Astaire World Championships 2010 Results

Congratulations to all participants of our latest competition, the Astaire World Championships held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and special congratulations go out to the following Fred Astaire pros:

American Closed Bronze/Silver Smooth
1st – Peter Hahn & Juliet Thibodeaux (Norwalk, CT studio)
2nd – Ben Seifert & Cheryl Humphreys (Houston-Woodlands, TX studio)
3rd – Andreas Luetzner & Doreen Scheinpflug (West Palm Beach, FL studio)
4th – Vadim Boldirev & Karla Pinet (Bloomfield Hills, MI studio)
5th – Tommy Alejandro & Kateryna Angelone (Houston-Katy, TX studio)

American Closed Bronze/Silver Rhythm
1st – Joe Hasson & Missy Keller (Washington D.C. studio)
2nd – Andre Santore & Yuliana Chepurna (South Barrington, IL studio)
3rd – Ryan Wiemers & Cheryl Humphreys (San Diego, CA & Houston-Woodlands, TX studios)
4th – Rob Rocha & Jessica March (St. Petersburg, FL studio)
5th – Zeke Cribbs & Pamela Dachelet (Madison, WI studio)

American Rising Star Smooth
1st – Ben Seifert & Cheryl Humphreys (Houston-Woodlands, TX studio)
2nd – Andreas Luetzner & Doreen Scheinpflug (West Palm Beach. FL studio)
3rd – Vadim Boldirev & Karla Pinet (Bloomfield Hills. MI studio)
4th – Forrest Walsh & Michelle Current (Pasadena, CA studio)
5th – Christopher Muise & Kirsten Obermiller (Belmont, MA studio)

American Rising Star Rhythm
1st – Ronald Guillen & Katie Guillen (Ft. Walton Beach, FL studio)
2nd – Joe Hasson & Elena Tsirlin (Washington D.C. & South Barrington, IL studio)
3rd – Andre Santore & Yuliana Chepurna (South Barrington, IL studio)
4th – Christopher Uy & Nina Diperro (Ft. Walton Beach, FL studio)
5th – Martin Rycroft & Michelle Montanez (Belmont, MA studio)

American Closed Novice/Mixed
1st – Thomas Radon & Sarah Parzica (Orchard Park, NY studio)
2nd – Dmytro Gurkov & Amanda Bradford (Houston-Katy & Woodlands, TX studios)
3rd – Justin Scott & Brandi White (Madison, WI studio)
4th – Zeke Cribbs & Pamela Dachelet (Madison, WI studio)
5th – Forrest Walsh & Michelle Current (Pasadena, CA studio)

Astaire World American Open Rhythm 5-Dance
1st – Ronald Guillen & Katie Guillen (Ft. Walton Beach, FL studio)
2nd – Joe Hasson & Elena Tsirlin (Washington D.C. & South Barrington, IL studio)
3rd – Andre Santore & Yuliana Chepurna (South Barrington, IL studio)
4th – Christopher Uy & Nina Diperro (Ft. Walton Beach, FL studio)
5th – Martin Rycroft & Michelle Montanez (Belmont, MA studio)

Astaire World American Open Smooth 4-Dance
1st – Mikhail Zharinov & Gala Detkina (NY East studio)
2nd – Vladimir Kosarev & Vera Kosarev (Buffalo, NY studio)
3rd – Peter Hahn & Juliet Thibodeaux (Norwalk, CT studio)
4th – Ben Seifert & Cheryl Humphreys (Houston-Woodlands, TX studio)
5th - Forrest Walsh & Michelle Current (Pasadena, CA studio)

International Open Latin 5-Dance
1st - Forrest Walsh & Michelle Current (Pasadena, CA studio)
2nd – Plamen Danelov & Tina Gerova (NY East studio)

Astaire World International Open Standard 5-Dance
1st – Ruslan Meshkov & Alexandra Nema (Albany, NY studio)
2nd – Andreas Luetzner & Doreen Scheinpflug (West Palm Beach, FL studio)

Professional Open Cabaret
1st - Jesse Benedetti & Kimalee Piedad (Ft. Walton Beach, FL studio)
2nd - Forrest Walsh & Michelle Current (Pasadena, CA studio)
3rd - Plamen Danelov & Tina Gerova (NY East studio)

Which 'Dancing' Pro Choreographed Chelsea Clinton's First Dance with Marc Mezvinsky?

from newsok.com:

Chelsea Clinton wed longtime beau Marc Mezvinsky Saturday evening in Rhinebeck, New York -- but was the happy couple's special first dance choreographed by one of these "Dancing with the Stars" pros?

A source tells ET that it was none-other-than ballroom bad boy Maksim Chmerkovskiy who choreographed the duo's first dance as husband and wife.

Dancing With The Stars Season 11!

The cast of Dancing With The Stars Season 11 will be announced on August 30th on an episode of ABC's newest reality series, 'Bachelor Pad.'

FADS Pros Win Big!

Professional dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studios around the country are heating up the dance floor this year at various prestigious competitions. Here are some recent results:

Millennium Dance Championships

American Open Rhythm
4th - Ricky Bentzen and Albina Habrle
6th - Hayk Arshakian and Sarah Haworth

Cabaret
1st – Jesse Benedetti and Kimalee Piedad
4th – Vicente Martinez and Megan Murphy

Rising Star American Smooth
5th – Chris Germain and Simona Palmova

Rising Star American Rhythm
1st – Aleks Nashev and Brittney Bartler
2nd – Aaron DeSoto and Jaana Lillemagi
4th – Slash Sharan and Ria Valenzuela

Manhattan Dance Championships

American Rhythm
3rd – Ken Hansen and Christina Penatello
4th – Ricky Bentzen and Albina Habrle

American Smooth
5th - Mikhail Zharinov and Galina Detkina

Latin
5th place – Plamen Danailov and Tina Gerova

Rising Star American Rhythm
2nd – Slash Sharan and Ria Valenzuela
3rd – Eugene Yeremenko and Marisa Yatsenko

Rising Star American Smooth
4th – Peter Hahn and Juliet Thibodeaux

The Health Benefits Of Ballroom Dancing

from fivestarwayofliving.com:

By Blaze Smith, on July 22nd, 2010

Ready to get in shape but not a fan of the gym? You love to move to music, can’t help but tap your foot or loved to dance as a child? Would prefer to exercise while accomplishing something other than repetition? You sound like a great candidate to explore the enormous benefits of getting your exercise by going ballroom dancing.

There are many studies that show social dancing is an exceptional form of exercise. Mayo Clinic researchers claim social dancing helps “boost energy, improve strength, increase muscle tone and coordination all while reducing stress.” And not only in America have studies shown its value. In Italy, researchers found that 21 minutes of dancing just three times a week has cardiovascular benefits equal to a bicycle or treadmill workout.

Typical exercises can improve your bones and muscles but experts claim that dancing is the best workout when it comes to increasing your metabolism. Dances such as Jive and Salsa actually require surprisingly large amounts of energy. Dance increases your heart rate while consuming stored fats in your body. Ballroom dancing is definitely an enjoyable way to lose weight! Ballroom dancing tones your muscles, strengthens your core and improves your skin. So you look and feel better all while burning calories on the dance floor!

And what did the National Heart, Ling and Blood Institute (NHLBI) say about dancing? Well, they indicated that dancing can decrease your blood pressure, aid you in managing your weight, lower your risk of coronary heart diseases and strengthen your bones, especially those on your hips and legs. The good just keeps coming.

Can you believe that dancing also helps with memory, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia? The New England Journal of Medicine reported that dancing does.

Like most exercises, the amount of benefit you get from dancing depends on the type and intensity. Exercise physiologist Catherine Cram of Comprehensive Consulting in Middleton, Wisconsin, stated that “a terrific workout occurs when a person gets his or her heart rate up (and) … dance is a weight-bearing activity which builds bones.”

I am confident you will find your own multiple reasons why ballroom dancing will benefit you – and your loved ones!

If you are pregnant (or know someone who is,) want to exercise and have fun, do take a look at Blaze Smith’s free “Ballroom Dance and Pregnancy” video on the topic. She also has other ballroom dancing tips and how tos freely available on the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Mamaroneck site that provide tips and information about ballroom dancing, what to wear, what to expect at the studio and more.

Upcoming Event

United States Dance Championships 2010 held in Orlando, Florida on September 7-11, 2010 is one of the most prestigous dance competitions in the country. Over $180,000 will be awarded in cash, medallions, and trophies at this exciting event. The competition will feature:

• United States National Open & Pro/Am Championships and United States National Professional Championships - The winners and runners-up from the U.S. National Professional International Standard and Latin will represent the USA in the WDC World Professional Dance Championships.
• United States Grand Championships - The winners of the U.S. Pro/Am "Open" Latin, Rhythm, Standard, Smooth and the winners of the U.S. Pro/Am Ten Dance and Nine Dance Championships will compete on Saturday afternoon to determine the U.S. Pro/Am Grand Champion.
• The U.S. Open to the World Professional Standard Championship and the U.S. Open to the World Professional Latin American Championship. Both events are WDC World Series Events. The WDC World Series combines the premiere Professional dancing competitions for Standard & Latin in the World to form the foundation for the World Ranking for Professional Dancers in their respective styles.
• World Professional Dance Championships™ featuring World Cabaret/Exhibition Championships.

Exciting Results!

On June 22, the Millennium Dancesport Championships were held in St. Petersburg, Florida. Fred Astaire Professional Wisconsin Couples won top honors at this year's event. Congratulations to the following American Open Rhythm Finalists:

Ricky Bentzen and Albina Habrle - 4th place
Hayk Arshakian and Sarah Haworth - 6th place

On June 30, at the Manhattan Dancesport Championships in New York City, another Fred Astaire couple took the competition by storm. Congratulations to Ken Hansen and Christina Penatello for placing 3rd in American Rhythm.

DWTS Tony Dovolani Wants A More Able Partner Next Time

from people.com:

Dancing with the Stars doesn’t kick off its 11th season until the end of September, but it’s never too early for the pro partners to start planning ahead and thinking of ways to get their hands on that mirror ball trophy.

“I enjoyed every bit of last season — well, most of it, I mean,” Tony Dovolani, who partnered with controversial contestant Kate Gosselin last season, told PEOPLE at the ESPY Awards Wednesday in L.A. “Next season I would like to have a more able partner, someone who doesn’t have so many distractions in their life. The producers know how I feel.”

Tony and Kate were eliminated after several weeks of low scores and negative reviews from the judges. They also had their fair share of drama.

So who would be up to Dovolani’s standards when it’s time to waltz again? “I would love to see Anna Kournikova come on our show [or] Jennifer Aniston,” he says with a laugh. “I aim very high.”

And since he aims so high, why not add occasional costar Julianne Hough‘s beau Ryan Seacrest to the equation? “I think FOX would have a real problem with him coming onto our show,” Dovolani says. “But I wish [him and Julianne] both well. I think you could put anyone next to Julianne and you have a cute couple. She can make anyone look good!”

Get Excited for National Dance Day

from danceblogs.fox.com:

So You Think You Can Dance executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe would like to declare July 31, NATIONAL DANCE DAY.

WHAT: NATIONAL DANCE DAY, a grassroots initiative that encourages the nation, young and old, to move! Individuals, families, organizations and communities from across the nation come together through their creative expression in dance. Any style of dance is welcome and imagination is recommended in order to get the most out of this celebratory day.

WHEN: Saturday, July 31

WHY: To continue to generate national awareness for dance, a medium of expression and storytelling which, through shows like So You Think You Can Dance, has proven its value in bringing individuals from all walks of life together through a positive platform that has no boundaries and cultivates imagination and passion. Most importantly, the day is intended to promote health and wellness nationwide.

Nigel has been tweeting up a storm about National Dance Day, a.k.a. D-Day. He said the goal is to “prove that the ‘Power of Dance’ can MOVE an entire Country!” So get up off the couch and put on your dancing shoes on July 31st.

So You Think You Can Dance Tour Dates

Sep-19 New Orleans, LA/Lakefront Arena
Sep-21 Houston, TX/Reliant Arena
Sep-22 Grand Prairie, TX/Verizon Theatre
Sep-24 Kansas City, MO/Sprint Center
Sep-25 St. Louis, MO/Chaifetz Arena
Sep-27 Duluth, GA/Arena at Gwinnett Center
Sep-29 Miami, FL/American Airlines Arena
Sep-30 Orlando, FL/Amway Arena
Oct-02 Charlotte, NC/Time Warner Cable Arena
Oct-03 Richmond, VA/Richmond Coliseum
Oct-05 Baltimore, MD/1st Mariner Arena
Oct-06 Trenton, NJ/Sun National Bank Center
Oct-07 New York City, NY/Radio City Music Hall
Oct-09 Mashantucket CT/MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods*
Oct-10 Manchester, NH/Verizon Wireless Arena
Oct-11 Boston, MA/Agganis Arena at Boston University
Oct-13 Rochester, NY/BlueCross Arena
Oct-15 Long Island, NY/Nassau Coliseum
Oct-16 Atlantic City, NJ/Boardwalk Hall
Oct-17 Newark, NJ/Prudential Center
Oct-19 Toronto, ON/Air Canada Centre
Oct-20 Detroit, MI/Joe Louis Arena
Oct-22 Pittsburgh, PA/CONSOL Energy Center
Oct-23 Louisville, KY/KFC Yum! Center
Oct-24 Columbus, OH/Schottenstein Center*
Oct-26 Rosemont, IL/Allstate Arena
Oct-27 Milwaukee, WI/Bradley Center
Oct-29 Rockford, IL/Rockford's MetroCentre
Oct-30 Minneapolis, MN/Target Center
Nov-02 Broomfield, CO/1stBANK Center
Nov-04 West Valley City, UT/Maverik Center
Nov-06 Tacoma, WA/Tacoma Dome
Nov-07 Portland, OR/Rose Garden
Nov-09 Sacramento, CA/ARCO Arena
Nov-10 San Jose, CA/HP Pavilion at San Jose
Nov-12 Las Vegas, NV/The Theater for the Performing Arts Center at Planet Hollywood
Nov-13 San Diego, CA/San Diego Sports Arena
Nov-14 Ontario, CA/Citizens Business Bank Arena
Nov-16 Los Angeles, CA/STAPLES Center
Nov-17 Glendale, AZ/jobing.com arena

Star Judge at Fred Astaire Dance Studios National Competition!

We are proud to announce that Max Chmerkovskiy, a well-known dance celebrity and long time professional instructor on Dancing With The Stars, will be a judge at this year's Astaire World Championships in San Juan, along with Tony Dovolani!

Lauren Froderman signals to Fred Astaire Dance Studios!

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Phoenix, Arizona is thrilled to have their student, Lauren Froderman, on the hit show So You Think You Can Dance. She promised to give the "shaka" signal on television to show that she's thinking of FADS and here she is...

TV's 'Glee' inspires new performing arts camps for women

from ctpost.com:

By Sandra Diamond Fox, Contributing Writer

Page 1 of 1

Mamma mia, does it show again?

My, my, just how much I've missed you.

Mamma mia, here I go again

My, my, how can I resist you?

About 15 Danbury-area women are showing just how much they can't resist being on stage this summer by participating in two performance camps created just for them.

The camps, called "Moms Gone Glee" and "Moms Gone Wild," are taking place at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Brookfield. And they aren't just for moms -- they're for any women.

They're based upon the new musical drama TV series "Glee," produced by Ryan Murphy, airing Thursdays on FOX TV. The series is about an Ohio high school teacher -- played by Matthew Morrison -- who attempts to save his school's glee club while helping the club's members develop their talents.

"Moms Gone Glee" will

emphasize singing and dancing. Students will perform songs from "Glee" as well as from Broadway. Aside from "Mama Mia," songs include, "All That Jazz" from "Chicago," "I Hope I Get It" from "A Chorus Line," "Better Shape Up" from "Grease," and "Big Spender" from "Sweet Charity."

Other songs will include "Out Tonight" from "Rent," "In the Heights" from "In the Heights," "Maybe This Time" from "Cabaret," "Roxie" from "Chicago," and "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked."

"Campers will help choreograph all the performances and put their own spin on each song," says Nancy Mulligan, 46, Glee Camp's executive director, and marketing director of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

The camp encourages women to be as expressive and creative as they want, Mulligan explains.

"Whether you're a former drama club `geek' or just sing in the shower, this is the place for you," says Mulligan. "We welcome every level here."

"Watching `Glee' (on TV) you see all different kinds of people coming together through their common love of the performing arts, and this is what they are doing in these camps," she adds.

Mulligan says the camp will be a trip down memory lane for everyone who was involved in the performing arts when they were younger.

"I think this camp is such a great idea," says Juliette Koch, 41, who is participating in "Moms Gone Glee."

Koch grew up in the theater and has been performing since the fifth grade. Her father owned a restaurant in New York that was a cabaret.

"Life is so busy for us moms. We are always bringing our kids to all their activities so it's hard to be able to devote time to do things for ourselves," says Koch, the mother of two teens who works as an administrative assistant in a New York art gallery.

"I think this is a great time for all of us to get together and cultivate a common passion," she adds. "We are all in the same boat and we all want each other to succeed. It's a very supportive environment."

Mulligan has a bachelor's degree in TV and musical theater from Syracuse University. She has been a producer for children's television -- including Nickelodeon and Scholastic productions -- for 25 years. For the past 10 years, she has been performing with Musicals at Richter in Danbury.

"Mom's Gone Wild" is a dance class that teaches original choreography of the same songs that are taught in "Moms Gone Glee."

"The cool thing about this camp is that it's a mix of all the original show tunes -- like a remix," says Marcello Deaguero, 24, of Danbury, camp choreographer of "Moms Gone Wild."

Deaguero will be working with women on shows "they have grown up on and still watch today," he says.

Deaguero has been dancing for over a decade, and is a choreographer at dance studios all over Connecticut, including the Ridgefield Studio of Performing Arts, Just Dance Studios in Norwalk, and the Conservatory of Dance in Georgetown. He teaches break dancing, hip-hop, and jazz.

Rather than having all campers follow his choreography, Deaguero prefers a collaborative effort.

"I'm looking for the creative efforts from all the moms," he says. "This class will be a chance to reminisce, as well as explore the side of ourselves that is passionate about dance, while having fun at the same time."

Aside from the moms' camps, Mulligan has also created a Glee camp for kids. Children ages 8 to 16 work with professional choreographers, musical directors, vocal coaches and actors. Campers travel to Manhattan, N.Y., to see Broadway shows. At the end of each session, they perform before an audience.

"I hope this camp will inspire kids to have an appreciation for the performing arts, and consider it as a career," Mulligan says. "I also hope they enhance their self-esteem, and increase their confidence to find their hidden talents."

Mulligan hopes by the time the camp is over, if campers want to go further with their passion, they can utilize her staff's connections. "We have a team that can put them in the right direction," she says.

"At Glee camps, all campers get a chance to shine and find what their particular passion and talents might be. I feel Glee camps speak to both adults and children about exploring the arts," says Mulligan, who plans to continue offering all her camps in the fall.

"Moms Gone Wild" and "Moms Gone Glee" classes are July 8, 15, and 22. "Moms Gone Wild" is from 7:30 to 8 p.m. and "Moms Gone Glee" is from 8 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per class if you sign up in advance. Walk-ins are $20 per class.

"Glee Camp Kids" is offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday in four two-week sessions: July 5-16; July 19-30; Aug. 2-13; and Aug. 16-27. Cost is $500 per session. Price includes a Broadway show ticket, transportation fees, and T-shirt.

For more information, contact Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 117 Old State Road, Brookfield, 203-775-6588.

Tony Dovolani To Judge At FADS Competition!

TONY DOVOLANI will be a judge at our next national competition, the Astaire World Championships in San Juan on July 21-25!

Fred Astaire Dance Studios On So You Think You Can Dance!

FABIAN SANCHEZ, co-owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Birmingham, Alabama and formerly on Dancing With The Stars, will be choreographing for Salsa and Mambo couples on this season's show.

Fabian will join a list of other notable choreographers in the dance world today, including Louis van Amstel, Napoloeon and Tabitha D’umo, Tyce Diorio, Jean-Marc Genereux, Tony Meredith, Mia Michaels, and Ron Montez.

In addition, LAUREN FRODERMAN, a student at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the top 11 contestants on the show this season. “We have a little thing we decided she would do to say hello to all of her Fred Astaire family [while she’s on the show],” says studio owner Robert Doyle, “At the end of her number when she makes the sign for people to call, she will make the “SHAKA” sign, which means ‘hang loose.’”

Congratulations to Fabian and Lauren for their outstanding achievements!

Dancing Tips

By Stanley McCalla, Fred Astaire Dance Board Member and Examiner

Hello there, I hope that you are all about to enjoy a dance lesson, or have had yours some time in the near past.

Last night, I was asked to teach an international Latin group class. The group of students (4 guys and 3 girls) had such a good time learning that I came out of that class with a great feeling of accomplishment.

One of the students approached me after the class and said: “Mr. McCalla, I really learned a lot today and I am very pleased how you communicated the information to us.” He went on to say, “I don’t know about the others but I appreciate how you explained things from the bottom up.”

Since you are probably curious about what the student was talking about, let me explain. The dance I was teaching was the International Latin Cha Cha. The students did not know that style very well at all, so I started with a series of exercises that would hopefully instill a strong foundation in them. These are exercises that you could practice yourself while reading this.

First, I had everyone standing around me in a circle. Second, I had them stand feet together in first position, toes turned out, the body erect, their spines straight, their shoulders down, the back of their necks pulled up, their sit bones hanging between their feet and with their body weight perched over the ball of their feet. They would move then to 2nd position, then to 3rd, then to 4th, then to 5th.

Thereafter, I taught them the lock step or triple cha cha, as you might know it, as a fourth, a fifth and a fourth step. Then I would link the right lock to the left lock followed by the right lock again, ending with a forward break step. I would do the same thing for the back locks and link the two patterns together. All the while doing these exercises, I would talk about foot pressure, strengthening and bending of the knees (when and how), rotation and settlement of the hips (when and how).

The next pattern and exercise I showed them was the basic chasse to a New Yorker or a crossover brake, as you might know it. The students would practice those slowly with my supervision, then they would do it by themselves to slow music, and then they would do it again partnering each other. They would then change partners practicing leading and following. At the end of the hour, the students were having fun, sweating and happy. To make it short, the students had learned some patterns of a new dance, practicing some of their learned foundation and technique in a fun and comprehensive way.

Obviously, I could not go into everything in detail with you today, but some of the technique including the posture, the foot position and the leg techniques mentioned above here could be very beneficial to you by practicing them. I recommend that you try them, but before you do so, please check with your expert teacher who will make sure that you practice correctly.
I hope I gave you some food for thought that should enhance your dancing quest. Until next time, keep your dancing feet moving to the beat!

DeSoto Kicks Off Lunch, Rush Hour Classes at Downtown Fred Astaire

from chicagonow.com:

Local celeb and former Dancing with the Stars dancer Jesse DeSoto is kicking the summer off with a new class series at his newest Fred Astaire studio downtown.

The new classes target professionals working downtown who want to utilize their lunch hours or rush hours for something other than eating or commuting through heavy traffic.

DeSoto says the classes are perfect for people looking to "enjoy their time instead of spending it in a cubicle or on the road." With these classes, attendees will be able to learn a new skill during a time which otherwise might be wasted sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

The class targets adult beginners looking to improve their skills on the dance floor (it is wedding season people!). But with any skill that takes practice, the sky is the limit. DeSoto himself didn't start until after high school. The former high school jock started out training when he was 19 at the Fred Astaire near his hometown of Greendale, Wisconsin. The rest is history, as he started competing with Jackie Josephs in 2003 and winning countless titles, including 2nd place in the World Mambo.

DeSoto got picked up by Dancing with the Stars in 2006, and danced with Shanna Moakler, former Miss USA and Travis Barker's ex-wife. DeSoto retired from competing in 2008. He opened Fred Astaire studios in Buffalo Grove and South Barrington, Illinois, in 2008, and then purchased the downtown Chicago location this past April.

The kickoff event for the Lunch Hour and Rush Hour Beginner Group Dance Lessons is at China Grill this Tuesday, June 15, at 12:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. DeSoto and his staff will lead a free 30-minute group lesson, have dance demos, drawing for prizes, and complimentary tastes from China Grill's revamped menu. The actual lesson series begins June 21. For more information call the studio at (312) 263-6505.

Fred Astaire Dance Student On So You Think You Can Dance!

Lauren Froderman, a student at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Phoenix, Arizona, is one of the top 11 contestants on the show this season. “We have a little thing we decided she would do to say hello to all of her Fred Astaire family [while she’s on the show],” says Robert Doyle, studio owner, “At the end of her number when she makes the sign for people to call, she will make the “SHAKA” sign, which means ‘hang loose.’”

Jean Marc Casanave Teaches The Waltz on Lifetime's "The Balancing Act"

Fred Astaire Professional On So You Think You Can Dance!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Fred Astaire's own Fabian Sanchez, co-owner of the Birmingham, Alabama studio and former instructor on Dancing With The Stars, will choreograph for Salsa and Mambo couples on the hit show So You Think You Can Dance at the end of June.

So You Think You Can Dance is one of the hottest reality TV shows around with an audience of 8-10 million viewers! Fabian will join a list of other notable choreographers in the dance world today, including Louis van Amstel, Napoloeon and Tabitha D'umo, Tyce Diorio, Jean-Marc Genereux, Tony Meredith, Mia Michaels, and Ron Montez.

Congratulations to Fabian for this outstanding achievement!