Instructors

 

Stars Ballroom offers students some of the top dance professionals in the United States.  Many of our top professionals have been finalists in such prestigious competitions as the Ohio Star Ball (seen nationally on PBS TV every year), United States Ballroom Dance Championships and have even reached the British Open Championships in Blackpool, U.K. Some of our top professionals that are currently competing have been approached by the TV program “Dancing With the Stars” to perform on their show!

 

In addition to our top professionals being great dancers they are also top teachers and teach both competitive and social dancing.  Below is a list of our highly qualified teachers:

 

Teacher/Coach                    Phone #

 

John Berry                       480-309-7893

John is one of the foremost competitive teachers and coaches in the U.S. from coast to coast.  He is a certified ISTD judge and judges competitions across the country.

 

Diana Berry                      480-223-3264

Diana is one of the foremost competitive teachers and coaches in the U.S. from coast to coast.  Diana judges competitions across the country. 

 

Decho Kraev                    480-580-9595

Decho and Bree have been asked to perform across the country and have been approached to perform on the TV show, “Dancing With the Stars”. They are regular finalists in all major U.S. and Open to the World Professional events in American Rhythm.  In 2007, their artistic expression on the dance floor elevated them to 1st in the country, becoming the 2007 U.S. National Theatre Arts Champions.  See their pictures in our Photo Gallery.

 

Bree Watson                    480-200-2018

Decho and Bree have been asked to perform across the country and have been approached to perform on the TV show, “Dancing With the Stars”. They are regular finalists in all major U.S. and Open to the World Professional events in American Rhythm.  In 2007, their artistic expression on the dance floor elevated them to 1st in the country, becoming the 2007 U.S. National Theatre Arts Champions.  See their pictures in our Photo Gallery.

 

Manny and Cory Gutierrez               602-686-7742

Manny and Cory are the directors of TropicalVibes Dance; a Salsa dance company that provides Salsa dance classes, private lessons, Salsa shows, and Latin event entertainment around Phoenix, Arizona.  Manny and Cory have produced their own instructional DVD.

 

Mona Brandt                    480-491-2393

Mona has been teaching dance for over 20 years.  She teaches Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country and Line Dance.  She teaches all ages and all levels of dancers from very beginners through advanced and competition level dancers.  Mona is available for private lessons, group classes, choreography, special events and coaching.  She is a 6-Time UCWDC World Champion who specializes in making learning to dance fun and easy.

 

Oliver Hilcove                  602-570-1381

Oliver has over ten years of experience teaching dance in the valley. He teaches ballroom, latin , swing, and other dances.

 

Matt Jensen                     602-309-2736

Matt Jensen, director of Ballroom Magic, is nationally recognized as a certified teacher in the American Style of Ballroom and Rhythm dances.

 

Joe Coder                         602-697-4970

In addition to Stars Ballroom, Joe taught Ballroom dance at Mesa Community College and is the previous City Dance Director for Arthur Murray in Kansas City and Dallas.

 

Joanna Senn                    520-440-7274

In addition to Stars Ballroom, Joanna currently teaches Ballroom dancing at “Shall We Dance” in Tucson, Arizona.  She placed in the top 12 in the country in American Smooth.

 

Paul Jack                         623-640-9865

Paul is a dance instructor and organizer of the Galaxy Dance Festival Competition in Arizona.