Beside my native language I can speak four foreign languages – English, Spanish, Russian and Italian.

My dancing career started when I was 6 and taking dance lessons at the Dance Sport Club Gloria in the capital of Republic of Moldova, Chisinau. In 1992 I started to take ballet lessons, with the Prima Ballerina of The Bolishoi Theatre from Moscow, Irina Avaeva. The results of the 6 years of ballet lessons and over 14 years of experience in the world of Ballroom Dance aided me in achieving the following awards in the dance sport competitions in Moldova and abroad:

1. I was a  National Champion in my native country, Republic of Moldova in 1997 (Latin, Junior 2), 1998 (Standard), 2001 (Latin, Youth), 2003 (Latin, Youth+Adult), 2004 (Standard Adult), 2005 (Latin Adult and Standard).

2. I  also was a finalist in many competitions organized by Studios like “Gloria”, “Copilarie”, “Niuans”, “Ghiocel” in Moldova.

3.Together with my dance partners  Eugen Lungu, Ion Frunze, Catalin Macovei, Stanislav Celnakov, I have been competing in Open IDSF competitions abroad, as in 1999 (Romania  Latin, Standard ), Ukraine (Odessa 2002), Ukraine (Cernivtzi 2002), Ukraine( 2005 Kiev), Bulgaria (Varna, Open Latin IDSF, 2005), Bulgaria (Bourgas, IDSF Open Latin, 2006), Germany ( Open Championship,2006 Latin),  Romania (Open Latin IDSF Buchares 2008), Bulgaria (Open IDSF 2008), Ukraine (Slavutich 2008), Bielarus (Vitebsk 2008), Bielarus (Minsk 2008).

4.  I have  been coaching students for 4 over years, in the Studio of Dance Sport and Ballroom “Gloria”.  They have competed in the categories of Junior 1 and Junior 2. My students in the competitions always reached the finale and high marks from the Judges, and many  times they were awarded with top places of 2-nd and 1-st.

In October of 2009,  I moved to the USA to partner up with Philip Gott, an American champion in International Latin dances. And since then I have been teaching International Latin in the Ballroom Studio’s of San Diego,  and working with the judge, Mary Murphy from “So you think you can dance” . At the same time, my  dance partner, Philip Gott, and I are looking forward to do more shows and competitions in USA.

I am proud to be part of the Dance For 2 Family and the San Diego Dance Community and I look forward to dancing with you.

Judy Fallon reported that she was very proud of the two 1^st she took in Nightclub two-step.  Not only is this one of her favorite dances, but she was thrilled that the Judges also seemed to think it one of her best.   She has also decided that in the next competition the Judges are going to place her first in all her dances.  Congratulations Judy!

Joyce Kao feels like Smooth dances are her weakest and was super pleased that the Judges didn’t seem to think so.  She earned third or better in all of her Smooth entries.  She is now more determined than ever to work on smooth and earn first place.  She told us that her husband is just going to have to get use to parking his car outside of the garage, because she needs the practice space.   Congratulations Joyce!

Patty Griffitts competes in one of the most contested groups and was called back to the finals in all of her events. She is so proud of placing third in Bronze Foxtrot because she feels that this is her most difficult dance and she spent lots of extra time outside of her lessons practicing.  Congratulations Patty!

Edith Howe placed first or second in all of her Silver Smooth and Bronze Rhythm entries.  Her biggest fan and harshest critic, her husband Bill, said that he spent the competition cheering her on and watching her footwork.  Bill admits that Edith did very well and he  looks forward to seeing her take firsts across the board.  In order to help achieve that, Bill has promised to “practice” with her in the coming months to prep for the next competition.  Congratulations Edith!

Shawn is very pleased with well the ladies did in this competition.  And says that after they take the week off and relax, he is going to start the training for the next one.  Get ready ladies!

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Jill Perez is a San Diego native who began her training at Absolutely Dancesport here in America’s Finest City. Jill is an elementary school teacher by day and ballroom instructor by night.  Her love affair for dancing started with salsa, but her passion soon evolved and now includes all ballroom and Latin dances.  Jill has been teaching dance for over 8 years and is Dance For 2’s most dedicated and long-standing employee. Her positive and uplifting energy is contagious and she has a way of making everyone at Dance for 2 feel like family!

Jill is especially great at putting beginners at ease and breaking things down in ways that make even the most novice dancers look like stars.  She also specializes in working with couples to make their wedding day or anniversary dance spectacular.  Jill enjoys teaching American Style social dances such as: Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Tango, Cha-Cha, Salsa, Nightclub 2 Step, East Coast Swing and more!  If you are looking for a dance instructor that is full of energy, fun and enthusiastic about dance, then Jill is the one for you!

Welcome to the Dance For 2 Family!  As a special thank you for trying us out, we would like to offer you the opportunity to taste a little bit of everything on the Dance For 2 platter.

Our For Beginners Only Special includes:

• A 30-minute private lesson.

• Entry to 4 consecutive weeks of Beginning classes on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm.

• One Saturday Night Dance Party on the first or third week of the month.

This beginner only special has a value of over $100, and is available to you for only $45.  This offer is ONLY available to NEW students at Dance For 2.

Call (858) 565-9575 to take advantage of this very special offer now.

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Carrie Kloss is a renowned Dance teacher in the Ballroom world, her achievements include but are not limited to:

• United States 9 Dance Champion
• United States American Ballroom Champion
• United States Rising Star Standard Champion
• 2 Time recipient of the Feather Award for Most Outstanding Dancer In The United States
• Championships Won: Ohio Star Ball, Emerald Ball, Embassy Ball, Heritage Classic, Florida State, Le Classique, Sapphire Ball
• Certified (Fellow) in American Smooth, and Rhythm, International Standard, and Latin

Carrie started her ballroom dance career with Arthur Murray’s teacher training program at the age of 19. She continued developing her dancing and teaching but focused mainly on the business side of the industry, managing a few studios before she found her first dance partner and began her involvement in competitive dancing.

Carrie had the opportunity to compete in American Smooth and Rhythm as well as the International Standard divisions. Winning many championship titles during her career, including 7 years as the Arthur Murray Champion, Ohio Star Ball results included Rising Star Standard Champion, Open American Smooth Champion as well as Finalist in American Rhythm. Her United States titles include Rising Star Champion in Smooth and Rhythm, United States 9 Dance Champion for 3 years and United States American Smooth Champion for 2 years.

In realizing her passion for personal growth and to empower others she became master certified in the modalities of life coaching and neuro-linquistic hypnotherapy, giving her the opportunity to support clients in living their best lives. Additionally, she developed a mental training system geared towards peak performance in the competitive sports arena. Carrie Kloss currently lives in San Diego with her daughter and is a life and performance coach. Since retiring from competitive dance, Carrie continues to enjoy teaching, coaching and judging as well as being the administrator for San Diego Dancesport Championships and an examiner for DVIDA.  Carrie is proud to be part of the Dance For 2 Family.

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Parker Dearborn began his dance career seventeen years ago in Ballroom, Latin, and West Coast Swing. He quickly discovered his passion for West Coast Swing and became a professional dancer and instructor in his hometown of San Diego, California at the young age of seventeen. Since then, he has dedicated his life to creating an incredibly successful career by competing, choreographing, judging, event directing, and traveling around the world to teach and spread his love for West Coast Swing.

Parker’s exceptional talent, distinct style, and irresistibly charming showmanship have earned him the most prestigious awards in the world of West Coast Swing. Parker holds the title to every major championship in the nation, including three time US Open Swing Dance Champion and two time Grand National Swing Dance Champion.  In 2009, he was inducted into the Dallas D.A.N.C.E. Hall of Fame for his repetitive wins at this national contest. Parker’s decorated competition career has since distinguished him as one of the most sought-after choreographers and instructors in the world.

Parker’s success received recognition off the dance floor as well. He appeared in the off-Broadway production of Swango and the Hollywood movie, Love and Dancing. He also demonstrated his creativity and innovation as a choreographer for the hit television series, So You Think You Can Dance.

Although Parker continues to travel and teach around the globe, his most recent endeavors have lead him to own and direct the largest, most successful international West Coast Swing event in the world, Swing Diego Dance Championships. In addition to this substantial undertaking, Parker also directs a new event in Las Vegas called Sin City Swing as well as Endless Summer Swing Camp, which is the first multi-leveled swing dance camp of its kind in the United States.

Perhaps, one of Parker’s most significant contributions to the dance community may be his creation of Project Swing. Project Swing offers dancers of all levels the opportunity to participate in formation teams coached by professionals. But most importantly, it provides free classes to beginners in hopes of expanding the community and sharing the love for West Coast Swing. Parker invests an immense amount of time and energy into Project Swing because he truly believes in this dance’s capacity to inspire joy and change lives.

Click Photo to see me dance!

Mary Manzella is a well known dance instructor in the San Diego area as well as throughout the entire continental United States, Hawaii and Canada. She has competed, taught workshops and judged at major national dance conventions including the US Open West Coast Swing Dance Championships. She is a former Western Regional and National Swing Dance Champion and has received special awards for Best Individual Footwork, Showmanship, Choreography, Timing and Execution as well as Best Female Teacher. Mary is also the first female teacher from San Diego inducted into the  California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. She was the owner of Emerald Ballroom in San Diego. Mary teaches all forms of  American style Ballroom and social dance, but she is most recognized as a specialist in teaching West Coast Swing including Motion Study, Timing, Syncopations and Musicality. Mary is a member of the Golden State Dance Teachers Association.

Mary has been credited with many firsts in the San Diego dance community. She was the first independent teacher to choreograph elaborate dance formation routines for her students and host exquisite dance showcases. Mary, and her former partner, Lowell Gosser, were the first couple from San Diego to win a National Championship in West Coast Swing. She and Lowell were the first people to introduce Argentine Tango to the San Diego dance community during the late 1980’s. Mary has been featured in Dance Teacher News Magazine, on the cover of Dance Action National Magazine, several newspaper articles and television shows.

Formerly as an elementary school teacher for 12 years, Mary produced and directed elaborate dance routines for several Mother’s Day programs with more than 60 elementary school children participating. She has also received a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Legislature for her contribution to dance in the San Diego region.

During the 1990’s, Mary performed for such notable people as Donald O’Connor, Tony Martin, Cid Charisse, Ann Margaret, Connie Stevens and Pilar Wayne (the late John Wayne’s wife) to name just a few. Mary has been called a legend by notables in the dance community, but she prefers to be known as just someone who loves to share the joys of dance with everyone! Her strength as a teacher stems from her fun, exuberant personality and her sincere concern for the progress of her students.

As president of the North County Swing and Ballroom Club, Mary presently teaches classes and presents weekly Ballroom, Latin and Swing dance parties on Wednesday evenings at the “Dance for 2” Studio, 7528 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92111. Visit her website www.marymanzellaproductions.com or call her at 619-229-0141. Be sure to ask her about private lessons, her Dance Cruises and Wedding First Dance Programs.

Mary is currently the Commissioner for the San Diego Senior (age 50 and above) Ballroom Dance Olympic Games scheduled for September of 2012.

New to Dance For 2?

Have we got a deal for you. Simply enter your name and email below and you will receive your first Beginning Group Dance Class on us. We will send you a coupon directly to your email good for your first dance class. Beginning dance classes are taught on Wednesday nights at 6:30. We look forward to getting you started dancing on the right foot and appreciate you letting Dance For 2 be the studio to start you off. For more information on any other classes check out our calendar.

Interested? Simply fill in your name and email for your first free dance class coupon and start enjoying the wonderful world of partner dancing:

We do not share your email with anyone.  We value your privacy.

It is healthy to be social.  In today’s society, which is so technologically based, it is sometimes easy to forget that people need “face” time.  Most people communicate over the phone, via email and chats.  Texting is so common that it sometimes replaces phone conversations altogether. But when you are in a ballroom, surrounded by people, you can’t help but strike up a conversation with friends, meet new people and enjoy the company.  Aside from our classes and dances we also host Dance-a-thons for various charities.  On April 2, 2011 Dance For 2 hosted the Donation Dance-a-thon for Japan and all the proceeds went to the AmeriCares Earthquake and Tsunami Relief fund.  In addition, Dance For 2 plans to host another Dance-a-thon for Military Veterans on Saturday May 28, 2011.

It is healthy to be active.  For many of us, our working world revolves around a desk job and dancing serves as a way to get up and move.  Whether you are practicing, taking a lesson or just enjoying a dance, you are up and moving! It is because of the active life style of ballroom dancers that Dance For 2 hosts events outside of the ballroom.  Each year we gather people together for “The Other Swing Dance” Golf Tournament in an effort to be active outside of the dance studio.  The Tournament this year will be on Sunday May 22, 2011 at Lake San Marcos.  It is a great way to enjoy the sunshine in San Diego and the social camaraderie of your fellow dancers.

It is healthy to challenge your mind.  Listening to music, translating that beat to movement engages many parts of the brain; from the auditory center to the motor cortex. It also requires a level of non-verbal communication and understanding between partners; the lead must communicate to the follow where to go and what step to perform with out saying “spin now”.  This is why Dance For 2 offer classes and workshops that specialize on Lead and Follow Technique.  To maintain a healthy mind it is important to always be energizing your mind and learning new things.

Doctors are even more convinced now that a balanced life style is the healthiest way to go!  So when you are creating your own recipe for health remember to include dancing.

It is because we feel so strongly about the benefits of dancing that we offer a way to do it at least six days a week!

With over 16 years of teaching and dance experience, his innovative methods have become very adaptable and refined for every level of dancer.  From the first time beginner to the seasoned performer each class offers a satisfying feeling, keeping you confident on the dance floor.