Ted Volynets

Manager

Ted Volynets began his dance career by literally following in his sister's footsteps at the age of 11 at a social dance studio on Long Island. A lighthearted childhood hobby quickly became a lifestyle as Ted began training under Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, which led to competing and performing throughout America and around the world. During his last semester at New York University, Ted found time to audition for and ultimately become a member of the professional troupe of dancers on ABC's Dancing with The Stars. After completing his degree in Economics, Ted found himself back where he started... in the dance studio! "Learning to dance changed everything for me. From physical to mental, I am who I am today, because of dance. I don't think I'm special, I don't think I'm talented, but I do believe the lessons I've learned on the dance floor have influenced me way beyond the studio. If you can walk, you can dance too."

Misha Fatyanov

Manager

Ukrainian-born Michael has been dancing since he was six years old. He competed in international championships in Germany, Poland, and Ukraine, and was among the top 40 couples worldwide in 1996. During the last eight years, Michael's focus has been on teaching dance, while studying business. Before coming to work at Dance With Me, he founded and ran an independent dance studio in Indianapolis while pursuing his MBA at Purdue University. Michael loves it when someone says they can't dance, and proving to them that anyone can do it. He believes that dancing is a gift that can change people's lives... just like it changed his.

Tiago Fernandes

Staff

For the last 18 years Joao Tiago Fernandes has been studying and developing his passion for dancing with some of the world's top dance legends. He has competed throughout Europe and has won multiple National Championships. Tiago was a member of Dancing with the Stars in his native country of Portugal, and was a choreographer of So You Think You Can Dance! Sharing his knowledge of the fascinating world of ballroom dancing with his students is his biggest pleasure. Tiago lives by his own quote: "Just by breathing, you are filling up your body with music, embrace yourself and dance. Dancing is the most pure celebration of life!"

Alexey Gavrilov

Staff

Alexey Gavrilov's dance career began at the age of 6, in one of the top dance teams of the city of Chelyabinsk in Russia. Training at this studio, Alexey represented his city and country at prestigious Russian and international competitions. Alexey completed his Masters degree with honors in Ballroom Dancing and Choreography at the Ural Governmental University of Physical Culture, and is in the process of pursuing his PhD. Some of his students became the Russian Champions in 10-dance, as well as in International Standard in the "Junior" age category. His students are also champions in international competitions held in Moscow, St. Petersburg, other Russian cities and the world. Alexey admires the advanced principles of dance, but believes the focus of dance should be fun and easy.

Maria Del Mar Wikkeling

Staff

Marìa-Del-Mar "MarìMar" was born in the USA and raised in The Netherlands as well as across the USA. MariMar through her diverse cultural background grew up dancing Latin/Caribbean dance, however she began her formal dance training in ballet at the age of 3 under the instruction of her mother, a former Dutch ballerina. She later ventured into music and theater training at the age of 6 studying classical music and musical theater in school. MariMar attend the University of Maryland and graduated early ahead of her class in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish-Business with a double concentration in Dance and Vocal Performance. Shortly before graduating she became an American Dance Festival scholar under Franchesca Harper and Elizabeth Corbett as soloist in the American Dance Festival Forsythe Ballet Project in 2009. Prior to, MarìMar performed for five years at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC with the Washington Performing Arts Society Children of the Gospel and at Disney World as a singer and dancer.

Most recently, MarìMar was a professional dancer with DCypher Dance and Kaution Dance Krew competing and preforming all around Washington DC, New York and Canada. Before her long awaited move to New York City in 2011, she was a back-up dancer for Mike Love a.k.a. Kenny Iko and joined The Pulse on Tour as a scholarship dancer. Happy to be in her new dance home at Dance With Me USA, she has been privileged to perform frequently for the company and expand her native latin and commercial dance talents in a new environment where she can both grow and give back as an all-around triple threat artist!