The Dance With Me dance studios represent a world in which dance, music, and the spirit of creativity fuse alongside world class service to provide you an experience like no other. From the moment you enter our doors, you are transported to another place and time.
The DWM founders shared a passion and a commitment to the world of social dance. These dynamic and entrepreneurial visionaries were determined to bring a different level of dance studios to the New York City Area. In 2005, Dance With Me studio doors opened in Ridgefield NJ. Today, the DWM studios are located in NJ (since 2005), Long Island (since 2007), and SoHo (recently opened in Sept 2009).
But the DWM story really began long before the studio doors opened. It began with a story of a father and son: Sasha & Maksim Chmerkovskiy...
Sasha Chmerkovskiy, like any proud father, knew his son was talented. He watched his son excel in anything he did athletically, whether swimming, soccer or any sport he played. So he exposed his son to as many sports as he could at a young age. But, Sasha saw something special in Maks while dancing onstage in pre-school. It was a raw, natural talent. And Maks was just 4 years old. Sasha knew then that Dance would be a huge factor in his son's life. Since that day, Sasha strove to ensure his son had access to the best he could provide.
Driven by a vision to watch his son excel, Maks had been schooled daily in dance from that day forward. It may have seemed extreme to push his son, but Sasha had always known that his son was destined for something greater when it came to dance. Honestly, if you had asked Maks at 4 if it was his passion, like any 4-yr old, he would have said, "No." But he followed his father's desire and strove to excel. Ten years later, Maks began to value the fruits of his labor and appreciate his father's support and guidance.
As the years went by, Maks career started to became more critical than his father's. Maks began to tutor others at a young age, 16 years old. In two years, Maks not only learned how to train others to dance, but he began to excel at it. Each year that he was successful at training others, Maks and his father started to share a vision. Sasha would have to save up to do it as well as quit his own job to ensure the future of his son.
So, at the age 17, Maks along with his father brought their dream to life and created a place where kids of all ages can learn how to dance, as Maks did. They set out on a mission to provide a positive working environment, where every child is treated with priority and is guided with professionalism and commitment. A dream finally became reality when the Chmerkovskiy father/son team established Rising Stars Dance Academy in 1998.
Most of his competitive career Maks juggled his commitment to the kids at RSDA, with his own professional career. The road was vigorous, but with the help and support of his father, he was able to reach unprecedented heights in his own dance career, as well as train some of the best dancers in the world. Some of his students went on to be World Champions (first ever in US history), National Champions in every competitive category, and winners at competitions world-wide. One of his students who became a two time World Champion was his own little brother, Val Chmerkovskiy.
With a father dedicated to and supporting his son and simultaneously a son pursuing a dance career and a business, the father/son team would need some added support and direction to achieve the next level of their dream to get more young children exposed to the world of Ballroom Dance. The critical missing link walked right through the RSDA doors.
One day, a mother brought her kids to Rising Stars Dance Academy. Her name was Jhanna Volynets, and after seeing Maksim perform at an event in NYC she was so inspired that she inquired about Rising Stars and enrolled her two children. Traveling two hours each way from her home in Long Island to Rising Stars which is located in NJ, Jhanna quickly fell in love with the world of Ballroom Dance.
With a vast experience in the corporate world, as well as a recognized entrepreneurial spirit, Jhanna approached Aleksandr and Maksim with an idea of expanding their vision. She inspired them to dream beyond their horizons. The combination proved to be successful immediately as the three founded DanceTeam USA, a non-profit organization for the promotion of youth dance programs, as well as of the biggest youth dance competitions in the country, that first year they gave over $30,000 dollars in scholarships to young dancers and continue the same efforts today. Despite the success the team looked to broaden and expose Ballroom dancing to a wider audience.
The ultimate goal was to create a world, a brand that would be synonymous with world class service and a dance experience ahead of its time. At this point Dance With Me was born. Founded in 2005, Dance With Me social dance studios was a reflection of the founding fathers (and mother!). A team of passionate individuals that figured out a way to transcend their love for dance into a place where anyone, no matter shape, color, or size can learn to dance, and more importantly indulge themselves in expression through music and movement. They employed the best dancers/instructors and managerial staff in the industry to provide all Dance With Me students a social dance studio environment with the best service and an experience they will never forget.
Today, the Dance With Me family is comprised of the best instructors from around the world. Our distinguished instructors have been awarded such distinguished titles as: USA Dance National Amateur Champions; US National DanceSport Champions; Junior Latin World Champions; Youth Latin World Champions; Under 21 Blackpool Champions, and US National DanceSport Champions.
DWM dance studios are also known as home to Tony Dovolani, Val Chmerkovskiy, and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who is not only is an award winning dancer, a world renowned Dance Coach and choreographer, but is also a series regular as a professional dance partner to celebrity contestants on ABC's hit TV show, "Dancing with the Stars".
Nearly five years later and three studios later, Dance With Me dance studios made its way to the top of its industry. But it was never just about expansion. It has always been about providing the individual a memorable experience, a healthy outlet, the best instruction, and a team, the DWM family, who is proud to provide a unique service to all of our clients and students and to be known as one of the leading Latin and Ballroom Dance Studios.
No matter the age, shape or dance experience level, the DWM family believes everybody just needs a comfortable, supportive environment to learn in. Dance With Me has been providing that opportunity to now to thousands of people at a level that no one has ever achieved before. At DWM, all ages are welcome. And all levels, from beginner to advanced, can feel comfortable training within our doors.
The DWM dream has been realized, but our journey together continues...
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