MEET OUR BALLROOM INSTRUCTORS...

Anthony L. Sterling

Anthony has 10 years teaching experience. He has taught ballroom, latin, and country dances. He has taught over 20,000 private lessons and 2,000 group classes. Anthony has trained with top competitors and dance champions. He also designed, implemented and manages the ballroom program and social dance club for Festival of Dance. Also, he has choreographed shows for multiple conventions and benefits. Anthony also works as a consultant for other dance schools and clubs.

Petrana Yonkova

Petrana has 20 years teaching experience with children from 3 years to 18 years of age. She also has 20 years coaching experience preparing couples for competitions in Ballroom Dancing. In addition, she has 6 years teaching social dancing to adults. Petrana has a 4 year college degree in Mathematics and a 2 year post graduate qualification for Sport Dance Trainer that she completed in Bulgaria. With her husband, Ivan, Petrana competed for 10 years in numerous National and International Ballroom Dance Competitions.

Ivan Yonkov

Ivan has 20 years teaching experience with children from 3 years to 18 years of age. He also has 20 years coaching experience preparing couples for competitions in Ballroom Dancing. In addition, he has 6 years teaching social dancing to adults. Ivan has a 2 year Degree in Sport Dance Training from Bulgaria. With his wife, Petrana, Ivan competed for 10 years in numerous National and International Ballroom Dance Competitions.

Paul Jepson

Paul is the owner of Festival of Dance. He began dancing ballroom and latin in 1999. Paul is currently a ballroom and latin dance instructor.

Mark Arnott

Mark has been teaching ballroom dance for 3 years. He has been dancing ballroom for over 7 years. Mark has been trained by top dance competitors and many other professionals in the business. He has taught over 2,000 private lessons and 300 group classes. Mark won the Best New Teacher Award at Festival of Dance in 2006.

Lynda Abdalla

Lynda began dancing in 1989 at Walter Fields Academy of Dance. For 14 years she studied ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and pointe. In 2003, she began studying ballroom dance with Nancy Barber. In 2005, Lynda and her partner won the American Cha-Cha division at the Harmony Dance Sport Competition. Later that year, they placed first in the Amateur Silver Cha-Cha, Salsa, East Coast Swing, Foxtrot and Waltz divisions.

MEET OUR DANCE INSTRUCTORS...

April Shock

She acquired a love for dance at a young age. At age 10, she began cleaning a dance studio in Matthews, VA in exchange for dance classes and has been sleeping and breathing dance ever since. April went on to become the youngest member of the performing company at Diggs School of Dance in Virginia. She attended the Eastern Virginia School of Performing Arts before moving to Florida where she began dancing at Southern Ballet Theater. The recipient of two dance scholarships for Dance Educators of America, April has taught dance at numerous local dance studios. Additionally, she danced with Disney Magic Cruise Lines and sailed with them for 1 year. April has found a new love in her husband and three-year son, and she currently serves as Co-Artistic Director at Festival of Dance. She believes God has given her the gift of dance and seeks to share this gift with others, hoping that audiences will continue to be inspired by all types of dance.

Jere’ James

Jere’ has been dancing for the past 20 years. She began her training at the Palm Beach Ballet Center under the direction of Joan Miller. She attended Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s summer intensive program and was asked to join their second company, Ailey II. Jere’ decided to continue her education and moved to Orlando to attend the University of Central Florida where she received her bachelor’s degree in International Business and Dance. She now serves as Co-Artistic Director at Festival of Dance. Jere’ is the Principal Dancer and Co-Dance Captain of Orlando’s Premier Modern Company, U-Turn Dance. Jere describes dance as her passion-she can’t live without it!

Mrs. Lorraine

Mrs. Lorraine trained in ballet, tap, jazz, and acrobatics in South Florida. She started teaching at the age of eighteen. In addition, Mrs. Lorraine performed professionally for Six Flags Theme Parks; a number of cruise lines; the Sand’s and Condado Hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and also the Remington Theatre in Branson, Missouri. Mrs. Lorraine now teaches dance full-time and enjoys sharing her experience and love for dance with her students.

Tina L Flewellyn

Tina completed an Associate Degree in Dance from Valencia Community College where she became a member of Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, Black High Achievers Club and Valencia Dance Theater. Tina is a choreographer and dance instructor. She choreographs for the People’s Theatre, where she has choreographed, “The Wiz”, and “The Thrill of Stomp” and is now working on their upcoming production of Spike Lee’s, “School Daze”. Other choreography credits include: Opening act for the “Onyx Awards” 2004; Lil' Wayne 2005; Pastor Troy, 2005. Tina has danced in Tom G “Citi-Boy Wit it”, Smilez, and Southstar’s music videos, 2005. Tina has won national awards in dance in both group and individual competitions. Tina is the director/ choreographer of EYESEEIMAGES HYPE (Hip-Hop dance troupe), which performed at half time for the Orlando Magic and at the Battle of the Bands, 2005. In addition, she has been a featured dancer at the “Conference on the Education of Minorities in Florida” for the past five years. Tina has just recently danced in MTV’s 2005 Video Music Awards where she danced in the opening act for “Diddy”. Tina lives and loves dance!