New Jersey Studios Upcoming Events






COACHES VISITING NEW JERSEY REGION


February 2012
Marianne Nicole

Upper Montclair - February 7, 2012
Bill Sparks
Montville -
February 27, 2012
Red Bank -
February 28, 2012

March 2012
Marianne Nicole
Upper Montclair - March 13, 2012
Luann Pulliam
Upper Montclair - 
 March 12, 2012 
Montville - March 13, 2012 
Princeton - March 14, 2012
Red Bank -  March 15, 2012
Manasquan -  March 16, 2012
Upper Montclair - March 29, 2012


Georgia Ambarian Georgia Ambarian is a passionate teacher and coach. Her many years of ballet, modern, and jazz training, have combined with her knowledge of rhythm and smooth to create a multi-faceted understanding of technique, movement, and performance quality. Georgia is available for smooth, rhythm, and theatrical coaching. Choreographing showcases and theatrical routines are her specialty.
Louis Van Amstel, world-champion ballroom dancer, Emmy nominated Choreographer and ballroom star of both DANCING WITH THE STARS and SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
Red Bank - January 7th at 7:30pm**Our very own friend from "Dancing With The Stars" Louis Van Amstel visits Red Bank Fred Astaire Dance School to teach LaBlast, a dance and exercise class created by Louis Van Amstel, Himself, that is arriving throughout the US very soon!  Be one of the first to experience the class with a blast. Call 732-741-4188 for more information.
Eddi Apolonov is the Regional Dance Director for the Wisconsin Region, and occasionally, we are lucky enough to have him in our studio. As a competitor, Eddi competed on the most renowned floor in the world as a Rising Star Finalist in International Latin at the Blackpool Dance Festival. He was also the undefeated Fred Astaire International Latin Champion. With a Bachelors Degree in Choreography from the University of Fine Arts of Russia, Eddi creates some of the most interesting and beautiful routines. His passion and enthusiasm for ballroom dancing is highly contagious, and he is sure to inspire greatness.
Jim Carter Jim Carter is a member of the National Dance Council and the owner of a Fred Astaire Dance Studio. He is a highly accomplished dancer in the Theater Arts and Cabaret division. As well as being a choreographer for Smooth and Rhythm Exhibitions, he is also the master mind behind many of the country's best Solos, Novelties, and Showcases. Jim has been an important part of the Fred Astaire Company for many years as a ProAm Teacher and Competitor, Coach, and Judge
Maksim Chmerkovskiy is known to the world as the handsome face (and body) of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. To us, he is known as a wonderful coach, choreographer, and friend. Maks’ group classes are known to draw large numbers of students from several states, and his appearances here have brought a bit of Hollywood and celebrity to our studio. Maks’ straight-forward approach to coaching makes his lessons challenging, but they always leave you with a smile.
Linda Deanis considered a living legend in the ballroom community. She and her partner, Vernon Brock breathed new life into the International Latin division when they debuted their partnership in 1975. They went on to win the USDSC Latin title for the next four years. Linda is now a dance board member, and coaches and judges all around the country. Her professional demeanor and impeccable taste have made her one of the most sought after coaches in the industry.
Tony Dovolani has become one of the most recognized faces of Fred Astaire Dance Studios and of Ballroom Dancing. Tony began his ballroom career as an instructor with Fred Astaire and has since become a World Champion American Rhythm Dancer with his partner, Elena Grinenko. Having a coaching with Tony gives you bragging rights, as he has been a cast member of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars every year since Season 2!
Elena Grinenko is a professional ballroom dance champion, choreographer, and instructor.Elena Grinenko is currently partnered with Tony Dovolani. Together they are undefeated National and World champions in the American Rhythm Category. They recently retired from dance sport competitions and continued their careers as coaches, adjudicators and consultants for Fred Astaire Dance Studios all over the country.
David HamiltonDavid Hamilton
Fred Astaire National Champion - Champion of Over 100 NDCA Events
3 Times Ohio Star Ball Champion  - 3 Times US American Smooth Champion
3 Times World Show Dance Finalist - US and World Adjudicator 
Stephen KnightStephen Knight is one of the busiest men in the industry! As a Regional Franchise Director for the Wisconsin region, an NDCA adjudicator, a coach, choreographer, and the Assistant National Dance Director for Fred Astaire Dance Studios, his dance card is almost always full. Stephen and his dance partner, Rae Josephs, were 3-time United States American Rhythm Finalists, and 6 time undefeated Fred Astaire American Rhythm Champions. Stephen is also responsible for creating a large portion of the Silver Syllabus. He is well-known for his choreography for open routines, Solos, Showcases, and Novelties.
Eric Luna Eric Luna has a reassuring nature with his students and strives to instill the best in them through a calm yet persistent personality. His eleven years of experience allow him to bring both business and dance knowledge to those he teaches. Eric is available for smooth, rhythm, and theatrical coaching and choreography.


Marianne NicoleMarianne Nicole holds many titles some of which are Former Theatrical Arts Champion and Former International Latin Finalist. Her knowledge in all forms of dance gives her recognition in the dance industry to be one of the more prominent coaches and adjudicators in the United States.  
LuAnn PulliamLuAnn Pulliam is one of the most decorated ballroom dancers in the Theater Arts and Cabaret divisions, including several Undefeated World titles. She and her husband and partner, Bruno Collins, have been with Fred Astaire for many years, and are currently owners of one of the top studios in the company. LuAnn is an expert at coaxing out a sensual side of dancers, and creating routines that highlight their best attributes.

Eddie SimonEddie Simon is a former United States ballroom champion, world showdance and U.S. theatrical finalist. Simon is a co-owner of Dance New York, New York Dance Festival and the Empire State Dance Sport Championships. He also returns to his hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, several times a year to coach and offer workshops at Dance New York's Iowa studio, as well as officiate at the annual Iowa Dancesport Challenge. He has also been featured as a guest choreographer on the television series So You Think You Can Dance. Eddie is renowned for his contribution to the American Smooth Style of dance. His influence opened up the smooth style and added the Fred Astaire characteristic to all the dances.
Bill SparksBill Sparks

Competition Credits:
* United States Professional Latin Champion: 4 times
* World Professional Latin Championship: Finalist
* British Professional Rising Star Latin Champion - 1998
* Ohio Star Ball Professional Latin Champion: 6 times

Television Appearances:
* Good Life Telecast - USDC Dancesport Championships,
Manhattan Dancesport Championships
* NBC National Telecast - International Dancesport Championships,
Las Vegas, NV
* ESPN National Telecast - Dancesport World Championship,
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY