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Chris Thomas, Co-Founder & Instructor
Dance
Styles: American Rhythm & Smooth,
International Latin & Standard
Background: Dancing since 1985; Originally trained
with Arthur Murray Dance Studios, Owner and Operator of A Social Affair
Dance Studio, Inc. since 1995; Dance business consultant; Competed in
professional 9 dance; Lead vocalist for band, Class Act, providing
entertainment for local restaurants and clubs, weddings, private functions
and corporate events
Specialties: Preparing students for Pro/Am 9 Dance
American competition
Personality Traits: Christian, inspirational, great communicator
Favorite Dance: Bolero
Larry Audije, Owner & Instructor
Dance
Styles: American Smooth & Rhythm, International Standard &
Latin, Swing, Salsa and Country Western.
Background: Dancing since 1993; originally trained
with Arthur Murray Dance Studios; with ASA since 2004; Experienced
in Professional and Pro/Am Shows and Competitions
Specialties: Teaching advanced couples; coaching
Personality Traits: Fun, energetic and focused
Favorite Dance: Tango, Bolero and Foxxy
Andrew Granovski, Co-Manager & Instructor
Dance
styles: American Smooth &
Rhythm, International Standard & Latin
Background: Dancing since 1999 with ASA from 1999-2004 and
2007 to present; Experienced in Professional Shows, Pro/Am Shows and
Competitions
Other professional experience: Dance coach for
Calera H.S. (2004-06); Professional competitor in International Latin
(2001-03) placing fifth in 2002; American Smooth (2003) placing 6th.
Specialties: Breaking down all movement into its basic
elements for quick learning and easy understanding.
Personality Traits: Fun, energetic and very patient.
Favorite Dance: I enjoy the fast pace of the Jive,
but the sexy Tango is also a favorite.
Christy Granovski, Co-Manager & Instructor
Dance
styles: American Smooth & Rhythm; ballet;
jazz; modern
Background: Dancing since 1990 with ASA since 2000
Other professional experience: B.A. in Dance from University
of Alabama; Repertory Dance Theatre (1996-1999) and Dance! Alabama (1996-1999)
Specialties: Breaking down any movement to an absolute beginner's
level.
Personality Traits: Passionate about my student's progress.
Favorite Dance: The Waltz is my favorite smooth dance because
of its elegance. It allows me to pull from my ballet background, which
I love. Cha Cha is my favorite fast dance because it is so flirtatious
and sassy, just like me!
Raquel Castillo, Instructor
Dance Styles: American Smooth &
Rhythm, International Latin
Background: Cheerleading, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballroom. Joined ASA in 2009.
Specialties: Beginning, Advanced & Competitive Dancers
Personality Traits: Very Patient & Fun
Favorite Dances: Tango, Cha Cha, & Salsa
Derek Ehrmantraut, Instructor
Dance Styles: American Rhythm & Smooth
Background: Dancing since 2006; Originally trained with Arthur Murray Dance Studios.
Specialties: Skilled with teaching beginners but also more than capable with advanced students.
Personality Traits: Sincere, honest, patient and encouraging.
Favorite Dance: Rumba
Angela Hyskell, Instructor
Dance Styles: American Rhythm & Smooth, International Latin & Standard
Background: Dancing since 1993; Ballet, Originally trained with Kaluby’s Dance Studios, Experienced in Professional, Pro/Am Shows and Competitions. Joined ASA in 2010.
Specialties: Beginners, Smooth, Latin, and Competitive.
Personality Traits: Passionate about my students and their progress. Patient and fun loving towards others. Devoted, dependable, energetic, easy listener and works well with people.
Favorite Dance: Bolero is my favorite dance because it takes a lot of muscle control, attitude and is a passionate dance. Waltz is another favorite because of its grace and elegance. Cha Cha, because of the fast pace, beat, sassiness and sexiness.
David Kirk, Instructor
Dance
styles:American Smooth and Rhythm
Background: Dancing with ASA since 2005
Specialties: Specialize in working with new students; experience in advanced teaching
Personality Traits: Charming, understanding, devoted and an exceptional listener.
Favorite Dance: Argentine Tango and Rumba
Ashley Novak, Instructor
Dance Styles: American Rhythm & Smooth; International Standard & Latin
Background: Started Dancing in 1997. Started teaching with Fred Astaire in North Carolina. Instructor and Competition Organizer for five years in Tampa. With ASA since August 2010.
Specialties: Teaching with logic and understanding while encouraging students to have fun and laugh along the way.
Other Professional Experience: Pro/Am Competitor, Top Female Teacher achievements, 2008 winner of Tampa Bay Dancing With The Stars
Personality Traits: Fun, Electric, and LOVES to teach!
Favorite Dance: Swing and Tango
Christine Swartz, Senior Instructor
Dance
styles: American Smooth and Rhythm, Argentine
Tango, Country Western, Swing and Salsa
Background: With ASA since 2005. Dancing since
1988. Pro/Am competitive dancer.
Other professional experience: DVIDA Bronze Certification;
5 years clog dancing; ballet; performs in showcases and formations.
Specialties: Smooth dancing; Latin technique; beginners
Personality
Traits: Good listener, fun, makes it easy to learn, works well
with a variety of personalities, patient and passionate.
Favorite Dance: Foxtrot
Intern Staff:
David Bopp
Dance Styles: American Smooth & Rhythm, Swing and Country Western
Background: Dancing since 1993; With with ASA since 2010
Specialties: Smooth dancing, teaching couples; beginners
Personality Traits: Encouraging, good-natured, understanding
Favorite Dances: I enjoy the music that accompanies Country Western dance and the motivating rhythm of Swing
Keturah Robison
Dance Styles: American Smooth & Rhythm
Background: Dancing Ballroom & Latin since 2007; University of North Florida Bachelor of Music in Classical Piano Performance; With ASA since 2010
Specialties: Beginnners; Explaining dance in simple and easy terms
Personality Traits: Outgoing, all smiles, makes learning fun
Favorite Dances: Foxtrot & Cha Cha
Supporting Staff:
Krista Thomas, Co-Founder
Dance styles: American Rythym, American Smooth, Country Western, Creative Movement
Background: Co-founded A Social Affair with Chris Thomas, taught for over 7 years
Other professional experience: Regional Vice President for Arbonne International
Specialties: Getting adults who have never danced before get moving quickly and learning that "Yes, I can dance!", “Ballroom Baby” dance class for toddlers
Personality Traits: Enthusiastic, patient, encouraging, hard working and fun
Favorite Dance: Swing
Carolyn Bell Audije, Marketing/Design Consultant
Dance
styles: American Rhythm & Smooth;
International Latin
Background: Former
Manager of Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Jacksonville, Florida. BA in
Graphic Design 1991. Currently is self- employed in Graphic Design.
Specialties: Design of logos, brochures, publications,
advertising, annual reports, marketing planning, websites; competes in local Pro/Am
competitions
Other professional experience: Managed and taught
for Arthur Murray Dance Studios for 6 years.
Personality traits: Organized, Tenacious, Family-Oriented
Favorite dance: Salsa, Cha Cha and Tango
Heidi Foster, Certified Zumba® Instructor
Background: Passionate about fitness and helping others to achieve their fitness goals
Specialties: Possesses the ability to reach out to all walks of life and make her students feel exited about fitness. Exercise should be FUN not so much like WORK!
Other professional experience : Zumba Certified since 2008, AFAA Group Exercise Certified 2010, CPR/First Aid Certified
Personality traits: Dynamic, motivating, fun loving and loves to cook and EAT!
Favorite dance style: Merengue, Hip Hop, Reggaeton
