A bit about myself...

Talent is overrated.

My entire teaching philosophy is based on this notion. Here's how I came to this conclusion: I spent 5 years competing with the USC Ballroom and Latin Dance Team, always progressing just a little more slowly than everyone else. However, I practiced on my own relentlessly. Thanks to an amazing teacher, I came to understand that dance is just a series of easy movements that simply need to be coordinated. That was when I realized that good dancing is not reserved for the gifted elite. I was in the middle of my masters program at USC when I decided to become a professional ballroom dancer. Shortly thereafter I graduated with a Masters degree in teaching, and it has come quite in handy while training my own dance students.

During my last year dancing as an amateur ballroom dancer, my partner and I danced at the US Amateur National Championship and became US Finalists in both American Rhythm and 9-Dance. Not long after that, I became the 2007 US National Pro-Am Smooth Champion. Now, I am dancing professionally and have made the finals of many major professional ballroom dance events.

So yes, I believe that talent is overrated. I believe that dedication, efficient practice, and guidance from a knowledgeable instructor are far more important. It is this idea that shapes the way I teach. If you want to dance, you can dance. I'll make sure of that.

Accomplishments and Accolades

Education

  • Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T) from USC - 2005
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Neuroscience from USC - 2003
  • Certified with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing

Competitive Ballroom Dance Accomplishments

  • 2008 - 2018 Professional American Smooth Open and Rising Star Finalist in all major local, and many national ballroom dance competitions, including the Emerald Ball, Embassy Ball, and the California Open Championship.
  • 2018 Seattle Star Ball American Smooth Professional Champion
  • 2012-2015: Professional International Rising Star Champion of the Galaxy Dancesport Festival, and Seattle Star Ball, and Finalist in all major local competitions.
  • 2007 Pro-Am American Smooth National and World Champion
  • 2007 Amateur American Smooth National Finalist
  • 2007 Amateur American Rhythm Nation Finalist
  • 2007 Amateur 9-Dance National Finalist

Dance Teaching Experience

  • Adjunct Faculty at Chapman University College of Performing Arts - 2018 - Present
  • Head Coach of the USC Ballroom Dance Team - 2008 - Present
  • Guest instructor for many collegiate ballroom dance teams, including Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company, UCSB Cotillion, CalTech Ballroom Team, Cal Poly Dancesport Team, and others.
  • Adjunct Faculty at American Musical and Dramatic Academy
  • Teaching private and group dance lessons as the head of Bravo Dancing Ballroom Academy since 2008

Other Experience and Accomplishments

  • Head judge at various collegiate ballroom dance competitons
  • Contributing writer and consultant for BallroomDancers.com
  • Featured Dancer for Greatest American Hero pilot episode
  • Choreographer for American Crime Story
  • Featured Dancer in Jonas Brothers music video, "Love Bug"

If you wish to see more of my accomplishments and work experience, please visit my LinkedIn page.

If you have any questions, you can contact me by email or telephone. My contact info is at the bottom of this page. And be sure to follow my Facebook page for updates! Thank you for taking the time to visit my site. You have many choices, and I appreciate your consideration. Happy dancing!