INSTRUCTORS
LANA ROSSI
2015 US National Professional American Style 9-Dance (Smooth & Rhythm) Champion
2015 US National Professional Rising Star American Smooth Champion
2010 International Latin North American Champion
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Lana started dancing at age 12 in her hometown of Tallinn, Estonia. She soon found a partner and began training seriously in both International Latin and Standard. They became national junior and youth champions in Latin. Lana and her partner represented Estonia three times at the World Championships. They earned many titles in junior, youth and amateur 10 dance competitions.
Pursuing a professional competitive career brought Lana to the US and Philadelphia. She competed successfully in Latin winning numerous titles including 2010 International Latin North American Champions. Lana thanks her many outstanding coaches, including
Eugene Katsevman and Maria Manusova.
In 2015, Lana and her partner switched to American Smooth and won the National Professional Rising Star Championship in American Smooth. More success followed in 2015, when they captured the National American Style 9 Dance Championship. Lana achieved further recognition as a featured dancer in the Oscar winning movie "Silver Linings Playbook". Lana is continuing her professional career in Smooth with her husband Ilia Zakharav. They currently train with top coaches David Hamilton and Jonathan Roberts.
In addition to competing, Lana has been teaching since age 15. She offers private lessons and group classes in all dances, including American Smooth, American Rhythm, International Latin, International Standard and Latin club style dances (salsa, bachata, etc). She competes with her dedicated pro-am students and teaches workshops and lessons for the University of Pennsylvania Ballroom Team and the Ice Skating Club of Philadelphia. Lana also judges many pro-am and amateur competitions.
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Owner/Instructor/Performing Artist
ILIA ZAKHARAV
Co-owner/Instructor/Performing Artist
5 Times National Belarus Champion
US National Standard Show Dance Champion
Eastern European Standard Championship Finalist
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Ilia began dancing at age 6 in his native country of Belarus. After making the finals in his first competition at age 7, he chose dancing. Ilia went on to become a 5-time National Champion of Belarus in 10 Dance, an IDU Federation World Cup Champion and a finalist in the Eastern European Championships. Ilia has studied under some of the world's best European coaches as well as world champions Arunas Bizokas and Edita Daniute.
Ilia brought his talents to the stage, choreographing and starring in a full-length ballroom show. He has been featured as a headliner on several major cruise lines, touring 64 countries. After coming to the US, Ilia won the USA Dance National Showdance Championship. He competed successfully in professional International Standard becoming a finalist in numerous national
competitions. He now coaches competitive couples and competes Pro-Am with his students, leading many to victory as champions and finalists.
Ilia is currently performing and competing in professional American Smooth with his wife Lana Rossi. Ilia and Lana train with David Hamilton and Jonathan Roberts, two of the top coaches in the country. A noted competitor, coach, choreographer and performer, Ilia teaches group classes and private lessons in International Standard, International Latin, American Rhythm, and American Smooth at Vivid Ballroom.
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SAM PALIASHCHUK
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"If you move great, you feel great, and you look great" - Sam Paliashchuk
Sam discovered his love of dance at the age of seven. Sam attended the State University in Belarus to study performing arts. He earned his degree in dance and choreography plus world culture and history. Sam loves to compete and was two-time Latin vice champion of Belarus. He was a finalist in multiple competitions in Europe and a Latin finalist in multiple competitions in the U.S. Sam is a notably talented dancer and teacher who is actively teaching Latin, Rhythm, ballet, and hip hop.
In addition, Sam is a National Academy of Sports and Medicine certified personal trainer with over 10 years of multi-sport and movement training, such as judo, boxing, kickboxing, and power lifting.
Instructor/Performing Artist
ALEXANDER SAMOSIUK
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Instructor/Performing Artist
NELLY MUSTAFAEVA
Instructor/Performing Artist
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SABRINA MACCHIA