Fred Astaire Studio Management Program

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I worked at Fred Astaire Dance Studios full-time for less than a year Pros Great curriculum with structured lesson plans, makes it easy to jump in and teach; front-of-house sales protocol makes it possible for teachers to increase their paycheck through excellent customer service - in short, rewards performance!

Our dance curriculum covers the full range of American, Latin-American, International and Exhibition/Theater Arts style of dancing.

The Fred Astaire curriculum is the most fully documented bank of dancing knowledge available in the world.

  1. BBB accredited since 4/24/2012. Ballroom Dance Classes in Westminster, CO. See BBB rating, reviews, complaints, request a quote & more.
  2. Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Bloomfield Hills is the premier dance studio. When you sign up for lessons at our dance studio, you’ll get to choose from multiple dance styles and approaches. And our welcoming studio environment makes our studio the perfect place to hone your skills, no matter what level you are currently.

Originally inspired by Mr. Astaire’s superb style of dancing, current world famous dance champions and registered judges on the Fred Astaire Dance Board constantly study and review our curriculum to make sure that only the finest, up-to-date programs are offered to our students.

We offer 3 dance programs including, Basic, Social Foundation and Trophy. To learn about each program, please scroll down or jump into any section from the links below.

Basic|Social Foundation|Trophy
Basic Program

All beginner students start their lessons with a basic package designed for the novice dancer.

Basic elements in the common, popular social dances are introduced in order to determine a student’s learning rate and style, retention level, interests and goals.

Students generally try to get through this initial awkward level as quickly as possible and at least into the Social Foundation level where they will begin to feel more comfortable.

Social Foundation Program

A socially comfortable level, the Social Foundation Program is an individually planned and personalized dance program.

The student is introduced to a handful of step patterns and basic techniques of lead and follow, musical timing and blending, which allow them to have fun and hold their own in many social dance situations.

The Fred Astaire Trophy System

The Fred Astaire Trophy Programs is a unique method of dance and teaching instruction. It’s an easy way for our students to track their progress while they enjoy dancing! Our Social and Advanced Foundation Programs teach beginner students the step patterns and techniques to move comfortably on the dance floor with any partner.

Providing structure while allowing for individual goals and interests, the Fred Astaire Trophy System is an exciting way for our students to gauge their progress in receiving the benefits from the investment they have made.

Depending upon the particular program and the progress to various levels of accomplishment, our students earn a coveted Fred Astaire Dance Studio Trophy, awarded at a Trophy Ball held semi-annually.

From there, a student can progress through our Bronze and Silver levels – all the way to the Gold and Supreme Gold!

To learn more about our Trophy Programs scroll down or jump into any section from the links below.

The Bronze Program

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The Bronze Trophy level is for you if you want to become a confident, master social dancer. It is the most popular standard for our students, and the first Trophy Program available to new students.

As a Bronze dancer you are considered fun to dance with because you know enough different dances and patterns to be able to cope with almost any dance situation.

At the Bronze level you are introduced to and eventually master the technique and style that makes each dance look and feel the way it should on the dance floor.

The Silver Program

The Silver Program is for the person who wishes to become an expressive, polished dancer distinguished by versatility and style in all the popular social dances.

Silver dancers stand out on the floor but not just because of the intricate steps they can do. It’s their confidence and poise, the way they carry themselves, their ability to maneuver in a crowd and the fact that they don’t appear to be thinking, but can laugh and talk while they dance!

Fred Astaire Studios

The Gold Program

The Gold Program is for the person who wishes to become an excellent ballroom dancer. Gold dancers have the ability to convey emotion through dance, not only to their partners but to others who are watching them.

The Gold level dancer is an outstanding ballroom dancer. It is the highest level an amateur dancer can achieve. To a non-dancer, the Gold dancer may be mistaken for a professional because they have developed the poise and polish that comes with a complete and thorough knowledge of all the major ballroom dances.

Advanced style and poise in all of the ballroom dances sets the Gold dancer apart from all others.

Andrey Gergel-Owner

Andrey Gergel began his dancing career at the age of 12 in the Ukraine and holds several titles, including: Ukranian National Champion, European Cup Finalist, and US National Champion. Andrey moved to the United States to join Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Charleston in 2001. In 2006, Andrey established International Ballroom, Inc. and has been the owner/operator of 2 very successful dance studios in West Ashley and Mt. Pleasant. In 2016, upon the 10th anniversary of International Ballroom, Inc., his two studio locations have evolved into International Ballroom Dance Studios of Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, continuing to provide the best dance instruction in the Low Country.

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Lacey Bramblett-Director

Lacey Bramblett has been professionally teaching ballroom dance in Charleston since graduating from Salve Regina University in 2004.She is currently the Director of International Ballroom Dance Studios of Charleston and Mt. Pleasant. She began her dancing career with Charleston’s own Robert Ivey Ballet Company, where she grew up dancing for 15 years. Her passion for ballroom dancing began with Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Charleston in 2004, and she has been a part of the International Ballroom family since 2006.Lacey has competed professionally in both the Smooth and Rhythm categories, is a 4-time FADS National Champion, a 2-time World Mambo Championship finalist, as well as a Freddy Award winner. She is also the Writer, Director, and Formation choreographer for their annual Sottile Theater Showcase Production.

Blake Beardsley

Fred Astaire Studio Management Programs

Born in East Lyme, Connecticut, Blake began his journey into dance at the same time he was working on his Chemistry degree. An offer to go to medical school, and his first professional dance contract came literally 2 weeks apart. He finished his Chemistry degree, but the first stage of his journey was that of a ballet dancer, for which he danced 15 years professionally.
As his career in ballet began to wind down, he had the opportunity to attend a ballroom competition in Vancouver, Canada. The energy, enthusiasm, technique, and beauty of the dancers participating, won him over. 2 years later, he made his way to Fred Astaire studio in Westerville, Ohio, and began the second part of his life’s journey in dance. As a professional ballroom dancer & instructor, it is his sincerest hope to share the laughter, the creativity, and the magic that is dance with all of his students.

Jesica Carden

Charleston native, Jesica Carden, discovered her love of performing arts at the young age of five while participating in a local church’s plays and attending tap, jazz and ballet classes. Several years later she joined her school’s cheerleading team gaining eight years of gymnastics, sideline and competitive cheer experience – she went on to coach small-fry cheerleading after graduating from Wando High School in 2010. Jesica is a Hospitality and Tourism Management Major at the Culinary Institute of Charleston and found her passions for hospitality, event planning and dance colliding upon joining the team here at International Ballroom. Jesica’s favorite part of working at the studio is being able to watch students grow as dancers and individuals. She is the Front Desk Manager for both studio locations and a DVIDA Bronze Certified instructor.

Raymond Cancel

Raymond Cancel has loved music and dance since he was a child dancing salsa, merengue, and bachata with his Puerto Rican family. As he grew, so did his love for dance…experimenting with breakdancing and hip hop styles. In 2003, his journey into the wonderful world of ballroom dance began when he joined Arthur Murray in Danbury, CT. Since then, Raymond has enjoyed teaching ballroom dance to all ages and helping his students achieve high-level goals, whether beginner or advanced. He loves seeing his students grow and gaining the many different benefits that ballroom dance provides. He has trained many Pro/Am competitors in the American Smooth, Rhythm, and Theater Arts categories who have placed as “Top Student” in the Bronze & Silver levels, as well as earning the “Top Teacher” title at many competitions. Professionally, Raymond has competed in both the American Smooth & Rhythm categories. He has also won multiple teaching awards, including: FADS highest honors (2015 & 2016), the Double Freddy Award, the Regional Star Award and the Customer Service Star Award. He looks forward to sharing his excitement and passion for ballroom dance with everyone on the dance floor!

Madelaine Hallman-Kenner

Madelaine Hallman-Kenner grew up in a family of dancers; her parents being world masters in the United Country Western Dance Circuit and her grandmother still currently taking lessons at the studio. She has been dancing herself since she was 5 years old and started as a student with Andrey at the age of 12. At the age of 18, she started as an instructor with the team at IBDS. She is an active professional competitor who is also a DVIDA certified silver instructor, competes in both the American Smooth & Rhythm categories, as well as in the Pro-Am divisions with her students. Her main drive in her work is to inspire her students to reach their highest potential and to help them get the most out of their dancing. Needless to say, dance is a passion of hers. “I get to turn people into living, breathing art…it’s an amazing thing to be a part of!” When Maddy is not dancing she is maintaining the social media accounts of the studio to make sure our dance family knows what is going on at IBDS!

Fred astaire dance studio warren nj
Anna Marie Imbordino

Anna Marie Imbordino has been passionate about the performing arts since childhood. As a child she studied and competed in jazz dance, hip hop, lyrical and theatre dance in addition to studying voice performance, flute, percussion and other musical instruments. Mixing her love of dance and music, Anna Marie attended North Central College graduating with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Music Performance and Entertainment Communication. She went on to study ballroom dance recreationally as a student through Arthur Murray and DeSarge Danceport in Illinois falling in love with the ballroom world and inspiring her to become a certified instructor. In 2013, Anna joined the Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Illinois region as an American Rhythm and Smooth instructor, competing Pro-Am and professionally throughout the Fred Astaire Ballroom Dance network. Anna Marie is new to Charleston, and has been a member of the International Ballroom family since 2020.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio Princeton

James Meek

James Meek has been professionally teaching and competing in the ballroom community for nearly two decades. He joined Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Charleston in 1999 as a student then teacher, and has been a member of the International Ballroom family since 2006.He is both a Regional and National Champion in the professional smooth and rhythm divisions. Introducing new people to the joy that he found through dance is the best part of his career as a teacher.

Scott Tucker

Instructor Scott Tucker was introduced to ballroom dance in college at the start of 2014, with no prior experience in dance, theater, or music, at the University of Tennessee. Scott’s inner performer was released that day and he went on to compete throughout college, eventually becoming a USA Dance National Championship finalist as well as competing in such prestigious competitions as the Ohio Star Ball. After college in June 2018, he moved to Charleston and began teaching at International Ballroom Dance Studios of Charleston where he quickly became a DVIDA Silver Certified Instructor. Scott continues to improve his own dancing abilities, and he loves all of the perks that dancing has to offer. “I come for the dance, but stay for the people. I’ve made such great friends through the dance community, and everyone is extremely supportive and encouraging.”