So many people have asked “Who is Roger?” or “Where did the name Rogers come from?” Here’s some background information you all may find interesting.

Fran Rogers was the founder of the first Rogers Dance Studio which started in a fire house in Wayne, NJ in 1960. After spending many years traveling from location to location, Fran Rogers bought a building in Upper Montclair that she made her permanent location from the early 1970’s – 1997. During her career as a teacher and competitor, she was very successful overseas as well as being a top representative of the USA and Canada for many years. Fran was also responsible for bringing the first overseas coaches to America with legendary names such as Eric Hancox and Bill & Bobbie Irvine traveling regularly to New Jersey.

A pioneer in the training of professionals in International Style Ballroom Dancing, Fran’s efforts and expertise have produced many of North America’s leading coaches and judges including: Mario & Elena Battista, Marie Rose & Emil Nepveu, Andre & Danielle Lachappelle, Pierre Morin, Meryem Pearson, Vernon Brock, Glennis Dee, Yvon Quintal, Pierrette Chartier, Sandra Fortuna, Bill Davies, John DePalma, Angelo Calia, Pat Traymore, Al Franz, Ron Bennett, Roger Nepveu, Lison Nepveu, Roger & Helen Picard, John Adams, Marianne Nicole, Sam Sodano, Rufus Dustin, Beverly Donahue, Gary & Diana McDonald to name a few.

Fran along with her son in-law and daughter Gary & Diana McDonald joined forces officially and opened a larger facility Rogers Dance Center in Fairfield in September of 1997.

In the Summer of 2011 Katusha Demidova added to the legacy of Rogers by purchasing Battista Dance Studio which is now Rogers Dance Center Hackensack.

Both studios are owned and operated by World Champion dancers who are committed to upholding the strong fundamentals in teaching which have turned out successful dancers for over 50 years.

Fran Rogers will forever be an icon in the world of ballroom dance.