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Carrie Babcock, co-owner with Kostadin, has been with the Fred Astaire Organization since 1997. Carrie began dancing tap, jazz, ballet and musical theater at the age of ten, and choreographing for adult and children's community theater at 14. She holds a B.S. in Dance from S.U.N.Y. Brockport. Carrie is a 2006 United States Grand Finalist, 2006 Professional World American Smooth Finalist, the 2005 United States Open Professional Theatrical Ballroom Champion, a 2005 World American Smooth Finalist, the 2004 United States Open Professional Theatrical Ballroom Champion, the 2002 United States Open Professional Theatrical Ballroom Champion, the 2002 United States Rising Star Professional Theatrical Ballroom Champion, and the 2002 United States Rising Star American Ballroom Champion. They are also the undefeated Fred Astaire Dance Studios Undefeated American Smooth Champions 2001-2005. |
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Kostadin Bidjourov, co-owner, graduated from Montclair State with a B.S. in Economics. Kostadin has been awarded top teacher in Upper Montclair and the state of NJ at least six out of the eight years he's been with the company. Kostadin, together with Carrie, is a 2006 U.S. Grand Finalist, 2006 Professional World American Smooth Finalist, 2005 U.S. Open Professional Theatrical Ballroom Champion, a 2005 World American Smooth Finalist, the 2004 United States Open Professional Theatrical Ballroom Champion, the 2002 United States Open Professional Theatrical Ballroom Champion, the 2002 United States Rising Star Professional Theatrical Ballroom Champion, and the 2002 United States Rising Star American Ballroom Champion. They are also the undefeated Fred Astaire Dance Studios Undefeated American Smooth Champions 2001-2005.
Kostadin has also won the following pro-am titles: Blackpool Dance Festival American Smooth Champion(Marika), Heritage Classic Scholarship and Championships, ladies a (Katie Karpf, 2006, smooth and standard) Ladies c (2006, Charlotte Carey, standard) and ladies b (2005, Marika). He also holds the United States Pro-Am Theatrical Championship title for ladies b with Deborah (Gina) Gianelli. With Michelle Officer, Kostadin was 4th in the 2007 US Professional Smooth. He is also a Bulgarian National Kayaking Champion. |
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Vesko Matakov is the 2010 Fred Astaire National Latin Champion! Vesko was inspired to dance in 1988 after viewing the hit movie, Dirty Dancing, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey and he’s been dancing ever since! Even while earning a degree in Economics and Management at Plovdiv University, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Vesko was a dance instructor at several Bulgarian Dance Sport Clubs, including “Bourgas 75” and “Alex.” Vesko has been an extremely successful dancer, in International Latin and International Standard, and under the tutelage of such coaches as: Louka Apostolov, Andrei Todorov, and Ekaterina Lapaeva, he has achieved the highest level in Dance Sport, level “S.” In addition to his many titles, Vesko is the winner of the 1997 European Dance Sport Cup and the 2004 European Dance Sport Cup held in Paris, France. He has also won the IDSF Athens Cup in Athens, Greece in 2008. Vesko is very excited to be continuing his dance career here in the United States and to be part of the Fred Astaire teaching staff. |
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Erin Marie began dancing at age 3 three in Austin, Texas. From that moment on, she realized that all she wanted to do was dance. Erin studied ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and lyrical dancing throughout her childhood. In her teenage years, she won many honors and awards in for different styles of dance, and trained on both the east and west coasts, avidly pursuing her career. As a young adult, Erin performed with Austin Musical Theatre, performed with, taught and choreographed for a variety number of dance companies, musical theatre groups, choral groups, and swing companies in Austin.. She then joined a budding professional company, Verge Dance Company., on her way to a career as a professional dancer.
In 2002, Erin moved to Chicago to pursue her performance and teaching career and began teaching ballroom dance at Chicago Dance. Through good fortune and determination she has become a knowledgeable technician and teacher, as well as competitive professional dancer. Erin was recently ranked the 5th best female ballroom and Latin teacher in the US. She has taken students to competitions locally, nationally, and internationally to Blackpool, England.
Erin began dancing Smooth and Latin with Greg Rykowski. While dancing together they won Rising Star Smooth titles including: NJ State Open, Harvest Moon Ball, Michigan Dance Challenge, Chicago’s Crystal Ball, and Twin Cities Open. Also Open Professional Smooth titles including: Harvest Moon Ball, Seattle Star Ball, The Great Race, Michigan Dance Challenge and Savannah Dance Classic. They were Rising Star Finalists in Ohio, and placed 3rd in the Nine-Dance Division at the United States Championships. Erin & Greg were also the Professional Showdance Champions at the Great Race, and at Savannah Dance Classic.
She’s excited about her new partnership with Kostadin, and to join the staff here at Fred Astaire. |
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Andrea Mariscal joined the Fred Astaire team back in 2005 when she was a student with us. She interned with us during her senior project, working as a receptionist and studying a Bronze Honors Program, which is a teacher training program. After High school, Andrea took her teacher certification exams and became a teacher with us. She then ventured off to California to explore the wild wild West. Andrea is back! Her warmth, charisma and enthusiasm for dance, as well as her excellent training and raw talent make a perfect combination for a dance teacher, and we're thrilled that she's returned to us! |
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Kelley Blessing As a front desk manager, who could ask for anything more! Kelley has been a student of Fred Astaire since high school, graduated from Drew with a dual major in theater and dance, and is the best front desk manager we could ask for! She's recently graduated from the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies with a Masters Degree in Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis. Kelley's in charge of our Core and Stretch Program. |
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Valerie Paik is a passionate performer and teacher of belly dance, a timeless art of self expression and a celebration of femininity. She specializes in fun, lively, interactive performances and classes, sharing with her audience and students the beauty, expressiveness and joy of this ancient art form. She began studying belly dance in 2001 at Serena Studios in New York City, and has studied with various teachers over the years. She began teaching belly dance classes in 2006 in Montclair, NJ and New York City. She has always loved dance and movement, having formerly studied Dunham at Alvin Ailey, as well as other Ballroom, Latin and Swing styles at various schools. Having played the clarinet since the age of 12, Valerie is also an accomplished musician who is active in various chamber music groups. She currently holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Valerie is available for birthday parties, anniversaries, bridal showers, corporate & non–profit events, children's parties, sweet 15/16s, teaching engagements and private & group classes for individuals, children & women's groups. www.valeriedance.com |
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