Staff

Introducing the Staff of Ballroom Fever

Gunnar began dancing at the age of 10, following in the footsteps of his older brother, literally, in Reykjavik, Iceland. He continued his pursuits successfully to become a 13 time Icelandic Champion in Latin, Ballroom, and 10 Dance. In his competitive career he has placed 5th on the Scandinavian Closed 10 Dance category and competed 5 times in Blackpool, England, World Youth Latin and Amateur 10 Dance Championships. He has spent summers in England training with some of the best dancers in the world, as England is the international dance Mecca. In 1996 he moved to the United States and began teaching in a local ballroom studio and soon managed one in Trumbull, CT.

Daryll began dancing Ballet at the age of 3, shortly adding Jazz, Tap, Modern, and Lyrical. At the New England Dance Conservatory in East Longmeadow, MA, she was accepted into the pre-professional program at 14 years of age. As she began her Bachelors of Science in Business at Bay Path College she also began teaching in a local ballroom studio and continued teaching while she completed her degree.

Soon after Daryll graduated, Daryll and Gunnar were engaged to be married and moved to Westchester County, NY to continue teaching before they returned to Enfield to open their own studio. In March of 2003, Daryll and Gunnar began their Professional Competitive career in the American Rhythm division. In September of 2005, they came in 1st in the country Pro Rising Star American Rhythm. In September of 2006, they came in 1st in the country Pro Rising Star American Smooth, becoming the only couple in the United States ever to win Both US Rising Star Titles. In September 2007, they won the USA National 9-Dance Championship. They have pursued their training by receiving coaching from outstanding dance teachers from around the world and continue to take coaching lessons regularly.

2007
Ohio Star Ball 2007 Professional World American Smooth Finalists

36» Ohio Star Ball American Style 9-Dance Champions

35» Champions - Constitution State Challenge 2007   Open Pro American Smooth
34» Champions - USA NATIONAL 2007   Open Pro American Style 9-Dance
33» Champions - Dancing A La Carte 2007   Open Pro American Smooth
32» Champions - Tri State Challenge 2007   Open Pro American Smooth
31» Champions - La Classique 2007   Open Pro American Smooth

2006

30» Ohio Star Ball American Style 9-Dance Champions
29» Champions USA NATIONAL 2006  Pro Rising Star American Smooth
       Runners Up- 2nd in USA NATIONAL 2006  Open Pro American Style 9-Dance
28» Champions - American Star 2006  Open Pro American Smooth
27» Champions - American Star 2006  Open Pro American Rhythm
26» Champions - Windy City Open 2006  Open Pro American Smooth
25» Champions - Windy City Open 2006   Open Pro American Rhythm
24» Champions - Virginia State 2006     Pro Rising Star American Smooth
23» Champions - Twin Cities 2006     Open Pro American Smooth

2005
22» Ohio Star Ball American Style 9-Dance Champions
       Runners Up- 2nd in USA American Style 9 Dance 2005
21» Champions - Constitution State 2005    Open Pro American Smooth
20» Champions - Constitution State 2005     Rising Star American Smooth
19» Champions - Capitol 2005     Pro Rising Star American Smooth
18» Champions - Manhattan 2005     Pro Rising Star American Smooth
17» Champions - Maryland Open 2005     Open Pro American Rhythm
16» Champions - USA NATIONAL 2005     Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
       Runners Up- 2nd in USA NATIONAL 2005    Pro Rising Star American Smooth
15» Champions - Yankee Classic 2005   Pro Rising Star American Smooth
14» Champions - American Star 2005    Pro Rising Star American Smooth
13» Champions - Tri-State 2005   Pro Rising Star American Smooth
12» Champions - Tri-State 2005   Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
11» Champions - Heritage Classic 2005   Pro Rising Star American Rhythm

2004
10» Co-Champions - Commonwealth 2004     Pro Rising Star American Smooth
9» Champions - Commonwealth 2004     Open Pro American Rhythm
8» Champions - Commonwealth 2004     Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
7» Champions - NJ State 2004   Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
      2nd in USA American Style 9 Dance 2004
6» Champions - Empire State 2004      Pro Rising Star American Smooth
5» Champions - Maryland 2004      Pro Rising Star American Smooth
4» Champions - Maryland 2004      Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
3» Champions - Northeastern Open 2004      Open Pro American Rhythm
2» Champions - Holiday Classic 2003      Pro Rising Star American Rhythm
1» Champions - Constitution State 2003      Pro Rising Star Rhythm

Rob has been an instructor at Ballroom Fever, Inc. since 2003. He began his dancing career at an Arthur Murray Franchised Dance Studio where he was a top instructor for 9 years. He has professional competition background and exhibition show experience. Presently, he competes in the Professional American Smooth division with his partner, Mila. His teaching practices are thoughtful and individual to each student, and he has an amazing sense of humor. Rob was also a Certified Personal Trainer and assists people in achieving their goals in strength, stamina, and body shaping. These skills help him in his own dancing, as well as the instruction of his students.

Mick came to Ballroom Fever in 2004. Before joining the Ballroom Fever Family, Mick worked at the Steps in Time dance studio for five years. When he is not doing crossword puzzles or off roading in the terrain, he is teaching Ballroom Dance to children in the Connecticut school system and coaching the Ballroom Dance Team at the University of CT.

Mick was crowned 2005 Future Rising Star's in International Standard Champions at the Empire State Challenge in Manhattan, NY. He and his partner Jessica have a brilliant future ahead of them in the International Standard division.

Ann joined the Ballroom Fever family in 2004. Previously a teacher at Steps in Time studio, Ann is a very versatile instructor: She has been teaching novice dancers their first rhythmic steps, couples preparing for their wedding, and advanced students that study dance as a social or competitive hobby. She has a teaching process that is very methodical, making it easy to learn and retain dance techniques. We are grateful to have her as an addition to the staff. She has also recently been certified as a massage therapist and has a thorough understanding of the mechanics of the body's muscular system.

In 2008, Tom & Jenny travelled from Australia to join our great team. Jenny & Tom have been invited to perform at many prestigious events including the Australian Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence (2006), the Australian Capital Territory Multicultural Ball (2006), the Australian Cancerians Ball (2005), and many others. Both hold Associates Degrees in the Bronze American Style, and have taught at the Danzon Dance Studio in Australia for several years. They are an amazing team that we are fortunate to have joined us from the land down under!

Jacqui was the President of the University of Massachusetts Ballroom Dance Team that we have had the honor of coaching for the past two years. While she is developing her techniques and the understanding of the leaders parts, she is also the receptionist at the studio on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are fortunate to have her organizational skills, and enthusiasm. She is an amazing girl and a powerful graceful dancer looking for an amateur partner to compete with in the collegiate level.

Rachel runs the show here at Ballroom Fever. We were lucky the day that she was introduced to the studio over 3 years ago. Not only is she a spirited and talented dancer, she is also exceptionally creative and artistic and it seems that every task that she is presented with is completed with grace and flair. Rachel has recently partnered with David and will be an amateur couple to watch for their debut at Dancing A La Carte!

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