Dance instructors in Arizona

[Dancefreak777]

Hi Guys!:-)
I'm competitive Pro/Am student.
Just moved to Phoenix, AZ.
I'm looking for highly qualified International Latin instructor to compete with.:cool: I Have competed extensively with franchised schools. Now i'm looking for an independent studio.
Can you please give me recommendations?:confused:

[latingal]

Welcome to DF Dancefreak!

Hopefully one of our members will be along shortly that can help you with your search, but again....welcome.

[dancergal]

Hello DanceFreak,
My husband and I moved to Phoenix from No. Calif. about 3 years ago. We mostly dance WCS at our club and sometimes several studios will have WCS dances. I know there are several dance studios around the Phoenix area. The ones we go to the most that would have pro instructors are at the Paragon in Tempe and a new dance studio called Shall We Dance also in Tempe. Here's the links to check them out.
Welcome to Phoenix!


http://www.paragondance.net/

http://www.shallwedancephoenix.com/

[star_gazer]

If you contact the organizers of the Galaxy Dance Festival (its in Mesa in September), they would probably know who is available in the area. The contact info is at:
www. galaxy-dance.com

[Anthea]

I would highly recommend the Paragon Dance Center at Rural and Elliot. It's the only place I'd go to. :)

[Errot]

I belive if you really seriously want to be great with what you doing- you will want to make the most of your time and efforts, so why dont you learn from the best?
As higher level of dancer you would like to be- as higher level of coaching you have to take;) Even in social dance. With really good instructor you'll learn how to dance much faster.
And so, if we speak about International style- best professional dancers in Phoenix is:

Blaj Pocajt and Inna in Int. Standard

Alexander Andreev and Irina in Int. Latin

All of them teach 4 styles (smooth, rythm, latin, standard)
Chose the best
Just depends on what area you live and what studio more close to you;)

[slowfox]

I'm not familiar with the other studios and teachers mentioned upthread, but I can definitely second the recommendation of Blaj and Inna. I took a lesson with Blaj recently while traveling to Phoenix and I found him to be informative, energetic and professional. I enjoyed the lesson very much. While they compete professionally in standard, I believe I have seen them competing in both latin and standard with students. Blaj and Inna are great dancers and very nice people as well.

[Spitfire]

What I'm wondering is if the Paragon is less crowded on Fridays with the opening of the newer studios - FatCat, Ambiant, Shall We Dance.

[murr]

Hi all -

I just moved to Tempe, AZ and I'm looking to get back into competing in Open Latin. Any updates on instructors in the Phoenix area? It looks like Alexander Andreev and Irina Domokurova moved to California.. I just did a quick search of the area and it seems like the focus here is more on social and American dances.

Tips for instructors, studios, or available leads would be greatly appreciated. I'll probably be at the USA Dance thing this Saturday if there are any locals in the forum!

[Arrion]

I live in the Phoenix area. Latin is probably the style I'm least familiar with local instructors for, but I do know Radomir Pashev and Yavor Genev at Paragon, and Decho Kraev at Stars would all be worth looking into.

[anniep]

Blaj Pocajt is no longer in the area. Shall We Dance studio went out of business. Radomir Pashev is a great Int Latin dancer/instructor. He is currently teaching out of the independant studio, Paragon, in Tempe and competes frequently at NDCA comps around the country in various styles with students and his pro partner.

Yavor Genev...also at Paragon... not as talented as Radomir. Not as dedicated to the students, does not compete professionally.

I have heard nice things about Decho Kraev who is also in the area, but I've also heard he isn't in town a lot due to traveling for coaching, etc, and I don't know how often he competes Pro/Am....

I vote for Radomir, but I don't think you can go wrong checking out Decho either. Best of luck in your search!

[murr]

Thanks for the recs! Sounds like Radomir will definitely be my first go-to, and if that doesn't work out, I'll try to get a hold of Decho. Pretty stoked to get back into dancesport =D

[latingal]

best of luck murr!

[DancinDrea19]

Thanks for the recs! Sounds like Radomir will definitely be my first go-to, and if that doesn't work out, I'll try to get a hold of Decho. Pretty stoked to get back into dancesport =D

I just saw radomir at a competition recently..he is talented & his students were all amazing..really knows how to showcase their strengths! good luck!

[reb]

I vote for Inna!

Inna Berlizyeva and Artem Plakhotniy

[contracheck]

I vote for Inna!

Inna Berlizyeva and Artem Plakhotniy

In what studio in Arizona does Inna Berlizyeva teach? I think that she is somewhere in Scottsdale. Ever since I saw her doing Paso with her student Stephen Hunter a few yrs ago in American Ballroom Dance Challenge, I have been interested in taking lessons from her.

[Arrion]

I've heard Inna teaches at both Empire Dancesport in Scottsdale and at Stars in Tempe, but I don't know for sure.

[contracheck]

I've heard Inna teaches at both Empire Dancesport in Scottsdale and at Stars in Tempe, but I don't know for sure.

Thanks, I am moving to Scottsdale.