Coaching Schedule

• September 14-15 - Stephen Knight
• September 16-18 - David Hamilton
• October 7-9 - David Hamilton
• October 13 -14 - Eddie Apolonov
• November 4-6 - David Hamilton
• December 9-11 - David Hamilton 

 Eddi Apolonov

Eddi Apolonov is the Regional Dance Director for the Wisconsin Region, and occasionally, we are lucky enough to have him in our studio. As a competitor, Eddi competed on the most renowned floor in the world as a Rising Star Finalist in International Latin at the Blackpool Dance Festival. He was also the undefeated Fred Astaire International Latin Champion. With a Bachelors Degree in Choreography from the University of Fine Arts of Russia, Eddi creates some of the most interesting and beautiful routines. His passion and enthusiasm for ballroom dancing is highly contagious, and he is sure to inspire greatness.

Stephen Knight

Stephen Knight is one of the busiest men in the industry! As a Regional Franchise Director for the Wisconsin region, an NDCA adjudicator, a coach, choreographer, and the Assistant National Dance Director for Fred Astaire Dance Studios, his dance card is almost always full. Stephen and his dance partner, Rae Josephs, were 3-time United States American Rhythm Finalists, and 6 time undefeated Fred Astaire American Rhythm Champions. Stephen is also responsible for creating a large portion of the Silver Syllabus. He is well-known for his choreography for open routines, Solos, Showcases, and Novelties.

David Hamilton began his dance career over 20 years ago in Nashville. In 1995 David took the national title with his partner at the time Teresa Shiry, followed by two more national titles with Olga Foraponova. Other titles include three time World Showdance finalist and 68 National Dance Council Championship events. David resides in his hometown of Nashville, TN, where he co-owns and operates Dance World of Nashville. David is registered with the World Dance Council as an adjudicator for World Championships and is registerd with the National Dance Council of America to adjudicate nationally recognized dance championships.

Tony Dovolani
Tony Dovolani has become one of the most recognized faces of Fred Astaire Dance Studios and of Ballroom Dancing. Tony began his ballroom career as an instructor with Fred Astaire and has since become a World Champion American Rhythm Dancer with his partner, Elena Grinenko. Having a coaching with Tony gives you bragging rights, as he has been a cast member of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars every year since Season 2! 

Ilya Efraimov & Nadia Goulina

Nadia Goulina is one of the world’s best International Latin Dancers as well as a Fred Astaire studio owner in Montville, NJ with her partner, Ilya Ifraimov. Nadia can be seen on several seasons of PBS’s America’s Ballroom Challenge, where she performed the well-known Show dance to the theme song from the movie, Transformers. Nadia’s experience in International Latin and Standard as well as American Smooth and Rhythm make her a highly sought-after judge and coach.

With nearly every title in the International Latin division, Ilya Ifraimov is one of the most recognizable faces in ballroom dancing. He can also be seen dancing Pro-Am with his students at Fred Astaire National Events. Ilya and his partner, Nadia, also own and operate a quickly growing studio in New Jersey. With his honest approach, and trend setting choreography, Ilya has become a favorite coach for Chicago North and its Professionals.

Linda Dean

Linda Dean is considered a living legend in the ballroom community. She and her partner, Vernon Brock breathed new life into the International Latin division when they debuted their partnership in 1975. They went on to win the USDSC Latin title for the next four years. Linda is now a dance board member, and coaches and judges all around the country. Her professional demeanor and impeccable taste have made her one of the most sought after coaches in the industry.

Marina and Taliat Tarsinov

Marina and Taliat Tarsinov represented Russia at more than twenty World and European Championships, where they were Ten Dance finalists in Europe and semi-finalists in the World. In Holland, they were Exhibition World Championship finalists. They too were finalists of the European and World Cups in the Professional Latin American and Standard programs as well as many other prestigious international competitions including the German Open, Dutch Open, and the United States Ballroom Dance Championships.
In 1992 they moved to New York and have run the New York East Side Fred Astaire Dance Studio since 1994. They are former National Fred Astaire Professional Standard and Latin Champions and were selected to be members of the National Fred Astaire Council of Dance. They are also members of the National Dance Council of America and the World Dance and Dance Sport Federation. The Tarsinovs are acclaimed adjudicators and very beloved coaches and choreographers in the United States.

Ginette Cournoyer

Ginette Cournoyer is a highly accomplished competitor in the International Latin division, and has also been an adjudicator at the most prestigious competition in the world, Blackpool Dance Festival. Ginette resides in Montreal, Canada, and has the most delightful French Canadian accent. She is highly skilled in all forms of ballroom dance.