“Most people seem to think that good dancers are born. But all of the good dancers that I know have been taught or trained.” ~Fred Astaire.
One of the best things I ever did for myself was learn how to Ballroom Dance. It has completely changed my life, and I can’t imagine what it would be like if I had not taken the chance and gone to my first dance class. I was 26, and I had never been to a dance class. That first class was fun, intimidating, scary, and incredibly addicting. I knew right then and there that I had found my passion and that I would do whatever it takes to keep dancing.
When I first started, I was not very good, and I had a hard time learning how to hear the music and make my body move the way that the teachers wanted me to. I remember struggling with the “triple step” in the Swing. I just could not do it no matter how hard I tried. I got so frustrated that I had to leave the class for a few minutes to keep myself from crying.
Why was something that looked so easy so hard for my body to do?
She would proceed to demonstrate “Ball-flat, Ball, Ball-Flat” as if that would make it any easier. I had no clue what any of that meant. The other people in the class also seemed to be doing it with ease, and I could not figure out what I was missing.
She continued to praise and encourage me with words that I felt were a lie. How could she tell me that I was doing a good job when I clearly wasn’t getting it?
It wasn’t until I became a teacher that I realized that those words of encouragement were real. She was encouraging my effort. She was encouraging me not to give up. She was encouraging me to be ok with feeling uncomfortable. She was creating the belief in me that I needed to pursue this ballroom dance thing.
And now as I teach my students, I can only hope that I create that much desire, passion, and belief in them to continue dancing. Not giving up is the key. Just like Dory said “Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.” You have to take it day by day, lesson by lesson. The rewards for not giving up are priceless.
Now, nearly 20 years later, I am a professional dancer, and I own my dance studio. I danced all over the country. I have performed on TV, on Stage, and in Parades. I have danced for packed audiences, for small audiences, and everything in between. I worked hard and trained even harder. I spent so much time and money on becoming a great dancer that I proved to myself why Fred Astaire said that “all of the good dancers that I know have been taught or trained.” If I can be taught to dance, I know that you can too!
Meet the Owner
Shawn Nerdahl
Our Teachers
Cassidy is a talented ballroom dance teacher who brings passion and expertise to the dance floor.
With a favorite dance of Rumba and a love for teaching Cha Cha and Tango, Cassidy has a diverse range of skills that she shares with her students.
Her favorite social dance is the 2-Step, and she has been dancing for 20 years and teaching for 5.
She learned how to ballroom dance in high school and started her teaching journey at Fred Astaire Dance Studios.
One of Cassidy's favorite dance memories is watching her student, Marge, change her life and goals through dance.
She also finds great reward in helping stroke survivors dance and perform at charity events.
Cassidy prefers competitions to showcases, and her favorite dancer is Nino Dzneldadze.
She has a love for both American dance styles, Rhythm and Smooth, and believes that ballroom dancing can improve one's life for the better mentally and physically by boosting confidence.
Meet Iliana 💃, a 23-year veteran dancer and 16-year ballroom dance teacher!
Iliana's favorite dance changes every week, but right now it's the Cha Cha.
She loves teaching the Waltz and gets a thrill from social dancing to salsa.
Iliana learned to dance as a child in school and has since honed her skills to become a talented teacher.
Her favorite dance memory was performing in a final in Hawaii with her partner, Jordan.
Iliana loves competitions because they provide a platform to both compete and showcase her skills.
Her favorite dancer is someone who enjoys themselves on the dance floor, regardless of their level.
Iliana's favorite style is Latin and she wishes everyone knew that it's never too late or too early to start dancing and that anyone can do it, no matter their age or if they have a partner.
Meet Jade, a passionate and skilled dancer who is now embarking on a new journey as a dance instructor! With a love for the elegance of the Viennese Waltz and the passion of the Bolero, Jade brings a unique perspective and a diverse range of skills to the dance floor. She has been dancing for 12 years and is excited to share her love of dance with others, having recently completed her training and ready to teach.
Jade's favorite dances to teach are Bachata and Country Swing, and she loves social dances like Salsa and Hustle. She has learned from some of the best, having started her dance journey at Arthur Murrays and Fred Astaire.
One of her proudest dance accomplishments was performing a routine with her student Ryan, where she stepped out of her comfort zone and included flips and tricks in the routine. She loves both competitions and showcases, finding value in both. Competitions allow you to see how much you have improved through hard work, while showcases allow you to tell stories and express emotions through movement.
Jade wants everyone to know that it's never too late to learn how to dance, regardless of age or skill level. She believes that everyone can learn and that dancing is a great way to express yourself and have fun, no matter how many left feet you may have! So come join Jade on the dance floor and let her passion and expertise help you discover the joy of dance.
Meet John, a seasoned ballroom dancer with 30 years of experience and 13 years of teaching under his belt!
John's passion for dance shines through in every Rumba Walk he teaches and every Bolero and Foxtrot he performs.
He's a fan of American Smooth and considers Toni Redpath to be his favorite dancer.
John got his start at Fred Astaire Dance Studios and has since created many memorable moments, including his time spent preparing for pro competitions.
When it comes to showcasing or competing, John will choose competition every time!
But, his favorite part of the dance industry is the practice and prep work.
John wants everyone to know that dance lessons can elevate your health, confidence, and life in general.
No partner required!
Join John for a dance journey of a lifetime.
Meet Jonny, a passionate ballroom dancer and teacher who is ready to share his love for smooth and partnership with the world!
With over 14 years of dance experience and 13 years of teaching, Jonny has honed his skills and is eager to share his knowledge with others.
He got his start at Arthur Murray's, where he honed his skills and started his journey as a teacher.
Jonny is a true globetrotter, who loves to travel the world with his students and dance partner.
He cherishes the memories of training and performing with his students, both at home and abroad.
But what he loves the most is watching his students grow and excel in their dancing.
His favorite dance is Foxtrot, but he also has a soft spot for salsa.
He enjoys teaching smooth and focusing on partnership, as he believes that partner dancing is a language that allows two people to communicate on a whole different level.
When it comes to dancers, Jonny is a fan of Daniella Karagach.
And he loves the ballroom style of dance, but is always open to learning more about other styles.
So, if you're ready to embark on an exciting journey of dance and self-discovery, sign up for a class with Jonny!
He wishes that everyone knew that learning to partner dance can improve your life in so many ways, mentally and physically, and it gives you confidence like never before.
Meet Jordan 💃, an 8-year ballroom dancer with 4 and a half years of teaching experience!
Jordan's favorite dance to perform is the Mambo, and he loves teaching all rhythm and Latin dances, with a special passion for Mambo and Paso Doble.
When it comes to social dancing, salsa takes the cake.
Jordan's dance journey began at Arizona State University where he was part of their collegiate ballroom team and honed his skills in ballroom dancing.
His favorite dance memory was making the professional rhythm final at Hawaii Star Ball with his amazing partner Iliana.
Jordan is a competition fanatic and looks up to Marius Balan as his favorite dancer.
His favorite style is American Rhythm and he wants everyone to know that it's never too late to start dancing, regardless of previous experience!
Join Jordan for a fun and enlightening dance experience
Get ready to learn from the talented Jordyn
With 26 years of dancing experience, starting at just 4 years old, Jordyn is a pro on the dance floor.
Her favorite dances are Bachata and Rumba and she loves teaching social dances and connection, leading and following.
She is passionate about all Latin style social dances.
With 10 years of teaching experience, starting at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Jordyn is a master at helping students grow and achieve their goals.
Her favorite dance memory is watching her students progress and being proud of their accomplishments.
Jordyn prefers showcases over competitions and her favorite dancer is Parris Goebel.
Her favorite style is Latin and she wishes everyone knew that dancing is for everyone, no matter who you dance with!
Meet Tony, a passionate and experienced dance instructor with a love for the rhythm and grace of the Rumba and Cha Cha.
With 14 years of experience in both dancing and teaching, Tony has honed his skills and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others.
Tony's favorite dance to teach is the International Rumba and Argentine Tango, as he enjoys helping his students perfect the techniques and develop their skills in these challenging and beautiful dances.
He is also a fan of social dances like Hustle and Night Club 2 Step, which allow students to showcase their skills and express their individuality.
Tony got his start in the dance world at Arthur Murrays and has also taught at Fred Astaire, bringing his expertise and enthusiasm to a wide range of students.
His favorite dance memory is dancing with his student Nicole for the Dancing with Dignity event, an experience that showcased his students' hard work and dedication.
Tony prefers competitions over showcases, as he loves to see his students push themselves to be the best they can be.
He is inspired by dancers like Nino Dzneladze and Andre Ikozlovsky, and he wishes that more people knew the transformative power of dance, which can change their lives in countless ways both mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced dancer, Tony is the teacher who can help you take your skills to the next level!