Dan Calloway has been competing professionally, coaching and judging for almost 40 years, repeatedly earning the distinctions of “Professional of the Year” and “Top Teacher” at many national level events and within numerous dance organizations. In 1985 Dan was the youngest dual fellow in the world with highly commended fellowships in the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, the London-based society, which embodies the world’s acknowledged leaders of the dance profession. Certified as a WDSF Adjudicator, Dan has been seen judging around the world in places such as France, Switzerland, and Canada. He has served as the Chairman of Judges at the North American and USA Dance United States National DanceSport Championships and many other national level events. Dan is also the DanceSport coach for the competitive DanceSport teams at Georgetown University and the University of Maryland, as well as serving as guest coach at numerous other universities, congresses, and dance camps, including moderating the professional discussion panels at key events in the United States. Dan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Religion and a Master of Arts degree in English Literature.
Yana Mazhnikova started dancing in Russia at the age of five years old. She went through Music and Choreography school, studying Ballet, Russian Folklore dance, Ballroom Dance, Music, Vocals and Basic instruments. At the age of 16 she decided to concentrate mostly on Ballroom Dancing, participating in local and regional competitions.In October of 1997, she came to America and continued to actively compete in the Latin American Style of dancing while teaching and competing Pro-Am in All styles with the New York Fred Astaire Dance Studio for 4.5 years teaching. In 2002 she became an independent instructor, teaching in many independent studios throughout New York, coaching Cornell University’s Ballroom Team, Ithaca University’s Ballroom Team and students of Atlantic Ballroom Studios in Brooklyn, NY. Some of her titles are:
2005 Yankee Classic Professional International Latin Finalist
2005 US National Professional Rising Star Latin Finalist
2006 UK Open Professional Latin Finalist
2007 Emerald Ball Professional Latin Finalist
2009 US Open Professional Rising Star Latin Finalist
2010 Stardust Professional Open Latin Champion
2010-2013 Ohio Star Ball Professional Open Latin Semifinalist
2010 Chicago Crystal Ball Professional Latin Runner Up
2011 US Northeastern Open Professional Latin Champion
2011 Eastern US Professional Open Latin Runner Up
2011 Atlanta Open Professional Latin Championships Runner Up
2011 Blackpool Festival Professional Rising Star Latin Top 15.
2012 Capital Dancesport Championships Professional Latin Runner Up
2013 Virginia State Championship Professional Open Latin Champions
2014 Washington Open Dancesport Professional Open Latin Champion
2014 Wisconsin State Dancesport Professional Open Latin Champion
2014 St. Louis Star Ball Profession AL Open Latin Champion
Catherine Noblitt has over 25 years of experience in dancing and performing. She has spent the past 15 years teaching, coaching, competing, and performing.
Catherine has teaching certifications through the prestigious US Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing, and the North American Dance Teachers Association, in both American and International Styles of dance. Catherine is certified to judge at the Championship level in all styles.
2009 Capital DanceSport Professional Rising Star Standard Finalist
2009 MD DanceSport Professional Rising Star Standard Finalist
I.S.T.D., W.P.D.T.A.
Nancy Flores is a multi-faceted artist who creates performing art from a state of power and magic. She is a Baltimore native of Puerto Rican heritage. Influenced by her musical family, she learned to dance salsa and merengue at the age of 7. The passion to dance was instilled at a young age as she remembers watching ballet on Maryland Public Television and dancing in front of the TV with the performers. Nancy graduated with a BA in Psychology from Loyola University. She is inspired by her love of psychology, literature, nature and an endless fascination of the human quest for life, love, and hope.
Nancy (ballroom dance alias Nonci Tirado) is an esteemed Professional Champion Latin dancer with numerous US titles, including US Latin National Finalist, North American Champion, Eastern US Champion and US Rising Star Champion. She was also the Undefeated Fred Astaire National Latin Champion. She performed abroad with former US Champion Rick Valenzuela (Japan), former US Latin finalist Marco Mechelke (Costa Rica, Germany) and former Dutch Grand Prix finalist Ariel Rad (France). She has trained with Latin-ballroom giants Espen Salberg, Ron Montez, Ruud Vermeij, Julie Laird and numerous others. She is currently a faculty member at Washington School of Ballet.