Ballroom Fever : Professionals

Introducing the Professionals

Gunnar began ballroom and latin at the age of 10, following in the footsteps of his older brother, literally, in Reykjavik, Iceland. He continued his pursuits successfully to become a 13 time Icelandic Champion in Latin, Ballroom, and 10 Dance. In his competitive career he has placed 5th on the Scandinavian Closed 10 Dance category and competed 5 times in Blackpool, England, World Youth Latin and Amateur 10 Dance Championships. He has spent summers in England training with some of the best dancers in the world, as England is the international dance mecca. In 1996 he moved to the United States and began teaching in a local ballroom studio and soon became one of the top instructors in the country for that franchise. He then became manager of one in Trumbull, CT.

Gunnar coaches many professional couples as well as amateur couples for the university teams.

Daryll began dancing at the age of 3. When she was 14 years of age at the New England Dance Conservatory she was asked to join their pre-professional program. As she began her BS in Business at Bay Path College she also began teaching in a local ballroom studio while she completed her degree. Soon after Daryll graduated, Daryll and Gunnar were engaged to be married and moved to NY to continue teaching and training before they returned to Enfield to open their own studio. In March of 2003, Daryll and Gunnar began their Professional Competitive career in the American Rhythm division. In September of 2005, they came in 1st in the country Pro Rising Star American Rhythm. In September of 2006, they came in 1st in the country Pro Rising Star American Smooth, becoming the only couple in the United States ever to champion Both US Rising Star Titles. In September 2007, they won the USA National 9-Dance Championship. They have pursued their training by receiving coaching from outstanding dance teachers from around the world. Some of their amazing coaches and mentors throughout their competitive career together were Marianne Nicole, Tony Meredeth, Melanie Lapatin, France Mousseau, Jean Marc Genereaux, Beata Onefater, Ian Folker, Paul Holmes, Nadia Goulina, Olga Kormanovskaya, Toni Redpath, Golrin, Rufus, Mathew Nicole Cutler, Eddie Simon, Glen Weiss, Ieva, Rufus Dustin, so many more excellent trainers....

2007
Ohio Star Ball 2007 Professional World American Smooth Finalists

36» Ohio Star Ball American Style 9-Dance Champions

35» Champions - Constitution State Challenge 2007   Open Pro American Smooth
34» Champions - USA NATIONAL 2007   Open Pro American Style 9-Dance
33» Champions - Dancing A La Carte 2007   Open Pro American Smooth
32» Champions - Tri State Challenge 2007   Open Pro American Smooth
31» Champions - La Classique 2007   Open Pro American Smooth

2006

30» Ohio Star Ball American Style 9-Dance Champions
29» Champions USA NATIONAL 2006  Pro Rising Star American Smooth
       Runners Up- 2nd in USA NATIONAL 2006  Open Pro American Style 9-Dance
28» Champions - American Star 2006  Open Pro American Smooth
27» Champions - American Star 2006  Open Pro American Rhythm
26» Champions - Windy City Open 2006  Open Pro American Smooth
25» Champions - Windy City Open 2006   Open Pro American Rhythm
24» Champions - Virginia State 2006     Pro Rising Star American Smooth
23» Champions - Twin Cities 2006     Open Pro American Smooth

2005
22» Ohio Star Ball American Style 9-Dance Champions
       Runners Up- 2nd in USA American Style 9 Dance 2005
21» Champions - Constitution State 2005    Open Pro American Smooth
20» Champions - Constitution State 2005     Rising Star American Smooth
19» Champions - Capitol 2005     Pro Rising Star American Smooth
18» Champions - Manhattan 2005     Pro Rising Star American Smooth
17» Champions - Maryland Open 2005     Open Pro American Rhythm
16» Champions - USA NATIONAL 2005     Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
       Runners Up- 2nd in USA NATIONAL 2005    Pro Rising Star American Smooth
15» Champions - Yankee Classic 2005   Pro Rising Star American Smooth
14» Champions - American Star 2005    Pro Rising Star American Smooth
13» Champions - Tri-State 2005   Pro Rising Star American Smooth
12» Champions - Tri-State 2005   Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
11» Champions - Heritage Classic 2005   Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
2004
10» Co-Champions - Commonwealth 2004     Pro Rising Star American Smooth
9» Champions - Commonwealth 2004     Open Pro American Rhythm
8» Champions - Commonwealth 2004     Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
7» Champions - NJ State 2004   Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
      2nd in USA American Style 9 Dance 2004
6» Champions - Empire State 2004      Pro Rising Star American Smooth
5» Champions - Maryland 2004      Pro Rising Star American Smooth
4» Champions - Maryland 2004      Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
3» Champions - Northeastern Open 2004      Open Pro American Rhythm
2» Champions - Holiday Classic 2003      Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
1» Champions - Constitution State 2003      Pro Rising Star Rhythm

Diana graduated from Sarah Lawrence with a degree in Musical Theatre. She started dancing at the age of 5, though started ballroom dancing only 5 years ago. She quickly transitioned into ballroom and began teaching 6 years ago. Diana is incredibly thorough in all of her teaching and always strives to help her students realize their potential. Diana currently competes in the Professional Standard division with her pro partner, and husband, Mick. She is also a visiting team coach for the University Of Connecticut Ballroom Dancing Team.

“My favorite thing about teaching is to see a student push past their boundaries either physically or mentally to accomplish a goal they never thought possible.”

Mateuz was born in Poland, and came with his family to the United States in 2001. Mat’s been teaching since 2005, and teaches all four styles of dance with the same amout of love and enthusiasm. He loves to go to competition with his students and make them shine! Matt also competed professionally in Latin, with lots of success and is starting again with his new partner, Tanya, in the American Smooth division. When not imparting his knowledge and passion for dancing to his students, he is busy studying for a degree in electrical engineering from Central Connecticut State University.

Vlad is Ukrainian and started dancing International Latin/Standard and competing when he was 9 years old. His professional teaching career began in 2006. He turned Pro in 2010. In Ukraine he competed professionally as well as pro/am, taught students, visited different seminars and lectures with top coaches of the world such as Sergey Surkov & Melia (Russia), Barbara Nagode-Ambroz (Slovenia), Andrey Buschik (Russia), Barbara McColl (England), Igor Volkov & Ella Ivanova (Ukraine), Eugene Katsevman (USA), Vibeke Toft (Denmark) and many others. Vlad came back to the US in 2012. He is member of NDCA as Pro Competitor and Certificated Pro/Am teacher in American and International as well as Argentine Tango. He and his pro dance partner are competing all over USA and working hard to place in the US International Latin Final. Along with their competitive travel schedule, they perform for corporate events, and fundraisers.

April started dancing ballet at 5 and, was classically trained in both piano and voice for 12 years. In high school, she enjoyed performing with her local community theater, where she was able to combine her love of music, dance, and performance. She began swing dancing at 19, and has been training and teaching ever since- consistently winning “top teacher”. April also competed in Theater Arts and American Rhythm and had several first place finishes. April is comfortable and knowledgeable teaching American Rhythm & Smooth, International Standard & Latin, as well as Theater Arts. She enjoys all levels of teaching since they all offer their own challenges, but she especially loves teaching children. “I love helping students explore sides of themselves they didn’t know they had and helping them to become the strongest dancers they can be”

Mick has always been musically and movement inclined. He started dancing at the age of 15. His love lies in the sophisticated International Standard that he competes with his lovely bride with in the professional division, however, he smiles ear to ear when dancing Latin with his students. His students that compete with him on the NDCA circuit work hard on their dancing and are awarded with top placements at competitions to be proud of. Mick makes perfection fun and is an excellent choreographer. He is also a team coach for the University Of Connecticut Ballroom Dancing Team.

Linda Gergye was born in Sopron, Hungary where she started to take jazz and modern dance classes at the age of 12. Linda fell in love with ballroom dancing when she was 14 and began her competitive career. She placed in the final in the amateur latin division in Hungary. In 2009 she turned professional and began to compete internationally. The next year she moved to England to continue competing, teaching, and taking coaching from the top teachers in the World.

She moved to the United States in 2012 and competed in the American Rhythm devision as a professional as well as in the pro/am category. Linda has performed for large corporate events and competed around the states in exhibition.

Christine began dancing at the age of 2 with the Central Connecticut Ballet Company where she studied ballet, tap, and jazz for 15 years. In 2003, she certified as a pro ballroom instructor and began competing; earning 1st place in regional pro rhythm and top teacher prizes along the way. Christine was a pageant tap coach and Artistic Director for a music & movement company where she helped develop programs for local families to experience music and dance. “My favorite part of teaching? I love the ‘Jaw-Drop-Moment’… when in the fun of a lesson the student realizes they are actually doing it! I teach my students to trust themselves. It’s amazing what is possible.” She is presently looking for a new professional partner who would be open to dancing in the 9-dance division of American Rhythm and Smooth.