Our Dance instructors 2008

Brenda Dunagan - Sunday January 6, 2008 - Merengue

Brenda Dunagan has been teaching and performing professionally for sixteen years. She holds a teaching certificate with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance and recently completed coursework for her B.S. in biology and philosophy. As well as teaching locally, Brenda has performed and competed in all fifty U.S. states as well as eleven other countries around the world in many genres of performing arts. Brenda teaches private and group classes at Enchantment Ballroom, substitutes for the ballroom and Latin dance classes at UNM, and organizes competitions, exhibitions, and cruises for her students. She may be contacted at (505) 203-1607 or bdunagan@unm.edu.

Bill Zimmerman - Sunday February 3, 2008 - Quickstep

Bill Zimmerman began ballroom dancing in Albuquerque in 1989 as an amateur competitor in American Smooth and International Standard. In 1997 Bill moved to California and continued to compete in International Standard. In 2001 Bill turned professional and returned to Albuquerque in 2002. Bill is a member of the US branch of the International Society of Teachers of Dance and is an associate member of Terpsichore. During the day Bill works as a Physicist for an aerospace firm. Bill has been married for 31 years to Eva Zimmerman and has two sons now in college. Bill is a Professional Dance Instructor with Enchantment Ballroom and can be contacted at billzim1947@hotmail.com.

Anita McBride - Sunday February 3, 2008- Quickstep

Although Anita is a native of Iowa, she has been in Albuquerque for twenty eight years. Anita has extensive educational background in art, music, drama, education, arts administration as well as in dance. Anita began taking dance classes in modern and ballroom as an undergraduate at the University of Northern Iowa. However, it was not until many years later that Anita fell in love with ballroom dance while she was a graduate student in dance history at UNM. Anita has been extremely fortunate to be able to study with many wonderful talented instructors at UNM, Brigham Young University and at Enchantment Ballroom. Anita is studying for her professional medals in International Standard dances. She makes her home in Taylor Ranch with her husband Terry and their six cats, Mama, Piggy, Freidy, Me-too, Asparagus and Maui. Anita can be contacted through Enchantment Ballroom 505-268-4411.

Patti Smith - Sunday March 2, 2008- Hustle

Patricia Smith of The Dance Studio has been teaching for six years and dancing for ten years. She is full Bronze certified and working on her Imperial Society Certification. Currently, she is competing with her students. She will be making a professional debut with new partner Robert McGrew in June 2008 at the Colorado Star Ball. Patricia can be reached for private instruction at (505)872-2450.

Paul Losinski - Sunday April 6, 2008- Rumba

Paul Losinski is a teacher at Highland High School, where he now teaches Honors Geometry, Computer Aided Drafting (Architecture & Engineering), and a Ballroom/Country Western Dance class (the only one in the city of Albuquerque). Paul likes to collect poetry, mental challenges, and humorous anecdotes. He also enjoys solving puzzles, dancing for fun, playing games with friends, sharing GREAT email content, and watching movies. As far as dancing experience -Paul was a professional dance instructor for about four years (when he says he was young, thin, and coordinated) at the Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire dance chains. Currently, he does not keep up his dancing expertise due to an overwhelming urge to spend HIS entire life at Highland High School grading papers, attending meetings, completing administrative paperwork, and meeting the demands of NCLB (No Child Left Behind). He loves to learn new steps, techniques, and dances, but is limited these days by his inability to release his workaholic tendencies.

Mary Ann Harvey - Sunday May 4, 2008- American Style Waltz

In 2007 Maryann Harvey teamed up with professional partner, Rowdy Dufrene, to compete in the Classic Master's Division of the UCWDC. They were met with much success, placing 1st in all dances at Southern Nationals in October and 4th place overall at the UCWDC World Championships at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee in January of 2008. Maryann also received international recognition as a teaching professional at the 2008 World Championships. She garnered the 4th place Best Male Student Pro-Am Instructor award. Maryann has competed in the Classic Masters division with two other professional partners. She and partner Todd Fulkerson were the 2004 UCWDC Classic Open Division I World Champions. She has performed internationally with such repertory companies as THE SAN FRANCISCO JAZZ DANCE COMPANY and in musical revues with Greg Thompson and Merv Goldstein Productions. She has been under contract as a dancer with both Crystal and Carnival Cruise Lines and under scholarship with the Joffrey, Harkness, Pennsylvania and Lehigh Regional Ballet Companies. Maryann has acted in numerous commercials and infomercials and was a recurring character on the soap opera, DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Maryann has also been featured in episodes of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, SILK STALKINGS, WOMEN OF THE HOUSE with Delta Burke and Terri Garr, A DATING STORY and BLIND DATE. She has choreographed dance sequences for movies such as THE MAJESTIC with Jim Carrey and for television series such as Showtime's FALLEN ANGELS. She was an NFL Cheerleader with THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES and is both a certified aerobics instructor and personal trainer. Maryann graduated summa cum laude with a BFA in dance from THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS in Philadelphia and is currently pursuing her full teaching credential and a Master's degree in elementary education. She has been teaching dance since age 13 and hopes that all her energy and experience will enrich the Albuquerque dance community. You may contact her for lessons at MaHaDance@MSN.com.

Diane Kadlec & Alex Vlahos - Sunday June 1, 2008- Night Club Two Step

Alex Vlahos and Diana Kadlec collectively bring together 40 years experience in couples dancing, competing and teaching. They specialize in West Coast Swing and have both won numerous awards competing throughout the nation. Sharing their love of dance by teaching group classes and private lessons is something they truly enjoy and hope will elevate the dancing experience of others. Together or separately, Alex and Diana have experience in teaching West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Hustle, Night Club 2-Step, and various Salsa, Latin, Country and Ballroom dances.

Alex is the president of Strictly Swing New Mexico, a dance club in Albuquerque, New Mexico which emphasizes West Coast Swing, but also offers Night Club 2-Step, Hustle, other Swing dances, and some Latin, Country and Ballroom. He can be reached at 505-480-6232. Diana has a Professional Dance Instructors Association certification. She has competed on the United Country Western Dance Council circuit in the Pro/Pro category. To reach her call 505-293-7053 or e-mail her at DancingWithDiana@comcast.net.

Sarita Streng - Sunday July 22, 2008- Salsa

Sarita has extensive knowledge regarding Cuban style. She is the last word on Cuban style Rueda in the state. Also, look for her upcoming documentary film on the subject, "La Rueda de Guanabacoa". Sarita teaches salsa, casino, Rueda de casino, and cha-cha-cha. She has beginning Salsa classes at 10 a.m. Saturdays and Intermediate Salsa classes on Saturdays at 11 a.m. at the Harwood 1114 7th Street NW, Alb, NM. She can be reached at 505-288-8713 or by email saritastreng@yahoo.com.