Carrie Babcock, co-owner, together with Kostadin, has been with the Fred Astaire Organization for 10 years.  Carrie began dancing tap, jazz, ballet and musical theater at the age of 10.  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 is 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. Kostadin Bidjourov, co-owner, recently graduated from Montclair State with a B.S. in Economics.  Kostadin has been award top teacher in Upper Montclair and the state of NJ at least 6 out of the 8 years he's been with the company. Kostadin, together with Carrie,  is  a 2006 United States Grand Finalist, 2006 Professional World American Smooth Finalist is 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. Kostadin has also won the following pro-am titles: Blackpool Dance Festival American Smooth Champion(Marika), Heritage Classice Scholarship and Championships, ladies a (Katie Karpf, 2006, smooth and standard) Ladies c (2006, Charlotte Carey, standard) and ladies b (2005, Markia). He also holds the United States Pro-Am Theatrical Championship title for ladies b with Deborah (Gina) Gianelli.  He is also a Bulgarian National Kayaking Champion.  Gabriella Jileva has more than 15 years of dancing experience. Gaby is a former Undefeated Bulgarian National Champion, a Coach and Dance Instructor for 2 different winning Bulgarian Competitive Formation Teams. Gaby studied Economics and Business in College! She has a younger brother, and her family resides in Bulgaria. Certified. Jay Brancato comes to Fred Astaire from the College of New Jersey where he majored in Vocal Music. An accomplished actor, singer and dancer, he has held many different roles in shows ranging from “Hair” and “The Rocky Horror Show” to “Carousel” and “The Marriage of Figaro.” Non-musical credits include “The Food Chain” and Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet”. Jay has two brothers and a large extended family, most of whom reside here in New Jersey. Jay received his teaching certificate from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio’s in April! Congratulations. Certified. Adriana Bezmenova Adriana began dancing at the age of 17 and in a very short time became the Bulgarian National Champion. At the unversity in Bulgaria, they studied dance theory, kinesiology, teaching, pshycology as well as many dance forms. Georgi and Adriana recently moved to NJ from Bulgaria where they were the Bulgarian National Latin Champions, winners of the Bulgarian Cup for 2003 and 2004. Since coming to America, Georgi and Adriana place 2nd in the FADS Metropolitan Dance Sport Championships professional Latin division and 2nd in the show dance. They’ve also taken 2nd place in Rising Stars Professional Latin at theYuletide Ball, Washington DC , and 5th place in Open Professional Latin-American Competition – Northeast Open, Stamford, CT. Certified Georgi Kanev Georgi possesses eighteen (18) years of amateur and professional experience in the ballroom dance. At the unversity in Bulgaria, they studied dance theory, kinesiology, teaching, pshycology as well as many dance forms. Georgi and Adriana recently moved to NJ from Bulgaria where they were the Bulgarian National Latin Champions, winners of the Bulgarian Cup for 2003 and 2004. Since coming to America, Georgi and Adriana place 2nd in the FADS Metropolitan Dance Sport Championships professional Latin division and 2nd in the show dance. They’ve also taken 2nd place in Rising Stars Professional Latin at theYuletide Ball, Washington DC , and 5th place in Open Professional Latin-American Competition – Northeast Open, Stamford, CT. Certified

Fred Astaire Upper Montclair Ballroom Dance Studio
604 Valley Road
Upper Montclair, New Jersey 07043
(973) 783-8999