TONJA MARTIN

Manager

Since the beginning of her ballroom career, Tonja has felt blessed to do what she loves. Her passion for dance began at age 3 with ballet and progressed to tap, jazz and hip hop. Her love for ballroom dancing started in 1996 when she stumbled upon a ballroom competition and realized, in that moment, that this is what she wanted to do. Tonja is recognized as a top competing professional dancer and achieved a finalist ranking in the American Smooth division on the NDCA circuit in 2007 and 2008. She has also been awarded many top instructor titles. One of her greatest accomplishments was achieving finalist status in the 2007 Ohio Star Ball, which appeared on PBS's American's Ballroom Challenge.

KOSTA TRUFUNOVIC

Manager

As a master dance instructor, he continually inspires his students to follow in his footsteps, as many are earning top placements in championships around the world, such as the World's PRO/AM Championship in Atlantis, Bahamas.

It is easy for anyone to get addicted to ballroom dance because of Kosta's high energy, positive attitude and warm teaching style.

STEVE BLEYNIS

Staff

Steven Bleynis fell in love with dancing at the age of 9. He has competed throughout the United States and is a former Youth Latin National Finalist. He is experienced in the International 10-dance as well as the American style of dancing. He has trained with several world class instructors including United States Champions in both International Latin and Standard professional categories. Steven has an extroverted personality, enjoys meeting new people and takes pride in teaching them a fun new skill.

DARIUSZ HORVATH-KROL

Staff

Dariusz' passion for dance goes back as far as he can remember. Several members of his family were musicians, and being around music all the time led him into dancing. At an early age, Dariusz started to learn Hip Hop and shortly joined a group with which he performed throughout the United States, Japan, and Europe. This led him to explore different styles of dancing and he immediately fell in love with ballroom & partner dancing. He has been teaching various styles of dance over 7 years and is currently competing in Professional International Latin and Ballroom DanceSport categories.

TERESA GARCIA

Staff

Teresa Garcia competed and performed all across America. She has performed in the 2007, 2008 & 2009 NY Salsa Congress and 2009 & 2010 Chicago Salsa Congress. Her notable successes include the Chicago Salsa Open, in which she and her partner were finalists and the New Jersey Salsa Open, in which she and her partner placed second. Her trainers include world-class instructors and competitors such as 2009 ESPN World Champions. Although Salsa is Teresa's forte, she trains in American and International styles of Ballroom Dancing. She has taught at some of New York's top studios as an instructor for all American-style dances.

DANIEL ALMODOVAR

Staff

Daniel comes from a talented, creative family of songwriters, singers, and musicians. The musical influence had inspired Daniel and his brothers to start dancing professionally at a very young age. By the age of 15, Daniel was performing locally at various venues in his community and the tri-state area. In 2004, Daniel began teaching Ballroom Dancing professionally and has had tremendous success ever since. He has coached many students through various showcases, competitions, and performances.

LEANNA ARANZA

Staff

Bio coming soon.

JUSTIN BOURDET

Staff

Justin is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University where he earned a BS in Theatre Performance and Dance. Justin has worked extensively as a dancer in all styles and has had the privilege to work with such dance artists as Erin Rehberg, Ivan Pulinkala, Travis Gatling, Wendy Allen, Ursula Payne, Stefanie Batten Bland, Kim Neal Nofsinger, and E.E. Balcos. Justin has also worked as an actor and has been in such shows as The Country Wife, The Rocky Horror Show, Romeo and Juliet, The Distance From Here, Mother Courage and Her Children and Fathers (World Premiere). He has traveled extensively, performing at The American College Dance Festival, The American College Theatre Festival, Breaking Ground in Tempe, Arizona, various theatres and festivals in New York City, The Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Boulder Fringe Festivals, various theatres in his home town of Nashville, TN and most recently with Core Project Chicago (a contemporary/modern company based out of Chicago) with which he toured all over the country. Justin has also worked as an actor and has been in such shows as The Country Wife, The Rocky Horror Show, Romeo and Juliet, The Distance From Here, Mother Courage and Her Children andFathers(World Premiere). Justin has been nominated twice for the Irene Ryan National Award for acting for his performances in Oklahoma! and Ramona Quimby. Some of his favorite work includes performances in Underwear: A Space Musical (World Premiere) at the Michael Schimmel Theatre in New York City along with such other shows as Jesus Christ Superstar, Sunday in the Park with George, and Urinetown! He has also music directed and composed for productions of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and the Greek tragedy Medea. He is very thankful to be back in New York City and would like to thank all of his friends and family for pushing him to always work hard and never give up.