ABOUT OUR CLASS TEACHERS
All instructors teaching classes here have their own independent dance schools in their particular dance style of expertise. We invited each of them to teach here for their 1) expertise in their style of dance, 2) teaching experience and 3) abilities to create a warm welcoming & supportive atmosphere for beginners.
Chad Kubo , founder of Zen Dance School, is a Professional Lindy Hop teacher, dancer, performer, social dancer who has been teaching workshops, classes, privates and group privates SF and the Bay Area and internationally since 1993. He was one of the cofounders of Lindy in the Park Golden Gate Park, co-owner of the venue The Doghouse, and a Lindy Hop teacher at the Metronome Ballroom in SF. He has taught for Frankie Manning, Lionel Hampton, Winton Marsallis, and Brian Setzer. Join him here for Beginning East Coast Swing on Wednesday Nights and Lindy Hop classes on Monday nights. Phone: (510) 290-8014
Chrystal Chen. Growing up with a background in fashion and costume design, Chrystal tried dancing for the first time while attending college in her late teens. She learned the basics of ballet, belly dance, jazz, tap, and hip hop, but her favorite was Latin ballroom. She stayed on the Contra Costa College ballroom formation team for three years, and then joined Sukachov Dance Academy to train in Latin under Olga and Dima Sukachov. Now, she frequently competes in open Latin with her partner, Oscar Rodriguez, winning many awards all over the West Coast.
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David Orly-Thompson is one of the Bay Area's most respected teachers of Argentine Tango. His teaching is clear, concise and great for foundation elements as well as advanced moves. Learn advanced tango elements utilizing seamless and sensual transitions from open and close embrace. Each week the class learns and analyzes multiple elements of the dance, how to lead and follow, and understand the structures involved. A fantastic class to help you reach a deeper level and understanding of the dance. Take Argentine Tango Class with him on Tuesday nights.
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Luz Castineiras Bio Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Luz brings a unique perspective to tango. For over five years, she researched tango as a therapy tool to improve social-emotional and cognitive skills in palliative care settings. Luz studied contemporary dance and Music therapy in addition to tango. She began dancing tango at Studio Dinzel in Buenos Aires, where she was able to incorporate these two disciplines. In 2011, she moved to the Bay Area and began teaching tango with various partners at la Pista SF, Studio 1924 and Alma del tango Studio.
Luz is a heart and soul tango dancer, and her dance communicates her strength and knowledge of music. In her classes, students are encouraged to explore tango and dance techniques, connection and musicality. She creates a friendly, inviting atmosphere for learning and always looks for active feedback from students. Join her for class on Friday nights.
Luz is a heart and soul tango dancer, and her dance communicates her strength and knowledge of music. In her classes, students are encouraged to explore tango and dance techniques, connection and musicality. She creates a friendly, inviting atmosphere for learning and always looks for active feedback from students. Join her for class on Friday nights.
Mary Dollar, Artistic Director of Samba do Coraçao, has 20 years of professional dancing and teaching experience, studied with master teachers in Brazil and the USA and has received numerous awards for her choreography, visuals and costume design, including, "Carnaval SF Grand Champion". "Best Brazilian Group" and the "Special Achievement Award" for her services/ contributions to the SF Carnaval community. Take her Samba class on Saturday nights and Zumba on Monday + Wednesday Nights! Phone: (415) 509-7854
Oscar Rodriguez began his dancing at the age of five, inspired by the one and only Michael Jackson. Throughout his teen years, he focused on hip hop. In college, he tried ballroom dancing out of curiosity, and decided to make that his new focus. After three years of being on the college’s ballroom formation team, he began training in International Latin with Sukachov Dance Academy. Now, he frequently competes in open Latin with Chrystal all over the West Coast, winning many first and second places in Pre-Novice, Novice, and Pre-Championship.. Phone: (510) 776-5695
Suzanne Bare has been dancing Argentine Tango for more than 20 years. She is the Founder and Choreographer of Deseo de Tango, a dance formation team dedicated to spreading a love of tango in the community. Suzanne has taught tango classes at the Sycamore Club (Danville), Two-Left Feet (Danville), Lake Merritt Dance Center (Oakland) and Allegro Ballroom (Richmond) as well as at Hidden City Ballroom and at the Moraga Parks and Recreation. Performances include Tango in the Square (Union Square, SF 2017, 2018 & 2022), City Dance Studios Spring Dance Fashion Show (SF, 2022), Cell Space (SF), Studio Gracia (SF), and couple solos at Dance Unlimited (Vallejo) and most recently for Diablo Women’s Chorale Bells & Noels concert (Walnut Creek, 2022). She and husband/dance partner Lance hsve been part of a tango short film, Like Fred and Ginger (by Robert Fields), and interviewed by the SF Chronicle. . Let them share their passion for tango with you. They teach group class here Sunday afternoons. Phone (925) 285-4820
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Suzie Hardt, A.I.S.T.D. is founder of The Hidden City Ballroom, Suzie's Studio, The Wedding Choreographer, and A Tall Order Dance Entertainment, and is author of ballroom books Social Dance Made Simple and Moving As Two: A Guide For Ballroom Dancers . She and her husband/dance partner Todd Marsden are 4 x United States Ten Dance Ballroom & Latin Champions in the Senior 1 division, representing the U.S . Join her for her Ballroom Classes on Thursday Nights. Phone: (415) 342-3425
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Stephen Scrafford first fell in love with partner dance at a country bar, while attending UC Santa Barbara. Eventually Stephen’s 2-step and swing earned him a job at Arthur Murray, where he was trained and certified as an instructor in ballroom dance. His passion for social styles lead him to teach independent, where he met his partner on and off the floor, Evelyn Bobadilla. Join his Intro To Social Ballroom Class on Thursday Nights.
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About Other Teachers Here
Though not teaching one of our group classes, you may see the teachers below teaching private lessons, practicing, or coaching a formation team here.
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Photis Pishiaras founded and operated Vima Dance Studio in San Francisco, as well as owning a dance studio in Cypress. Competing in the US, Canada and Europe, Photis and his dance partner, Ron, known as Photon, have won many metals, most recently the Gold medal in Men's Ballroom division at the 2018 Tenth Gay-Games world championships in Paris, France. Photis is the founder of the all-male performance group, Vima Vice Squad, who are the 2011-2014 US and 2013 North America Formation Team Champions. Email: [email protected] |
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Rafael Dominguez has been teaching ballroom and Latin dance in the Bay Area for 20+ years. He has performed and competed in all ballroom and Latin styles in competitions in the Bay Area and in the Gay Games in Paris as both a leader and a follower. He performs regularly with the famous ballroom formation team, the Vima Vice Squad. He is known for his supportive teaching style, welcoming class atmosphere and innovative choreography.
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Christy Cote has been teaching, performing and choreographing Argentine Tango since 1996 and is one of the most respected teachers of Argentine Tango in the United States today. Her teaching method has been published in the Argentine Tango manuals by Dance Vision which are complimented by a series of 21 instructional videos with partner, George Garcia.Christy's popular Tango Boot Camps have attracted thousands of students since 2007. She is also one of the featured teachers and performers for CITA, the annual International Tango Congress in Buenos Aires. In 2012 she became the first ever American judge for the Official USA Tango Championships, an annual event sanctioned by the Argentine Government. Christy has been featured on San Francisco's KTVU Segment 2 Report, KPIX/Channel 5 Evening Magazine, nationally in Dance Spirit Magazine as well as numerous San Francisco/ Bay Area publications.
Christy is one of the founding members and choreographers of the all female tango company, Tango ConFusion created in 2004. Phone: (415) 519-1333
Christy is one of the founding members and choreographers of the all female tango company, Tango ConFusion created in 2004. Phone: (415) 519-1333
Christian Solares is a professional ballroom instructor proficient in both International and American Styles. With over 18 years teaching and competition experience, Baricchi Institute of Movement and Art Certified, he teaches Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Cha cha, Jive, Swing, and Rumba. Phone: (415) 595-7924
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Tytus & LiWen Bergstrom are the Latin dance instructors who produce the popular Latin Dance Online Courses Dance Insanity Tytus is a 4 x U.S. Latin Dance Champion and producer of Reality TV Movie. LiWen is a professional Latin dancer, certified power yoga coach, and author of the useful Dance Diary- The Ultimate Dancer's Journal.Take private lessons from them virtually or in person . Phone:(510) 289-4156
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Diane Jarmalow is founder of the Ballroom Dance Teachers College and author of Ballroom Dance Teachers College Curriculum, the book Teach Like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide for Ballroom Dance Instructors, book and DVD with Kasia Kozak Move Like a Champion, and creator of the remarkable Salesfree Sales Workshops and Audio Program. She is founder and former owner/director of the renowned Metronome Ballroom, San Francisco’s “Best Place to Learn to Dance.” Take private lessons virtually from her or in person here when she comes to town. [email protected]
Tom Mayock, the Teaching Artist brings the dance arts to thousands of children annually, in the form of standards based curriculum in elementary schools. With his unique K-5th grade curriculum of Jazz, Creative Moment, and student generated composition, Mr. Tom helps students to be better critical, collaborative and creative thinkers. He is the Co-Artistic Director and Choreographer of Sun Valley Elementary's World Dance Festival (5 years), and The Classroom Connections Festival (7 years). As a Teaching Artist he has been with SFArtsED at 2 elementary schools (10 years). The Kid Dance Brigade After-School Program and Summer Camp in Marin county have been delighting and serving families for over a decade. Phone: (415) 450-0674
