Meet our Staff
Academy Ballroom offers dance instruction and/or partnerships from a range of sources:
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Eddie Ares of Academy Ballroom Atlanta
Rhythm, Latin, Smooth, and Theater Arts
- Former World Pro Mambo Champion, U.S. Pro Theater Arts and Rhythm Champion,
and over 25 U.S. Pro-Am Championships
- Ranked among top 5 Instructors/Coaches & top Choreographers in the U.S.
- One of the most successful &
sought after Pro-Am Instructors in the U.S.
- Organizer of the Hotlanta Dance Challenge
(nicknamed the Blackpool of pro-am)
- Registered with the NDCA as a championship adjudicator
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Igor Litvinov & Julia Ivleva
Standard
- 2006 Ohio Star Ball Showdance winner
- 2007 Hotlanta Standard Ballroom winner
- Ranked #2 in the U.S.
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- 2004 Pro-Am Int'l Standard 5-Dance Super Bowl Championship
(with Ladies A, Pre-teen, and Junior partners)
- 2004 3rd place Professional American Smooth Championships
- 2006 5th place Heritage Classic Professional Rising Star American Ballroom Championships
- Has 4 US Pro/Am Champion titles with his amateur students
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David Medeiros of Nashville
Smooth, Standard, Rhythm, Latin, and Theater Arts
- Ranked in the top six Rhythm Dance Champions
- 2000 Can-Am Open Pro-Rising Star American Rhythm
- Former 9-dance champion, two-time U.S. Top Teacher
- Organizer of the
Volunteer State Dance Challenge
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- 16 pro/am United States Championships in Rhythm, American Smooth, and Latin
- one World 9-Dance Championship
- Co-owner of Rising Star/Newcomers Ball
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- Alicia Alonso National Ballet School Degree, Cuba
- 3 time Blackpool Theater Arts Finalist
- Canadian Champion/Theater Arts-Rhythm
- 2nd at World Argentine Tango 2001
- Former World Mambo Champion
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Sorin Obreja
Smooth, Rhythm
Sorin began dancing as a stage performer in Romania. As a professional balkanic folk dancer, Sorin
also trained in ballet and character dance. He has Bronze level certification in American Smooth
and American Rhythm, and continues to study for further levels. Based in Atlanta, Sorin will
be available at Academy Ballroom Knoxville on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
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Johnny Tang
Standard, Latin, Smooth, Theatre Arts
- NDCA registered as Pro/Am Teacher/competitor
- USTA Certified Theater Arts, International Standard, International Latin, American Smooth
and American Rhythm
- Johnny and his wife Heather have danced together for over 10 years since college. In addition to training adult dancers for all levels, the Tangs work together as a team training our youth dancers in their weekly Family Ballroom group class.
- Available evenings and weekends by appointment johnnytang@comcast.net
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Heather
Rhythm, Smooth, Ballet/Tap/Jazz for children
- Dancing since age 3 and teaching for 10 years!
- Danced for Hampton and Virginia Ballets, studied with NY Ballet Company
- Artistic Director and Choreographer for the Thomas Nelson College Dance Team
- Instructor for the East Tennessee Chinese School Cultural Dance Program
- Specializes in introducing young children to dance
- Available by appointment,
contact: heathertang@comcast.net
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Angelia
Rhythm, Smooth, Standard, Latin
- Over 8 years experience as a ballroom instructor and instructor trainer
- Available for private lessons and group classes Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. -9 p.m.
and occasional weekends by appointment
- Teaches students of all levels from absolute beginner to the competitive dancer
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Robert Mitchell
Smooth, Standard, Rhythm, Latin
Robert has many years of experience as a ballroom instructor and competitor. He teaches all
levels from the absolute beginner to the competitive dancer.
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Alisha
Rhythm, Smooth
With a background as a featured performer, Alisha is now extending her
dance repetoire to ballroom. Alisha also teaches our Ballroom fitness/aerobics class.
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Charles Gibbs
Smooth, Rhythm
Charles has background as an opera singer and voice instructor. He was first introduced to ballroom dance
as part of his opera performances.
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Rana
Smooth, Rhythm
Originally from Egypt, Rana has loved dancing since she was a child. Rana says dancing makes her a happier
person. "When I worry too much, I dance. I wish everyone could enjoy it as much as I do."
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April
Rhythm, Smooth
April first got into ballroom dancing at age 17. A Knoxville native, April graduated from the
North Knox drama program in 2003 and participated in several plays. "Finally found my place with
Academy Ballroom."
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Walter Hayes
Rhythm, Smooth
Walter is a recent graduate of UT, with a BA in Theater. Originally from Memphis, he lives to
entertain, dances to live! "Laugh now, cry later!"
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Cathy Jiao
Standard, Smooth, Latin, Rhythm
Originally from China, Cathy has a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from
Penn State. She is a research
scientist at the Oak Ridge National Lab.
Cathy has studied and performed a variety of dance styles:
Chinese cultural dance, Belly dance, Hip Hop, and Ballroom. She is currently
an instructor for the East Tennessee Chinese School Cultural Dance Program.
Cathy loves the passion of Latin and the elegance of International Standard.
In 2006, Cathy began to study all 19 ballroom dances in
International and American styles under the direction of Johnny Tang. Today,
she continues to enjoy Pro/Am competetions with Johnny, while she prepares
herself to become a professional ballroom instructor in the future.
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