SVETLANA KUDIMOVA:
U.S. National Professional American Ballroom Finalist
It seemed like my love for dance began even before my first ballet class at the age of 3. Growing up in Russia, I continued dancing in many different styles. At age 16, I moved to the U.S. to attend my last year of high school and then graduated from the University of Minnesota with a dance degree. Although I enjoyed many forms of dance, I was always most passionate about ballroom dancing. In 1996, I moved to San Diego to begin my professional career as a competitive ballroom dancer and teacher.
My life as a competitor involves hours of practice each day, travel to competitions, and training by coaches both here and abroad. One of the most rewarding moments in my life was to receive a title as a Grand Finalist, ranking 5th overall in the country, at the U.S. National Professional American Ballroom Championships. I am so thankful and appreciative of this most amazing country and the wonderful people who have supported me in fulfilling my dreams.
U.S. National Professional American Ballroom Finalist
It seemed like my love for dance began even before my first ballet class at the age of 3. Growing up in Russia, I continued dancing in many different styles. At age 16, I moved to the U.S. to attend my last year of high school and then graduated from the University of Minnesota with a dance degree. Although I enjoyed many forms of dance, I was always most passionate about ballroom dancing. In 1996, I moved to San Diego to begin my professional career as a competitive ballroom dancer and teacher.
My life as a competitor involves hours of practice each day, travel to competitions, and training by coaches both here and abroad. One of the most rewarding moments in my life was to receive a title as a Grand Finalist, ranking 5th overall in the country, at the U.S. National Professional American Ballroom Championships. I am so thankful and appreciative of this most amazing country and the wonderful people who have supported me in fulfilling my dreams.
BRIAN NELSON:
U.S. National Professional 9-Dance Finalist
While growing up in Minneapolis, I spent most of my life involved in competitive sports. My intrigue for dance began while watching my sister perform as a ballroom dancer. Shortly after, I started training with the U.S. 9-Dance Champions and began teaching in 1992. After moving to Los Angeles in 1996, my former partner and I went on to become U.S. Professional Open 9-Dance Finalists. While living in LA, I had the privilege of teaching a number of celebrities, including cast members of Suddenly Susan, Designing Women, and ER. I also performed on television programs and at live events including Nash Bridges, E! Entertainment TV, and the Anniversary of Dirty Dancing Premier.
Throughout my years of teaching, I have enjoyed working with hundreds of wedding couples. I have always found it very rewarding to take a brand new couple and produce a beautiful wedding dance in a relatively short window of time. With each new couple, my teaching ability becomes more refined and my fortunate experience continues to grow.
U.S. National Professional 9-Dance Finalist
While growing up in Minneapolis, I spent most of my life involved in competitive sports. My intrigue for dance began while watching my sister perform as a ballroom dancer. Shortly after, I started training with the U.S. 9-Dance Champions and began teaching in 1992. After moving to Los Angeles in 1996, my former partner and I went on to become U.S. Professional Open 9-Dance Finalists. While living in LA, I had the privilege of teaching a number of celebrities, including cast members of Suddenly Susan, Designing Women, and ER. I also performed on television programs and at live events including Nash Bridges, E! Entertainment TV, and the Anniversary of Dirty Dancing Premier.
Throughout my years of teaching, I have enjoyed working with hundreds of wedding couples. I have always found it very rewarding to take a brand new couple and produce a beautiful wedding dance in a relatively short window of time. With each new couple, my teaching ability becomes more refined and my fortunate experience continues to grow.
