Chris Thomas, Co-Founder & Instructor
Dance
Styles: American Rhythm & Smooth,
&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 &
&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.
Ashley Novak, Co-Manager & 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
David Bopp, Instructor
Dance Styles: American Smooth & Rhythm, Swing and Country Western
Background: Dancing since 1993; 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
Ester Dittert, Instructor
Dance Styles: American Rhythm & Smooth, International Standard
Background: Dancing since age 5; teaching since 2001; taught ballroom in Tampa, FL, Lexington, KY, and Orange County, CA; Joined ASA in 2010
Specialties: Creating a fun learning environment for all dancers, building teamwork in couples
Other Professional Experience: Pro/Am Competitor, danced for the University of Kentucky, instructed for Eastern Cheer & Dance Association, coached & choreographed for school dance teams ages 11-18, B.S. in Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering
Personality Traits: Loving, compassionate yet firm
Favorite Dance: Viennese Waltz
Keturah Robison, Instructor
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: Beginners; Explaining dance in simple and easy terms
Personality Traits: Outgoing, all smiles, makes learning fun
Favorite Dances: Foxtrot & Cha Cha
Robert Galarza, Instructor
Dance Styles: American Smooth & Rhythm; International Standard & Latin
Background: Started Dancing at 10 years old and dancing Ballroom since 1994. ASA from 2005-2009 and 2011 to present; originally trained with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Experienced in Professional Shows, Pro/Am Shows and Competitions.
Specialties: Preparing students for Pro/Am 9 Dance American competition and Show Dance performances. Passionately challenge students to achieve their best performance!
Other Professional Experience: Pro/Am Competitor, DVIDA certified.
Personality Traits: Sincere, caring, focused and LOVES to Perform!
Favorite Dance: Any one from 9 dance and 10 dance categories.
Ruhiyyih "Ru" Gepner, Instructor
Dance Styles: American Rhythm and Smooth
Background: Ballet, tap, and jazz from 1982-1999; began Bellydance and Middle Eastern Folkloric and Tribal Dance in 1995, competed and coached professionally from 2002-2006; began Swing and club dances in 1997 and Ballroom and Latin Dance in 2009.
Specialties: Certified in SSSBD Level 1, IFA Personal Training and Fitness Insruction, and Dancesport Endurance. Loves to draw emotion out of people, especially for performances.
Other Professional Experience: Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from Fayetteville State University
Personality: Fun and Silly but Serious
Favorite Dance: Cha Cha
Supporting Staff:
Carolyn Bell Audije, Marketing, Design, Planning & Promotions
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 and working part time for the Jacksonville Children's Chorus.
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: Bolero, Cha Cha and Tango
Christy Granovski, Office Administrator
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!
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