Chief Vision Caster.
Coach. Dance instructor. Teeniest dragon. Coffee/tea maker. Social coordinator. Floor sweeper. Bill payer. All the things.
Kristin began ballroom dance in college at the University of Toledo in 2002, and made her foray into teaching in 2006. After a brief break during a stint in La-La-Land, she returned to Toledo and began her focused professional career in dance in 2014. Her favorite dance depends on the music and who she is dancing with -- but anybody who wants to dance Peabody gets a gold star! Kristin also serves as the DanceFam Junior Jitterbugs youth program director, and has a goal of building a gaggle of junior dancers.
A DVIDA-certified dance instructor, Kristin was a nationally recognized competitor in USA Dance, and has competed professionally in the American Rhythm style for more than 3 years. Kristin says that her ultimate goal is to help every student experience the pure joy that comes when nothing else in the world matters except the music, the movement, and your partner, and hopes to every student learns: Life is better when you're dancing.
Specialties: International Latin. American Rhythm. Performance and showdance. Choreography. Punctuality. Bad jokes.
Born in Russia, Slava immigrated to the U.S. with his family during middle school. While attending college at Case Western Reserve University, Slava’s love for dance also blossomed; although he had been introduced to the art as a boy through the Jewish Community Center, it was only after he followed a girl he liked into a class at Case Western on a lark that he became hooked. Over the next few years, he continued to study at a number of studios where he also began to teach. Slava has always lived by the twin ideas that you should do what you love, and if you love something it is never a chore.
Like any good teacher, Slava measures his success by his students’, and they have more than met expectations, frequently placing first, second and third at prominent competitions including the Ohio Star Ball, the Falls Premier Ball, DanceSport challenges in Cleveland and Houston, and DanceSport championships in Wisconsin, Virginia and Manhattan. Slava enjoys introducing students of all ages to the full spectrum of dance, from waltz and foxtrot to salsa and mambo – and everything in between.
Specialties: Social Latin Dances, Group Class Whisperer, Wedding/Quinceanera Prep
Antonio "Tony" began dancing at age 4, growing up in a strong tradition of folklore dancing and dancing to traditional Latin music. He began dancing ballroom at age 11 and is excited to continue growing!
Tony says that his goal is to show others the love of dance and how much fun it can truly be!
