FRAN CHESLEIGH — is the dance director and emcee for Stardust Dance Productions.  An accomplished musician and dancer, Fran specializes in Tango.  He co-produced the AMC documentary “Gotta Dance”, is currently writing a book on Palladium era Mambo and teaches at Dance Manhattan.

DONNA DE SIMONE — Co-owner, director and choreographer of Dance Odyssey and Entertainment Director for Stardust, Donna holds numerous Ballroom and Latin Titles.  She has performed throughout the US and China as a solo and ensemble dancer.

JACKIE HORNER — A long standing member of Dance Educators of America, Jackie has an extensive background in Ballroom, Latin and performing arts.  She was the story consultant and inspiration for the film “Dirty Dancing”.

NICK LECAKES — Nick’s 35 year career as an instructor has taken him from Hawaii to Puerto Rico where he was a featured dancer on TV as well as a choreographer.  Long affiliated with Arthur Murray in addition to teaching jazz for the last 10 years, he currently works with Dance Manhattan.

TEDDY KERN — Co-owner and artistic director of Dance Manhattan in NYC as well as director of the American Swing Dance Championship and Boogie Dance Productions, Inc. Teddy is also resident choreographer of the Viennese Opera Ball.

NORTON HYMAN — toured the US as a dance professional for over 20 years as a member of the acclaimed dance team Norton and Patricia.  Now retired from stage and screen he teaches ballroom dance with his wife AGI in Monticello, NY.

BEN MURTHA & ESTHER ODESCALCHI — Esther began dancing in Budapest at the age of twelve.  Ben has taught at Dale, Arthur Murray, Fred Astaire and other leading dance studios across the country.  They are co-owners of E&B Dance Academy.

FRANK ELIA — was a night club performer before joining Dance Educators of America in the 1970’s.  At present he teaches dance for a number of colleges and Fortune 500 companies in addition to working as a professional DJ.  He is associated with various dance studios in Westchester NY specializing in choreography for wedding couples.

ED BRITTEN — is a former NA Hustle Champion and 2-time East Coast all-around Champion.  A member of the Imperial Society of Teachers in Smooth and Latin, Ed currently teaches at Dance Manhattan.

NORMA GRANOFSKY — has been teaching ballroom dancing for all of her adult life, including 5 years on the staff of the world renowned Grossinger Resort and Country Club.  She has taught master classes for Dance Educators of America, performed at Madison Square Garden and recently choreographed a show at Westbury Music Fair.  She currently teaches independently on Long Island, NY.

GENE & NAOMI ANOLICK — have been teaching Ballroom and Country Western dance in the Hudson Valley for over 15 years.  Members of Dance Educators of America and NY Society of Teachers of Dance, they operate their own dance studio, Love to Dance.

EVITA ARCE AND MICHAEL JAGGER —Known for their high –flying aerials and brilliant energy, Evita Arce and Michael Jagger are international sensations with recent credits including shooting a commercial in Barcelona, teaching workshops in London and performing in the Edinburgh Jazz Festival. Michael and Evita hold regular workshops and classes at Dance Manhattan where students learn proper technique for fast Lindy Hop and authentic styling from the 1920-1940’s Swing era.

NELSON FLORES — Nelson began his career in comedy, discovered Latin dance which he studied with various Mambo masters and ultimately produced and directed “Latin Madness” which cleverly combines both arts.  His dancing and choreography skills have taken him across Europe, South America and the Far East where he has performed with Tito Puente, Tito Nieves, Celia Cruz, India, El Gran Combo and “El Canario” Jose Alberto to name a few!  He has danced in a number of Latin dance companies and is now the director of his own dance group, Descarga Latina Dance Company.

MARIBEL MALDONADO — is a talented dancer, instructor, choreographer and performer.  Her credits include appearances on Sabado Gigante, Good Day New York and the music video “I Like It Like That” with Tito Nieves.  She has performed in concert with Tito Puente, the Fania All Stars and with the RMM Concert series at Madison Square Garden.  She and her partner Nelson Flores are in demand throughout the world as guest instructors and performers.

BRIAN “LUCKY” SKILLEN — began dancing Swing at the age of 15 and has since studied Argentine Tango, Salsa, Ballet, Ballroom and Latin with the foremost instructors in the world.  At the age of 18 he was teaching not only in his native Colorado but throughout Canada, Japan and across Europe.  He has been performing around the world since 1998 and continues to donate his time and talent to charity events across the country.

DIEGO BLANCO & ANA PADRON — bring an electrifying and passionate perspective to Tango.  They were featured performers in “Tango Fever” and “Sensual Tango Review” as well as “Tango Undressed”.  They placed 2nd at the US Tango Congress, took 3rd place at the World Tango competition and were awarded 1st place in the competition hosted by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.  Diego and Ana recently moved from their native Florida to NYC where they teach, compete and perform.

KELVIN ROCHE — began his dancing career as a performer on the original “Dance Fever”.  He has been a fixture on the competition circuit and makes frequent appearances on stage, television and film (“Dance With Me”).  Kelvin has complimented his dance skills with extensive training in ballet, jazz and international ballroom.  He and partner Lori Ann Greenhouse placed first at the 2005 International Hustle and Salsa competition held at DanceSport where Kelvin has taught since 1994.

LORI ANN GREENHOUSE — began dancing at the age of 4, studying Ballet, Theater Arts and Ballroom at the Royal Academy of Dance for 15 years.  She has performed and competed in China, Japan, Brazil, Argentina and Canada.  She holds many Rising Star titles, is a 3-time World Hustle champion and was a finalist in both American Rhythm and Theater Arts.  Invited to compete at Blackpool, she placed 5th in the world in Theater Arts.  Look for her in the movies “Let It Be Me”, “El Cantante” and “Enchanted”.

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