Instructors

Andrei   | Arturas   |   Christopher   |   Filippo   |   Fred   |   Jean-Michel |   Lia   |   Liene  |   Lori    |   Mario  |   Paolo   |   Thanh |   Walter   |   Zoya  |

Mario Battista

Studio director Mario Battista began his dance career at the age of 14 partnering with his sister Elena.  By 1991 they were United States Amateur 10 Dance Champions!  During a successful professional career Mario and Elena traveld to all corners of the world eventually rising to become the 3rd ranked 10 Dance couple in the United States.  In 1993 they founded our Studio which has become one of the largest and most successful in the country.  Well known throughout the U.S. as a judge and a coach for couples of all levels, Mario spends most of his time here at the Studio working with the staff on choreography and dance instruction technique.  He is available for coaching and teaches select Group Classes on an ongoing basis.

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Fred Santiago

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Zoya Altmark

Born in Moscow, Zoya began her dance career at the age of 5 studying ice skating and classic ballet.  By age 8 she had discovered Ballroom and Latin dancing and she was hooked!   She quickly became a competitive '10 dancer' and by age 12 she was the Israeli National Champion in her division.   She is currently competing all over the world with partner Thanh Tran (see below) and they are getting excellent results wherever they go!  With a strong background in theater as both a dancer and choreographer, Zoya brings a wonderful disciplined artistic flair to her dancing and her teaching.   Her specialty is Latin dances and she is available for private lessons with beginners as well as high level competitors. 

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Jean-Michel Erole

Jean Michel is a world-renowned professional Ballroom and Latin dancer. Haitian born, he began his dance training and the age of 9. While pursuing his dream of becoming a top dancer, Jean Michel remained in school majoring in civil engineering and graduating with his degree in 2000. As a professional competitor Jean Michel has won several US titles and has been a finalist in almost every US competition.  But his reputation extends beyond the competitive dance floor.  In early 2008 Jean Michel took a leave from his teaching duties at Battista Dance Studio and joined the cast of the pre-Broadway show 'Dirty Dancing –the Classic Story on Stage' (based on the hit 1987 film).   Respected nationwide for his passionate teaching style, and his talent for making lessons fun Jean Michel has an amazing knack for bringing out the best in his students.  He is available for private lesson students of all levels and teaches many Group Classes on an ongoing basis.

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Christopher Crevatas

Born and raised right here in New Jersey, Christopher taught himself to dance at the age of 7.  His dance of preference was Hip Hop and Jazz Break dancing and even today he is well known for his Michael Jackson impersonation!  At the age of 18 Christopher worked for Actor’s Reps where he did work in independent films and TV commercials such as MTV, Crest Toothpaste and Child World Toy Store.  At 23 he moved on to Professional Childrens productions at the Pax Amicus Theater where he appeared in Bellentine Rabbit, Wizard of Oz, Grease & Little Shop of Horrors.  Christopher started Ballroom dancing in 2001 and immediately fell in love with the art.  His ultimate goal after working tirelessly to sharpen his skills was to teach Ballroom dancing.  Today Chris is able to bring his strong Ballroom and Latin technical skills and his broad, show based background to his instruction and his choreography.  He is available for Group Lessons and Private lessons in Ballroom, Latin, and Club Styles of dance and has a special interest in Hustle and West Coast Swing.

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Liene Darbiniece

Born in Riga, Latvia, Liene began dancing the Latvian National dances at the tender age of 3!  By age 9 her love of Ballroom and Latin dances had become apparent and within 7 years she was a Latvian National Champion!  In 2004 she met her current partner Paolo and they rose quickly to the level of Latvian Champions in the Amateur ranks.  Since turning professional they have steadily risen in the world rankings in the Standard dances.  They have won many U.S. professional competitions and continue to excel wherever they travel.  Liene specializes in teaching Standard and Smooth dances (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep and Viennese Waltz) and is available for beginners as well as high level competitors.  She also teaches Group Classes on an ongoing basis.

            Ranked in the top 48 at the British Open Professional Rising Star Standard (Blackpool 2007, 2008)
Reigning Latvian Professional Standard and Classic Show Dance Champion

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Paolo DiLorenzo

Born in Vohgera, Italy Paolo started dancing at age 12 with a passion and love for dance that became his trademark as he has studied the International Style 'Standard' dances all over the world.  In 2004 he met his current partner Liene and they rose quickly to the level of Latvian Champions in the Amateur ranks.  Since turning professional in 2006 they have steadily risen in world ranking in the Standard dances.  They have won many United States professional competitions and continue to excel wherever they travel.  Paolo specializes in teaching the Standard and Smooth dances (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep and Viennese Waltz) and is available for beginners as well as high level competitors.  He also teaches Group Classes on an ongoing basis.

World Titles:

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Filippo Gurrieri 

Born in Vittoria, Italy, a small town in Sicily, Filippo began his dance training at the age of 8.  Partnering with his sister Soviana he became Sicilian Ballroom and Latin Dance Champion by the age of 14.  Six years later he was Italian National Champion and represented Italy around the world in the most important International Latin competitions in Europe.  As a professional, Filippo and his sister achieved excellent results from Blackpool to the German Open.  While experiencing great success in competitive dancing Filippo began teaching at the age of 16 and was an overnight success in that area as well.  Popular with his students and his colleagues he is known for his artistic and creative flair for choreography and costuming.  He is available for private lesson students of all levels and teaches many Group Classes on an ongoing basis.

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Thanh Tran

Thanh came to the world of dance in a unique way.  As a Vietnamese immigrant in Germany at the age of 12 he found himself without an outlet for his tremendous creativity and athleticism and with a tremendous language barrier.   Luckily, he found a way to express himself through dancing.  Thanh quickly rose through the German youth ranks to become an amateur champion.  In 2008 he met his current professional partner Zoya and in a very short time they have become one of the hottest couples on the US International Latin scene.  They have won several Rising Star Latin events this year and have reached the final in the Open Latin category as well.  As a man who has been reaching for his dream against some pretty heavy odds, Thanh brings a wonderful energy to his dancing and his dance instruction.  He enjoys teaching both social and competitive dancers.  Per Thanh, "Come and reach for your dream....make the first step....come and dance"!

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Lori Ritter

Born in Wisconsin, Lori started her training in Gymnastics, Ballet, Tap & Jazz as a toddler.   At age 11 she began competing in Ballroom & Latin Dancing, quickly achieving the U.S. Preteen & Junior Amateur Champion titles.  Lori has enjoyed a stellar professional career for the past 11 years, having won over 100 Rising Star and Open Championships across North America and the title of Professional World Rhythm Champion in 2006.  She represented the U.S. for four years at the World Mambo Championships.  Certified as 'highly commended' in her teaching and judging credentials in International Latin & Standard, Theatre Arts, as well as American Style Rhythm & Smooth, in 2009, Lori became the youngest ever Dual Fellow for the Imperial Society Teachers of Dancing! Lori enjoys teaching both competitive and social dance students of all ages.  Her passion and enthusiasm are brought to each lesson she teaches.  Get ready to have fun as you learn the fundamentals with Lori!

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Arturas Misurenkovas

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Walter Monteblanco

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Andrei Semenov

Born in Volgograd, Russia, Andrei began his dancesport training in 1979.  Trained in ballet and Jazz as well, he brings a unique blend of talents to his dancing.  His distinguished professional competitive career makes him a great choice for both the competitive and social dance student .

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Lia Sanabria

Born in Argentina, Lia obtained her degree in professional dance at The Arts School Of Buenos Aires.  She started teaching children and leading national children's dance groups for competitions in which she received multiple awards.  After dancing, teaching children and performing for over 15 years in Buenos Aires, Lia moved to the New York area to further her education.  She is currently enrolled in classes at the Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey and The Edge and participates in workshops and conventions regularly.   Her love of children and wonderful energy permeate all her classes.  Bring your kids to learn while having fun with Lia! 

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