| My ©ircle of Friends™ go to... STARDUST WORLD-CLASS PERFORMERS & TEACHERS
The daytime schedule involves dancers of all levels participating in dance workshops of all levels. The teachers are some of the best from many parts of the U.S. and worldwide. After dinner, we all promenade to the Stardust Theater for a spectacular stage show. The performers would inspire anyone who dances. "It was phenomenal. We got there Thurs pm and danced all nite every nite. There was a performance group called Tango y Mas that was the highlite of the weekend." - Ruben M. after June 2007 Stardust
THE TEACHERS NOVEMBER 2005 In addition to all of the regular Stardust dance faculty, the November event featured the following world-class instructors: Walter Perez began dancing in his hometown Buenos Aires and was seduced by the Tango. He traveled throughout Argentina with various dance troupes before moving to NYC in 2000 where he continues to perform, choreograph, and teach. Featured in Broadway shows such as “Fusion Tango” and “All That Tango” Walter is the epitome of romance, precision, and passion that is the tango. Karina Romero - Born in Argentina, Karina trained in ballet, jazz, and modern dance before studying Tango with masters such as Mingo Pugliese, Mariela Franganillo, and Pablo Veron. Since relocating to NYC in 2001, Karina has become a featured dancer with the Thalia Spanish Theatre and appeared in numerous commercials as well as the film “A Night in New York” Currently affiliated with cable TV/Channel 4 she is a member of “Connections Dance Theatre” and teaches at Sandra Cameron Dance Center. Solomon Singer began dancing at the age of eight with lessons in Waltz and Polka and has studied ballet as well as modern dance. He was a featured dancer in the film “Mona Lisa’s Smile” and regularly competes and places in American Rhythm, Country Western, and Swing. Lori Ann Greenhouse is a 3-time World Hustle Champion, a finalist in Theater Arts and American Rhythm and took 5th in the invitation-only Theatre Arts competition at Blackpool. Her extensive training in all forms of Ballroom includes 15 years of ballet. Lori has performed throughout the US, South America, and the Far East. Delille Thomas aka “Mambo D” is one of America’s most creative and dynamic Latin dance performers who has earned international recognition for his style and virtuosity. Since 1992, he and partner Glenda Heffer have worked with Tito Puente, Wynton Marsalis, Celia Cruz, Bill Cosby, David Byrne, Buster Brown, and Arturo Sandoval to name just a few in venues that included Madison Square Garden, Ford’s Theater, the Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the United Nations as well as forums around the world. Delille teaches independently in NYC where he specializes in “The Art of Partner Dancing.” Glenda Heffer aka “La Mambera” is a native New Yorker with extensive training in jazz, ballet, ballroom, and Latin dance. She has performed on and off Broadway, has been featured in numerous films including “Carlito’s Way” and “Gotta Dance” and toured Europe with the Eddie Torres Latin Dance company. She and her partner Delille Thomas have reigned supreme on the world mambo scene for over 10 years and are in demand from Las Vegas to London to Lincoln Center . Carlos Yannacanedo began dancing professionally at the age of 14 and has performed throughout Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the US as a dancer and musician. He has worked with Jennifer Lopez, Spike Jonez, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and was in the cast of “Swango”. Carlos is a teacher for the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC and is currently a member of the world champion Hop, Swing and Jump swing team. Nell Mooney began her dance career after being discovered on the NYC swing club scene and has since distinguished herself as a competitor, performer and instructor in Rhythm, Ballroom, Salsa and Lindy Hop. A consummate singer and actress, Nell is presently a member of the Flat Iron Floogies Lindy Hop team. Mark James is a consummate athlete and artist who holds over 30 championship titles. He is a member of the Hustle Dancer’s Hall of Fame and was named Around the Floor’s 1999 Dance Teacher of the Year. He is an independent teacher, coach, and choreographer with extensive training in American and International Rhythm and Smooth. He lives, performs, and teaches on Long Island where he hosts the popular Dance Zone. Karen Lupo is a much sought after coach, teacher and choreographer known for her elegant and sensual style. She is a former American Rhythm champion who is a regular performer in and around NYC as well as on international cruise ships. She and her partner, Mark James, integrate their exciting performances with lifts and drops for added punch! Joey Lulenski has taught ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballroom, and Latin for some of the top performing arts studios in New York and New Jersey . He has worked with Liza Minnelli, The Village People, C & C Music Factory, and Little Suzie as lead dancer and choreographer. Joey was recently awarded top pro/am teacher and finalist at the World Open Hustle championships. He currently teaches independently in the NY metropolitan area. Caroline Gangi creates excitement the minute she walks on stage! She has trained and competed in Hustle, American Rhythm, Int’l Latin, and Int’l Salsa. Her training in hip-hop, jazz, ballet and tap lend a unique style to her dancing. She was a featured performer with New York Express and continues to train, teach, and choreograph with partner Joey Lulenski. Norma Granofsky has been teaching ballroom dancing for all of her adult life, including 5 years on the staff of the world renowned Grossinger Resort and Country Club. She has taught master classes for Dance Educators of America, performed at Madison Square Garden, and recently choreographed a show at Westbury Music Fair. She currently teaches independently on Long Island, NY.
THE TEACHERS JUNE 2005 In addition to all of the regular Stardust dance faculty, the June event featured the following world-class instructors: Yuval Hod & Nathalie Gomez are extraordinary swing dancers best known for their gravity defying aerials. For the last 5 years, they have held the titles of World Swing Dance and American Lindy Hop Champions. Their Broadway credits include the hit show “Swing” which led to a command performance for President Clinton at the White House. You may have most recently spotted them in the films “Mona Lisa’s Smile” and “The Polar Express.” Yuval and Nathalie co-own the Hop, Swing and a Jump dance studio in NYC where they make learning to dance fun and easy in 5 languages! Lucas Jaime & Yanna Samkova - Lucas is the founder and director of Divino Ritmo Dance. Jana is a former Czech Republic Latin Champion who was currently ranked 24th at the World and the Open British Championships in Blackpool . Together they have appeared on stage and TV while continuing to compete and teach both American and International Ballroom, Latin and Theater Arts. Randy & Viktorija Dias each have over 15 years of dancing, teaching and competition experience. Viktorija represented her native Latvia in many international events and placed among the top 12 in Germany in 2000. In 2003, she was Rising Star Champion at the Atlantic City Dance-O-Rama. Randy is an associate member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance. A former member of the Rhode Island Ballet, he was most recently named US Rising Star Standard Champion. Jan Paulovich & Irina Pinihina are natives of Belarus who despite having danced together for less than a year have been finalists in competitions across the US placing at the Washington Yuletide Ball, Northeastern Open Championships, and the Yankee Classic DanceSport. Specializing in International Latin, the couple divides their time between teaching and training for their next Pro/Am competition. Angel Garcia Clemente & Rosa Collantes have been teaching and performing throughout the US and Europe for the past 10 years. They were the directors, choreographers and producers of the off Broadway productions “ Del Tango al Tango” and “Tango Du Jour.” Angel danced with Vanessa Williams and Chayanne in the promotional video for the movie “Dance with Me” which Rosa choreographed. They have performed at Lincoln Center , Town Hall, and Madison Square Garden and have toured with Julio Iglesias. Alexander Kaloferov & Veronika Simeonova are Bulgarian natives in their 20’s with over 10 years of dance experience! Veronika was a Bulgarian National Latin, Standard and 10 Dance champion. Alexander is a US National Youth 10 Dance Champion and Latin Vice-Champion and was a finalist at the US Open DanceSport Championship. Yenneca Ketzis took a 6-year hiatus from her dance training in jazz, ballet, ballroom, swing, and salsa to pursue a career in advertising. Her love of dance ultimately led to dancing at the renowned mega-club Limelight, a featured performance on All My Children, a stint with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and as a featured dancer on MTV’s “The Grind.” Having worked with most major studios in Manhattan , Yenneca now teaches independently. Click here for the list of the regular Stardust dance faculty. *** THE TEACHERS & PERFORMERS APRIL 2005
Johnny Martinez - was a musical theater gypsy (West Side Story, Damn Yankees) before he discovered his passion for dancing. He specializes in Latin, Argentine Tango, and Swing. He was a featured dancer in “Tango Fusion” and dances with the Annabella Gonzalez Modern Dance Company. Michael & Natalie Lepore - are American Smooth and International competitors who have garnered championships at the Chicago Harvest Moon, Northcoast Ballroom, and Cincinnati Dancesport competitions. They teach in NYC and are contributing editors to “Dance Notes” magazine. Joe Palmer & Nicole Frydman - have competed and placed in over 30 local, regional, and national swing dance competitions. Nicole’s dance background includes ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, modern, Swing, Salsa, and Shag. Joe performed with “Swing Dance America” and toured with the company of “Forever Swing.” They earned a rare standing ovation at the 2001 American Lindy Hop Championships and continue to wow their students at Dance Manhattan Studios in NYC. Benito Garcia - was a finalist at the US and World Mambo Championships and is a Rising Star as well as Fred Astaire American Rhythm Champion. He has appeared on Broadway in the musical “Swing!” and “The Last Mambo.” Benito lives and teaches in NYC while continuing to perform across the country.
Christian Baerans & Kristina Staykova - each began dancing and competing 14 years ago in their respective homelands, Germany and Bulgaria. Partners for just over a year, they placed at the US Semi Finals and German Open Championships and took first place in Latin American dancing at the CT and Fl Coast Championships. Both have degrees in Fashion Design and create all the costumes used in their shows.
Andrew D'Angelo - along with his legendary partner Dawn Hampton is a two-time North Atlantic Swing Dance Champion. He has taught at various NYC studios over the last 10 years and is currently the General Manager of Dance Manhattan Studios, in NYC, where he specializes in Smooth Lindy and West Coast Swing.
THE PERFORMERS APRIL 2005 Antonio Cervila Jr. & Beverly Durand Johnny Martinez & Diane Lachtrupp Michael & Natalie Lepore Joe Palmer & Nicole Frydman Christian Baerans & Kristina Staykova Benito Garcia & Anya
THE PERFORMERS NOVEMBER 2004 Diego Difalco & Carolina Zokalski Lou Brockman & Heather Gehring Richard Jones & Sarah Billings Tybaldt Ulrich & Hazel Mede
THE TEACHERS NOVEMBER 2004 Carolina Zokalski & Diego Difalco Sarah Billings & Richard Jones THE REGULAR STARDUST DANCE FACULTY FRAN CHESLEIGH is the dance director and emcee for Stardust Dance Productions. An accomplished musician and dancer, Fran specializes in Tango. He co-produced the AMC documentary “Gotta Dance,” is currently writing a book on Palladium era Mambo and teaches at Dance Manhattan. DONNA DE SIMONE is a co-owner, director and choreographer of Dance Odyssey and Entertainment Director for Stardust, Donna holds numerous Ballroom and Latin Titles. She has performed throughout the US and China as a solo and ensemble dancer. JACKIE HORNER is a long-standing member of Dance Educators of America. Jackie has an extensive background in Ballroom, Latin and performing arts. She was the story consultant and inspiration for the film “Dirty Dancing.” NICK LECAKES has had a 35-year career as an instructor that has taken him from Hawaii to Puerto Rico where he was a featured dancer on TV as well as a choreographer. Long affiliated with Arthur Murray in addition to teaching jazz for the last 10 years he currently works with Dance Manhattan. TEDDY KERN is a co-owner and artistic director of Dance Manhattan in NYC as well as director of the American Swing Dance Championship and Boogie Dance Productions, Inc. Teddy is also resident choreographer of the Viennese Opera Ball. NORTON HYMAN toured the US as a dance professional for over 20 years as a member of the acclaimed dance team Norton and Patricia. Now retired from stage and screen he teaches ballroom dance with his wife Agi in Monticello , NY. GENE & NAOMI ANOLICK have been teaching Ballroom and Country Western dance in the Hudson Valley for over 15 years. Members of Dance Educators of America and NY Society of Teachers of Dance, they operate their own dance studio, Love to Dance. BEN MURTHA & ESTHER ODESCALCHI - Esther began dancing in Budapest at the age of twelve. Ben has taught at Dale, Arthur Murray, Fred Astaire, and other leading dance studios across the country. They are co-owners of E&B Dance Academy . FRANK ELIA was a nightclub performer before joining Dance Educators of America in the 1970’s. He teaches dance for a number of colleges and Fortune 500 companies in addition to working as a professional DJ. The Stardust Dance Vacation Weekends are produced approximately four times per year; and the dance cruises sail one or more times per year. It is never too early to reserve a room. The events are sold out very quickly. Call Andrew at (201) 933 8098 to reserve a room. Click here to request a Stardust brochure that lists all details. Click here for directions to Stardust events. Click here for the Stardust Photo Gallery. |
Antonio
Cervila Jr. - is one of Argentina’s foremost performers
and choreographers who has appeared on the stage of the prestigious
Colon, El Nacional and Luna Park theaters. U.S. fans may recognize him
from his featured role in the film “Tango” and the Broadway
reprise of “Tango Argentina.” He has toured Europe and the
US with Julio Iglesias and most recently performed at Town Hall and
Lincoln Center.
Beverly
Durand - trained in ballet, tap, modern
and jazz. Beverly now specializes in Argentine Tango and West Coast
Swing. Her credits include the Broadway productions of “Forever
Tango” and “Swing!” as well as “Tango Vivo”
and “Swango.” Her Latin dance skills have taken her around
the world including a tour with “Latin Dance Carnival” across
Japan.
Diane
Lachtrupp - has been dancing and teaching
since 1985, specializing in Salsa, Argentine Tango, and West Coast Swing.
She was the creator and director of the critically acclaimed “Tango
Fusion” and was subsequently honored at a Tango festival in Argentina.
She has coached and choreographed Argentine Tango for stage, video,
film, and television. Diane performs nationwide and teaches at her own
studio, Stepping Out Studios, in NYC.
Anya
- is an accomplished dancer and actress
who has performed and coached throughout Europe, Latin America, and
the U.S. She holds titles in Salsa, Mambo, and American Rhythm and has
appeared on film, television, music videos, and numerous commercials.
Her most recent Broadway credit was the musical “Swing!”
Anya lives and teaches in NYC.
