Primary Instructors at Paradise Studio

 

 

Jenica Krolicki

 

Jenica has been part of the Northwest’s dancing community for over seventeen years. As a young girl, she accompanied her parents to local dances and national competitions. At ten years old, she entered her very first dance competition with the encouragement of her dad and hasn’t looked back.

 

After exploring many types of partner dancing, Jenica discovered that her favorite dance was the sophisticated style of West Coast Swing. In 2003 she moved to Pasadena, CA to study with the nations top champions and professionals.  Since then, she has successfully competed in the All Star and Invitational levels at national and regional events.  Currently, she is competing on the national circuit in the Classic Swing division with her professional partner Wayne Herendeen.  Through their unique style and approach to West Coast Swing, Jenica and Wayne are bringing a fresh approach to the dance.

 

Over the last few years, Jenica has included American and International style Ballroom, as well as American Rhythm and International Latin to her repertoire of dances.  She continues to further her education in partnership dancing as well as judging by continuing to train with the some of the best coaches in the United States.  You can count on her to bring you the latest styles and information, as well as her passion and excitement.  All of those qualities make her an exceptional instructor, coach and choreographer.

 

To arrange private and group lessons or for more information, you can contact Jenica directly at 360-910-2033, or send an email to Jenica@ParadiseStudioPDX.Com - or visit website at www.jenicakrolicki.com


Greg Krolicki and Astrid Perry  

 

Greg Krolicki

 

Greg began ballroom dancing  seriously in 1987 and transitioned into Country Western shortly thereafter. He began competing in the early '90's on the Country Western circuit and in the mid-90's he added the West Coast Swing circuit.  In 2006 he was one of the dancers featured  in the documentary "We Also Dance," produced by Nancy Stevens of New York.  The film has been circulated nationally on PBS stations. .He currently coaches students for competition and spotlight showcases, social through  advanced levels. He specializes in Country Two Step, Night Club Two Step, WCS, East Coast Swing and Three-Count Hustle.
Contact Greg at  - Greg@ParadiseStudioPDX.Com

 

Astrid Perry

 

Astrid Perry is a dedicated dancer with endless enthusiasm and energy for this hobby.  She began dancing 3 ½ years ago and soon found herself learning every style of dance.  One and one-half years ago she decided to add competition and performance routines to her experience.  With Greg as her Professional instructor she competed in Swing, Ballroom, and Country Western competitions throughout this past year.    As a professional Social Worker, she brings a wealth of experience in systems management and event planning to the studio.  In working with Greg as a Coordinator for Bridgetown Swing 2008, her organizational skills contributed to the success of the event.

Contact Astrid at - Astrid@ParadiseStudioPDX.Com

 

Polly McBride

 

Polly and tango discovered each other in 1991 when she became a founding member of the Portland Tango Community. Her dancing has been influenced by many of the masters she has studied with at Stanford Tango Week, Columbus Tango Week, Nora's Tango Week, and those who have visited Seattle and Portland. She is a member of Nora's Tango Week Public Relations Staff, and she partnered Maestro Jorge Firpo at the 2006 NTW.

 

She has been a member of the Executive Team for Portland's TangoFest and ValenTango festivals since their beginning and is currently teaching at PCC/Sylvania and at Paradise Ballroom where she has been director since 2005. Polly specializes in teaching foundational skills for beginners.
Contact Polly at - Polly@ParadiseStudioPDX.Com

Mary Ann Carter

 

Mary Ann trained in  England and the United States with International Style Champions.  She competed internationally with her partner and together they opened the Classique Ballroom in Chicago.  Mary Ann moved back to Oregon several years ago to be near her family.  She is a well known instructor in the Portland Dance Community.

 

Marry Ann is available for:

Professional Instruction

Social Dancing

Championship Competition

All Ballroom and Latin Dances

American and International Styles

Swing, Latin, Tango, and Salsa

 

To schedule a lesson or for more information, you may contact her directly at :  503-679-0052

 

Alex Poryadin

 

 

Alex started competitive dancing in Moldova (former USSR) in 1980 when he was six years old. He participated in hundreds of regional, national and international competitions in 10 dance International Standard and Latin styles.

In the year 2000 Alex immigrated to the United States and immediately started teaching at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, where he learned American smooth and rhythm styles, salsa and west coast swing.


He teaches both social and competitive level dancers, beginners and competitors, singles and couples. As a product of the former Soviet school he expects the best efforts and commitment from his students and in return, he will share his expertise and passion for dance.

Anya Klimova-Preston
 

Anya has 15 years teaching experience including 12 years of teaching in Russia.  She has been director and choreographer of many children's groups, and has presented a Kids Dance Camp for one week the past two summers at Paradise Studio. 

 

Anya has taught and is currently teaching classes at various community clubs, colleges and universities in the area.  She was winner of the 2004 "Teacher of the Year" in program design Moscow City Child Artistic Center and  has organized Moscow Championships and Russian national competitions.
 

Antonio Torres

 

Antonio is Director of "Rumba Y Cache Dance Company" and has danced salsa since his college days at Oregon State. He joined the dance company Salsa con Sabor which was founded by Erick Gonzalez, and has performed at various National and International salsa events.

 

He has studied with many world famous instructors including a several week stay in Milan, Italy during the summer of 2008.

 

He has Masters degree from PSU, a black belt in Taekwondo,and a former soccer player. Antonio teaches Intermediate Salsa on Tuesday evenings at Paradise.

 

Contact him at 503-980-8578 or www.rumbaycache.com for details.

Erick Gonzalez and Catherine Rolph

With 21 years of combined experience, Salsa Con Coco Dance Company Directors Erick Gonzalez and Catherine Rolph are proud to offer the most comprehensive Salsa program in Portland. After three years running their own studio in Guatemala, Erick and Catherine are excited to be back in Portland and teaching (again!) at the Paradise Studios.

For more information, please visit their website www.salsaconcoco.com, or call them directly at 503.258.7192 (Erick) or 503.258.7127 (Catherine).
Melena Bronson
 

Melena has been dancing for as long as she can remember, with influences in Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Hip Hop, Ballroom, Latin, and Argentine Tango. A Ballroom dancer for over 10 years and an instructor for over 5 years, she is a certified instructor of Arthur Murray with Certification in all four levels of Bronze and Silver and is currently working towards her Gold Certification. She has experience with both American and International and with both beginners and advanced dancers. She also has received a Bachelor's of Arts in Dancing from the University of Oregon, with a focus in Modern & Ballet dancing. She now uses this knowledge to help dancers develop simple but important ways of moving, posture & alignment.

In her first year as an instructor she was honored with “Rookie of the Year,” (2002) as well as first, second, and third place honors in regional studio competitions in the following years (2002-2005). She was in the top twenty in the world of Arthur Murray’s two years in a row (2002-2003).

Melena teaches a wide range of dances and techniques. Mostly Arthur Murray trained; she enjoys, and teaches, Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Rumba, ChaCha, Swing, Salsa, Mambo, Samba, Merengue, Bolero, Hustle, Night Club Two Step, Country Two Step, Country Swing, Country Waltz, as well as West Coast Swing, Lindy hop, and Argentine Tango. She is taking new students and is excited to be working as an instructor in Portland & Vancouver. She looks forward to making it fun and easy for anyone and everyone who wants to learn how to dance!

Here are a few things she specializes in:
Private Lessons
Group Lessons (small and large)
Social dancing
Wedding dances
Special Occasions (such as you have to learn how to Salsa for a hot date on Saturday)
Competitive dancing
Having FUN!

William Ylvisaker

 
Will is a born and raised Oregonian. He started dancing when he was six years old with the Oregon Ballet Theater under the direction of James Canfield. He continued his training at Buckman Arts Elementary School under Kieth Goodman and Chisao Hata, Then went onto Da Vinci Arts Middle school and trained under Kristen Brayson, Elena Carter, and Claire Olberding. He received instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, modern and African dance. He attended High School at Grover Cleveland High School; there he was introduced to Krump dancing and joined a group of Krump dancers called the Idol Threats. The Idol Threats pioneered the Krump scene in Portland and were recognized for it in the Oregonian (http://www.oregonlive.com/special/index.ssf/2008/03/krumping.html.) By his senior year he joined the internationally acclaimed Jefferson Dancers as a full company member. He performed and taught in multiple events around Oregon and Frankfurt, Germany. In the same year he joined Urban Arts Dance company and pursued Hip Hop in Portland and L.A. He gained an eye for choreography and choreographed for their Spring performance at the Newmark Theatre. 

 
He will be teaching Beginner and Intermediate/Advanced Hip Hop at Paradise Studio.  You may contact Will directly at (503) 422-3250, or send an email to william_ylvisaker@yahoo.com

 

 

 

     

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