Cowboys Red River" in Dallas. He taught at the famous "Old Top Rail" (Dallas), has filled in at Cowboys (Arlington) "Wild West" (Dallas) "Borrowed Money" (Dallas) and Texas Star (Denton).
He has taught workshops at Gilleys (Dallas), Graham Central Station (Longview) and has taught many groups and corporate parties throughout the years.
His wife and he have attended and danced on a team at many of the ACDA (American Country Dance Association) and UCWDC (United Country Western Dance Council) events.
Gene's philosophy of dance is "It is not the number of lessons you take, but the miles you put on the floor practicing. Social dancing is essential to your growth as a dancer." Both he and Donna work day jobs in McKinney, Texas and live in Melissa, Texas. They have been known to drive all over the DFW Metroplex to teach his classes and social dance on weeknights and on the weekends. |
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Leah Perison
Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz
972.849.4206
Leah Perison earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of North Texas. Having trained and taught from Los Angeles to New York City, Leah is currently on the Dance Department Adjunct Faculty for a Dallas Community College as well as a choreographer for several dance productions and films in the Dallas area. A former State Champion competitive gymnast and Collegiate National Champion solo dancer, Leah's dance credits include Fox TV's "So You Think You Can Dance", Tuaca Body Art Ball National Tour, Chuck E. Cheesevideos, Urban Dance Movement Master Instructor, New Orleans Bowl and performer for the Mary Kay "Friends of Tyme". Leah was proud to beselected as the University of North Texas student choreographer for the American College Dance Festival as well as a choreographer for the Mary Kay 2009 Seminar. |
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Ramiro Gonzalez
Swing & Salsa
972.239.6625
Ramiro grew up dancing in west Texas. At the age of 16, he began teaching swing. Today he travels, performs, and teaches swing dancing in addition to operating his own hair styling business.
Ramiro is an active participant and judge in U.S. Swing Dance Championship tour event and has won the "Strictly Swing" division in the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championship. He received the Feather Award two years in a row for most favorite male swing dancer and has won the Entertainer of the Year award three times. He is especially known for his ability to dance and teach both the "lead" and the "follow" parts in swing dancing.
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Monica Flores
Fitness & Club Latin
818.472.0839
Monica just re-located to Dallas from Los Angeles where she has worked extensively in television, commercials. and film. Some of her work includes Heroes, Alias, Brothers and Sisters, and Mad T.V. She worked with Colin Farrell for his salsa scenes in Miami Vice and danced in the movie Meet Dave starring Eddie Murphy. She has won numerous salsa contests and has traveled worldwide as a teacher and performer. For six years she was the part of Coca-Cola's Fanta campaign as the purple fanta girl "Sophia". In addition to teaching dance, she is a Romana's pilates certified instructor.
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Burton Gazzara
Hustle
561.350.9839
Burton is a graduate of the University of Texas with Bachelor of Arts Degrees in English Literature and Theater. He attended Boston University for Liberal Arts Studies. He is a member of the Screen Actor's Guild.
Burton trained in the Latin Hustle dance with some of the best known hustle instructors in the world. His teachers have included hustle champions Billy Fajardo and Katy Marlow, Donna Desimone, Derrick Allen, Lisa Nunziella, and Billy Marti.
Burton discovered the hustle when he was a teenager and he has been dancing it ever since. He brings a contagious love and passion for the dance with his unique styling.
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Amy Loter
Zumba
Amy was born and raised in the Dallas area. At an early age she discovered her passion for music and began studying voice at age 12. Throughout her studies she was exposed to and performed many different musical styles. Upon graduating from college with a Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Texas at Arlington she utilized her love for music and exercise by becoming a group fitness instructor. Amy has been teaching group fitness in the Dallas / Fort Worth area since 1993. In 2007 she discovered the Zumba® Fitness program, became a certified Zumba® instructor and successfully launched the program at two fitness facilities in Dallas. In addition to working with adults Amy has also been given the opportunity to create and hold fitness summer camps for children with Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas and The Irma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School in Dallas. Amy currently holds certifications with Zumba® Fitness and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.
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Veronika Chernyavska
International Latin
ON TOUR
Born in Lviv, Ukraine in 1987, Veronika Chernyavska started her dance career at the age of 8 practicing traditional folk dancing. Upon her arrival to the States at the age of 11, she discovered ballroom dancing under the direction of Igor and Sveltana Iskhakov in Columbus, Ohio. Instantly, Veronika fell in love with the Latin American style. Throughout her career, Veronika has had the priviledge of being coaches by numerous world-renowned coaches including Louis Van Amstel, Colin James, Richard Porter and Allan Tornsberg. At the age of 13, Veronika entered major US national competitions with her then-partner Alexander Thomas. Together, they won numerous competitions, including a dance contest in Ohio in 2001, "Dance Hysteria", obtaining the title of the most talented dancers in the state in all styles of dance including modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop and others.
In 2007, Veronika spent a year in Dallas, TX training with a fellow competitor, Ryan Lewis, preparing to represent the United States in worldwide competitions. On the national level, they have been finalists at California Open, Emerald Dance Championships, Dessert Classic Championships and many others. In March 2008, they obtained the championship title at Texas State Challenge. Currently, Veronika resides in Dallas, TX partnering with Tony Pututau. Together, they are a part of Louis Van Amstel's traveling theater show "Ballroom With A Twist". While at home, Veronika loves sharing her knowledge through teaching. Ultimately, Veronika hopes to influence the American dance culture by increasing the popularity of her lifelong passion, ballroom dancing.
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Tony Pututau
International Latin
ON TOUR
Currently a soloist performer in Louis Van Amstel's World Champions Tour
Television
| Good Things Utah |
Featured Dancer |
ABC |
| 2002 Opening Ceremonies |
Dancer |
2002 Winter Olympics |
Theater
| Invitation to Dance |
Principal Dancer |
Royal Caribbean Int |
| Dancing with the Stars |
Professional Dancer |
2007/2008 National Tour |
| Ballroom Fever |
Principal Dancer |
Royal Caribbean Int |
| Evolutions of Dance |
Soloist |
Scera Theater |
| What a Wonderful Life |
Featured Dancer |
Odyssey Dance Theater |
| Latin Revolution |
Featured Dancer |
Center Stage Theater |
| Joy to the World |
Featured Dancer |
Odyssey Dance Theater |
Honors and Awards
2006: US International Latin Finalist
2006: Center Stage Dancesport Champion
2005: US International Latin Finalist
2004: BYU National Latin Champion
2003: BYU National Latin Champion
2002: BYU National Latin Champion
2002: Italian Open International Latin Finalist
2001: Irish Open International Latin Champion
2000: British Open Youth Finalist
1999: US International Latin Youth Finalist
1998: Ohio Star Ball Latin Finalist
1997: Junior World Latin US Representative
Training
Ballroom: 14 years, Teachers: Louis VanAmstel, Corky and Shirley Ballas, Allan Tornsberg, Alan and Hazel Fletcher, Slavik Kryklyvij
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Ray Garcia & Shelly Gallaway
American Rhythm & Ballroom/Smooth
214.240.6709
Former owner of a Dallas based ballroom studio, Ray Garcia has been teaching since 1998 and competing in Pro/Am all over the world. In 2004, he and his student were United States Smooth & Rhythm finalists. Ray formerly competed in the American Smooth division as a professional.
Shelley is trained in American Smooth, Rhythm and Club Salsa. She has been dancing since 2001 and has been in music videos for Havana NRG and competed in the American Rhythm and Smooth categories. |
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Studio
