Instructors
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Ian Gillett
John Holcomb
Ron Marchal
Susan Murphy
Barbara Smith
Michael Strahan
Sam Atkinson
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Ian Gillett is a former International Ballroom Champion, having over 28 years of experience. He is a nationally recognized teacher, coach, adjudicator and choreographer. Ian is a Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (the ISTD is regarded as the world's leading professional teaching society). He teaches both International and American Styles and was a former coach of the George Washington University Ballroom Dancing Program in Washington, DC. Ian has won numerous top teacher awards and is a World Pro-Am finalist and US Pro-Am 10 dance finalist. He teaches private lessons to students at Lessons in Ballroom once a week.
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John Holcomb is an independent dance instructor teaching the American Social Style of dancing for over 26 years. His training in this style of dancing reached a Gold level through the Arthur Murray Dance Studios.
Also for the past 20 years, John has been certified through Silver level in the International Style of competitive dancing with the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing). His focus on teaching ballroom dancing is fun, easy, and can do, with FUN being the main point.
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Ron Marchal has been a dancer and teacher all his adult life. Originally trained for the stage in New Orleans, New York and Los Angeles, he has performed in ballets, plays, musicals, films and commercials, appearing with many stars from American Ballet, Theatre and Hollywood movies.
Trained in both American and International Styles, teaching 23 years, certified by Dance Masters of America, Ron is an Adjudicator, Examiner and Scrutineer with the U. S. Independent Dance Council. Ron teaches private lessons on Tuesdays at Lessons in Ballroom.
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Susan Murphy has taught Latin and ballroom dancing to adults and children for 20 years. She is professionally trained in both American and International styles and is certified through gold level by ISTD.
Susan studied and taught with Pete Godfrey from 1988 until 2002 when Pete's studio at the Village Shopping Center closed. During those years she had frequent coaching from numerous professional ballroom dance champions and, in 1990, passed gold level examinations for ISTD certification in all International Latin and Standard dances.
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Barbara Smith has been teaching ballroom dancing for over 20 years. Prior to moving to Richmond, she owned and operated her own Dance Studio in North Carolina.
Barbara is trained in both American Style Ballroom dances and International Style dances. Over the years, she has competed extensively in Pro/Am events, in both styles. She knows what training it takes to win. Barbara loves to teach both Adults and Children.
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Michael Strahan (rhymes with "drawn") is a nationally recognized dance teacher and choreographer. He has been a very successful Pro-Am competitor for over 20 years. Michael is a strong advocate for improving technique and style and trains with numerous world class ballroom champions, top coaches, and adjudicators.
Michael has great strengths to develop advanced dancers and competitors. For beginners, Michael uses these strengths to produce a firm foundation and fast progress.
Sam AtkinsonStudio Manager Sam Atkinson has over 20 years experience as an International Style Latin and Standard Ballroom dancer. Originally trained by John Massey and Dan Callaway, Sam continued to train with Michael Strahan, Pete Godfrey and Elisabeth Tarodi. Sam has won many 1st place awards in regional competitions in International Amateur divisions, with a variety of partners. Sam has been coached by US and International Champions including Sammy Stopford & Barbara McColl, Corky & Shirley Ballas, Nick Cotton & Debbie Avalos, Stephen & Lindsey Hillier, John Hatton and Rickey Geiger.
Sam seeks to clearly present the most important issues of motion and connection and apply them to a variety of dances of different rhythms. His goal is to simplify the student's learning agenda by developing fundamental skills for partner dancing that serve as a foundation for all ballroom dances.
