Ballroom Dancing Swing Dancing Salsa Dancing Country Dancing Sacramento

Profiles of our Instructors
The Ballroom offers the finest in dance instruction in the Sacramento area. Whether you are interested in social dancing, want to be a dancer or even if you wish to dance competitively, you will find the level of instruction at The Ballroom to be the best, and the most affordable in Sacramento!

Andy K.	Andy has been an instructor at The Ballroom since 1995. He has studied under some of the best in Ballroom, Swing and Hustle. Andy is currently the Head Instructor for Night Club 2-Step and Hustle and also co-instructor for our Wednesday night West Coast Swing program. He also is one of our lead instructors for our Salsa program. Andy teaches Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Cha Cha, Salsa, Rumba, Bolero, Merengue, Samba, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Lindy and Charleston.

Brent Bianchini	Brent has been in love with teaching beginner to experienced dancers professionally since 2005 and has competed in many competitions all around the United States! Brent is also a renowned actor in the Sacramento area and has performed around the world from Elk Grove to Edinburgh, Scotland. Brent has been acting since 15 years of age and later found this talent very useful in ballroom dance as well. Brent turned professional at 18 when he learned to teach Smooth, Rhythm, Salsa, Hustle & West Coast Swing dancing. Brent takes pride in his unique and renowned way of teaching energetic and FUN lessons. Brent currently competes in American Smooth and balances Competing, Teaching, and Acting in Sacramento.

David Stewart	David Stewart began ballroom dancing while a student at the California State University, Sacramento. It was soon apparent that he was going to be a force to be reckoned with. David began competing in the International Style Latin and achieved success early in his dancing career. His 15+ years of dancing have earned him national and international recognition in a variety of dance forms including the International Latin and Standard, as well as the American Rhythm and Smooth. As an amateur competitor he has received countless awards in all dance styles. Considered an elite dancesport competitor the United States Amateur Ballroom Dance Association offered him the opportunity to teach while still an amateur. This privilege is given only to the top 20 percent of the dancers at the national level. One of his memorable achievements was being a finalist in the World Invitational American Smooth Championships. As a professional dancer, David is currently competing in the American Smooth and International Standard dance styles. David and Grace are 2006 International Grand Ball Showdance Champion.

Deborah Reno	Deborah Reno began in Ballet and Tap at the tender age of 5. From that moment on she wanted to be a dancer! At her mothers insistence, she was persuaded to stop dancing and start piano lessons instead. But she had been bitten by the dance bug and as soon as she got to college she started a Ballroom class , in Pasadena and loved it. She moved to Wilton and auditioned for the Internationally reknowned Strauss Festival in 1988. While with the Strauss Festival she helped with two fundraisers and 11 shows. She danced, choregoraphed, designed costumes, wrote story lines, helped select music and worked with the producer and director from 1988 - 2000. She took dance lessons from other local instructors from 1995 to 1996. She began teaching for the Ballroom in 1997 while studing under such greats as: Heather Smith and Victor Veyrasset, Ron Montez, Stephen Cullip, Rene & Hans Schmidt and Bob Powers and Julia Gorchakova. She has also participated in local theatre productions at Consumnes River Stage, most recently in The Gunfighter.

Grace Kato	The blur of activity you see at the studio would be Grace Kato. Her high energy and passion are apparent in all aspects of her dancing. Whether she is working on her own dancing or yours, her energy and enthusiasm is non-stop. Part of the Ballroom's Family since before they laid the first plank of wood on the floor, Grace has been active in our dance community since 1994. She started dancing as an amateur in the International Latin Style, followed by American Rhythm, International Standard and American Smooth. As an amateur, she and her partner, David Stewart competed and achieved national recognition in every style of dancing they have undertaken... even West Coast Swing! She is currently a competitor in the professional American Smooth division.. David and Grace are 2006 International Grand Ball Showdance Champion.

Jennifer Walker	Jennifer Walker started dancing in 1995 when her brother informed her she would be taking up a new hobby. Although she was skeptical, she agreed to try it out and was immediately hooked. She has competed in American and International styles, has many performances to her credit, and has been teaching since 2001. She is especially passionate about giving beginner dancers a strong foundation for a lifetime of fun and correct dancing, as well as helping wedding couples make their first dance extra special.

Jim Clark	Jim has been a Certified Professional Ballroom and Latin Dance Instructor since 1998 and offers instruction in American Rhythm and Smooth, International Latin and Standard, and the social and club dances which include Salsa, Merengue, West-Coast Swing, Hustle and Night-Club Two Step. Jim has achieved considerable success has a competitive dancer and in the last year was awarded Top Teacher at the San Diego Dancesport Championships (June 2008), the Olympic Stars Dance Trophy (Toronto, Canada, September 2008) and at The City Lights Ball (San Jose, January 2009). He also took his students to the U.S. Championships where they became the 2010 National Bronze Rhythm and Latin Champions.Jim and Tania have been competing together since 2006. Among their titles, they have won several competitions including The Olympic Stars Dance Trophy in Toronto 2008, Autumn Dance Classic 2008 in San Francisco, and The City Lights Ball 2009 in San Jose. They are consistent finalist in their professional division. Jim and Tania have perfected a fun and easy-going style of instruction, and equally enjoy working with students who wish to learn to social dance as well as students who are driven to competition success.

Johnny Ochoa	Johnny has been at the Ballroom since 2000. He has been dancing swing since 1997 and teaching since 1999. He teaches East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop and Charleston. His students remark to us how much fun he is in class and how much they enjoy his teaching and attitude towards swing dancing. He is also a member of the Ballroom sponsored Swing Dance Troupe, 'Sactown Jump', that performs all over the Sacramento area to standing ovations. All of this has helped make his Tuesday night swing dance at Club 21 a huge success with the swing crowd.

Marc Vangere	Marc began dancing at Arthur Murray Studios in 1989 and continued his study and education at The San Francisco School of Ballroom Dance, The Metronome, The Allegro Ballroom, The Elegance Ballroom and now teaches out of the Ballroom of Sacramento. In addition to being a “staff member” and instructor at the Ballroom, he performs on a regular basis with his partners and an award-winning dance troupe (MorningStar Dance Co.) for private and Civic functions, mostly donating his time and “sharing his Passion” with the senior community. At the Ballroom he teaches American Style Smooth dances, the Waltz, Foxtrot and Tango. The American Style Rhythm dances, the Rumba, Cha Cha and East Coast Swing, as well as “Club” dances, Merengue, Salsa and Night Club 2 Step taking a particular interest in Seniors and Beginning level dancers.

Paul Zimny	Paul has over 25 years of teaching experience in dance movement, theory & choreography. His ballroom training came by way of the Arthur Murray School of Dance where he trained & taught for over 10 years, eventually owning two dance schools. In addition, Paul has taught high school students for over 25 years. He is currently teaching at Folsom High School as well as conducting ballroom dance classes at American River College & holding dance movement clinics for students & teachers of all ages, backgrounds & skill levels. Paul has performed at both amateur & professional levels throughout the United States & Canada for over 35 years. He has designed & choreographed movement & staging for major motion pictures, musical productions & dance competitions. Paul's teaching style is fun & easy to understand, providing beginning dancers the information & basic skill to "hit the dance floor," as well as advanced technique for those seasoned dancers who want to take their dancing to the highest level. He conducts group classes & offers private instruction, specializing in Ballroom, Latin, East Coast Swing, Hustle and Argentine Tango.

Robbie S.	Robbie began Ballroom dancing at the age of 7 and won the Junior National Champion title at the age of 11 in his home country, Hungary. He has competed across Europe at numerous International dance competitions representing Hungary as a youth champion. At the age of 14 Robbie began dancing Jazz Ballet and joined musical theatre productions. His musical theatre credits include the Eastern European tour of Cats. Robbie continued his Ballroom training with an emphasis on International Latin and Show Dance at the age of 20, learning from World Amateur Champion and current Professional World finalist Melinda Toumlrgy. His highest achievements are in International Same Sex style, where Robbie has won the European and World Champion titles, the later for both Standard, Latin and Show Dance, which makes him and his dance partner the only couple in Same Sex Dance history who has managed to won in all three categories. Robbie coaches Beginners, Individuals, Couples and Formation Teams for International Latin. He is available for private lessons, show choreographies, competition coaching and Pro-Am competitions.

Tania Chegini	Tania started her ballroom dancing career in 2005. She offers instruction in the American Rhythm and Smooth styles, International Latin, and the night club dances which include Salsa, Merengue, West-Coast Swing, Hustle and Night-Club Two Step. Aside from the Ballroom and Latin classes, Tania also specializes in Belly dancing. She learned to belly-dance while she was growing up and continues to enhance her training when she travels to the Middle East. She has performed many shows and has held classes and developed a belly-dancing performance troupe. Jim and Tania have been competing together since 2006. Among their titles, they have won several competitions including The Olympic Stars Dance Trophy in Toronto 2008, Autumn Dance Classic 2008 in San Francisco, and The City Lights Ball 2009 in San Jose. They are consistent finalist in their professional division. Jim and Tania have perfected a fun and easy-going style of instruction, and equally enjoy working with students who wish to learn to social dance as well as students who are driven to competition success.

Ted Colbert	Ted Colbert has been dancing for 16 years. Ted specalizes in West Coast Swing, Hustle, and Night Club 2 step, which he has successfully competed in for many years. He is able to teach many other dances as well, though. He is known for his patience and humor in teaching and for his excellent lead.

Theresa McGarry	Theresa has background in Jazz, Modern Dance, Hula, Bellydancing, Ballroom, County, Hustle and Swing. She is primarily known for her West Coast Swing dancing in numerous competitions across the State. Her biggest reward in dancing is sharing the joy of dance with someone who is just learning! Theresa teaches West Coast Swing, Salsa, Night Club Two Step, and Hustle with her co-instructor, Andy K.

Trish Crow	Trish has competed in many competitions, Showcases and Jack & Jills in West Coast Swing, Cha Cha and Hustle receiving numerous awards in all. She has successfully completed her Bronze level teaching program and is currently working on her Silver level teaching program. Trish has been teaching at the Ballroom since the Ballroom opened in 1997. She believes that dancing, learning to dance and teaching dance should be fun and easy. Her classes reflect that attitude.

Profiles of our Instructors