Dance Instructors
World Class coaches will be the instructors for all classes and, if desired, for private classes.
Ron and Karla Montez
Ron Montez is one of the most respected personalities in the Dance business. He was the 7-time undefeated United States Professional Latin Champion. He also placed as high as 4th place in the World's Professional Latin Championship and was a finalist in the prestigious British Championship. He is recognized as coach and choreographer in both American and International Styles including Swing and Mambo. Ron is the Co-Host of the PBS Championships Ballroom Dance Program, which was hosted by Rita Moreno, the late Juliet Prowse, Barbara Eden, Sandy Duncan and Jasmine Guy.
Karla Montez has a dance background of Ballet and Jazz. She traveled with a Dance Company for 13 years, capturing the U.S. Open Cabaret Championship. Karla brings this rich background of Dance to this exciting partnership. Now, along with her dancing, Karla has ventured into a Real Estate career in Tucson.
Ron and Karla enjoy dancing together, teaching classes and workshops together, and performing in shows. They have three beautiful children and reside in Tucson, Arizona, where they devote a great deal of time to their family.
Ron & Karla Montez are now the owners of Chicago Crystal Ball held June 10-13, 2010. For info, please visit: www.chicagocrystalball.com
You can schedule coaching with Ron Montez anytime during the year, by
phone call (520) 744-6272 or email at Rondance@comcast.net.
For your Real Estate questions, contact Karla at KarlaM@Longrealty.com
Radomir Pashev & Devorah Kastner
Radomir Pashev started his dance career at the young age of 7 in his native country, Bulgaria, competing in International Style Latin and Standard. There he became the Bulgarian National Champion.
Devorah Kastner was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She is trained in jazz, hip hop, ballet, and cheerleading. She started her partner-dance career comparatively late in life at the age of 17 with the Country Western and West Coast Swing styles, where she quickly moved to the top of the ranks.
Rado and Devorah began their partnership two years ago and currently compete professionally in the American Style Smooth and Rhythm categories. Together, they travel all over the U.S. competing professionally, as well as with their Pro-am students, coaching, performing in shows, judging, and have won numerous titles:
U.S. National Nine Dance Vice Champions
Rising Star American Rhythm Champions
Rising Star American Smooth Champions
Rado and Devorah are available for private lessons at the Paragon Dance Center in Tempe. Contact: chachachick@hotmail.com or 602-697-4136.
Marcus Johnson & Yuki Haraguchi
Yuki was born in Tokyo, Japan . She started music lessons when she was 3 years old and ballet at 10. A few years later, she started dancing ballroom.
She won the All Japan Students League dance competition in the Amateur section. After winning, she moved to England to educate herself more in ballroom dancing. She graduated from King's College London while she took lessons from world-class Latin and ballroom coaches. She also studied a year in a Roehampton University in Surrey for a major in dance studies .
Later she became sponsored by DSI ( Dance Sport International)and modeled for their catalogue for 3 years. She moved to USA to dance with Marcus Johnson and work for Londance studio to teach dancing.
With Marcus, she is a champion of Ohio Star Ball Rising Star 2007, US Open Rising Star, 4th in the World 2008 and 2nd in US National Rising Star.
She also worked as an assistant of Tony Meredith (former US champion) to help choreograp and teach for Celine Dion 's back up dancers audition (2007 ). They ranked 10th in national international latin division in 2008. Recent show includes the MGM Grand Hotel for the New Year's Eve show.
Marcus was born and raised in California. His parents are Patrick Johnson and Wendy johnson, award winning dance team and world class judges.
He started dancing when he was 7 years old. By the age of 8 he was on the Merv Griffin Show dancing Cha Cha Cha. He has been teaching ballroom and latin for 12 years and has been competing professionally for 10 years.
With Yuki, Marcus became a champion at the
Ohio Star Ball 2007 (the biggest comp in USA & Canada), US Open Rising Star, 4th in a World 2008 and 2nd in US National Rising Star. They ranked 10th in Open in national international latin division in 2008, and more awards.
Marcus and Yuki performed in many shows including a show for the MGM Grand Hotel on New Year's Eve. His students have won the Pro-Am competition at the US Open.
Jenell Maranto
Jenell is a two-time U.S. Professional American Smooth Champion, and is a Certified Licentiate in the Imperial Society Ballroom Branch. She has owned and operated her own school, The Academy of Ballroom Dance since 1987.
Jenell has ranked among the top 7 in the World Showdance and is a winner & four -time nominee of the U.S. Feather Dance Awards. She has held every major American Smooth title in the U.S., as well as many in the International Standard.
Jenell has trained numerous U.S. Pro-Am and Amateur Champions. She is now retired from competition dancing and is busy teaching and demonstrating both American and International styles , as well as judging many of the competitions.