Mastery Camps Homepage



Dance Vision has been sponsoring Ballroom Dance Camps since 1992. Learn more:

About DV Camps          Testimonials

Join the mailing list:


Mastery Camps Homepage



Featured Testimonial

"The quality of instruction, the willingness of the master teachers to put so much into it and to give us as much feedback as they could, the intensity of the sessions - it was all absolutely incredible!"

Dorothy Bassett
Pittsburgh, PA

Professional Teacher Camp Las Vegas - June 2012

Instructors

Jim & Jenell Maranto - Donald Johnson & Kasia Kozak - Dech Kraev & Bree Watson - Felipe & Carolina Telona - George Garcia & Christy Coté - Toby & Harmony Munroe - Tomasz & Izabela Lewandowski - Slawek Sochacki & Marzena Stachura - Alain Doucet & Anik Jolicoeur - Artem Plakhotniy & Inna Berlizyeva

Jim & Jenell Maranto

Jim & Jenell Maranto
Jim and Jenell met in Phoenix, AZ in 1983. Jim moved from Chicago, IL, and Jenell from Reno, NV.

Jenell, already an accomplished professional, taught Jim, a stockbroker at the time, social dancing on and off for about a year. Jenell's enthusiasm for dance and competition soon rubbed off and they began to compete in Nov. 1984. Jenell's background in Tap, Jazz, and Ballet combined with Jim's training discipline from high school and college athletics made a winning combination.

They married in September 1986, after the U.S. Championships of course, and opened their school, the Academy of Ballroom Dance in 1987.

With the training of some of the top coaches in the country, and a bit of luck, they won the U.S. Professional Rising Stars American Smooth title and every major International Rising Stars Standard title in the U.S.

The highlight of their career was winning two U.S. Open Professional American Smooth Championships in 1993 and 1994.

They have represented the United States in two World Showdance Events and were Semi-finalists in both.

They are licentiates of the Imperial Society Ballroom Branch, and have trained a number of U.S. Pro-Am and Amateur Champions, including the choreography of the U.S. Youth Formation Team Champions in 1996 and 1997.

Jenell is a DVIDA Examiner.

Jim and Jenell are retired from American Smooth Competition and are busy teaching, demonstrating and lecturing. Jim Still competes with his students garnering Top Teacher honors at almost every competition he attends.


Decho Kraev & Bree Watson

Decho Kraev was born in Bulgaria and began his competitive dancing career at the age of eight. His dedication, talent and determination brought him to the highest levels of recognition. He enjoyed a successful amateur career followed by coaching junior couples who also experienced great success. Decho moved to the United States in 2003 where he continued his career as a professional dance teacher and competitor.
There he met his current professional partner and love of his life, Bree.

Bree Watson was born in Savannah, Georgia and began dancing ballet and tap at the age
of two. She strengthened her background at the North Carolina School of Performing Arts. Her introduction to the ballroom world started in 2002 in the Theatre Arts division. She quickly decided she preferred to have her feet on the ground and went in search of a partner in the American Rhythm style. In 2003 she moved to Phoenix where she met Decho.

In just five short years they have had a remarkably successful professional career including:

2010 Ohio Star Ball World Professional Rhythm Champions
2008-2010 U.S. National Professional Rhythm Championship Finalists
2009-2010 Emerald Ball Professional Rhythm Champions
2008 Blackpool Professional Invitational Exhibition Finalist
2007 U.S. National Theatre Arts Champions
2007 Ohio Star Ball Professional Theatrical Arts Champions
Regular Finalists in all major U.S. and Open to the World Professional Events


Decho and Bree are known for their tremendous technique and highly creative routines. You will no doubt witness one of the strongest technical performances on the floor. Pay special attention to Bree’s exceptional footwork, lovely extensions and fabulous lines. Decho’s perfect balance creates a beautiful frame for Bree which illustrates an exciting and attractive couple as they present the true character of each dance with elegance and sophistication.

Decho, Bree and their Yorkey Ernie currently live in Tempe, Arizona.

Slawek Sochacki and Marzena StachuraSlawek Sochacki and Marzena Stachura

Slawek Sochacki was born in Poland. He started dancing when he was 17 years old. He studied International Standard and Latin under the supervision of the best coaches in Europe. Slawek has a Masters degree in Marine Biology.
Marzena Stachura was born in Poland. She started her dance education in her mom’s dance studio at the age of 11, where she studied Folk Dance and Ballroom . Marzena has a Masters degree in Marketing and Management .
Marzena and Slawek have been dancing together for over 14 years. They moved to the United States in 2002. For three consecutive years, (2005-2007,) they were Polish representatives to the World and European Championships in the 10 Dance division and in 2005 in Standard. Their biggest success was 9th place in the European Championships.
They were part of the TV show "Ballroom Boot Camp", which was produced for TLC.
In 2008 they decided to take one year off, as their son Lukasz was born in September 2008. Their come back on the dance floor was quite a surprise, Marzena and Slawek not only decided to compete in American Smooth, but they did it with the best results.
In 2010 they became US National Professional Champions in Orlando, Fl. The same year they won the World Cup in Professional Smooth in Irvine, Ca and they were crowned World Professional Smooth Champions in Columbus Oh.
Since then they have won 30 competitions across the United States and Costa Rica.
In March 2011 they were invited to show American Smooth in Poland, during the Polish National Championships.
Marzena and Slawek are currently teaching in Orange County, California.


Thomas and Izabella Lewandowski

Thomas and Izabella Lewandowski

Thomas and Izabella Lewandowski were both born and grew up in Poland.

Thomas started to dance at the age of 7 and Izabella a bit later at the age of 12.

They both started their dance career by dancing both Styles: Latin and Standard.

They have achieved many titles in their early age,both with several different partners.

Thomas and Izabella started dancing together 13 years ago,and have decided to continue their training only in International Latin Style.

Shortly after they moved to the USA,in the year of 2000 they begin their professional career.

Thomas and Izabella have traveled the World ,competing,performing shows and teaching.

Currently living in Los Angeles, they are busy working on their brand new Dance Studio.

Last year they decided to retire from competitive and are now focusing on teaching ,performing and judging.



Artem and Inna Berlizyeva

Artem and Inna Berlizyeva

Artem and Inna Berlizyeva are world class professional dancers and dance instructors.Both orignally from Ukraine were they started dancing at an early age. In 2005 Inna and Artem moved to sunny Arizona were they have become two of the best dance instructors in the the Arizona valley.They have been dancing together since may 2009.Currently Inna and Artem are one of the top professional couples in the USA,in the last year they have been winning many competitions all over the US.Including USA Open Professional International Standard finalist and North American Championship finalist at the Ohio Star Ball.In the last four years Inna's and Artem's students have been showing great results on the National and International level in the Pro-Am division winning competitions all aroud the US.As well as achieving titles of National,World and Open to World Pro-Am Champions.





Donald Johnson & Katarzyna Kozak

Donald Johnson & Katarzyna Kozak

Donald, born in the United States, became interested in dance at an early age since his mother ran a ballroom dance studio. He started teaching dance at the age of seventeen and shortly afterwards became interested in dance competition. He began to compete in the Latin American style and also competed in American smooth and International Standard. He moved to Torrance, California to continue his professional competitive career and enjoyed considerable success with a series of partners, reaching the national semi-finals in both American Smooth and International Standard styles.

Katarzyna Kozak was born in Warsaw, Poland. She first became interested in dance after responding to a local newspaper advertisement announcing social dance classes. She quickly became attracted to the competitive side of dancing, found an amateur partner, and became a serious 10-dance competitor. After deciding to concentrate on Latin American Dance, she rose to become the Polish national amateur junior Latin dance champion.

Following the relocation of her family, Katarzyna immigrated to the United States and continued to dance in amateur competitions.

Donald had terminated his existing professional partnership at the Emerald Ball in California. At that competition a mutual friend introduced him to Kartazyna. His Latin coach later suggested that he consider dancing with her and after a short period, they decided to begin a new partnership together.

After dancing together for a relatively short period of time, Donald and Katarzyna became a dynamic and highly successful dance team and have appeared twice as Professional Latin Finalists on the popular and nationally televised PBS series “Championship Ballroom Dancing”.

Some of their major competitive accomplishments include:

1997 U.S. Pro Rising Star (closed) National Latin Dance Champions
1997 U.S. Pro Rising Star (open) National Latin Dance Champions
1999 British Open Professional Latin Rising Stars Champions
1999 U.S. Professional Latin Dance Championships – Third

In October of 2000, Donald and Katarzyna retired as a competitive dance team. Today, Katarzyna continues dancing with a new partner.



Felipe Telona, Jr. & Carolina Orlovsky-Telona



Felipe and Carolina formed a partnership in both marriage and dance in 2002. They have won World Mambo and Salsa Championship titles, and were Finalists at the US and World Rhythm Championships. They have been featured performers on the QE2 with Broadway diva, Ann Hampton Callaway. They also were Latin Formation Champions at Blackpool, UK, the world renowned ballroom festival.






Christy Coté

Dancing, choreographing and teaching professionally for more than 25 years, Christy Coté is the Creator and Director of the Academia de Tango Argentino at San Francisco's famed Metronome Ballroom.

Christy developed the Dance Vision Argentine Tango Syllabus and is a DVIDA National Examiner in Argentine Tango.

George Garcia

Trained by some of the best Argentine Tango performers/teachers in the world, George Garcia has been a dance instructor, performer & choreographer for over 25 years and has given Argentine Tango its foundation in Hawaii.

George is also a DVIDA National Examiner in Argentine Tango.


Toby & Harmony Munroe

Toby Munroe is the 2004 & 2005 UCWDC World Champion in the Classic Masters division. In January 2006 Mr. Munroe was voted "Best Male Couples Dance Instructor" at the Star Awards Gala held in Stockholm, Sweden. Toby began his dance career in 1990 after being dragged, kicking & screaming to a Country & Western Dance Festival. Since then he has gone on to become one of the most sought after coaches, choreographers & instructors in the World. His extensive background in dance includes Country, Swing, Hustle, Latin, Ballroom and Salsa. He has won countless titles in Swing, Hustle and on the UCWDC circuit. Toby won his first World Championship title in 2002 for ABC Choreography. He has been nominated for 9 Star Awards, taught at Stanford University and has been featured on the TNN and GAC television networks. Toby is also a four time Colorado State Swing Champion and a UCWDC Master Certified Judge

Harmony Munroe began dancing at the age of 8 and currently co-owns Denver's premier school for Ballroom and Latin dancing, Colorado Dancesport. She has won numerous titles in American Rhythm, American Smooth, and International Latin dancing. Harmony has been a representative at the World 10 - Dance Championships and the World South American Showdance Championships as well as being a finalist at the World Mambo and the World Salsa Championships.

Alain Doucet & Anik Joilcoeur

Alain and Anik had a lot of success as Canadian representatives at the world 10 dance, placing among the best three couples since 1995. Their devotion in dance- sport brought them to achieve their goals and become world champions. For the first time in the Canadian history, a Canadian couple is crown World Champion.

Professional Titles

  • 3rd at the Blackpool Rising Star Standard Championship
  • 7 times Canadian 10 dance Champions
  • 6 times Canadian Standard Champions
  • 2 times Canadian Latin Champions
  • Ohio Star Ball Champions in Showdance Standard Section
  • 3rd in the 2002 World Classic Showdance Championship
  • From 1995 to 1998, among the first three in the World 10 dance Championship in Holland, USA, Germany
  • 4 times World 10 dance Champions (1999/2000/2001/2002)

    Amateur Titles

  • 8 times Canadian Standard Champions
  • 4 times Canadian Latin Champions
  • 6 times Canadian 10 dance Champions
  • Undefeated North American Standard, Latin and 10 Dance Champions
  • Hong Kong 10 Dance Champions
  • 4 times World 10 Dance Championship finalists

  • Dancers
    Expect to Succeed!

    One thing in life is almost guaranteed, if you plan and prepare carefully then and only then can you expect to have success in your efforts. Your planning and preparation will allow you to reach deep inside and pull out all the winning qualities that you were born with. Once you recognize that you have these qualities, you can begin to develop them allowing the winner within you to emerge. Regardless of the goal set, whether it is earning more money, becoming a better dance teacher, getting that promotion, or furthering your dance education, you CAN expect to achieve your objective if you lay out your goals intelligently, then plan and prepare for them thoroughly.

    Don't miss this opportunity, Register Now!


    Call us at
    1-800-851-2813

    (Monday - Friday 8am - 4:30pm PST)

    OR

    online at DanceVision.Com

    Teaching the World to Dance... One Service at a Time... Choose Your Destination:

    Homepage
    DanceVision.com
    Absolute Beginners
    Anyone Can Dance
    Mastery Camps
    Mastery Camps
    ProDVIDA
    ProDVIDA
    DanzSupport
    DanzSupport
    Member of the AccessDance Network

    © 2000-2012 Dance Vision International
    Member of the AccessDance Network
    Powered by Dance Notions - "Business Solutions in Motion"

    where to find dance lessons