OUR STAFF
MARIA FIORA
Maria is a native of
Fairfield County, and Venice, Italy.
Started in 1988 a dance instructor in Connecticut, NY and NJ in franchise studio. Went on to own a national franchise from 1996-2001.
Now owner of Maria FIoras since 2001.
Maria was an American style Rhythm/Latin National Dance Competitor from 1994-2001.
Maria was a performer in the US and Europe in shows, charities and special events before embarking as
Dance Coach/Instructor to adults and teens. Maria's instruction includes specializing in dance competitions and Dance-Sport.
Maria has owned her own studio since 1996.
She is passionate about her hobbies- wellness healing through dance and music, volleyball and Maria is a Dog Rescuer and assists in rehabilitation with www.holisticpetservice.com
SIMONE ASSBOECK
Instructor
Simone began ballroom dancing as a child and has since turned
Her love for dance into a career traditional Dances (International & American Standard and Latin dances)
and other dances (West Coast Swing, Hustle, Country Line Dancing,
Salsa, Coast Swing, Hustle, Country Line Dancing, Salsa, Modern,
Freestyle, Argentine Tango, Hip Hop and Tap).
Simone has competed in the prestigious “Blackpool” Dance Festival
UK, the International Hustle & Salsa Congress and Hustle USA.
Simone’s awards include German State Champion, 1st Place North
American Female Vice--‐Champion, 1st Place New York State Vice--
Champion, and 1st Place North American Female Show Dance Champion in the 2008 5--‐Boro Dance Challenge.
She holds a Masters degree in Physical Education from The German
Sport University Cologne (Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln), Cologne,
Germany with a focus on Modern Dance Technique “Elementary Dance Pina Bausch” and Rehabilitation.
Among her many dance credits, she recently appeared in Walt Disney Pictures’ Enchanted
(2007) as principal dancer and dance stand--‐in for lead actress
Amy Adams, and in HBO’s television show “Boardwalk Empire”
(2010) as Babette’s dancer and principal dancer.
CAMERON JOHNSON
Senior Dance Instructor
From South Africa, Cameron started his dancing career at the age of 5, under champion dancer parents.
Competitively, he is the unbeaten South African International Standard Champion in the Junior, Amateur and Professional ranks from 1985-1999.
Titles and competitive career
* represented South Africa at the World Championships in Germany,
*Denmark and Hungary from 1991-1995.
*1996 represented South Africa in the Open Fleetwood Professional Championship in Blackpool, England -was placed 6th
*1996 represented South Africa in the Open French Masters Professional Championship on the Isle of Reunion- placed 3rd. In 2000
*Represented the USA at the World Pro/Am Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina- placed 1st.
Cameron is still active in the competitive Pro/Am arena.
He is also a professional competition adjudicator.
At our studio and in the country he is one of the top teachers and coaches for all levels of students in social and competition programs.
MATT FORTUNA
Matt was born in Poland, and came with his family to the United States in 2001. Matt’s been teaching since 2005, and teaches all four styles of dance. He loves to go to competition with his students and make them shine! Matt also competed professionally in Latin, with lots of success. When not imparting his knowledge and passion for dancing to his students, he is busy studying for a degree in electrical engineering from Central Connecticut State University.
Teaches on weekends at the studio interemediate level and above/competitive .
Bob Blank is a dance competitor along with his dance partner Martha Estevez. They are currently 3rd in the World in SR Latin, winning their title at the World Championships in Paris, France in 2012. They are also World semifinalists in Standard, and they are 3rd in the USA in Ten Dance.
They are two times USA Dance SR Latin Champions, one time Ten Dance Champions, and last year represented the USA in Latin at Mallorca, Spain. Bob has been teaching in the Tri State are for the past 6 years.
Bob comes to us loving to teach and to dance, for social goals and also for sport competition.Many of his students have competed and won in both Latin and Standard. Beginners are a special love as he enjoys seeing folks go from baby steps to full out dance. Studio will be running a Meet and dance trial lesson special with Bob for next couple months.