Professional Biographies
Diane Barron. A Fellow and Examiner of the B.A.T.D., Diane began competing at the age of 8 and was a finalist in both International-Style Standard and Latin in the British Open Championships. She operates a dance studio in Bristol, England, where she trains many of the area's competitors, including the Ballroom Dance Team from Bristol University. She is a Promoter and leading competitive Adjudicator throughout Great Britain.
Ron Bennett, M.I.S.T.D., HCBB, HCLB. Ron Bennett has enjoyed national standing as a competitor, performer, coach, and judge for more than 30 years. He holds top accreditation with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (I.S.T.D) and is an active member of the National Dance Council of America (N.D.C.A). Ron was one of a distinguished panel of adjudicators at the World Latin Segue Championships in Innsbruck, Austria. He has worked with the U.S. Ice Dancing Team and the Catholic University of America Ballroom Dance Team. He is also the founder and organizer of the annual Yuletide Ball, a Ballroom Dance competition held over the New Year's Day holiday weekend, and he owns and operates Chevy Chase Ballroom and Dance Sport Center (formerly Danceland II) in Washington, D.C.
Dan Calloway, F.I.S.T.D. Dual Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), Dan has been teaching Ballroom Dancing for more than 19 years. He dances competitively in the International-Style Latin with Silke Nowak. Currently in the Washington, D.C., area, he is one of the most popular teachers at Ron Bennett's Chevy Chase Ballroom and Dance Sport Center (formerly Danceland II) in Washington, D.C.
Richard Diaz. Richard and his wife, Bonnie, were U.S. 10-Dance Representatives from 1991-1993. They are the editors of Ability Dance Journal and organizers of the U.S. Dance Congress. He can be found at the New Life Resource Center Ballroom Dancentre in New York City.
Peter Eggleton. One of the most respected and renowned coaches in the world of International-Style Ballroom Dancing, he is a former British and World Modern Champion. Although long retired from competition, he remains a much sought-after coach and a popular show performer with his wife, Pamela.
Jean Marc and France Genereux. Canadian 10-Dance Latin Champions.
Lou Giacchino, F.I.S.T.D., Latin and Ballroom. A Dual Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD), Lou danced for several years as an Amateur competitor before joining the Professional ranks. He is currently on the staff of Ron Bennett's Chevy Chase Ballroom and Dance Sport Center (formerly Danceland II) in Washington, D.C.
Ian Gillett, M.I.S.T.D. From age 7, Ian's dance career has included Juvenile and Junior Champion titles and numerous Amateur distinctions. He received his training from former World Professional Champion Brenda Winslade and many of the top coaches in London. After he turned professional in 1990, Ian earned, with distinction, associate degrees from the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) in both Standard (Ballroom) and Latin American-Style Dancing. Ian teaches and coaches all levels of competitive dancers at Ron Bennett's Chevy Chase Ballroom and Dance Sport Center (formerly Danceland II) in Washington, D.C.
Stephen and Connie Hannah. Stephen and Connie were Finalists at the British Open Championships, winners of the UK Closed Championships as well as many championships in the United States. They are also lecturers of the Imperial and International Dance Teachers Associations in the United Kingdom. They teach and demonstrate throughout the world.
Elaine Hansen. Elaine studied at Brigham Young University and with leading coaches in England such as Bill Irvine and Peter Eggleton. She specializes in formation and exhibition teams. She was the driving force behind dance programs in several high schools and colleges in Utah. Currently she is the coach for the Valencia Junior College Dance Team in Orlando, Florida.
Stephen Hillier. Stephen started dancing at the age of 7. He took all his medals up to the 3rd Gold Bar in Ballroom and Latin Dancing with the then International Dance Masters Association. With his partner and wife, Lindsey, he holds Juvenile (UK, 1963), Junior (International, 1967), and World Amateur, European, British, UK, and International Championship titles (1977-1979). As Professionals, they hold titles in World (3 years), European (3 years), British (3 years), UK (4 years), and International (5 years). Now retired from competition, Stephen and Lindsey concentrate their energies on teaching competitive couples and developing their own Cabaret performances.
Richard Hopkins, F.I.S.T.D., B.B., L.B. Prominent British Coach, Richard Hopkins teaches in his own studio in Weston Supermare, England. He conducts workshops and acts as Master of Ceremonies for the Annual International Collegiate Dance Festivals.
Michael Houseman, Fellow and Examiner, NATD, Ballroom and Latin. He and his wife, Valerie, have held virtually every World, European, International, and UK Amateur title, and Grand Finalist of UK Star, British, International, Scottish, and UK Open Professional Championships. They are much in demand as coaches and judges.
Jennifer Ford McCalla, Licentiate of the Imperial Society. Jennifer began her dance career as an Amateur in 1979. After becoming the U.S. Amateur American-Style Champion, she met her husband, Stanley McCalla, and together they became U.S. Amateur Latin, Standard, and 10-Dance Champions, and have represented the United States at four World Championships. As principal members of the American Ballroom Theatre Company, they have performed worldwide, delighting audiences with their dynamic, expressive dancing. They own a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in New York City.
Tony Meredith & Melanie LaPatin. World-renowned International-Style Latin stars, Meredith and LaPatin have been five times the U.S. representatives to the World Latin Championships and two times finalists in the World Latin Segue Championships. A married couple, they hold many of the world's major Latin Championship titles. They spend their time traveling extensively, competing and coaching.
Ron Montez. Seven-times U.S. Latin Champion and former British and World Finalist. World-renowned coach and choreographer in both American and International Styles. For years, he has co-hosted with Juliet Prowse on the PBS television production of Championship Ballroom Dancing. He resides with his wife, Karla, in San Diego, California.
Raymond and Gunn Myhrengen. Norwegian 10-Dance Champions.
Silke Nowak, M.I.S.T.D. Silke began her dance career at the age of 7 by studying gymnastics, and she has had extensive training in ballet and jazz. She is a member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (I.S.T.D.) and has been teaching Ballroom Dancing for five years in the Washington, D.C., area. She and her partner, Dan Calloway, won the 1995 Eastern U.S. Championships in the Basic Latin category. She is currently on staff at Ron Bennett's Chevy Chase Ballroom and Dance Sport Center (formerly Danceland II) in Washington, D.C.
Michelle Officer. Michelle spends her time teaching Ballroom Dancing in a New York City dance studio and entering dance competitions with her partner, Edward Simon. They recently won the prestigious La Classique du Quebec Professional American Smooth Championship.
Phillip Perry, F.I.S.T.D., BB, LB. Phillip Perry teaches Ballroom Dancing at Cardiff University in Wales where he has an outstanding record of achievement. He has developed spectacular formation teams and works with adults and college students. He has conducted workshops and adjudicated competitions at the annual International Collegiate Dance Festivals.
Lee Santos. Lee Santos has been dancing with his wife, Peggy, for more than 20 years, in both the International and American Styles of Ballroom Dancing, winning many championship titles. Recognized throughout the United States as a leading adjudicator and coach of social and competitive couples, he was three times the undefeated American-Style Champion and represented the United States in the World Latin competition.
Edward Simon. Edward Simon has won many top-teacher awards and is one of the co-directors of the New York-based studio Dance New York. His students have won many titles including the U.S. Theatrical Championship and U.S. Grand Overall Championship. He holds more than 30 professional titles and was several times an American Smooth finalist. He is currently continuing his successful career with Michelle Officer, recently winning the I.S.T.D. Eastern U.S. American Smooth Championship.
Sam Sodano. Best known currently as the organizer of the Ohio Star Ball, featured annually on PBS television's Championship Ballroom Dancing, Sam Sodano is a former North American Latin Champion. He is chairman of the Arthur Murray International Dance Board, an adjudicator and lecturer, and a very active and dedicated coach at his own dance studio in Columbus, Ohio.
Daniel Trenner & Rebecca Shulman. Daniel has been a professional dancer for 14 years. Between 1987 and the present he has spent several years in Argentina, where he learned the Tango from many of its living Masters. He also teaches Dance Technique, Experiential Anatomy, Bodywork, Contact and Ensemble Improvisation, Jazz, Tap, Ballroom, and Composition. Rebecca is classically trained in ballet and is also an International-Style Modern Ballroom Dancer. She began dancing Tango with Daniel in 1991 and has traveled several times to Buenos Aires, where she studied with Master teachers and danced in the salons. Daniel and Rebecca travel extensively throughout North America, performing and teaching the Argentine Tango.
