PROF. DR. RUUD VERMEIJ

A former competitor and adjudicator, Ruud has a Doctorate in Movement and Dance Studies, plus a Masters in Psychotherapy and Counseling. He became the first coach with a doctoral title in ballroom dancing and now counsels dancers on how to achieve their peak performance.

He lives in the Netherlands where he leads the Dutch Dance Lab, a facility where dancers, choreographers and teachers can acquire tailor-made, high end dance knowledge and skills.

TALIAT TARSINOV

Best known for his innovative choreography, Taliat has coached dancers of all levels, from beginners to world champions in all styles of dancesport. He studies the individual dancer and tailors techniques and styles to suit their strengths.

Taliat produces large-scale productions and performances, such as Dance Legends, choreographed for Broadway as well as dance programs on network television. His many titles with his wife Marina include Russian 10-Dance Champion, European 10-Dance Finalist, Russian National Latin Champion and World Exhibition Finalist.

TONI REDPATH

At the age of 9, Toni discovered ballroom dancing with a friend at a local competition. She went on to compete with Michael Mead, developing a unique style that set them atop the US Open Ballroom Championships four years in a row before retiring undefeated.

Toni now choreographs for shows, trains ballroom champions, judges the country’s top competitions and appears as a commentator and interviewer on dancesport television programs for the American Sports Network and FloSports Digital Network.

MARIANNE NICOLE

A former champion in three different styles of dancesport, Marianne has broad expertise in dancing. She is a world class adjudicator and coach, co-organizer of Capital Dancesport Championships, and a National Examiner for DVIDA.

Some of her titles include: U.S. Rising Star American Style Champion, U.S. Theatre Arts Champion, North American International Latin Champion, Fred Astaire American Style Champion and Fred Astaire International Latin Champion.

RICHARD GLEAVE

A British Junior Champion at age 10, Richard has had an extensive Dancesport career as competitor, adjudicator, competition chairman, and coach. He founded Freedom to Dance, a movement to open up dancesport to all dancers to compete without restrictions all over the world. Richard was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his service to ballroom dancing.

He has won 54 major championships during his career, including the British Open, European, United Kingdom, International and World Championships.

ANNE GLEAVE

Believing all English ladies should know how to dance, Anne’s parents signed her up for lessons at age 6. She soon began to compete and win, placing in the finals of the juvenile and junior ballroom championships. She loved Latin, however, and made the switch as an amateur, going on to win even more titles.

Her accomplishments include: European, British Open, United Kingdom and International Amateur Latin Championship Finalist; British Open, European, and World Professional Ballroom Champions. She has also provided commentary on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

“The Queen of Latin” is the only dancer to win the Professional Latin program of the British Open with two different partners. Shirley is a sought after Dancesport trainer and adjudicator and was recently cast as a judge on the hit British series: Strictly Come Dancing.

Her accomplishments are many, including: 3-time British Open and 7-time undefeated U.S. Latin Champion; World Cup Latin American Dancing Professional Champion; and Open to the World International Professional International Latin Champion.

SHIRLEY BALLAS