Gary Mcdonald

Gary and Diana McDonald established a competitive partnership in 1991 and quickly became very successful. They are 10 times undefeated US 10 -Dance Champions, 1997 US Latin Champions, 2 times US South American Showdance Champions and 2002 US Classic Showdance Champions and 1997 World 10- Dance Champions.They have had the honor of representing the United States in 24 World Championship Events. Gary and Diana are highly qualified instructors and adjudicators in all styles of dance. They have retired from competitive dancing to focus on running Rogers Dancesport Center and raising their daughter Shayna. Diana is currently an examiner for US Terpsichore Association.

Diana McDonald

Gary and Diana McDonald established a competitive partnership in 1991 and quickly became very successful. They are 10 times undefeated US 10 -Dance Champions, 1997 US Latin Champions, 2 times US South American Showdance Champions and 2002 US Classic Showdance Champions and 1997 World 10- Dance Champions.They have had the honor of representing the United States in 24 World Championship Events. Gary and Diana are highly qualified instructors and adjudicators in all styles of dance. They have retired from competitive dancing to focus on running Rogers Dancesport Center and raising their daughter Shayna. Diana is currently an examiner for US Terpsichore Association.

Katusha Demidova

Katusha Demidova is the most titled ballroom dancer in United States history. With her previous partner Jonathan Wilkins she was 12 times United States National Professional Ballroom Champion and World Ballroom Show Dance Champion. Her current partner is Arunas Bizokas, and together they have won every major Championship in the world. Among their titles are: 2 times World Professional Ballroom Champions, 3 times British Open (Blackpool) Professional Ballroom Champions, and 3 times United States National Professional Ballroom Champions. They have been guest performers on Dancing With The Stars and featured performers on the popular PBS television show “Championship Ballroom Dancing.” Katusha resides in New Jersey and is very excited to be the owner of Rogers Dance Center Hackensack, and add another chapter to her already successful career.

Pamela Licht

Pamela has been an instructor at Rogers Dancesport Center for almost 20 years. Her training in the studio began at the age of nine. Having also trained in other dance forms, she was an original member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble and received a BFA in Dance from Montclair State University.

Pamela’s competitive training has been in both the International and American Styles. She was a 2001 World Mambo Finalist and ranked 4th in the 2004 United States Professional American 9-Dance division.

With former partner, Azamat Evgamukov, Pamela has won several Rising Star competitions including the Manhattan Dancesport Championship, the Holiday Dance Classic, and La Classique De Quebec in Montreal. In 2008 they were United States Professional Rising Star American Rhythm Finalists as well as silver medalists in the 2008 World Professional Salsa Championship held in Puerto Rico.

During the 2010 Competitive Season Pamela, with former partner David Hannigan, won several Rising Star American Smooth Events.

Along with her competitive accomplishments, Pamela has also taken her Professional Examinations in the Theater Arts, American Smooth, American Rhythm, International Latin and Ballroom styles passing highly commended through the United States Terpsichore Association (USTA) and has recently been added to their prestigious list of USTA Examiners. Pamela is a licensed Adjudicator and Invigilator with the National Dance Council of America (NDCA) with which she co-authored the currently accepted step list for American Rhythm Style with Diana McDonald and Rufus Dustin . Pamela is also currently an adjunct professor at Montclair State University teaching 6 full credits and a member of the Rotary Club of the Caldwells.

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 Story. At age 23, he moved on to Professional Children’s productions at the Pax Amicus Theater where he appeared in Velvetteen Rabbit, Wizard of Oz, Grease & Little Shop of Horrors. Christopher started ballroom dancing in 2001 and immediately fell in love with the art. He has recently performed at several charity events including Autism of NJ and Productions For A Cause, and was recently named Best Male Dancer and Best Group Dance at the 2011 IMTA in Hollywood, CA. His ultimate goal after working tirelessly to sharpen his skills was to teach Ballroom dancing.  With his 15 years of teaching experience, Christopher is able to bring his strong Ballroom and Latin technical skills and his broad, show based background to his instruction and his choreography. Christopher is Dvida Certified in Hustle and most recently placed 2nd in the Professional Rising Start Hustle at the 2022 Tri-State Dance Festival.

Anna Demidova

nna was born in Moscow, Russia. She started dancing at the age of 6 in the local community center as an after school program, following in the footsteps of her older sister, World Champion – Katusha Demidova. At the age of fifteen Anna won the British Open Junior Championship and the Ireland Open Championship.

After finishing high school in Moscow, Anna moved to New York to live with her sister and pursue her dancing career. She began dancing with Andrey Begunov. After becoming the United States National Youth Champions in 2005 and 2006, they represented the U.S. at the World Championships in Austria and Moldova, where they made the finals. They also won Ohio Star Ball, Kings Ball, Tri State Challenge, BYU Championship and many more competitions in youth category.

After her partnership with Andrey ended, Anna started dancing with Igor Mikushov, with whom she became the United States National Amateur Champion and won many competitions such as the Ohio Star Ball, Emerald Ball, Manhattan DanceSport Championship, Tri State Championship, and San Francisco Open. They were also the Blackpool Dance Festival Under 21 ballroom finalists, United Kingdom Open finalists, and International Championship grand finalists.

In 2009 Anna won a Professional Dancer competition held by ABC TV Show “Dancing With The Stars” and was partnered with a Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michal Irvine for Season 9. Anna also appeared in some professional show numbers during Season 10 and 11.

Anna has since returned to competition, reuniting with Andrey Begunov.  Premiering at the Manhattan Dancesport Championships, debuting as professionals, placing second in Rising Star International Standard. Since then Andrey and Anya became the United States Rising Star Professional Standard Champions and the U.S. Professional National Ballroom Finalists. Also becoming Rising Star finalists in all-major competitions In the world such as Blackpool Dance Festival, United Kingdom Open Championship and International Championship.

Anna Demidova titles:

• United States Rising Star Professional Ballroom Champion
• United States Professional Ballroom Open Finalist
• Winner of Pro Ballroom Maryland DanceSport Championship
• Winner of Pro Ballroom Florida State Championship
• Yankee Classic Professional Ballroom Champion
• Tri-State Challenge Professional Ballroom Champion
• Golden State Challenge Professional Ballroom Champion
• Caribbean Classic Professional Ballroom Champion
• Ohio Star Ball Professional Show Dance Runner Up
• Manhattan DanceSport Professional Rising Star Champion
• Millennium DanceSport Pro Rising Star Champion
• Embassy Ball Pro Rising Sat Champion
• Blackpool Dance festival, UK and International Pro Rising Star Finalist
• US National Amateur Ballroom Champion
• 2-times US National Youth Ballroom Champion
• Junior Blackpool Dance festival  Ballroom Champion

Azamat Evgamukov

Originally from Russia, Azamat started dancing at the age of 8. Having the opportunity to train with many top World coaches, some of his most notable accomplishments are:

Runner up in the Junior Latin World Championships
Third place in the Junior Blackpool Championships
Third place in the Russian Open
Three times United States Junior 2 Champion
2004 TriState Challenge 1st place
2005 Ohio Star Ball Championships Under 21 Latin 4th place

In 2008, Azamat turned Pro and is currently competing in Profession Rhythm. Some of his results are:

2009 Caribbean DanceSport 1st in Rising Star Pro Rhythm
2010 Embassy Ball 1st in Rising Star Pro Rhythm
2010 World Salsa Championships 3rd Place
2011 & 2012 Manhattan Dance Championships Open Pro Rhythm Finalist
2011 Tri State Challenge 2nd in the Open Professional Rhythm
2011 Costa Rican Classic 1st in the Rising Star Professional Rhythm and 2nd in the Open Professional Rhythm
2012 US Salsa Championship 2nd place
2013 Classique Du Quebec 1st place
2013 Open to the World Salsa Championship 1st place
2013 World Professional American Rhythm Finalist

Andrey Kitsun

Andrey is originally from Minsk, Belarus.
He started dancing at the age of 6.
He was a National Champion of Belarus 21 times from Junior till Amateur in all programs: Latin, Ballroom, 10 dance (Latin + Ballroom) and Show Dance. Andrey is a Blackpool Junior Champion and was a finalist of World and European 10 Dance Championships in Youth category multiple times. In 2015 Andrey placed 4th in World Show Dance Ballroom Championship.

The highest point of his Amateur career was winning WDC World 10 Dance Championships twice in 2016 and 2017.

In 2019 Andrey started to represent  United States at the major ballroom competitions around the world. He placed third in US Open to the World Professional Rising Star Latin and Ballroom Championships in 2019. He won 2019 Ohio Star Ball Championship in 10 Dance and at the end 2019 Andrey placed third in WDC World 10 Dance Professional Championship.

Andrey has also made final in the Showdance Division at the Manhattan Dance Championships and Empire Dance Championship with an awesome Argentine Tango Showcase.

In his new partnership, Andrey became vice champion in the United States Latin National Rising Stars Championship 2022. He won and placed second in Professional Rising Star Latin Championship at Manhattan Dance Championship, Empire Dance Championship , The NV Ball, Capital Dancesport and Constitution Dancesport Championship.

Andrey believes that you can achieve any goal if you truly believe in yourself and your team, you have a well thought training system and you are passionate about the dance.

Debbie Marolda

Denise A. Sobiewski

• Originally from Miami, Florida, Denise began her dance career with jazz and ballet at the age of 4.  Alongside dance, Denise took up gymnastics and began competing nationally, placing in and winning several competitions. After she retired from the sport, she continued training in ballet at the American Ballet Company.
  
  She later took up ballroom dancing at Arthur Murray in high school, where she began her professional and teaching career in American Smooth and Rhythm. She would go on to be a top pro within the company for 9 years, 7 of which at the studio near her home town in Coral Gables. During that time, she also graduated with Honors with a Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Miami.
  
  Denise is now a certified adjudicator for all styles with the NDCA and has her Fellowship in International Ballroom through the Terpsichore Organization. She is also grateful to have met her then partner and now husband, Slawek Roszak, through dancing at Rogers. At this time, Denise is continuing her professional career in the Open Pro American Smooth division.
  
  Denise is very passionate about dance and loves to share her excitement with her students and coworkers.  She currently teaches groups, privates, and competitive students as well as competes pro-am.
  Some of Denise’s achievements include:
  
                                   American Smooth RS    Champion-NYDF 2020
                                   American Smooth RS Champion-Platinum 2020
          •                       American Smooth RS Finalist- USDC, Emerald, Millenium, Manhattan, Ohio Star Ball 2015 and 2016
          •                       Open American Smooth Champion- Grand Nationals 2015
          •                       Open Smooth Semifinalist- Ohio Star Ball 2015
          •                       Arthur Murray RS Smooth Finalist 2014
          •                       Arthur Murray Open Rhythm Semifinalist 2010
          •                       Arthur Murray Salsa Champion 2009
  
  

Eli Rosenstein

Fred Santiago

A graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater and a minor in Dance, Fred has become a very versatile dance instructor.  While attending college Fred appeared regularly in University musicals, choral groups and operas. He also toured the US and Canada while performing in Summerstock and can even boast that at one time he appeared at Carnegie Hall! Upon graduation Fred taught various performing arts classes, including Jazz, Ballet and Modern Dance. A Ballroom instructor since 1988, Fred is highly experienced in the art of teaching and possesses the ability to encourage and inspire dancers of all levels.  With the help of his strong theatrical background and his natural artistic creativity, Fred has also earned the reputation as an outstanding choreographer. Since 1998, he has consistently produced innovative and highly entertaining numbers for various levels and in different styles for studio Showcases. Although well-versed and knowledgeable in all of the Ballroom dances, Fred has a particular passion for the American Rhythm and Latin styles. His high energy, enthusiasm and fun-loving personality make both his classes and private lessons a treat for new students and regulars alike.

Igor Mikushov

Igor is originally from Tomsk, Siberia and started dancing at the age of 9. In the age of 17 he moved to Moscow to continue his dancing career and to study in the best Art and Dance University in Russia called GITIS. In Russia he trained extensively with the best teachers and competed in both ballroom and latin. In Russia his best result was top 12 from over then 400 couples on Russian Open Championship in 2006. Since his journey to represent the United States some of the highlights of his career is being a 3x National champion in the Amateur division, 1st place at National and UK Open Rising star divisions in Professional category, 3rd place at Ohio Star Ball championship in professional division and 3x times champion as an Amateur.

Igor joined the RDC staff in 2007 and has been working hard with our students of all levels ever since. The students that have danced with him at competition have had great success on the dance floor. The highlights for them include 2nd place at the World Pro-Am championship in closed Silver category, 1st place at the World Pro-am championship in closed Gold category, 1st place at Manhattan Dance Championship in Closed Silver category, 2nd place Ohio Star Ball championship in Open Gold category, 1st place at Emerald Ball championship in Open Gold category and 2nd place at Blackpool Dance Festival in Open Gold category.

Igor feels that dancing helps us to form in many different directions such as leadership skills, socializing, musical, artistic.
The most important thing that we learn how to communicate between two bodies by moving with a piece of music.
If you willing to take a step forward on the dance floor and leave everything behind for couple hours then you definitely shall come over and dance with us. It’s a true joy and nothing will be able to stop you once you experience the magic world of ballroom dancing.

Jaimee Tuft

Jaimee is originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho where she began training in classical ballet at the age of 5.  She trained exclusively with former principal dancers from the NYC ballet and Ballet West for 15 years.  While in high school she began training and competing in International style Ballroom and Latin, and American style Rhythm and Smooth. She later attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a degree in Mathematics and a minor in Ballroom Dance.  She was a member of their acclaimed formation ballroom dance team and placed 1st at the British Open Championships in Blackpool, England in 2010.  She also placed 1st in Amateur Rhythm at Embassy ball in September 2008.

After their marriage in 2008, Travis and Jaimee teamed up to become the undefeated two time US Amateur American Smooth Champions.  Since turning professional in February 2011 they have danced their way into the finals of many important competitions across the country including Vegas Showdown, Yankee Classic, Manhattan Dancesport Championships, La Clasique du Quebec in Montreal, the Costa Rican Classic in Costa Rica, and the Caribbean Dancesport Championships in Puerto Rico .   Their most recent and greatest accomplishment since turning professional was their success at the prestigious Ohio Star Ball, winning both the Rising Star American Smooth and the Open Professional Theatrical Arts Championships.

Due to their immediate success as professionals, Travis and Jaimee have been invited to present their award winning solo in the Theatrical Arts Championships at the world renowned British Open Championships held in Blackpool, England.

Maciej Wisniewski

Nicole Heisler

From a young age, Nicole was always interested in dancing. She did ballet, hip hop and “movement” class throughout high school. It was in her movement class that she was introduced to salsa from the movie Dirty Dancing and became enthralled with the idea of partner dancing. That day, she went home and told her mom she wanted to learn how to partner dance. They both started taking lessons together at a local dance studio and the rest is history.

After graduating, Nicole attended a local college in her home state of Rhode Island and joined the ballroom dance team. She got a taste of all four styles, competing as leader and follower with her fellow teammates at various college competitions. Always seeking to improve, she started traveling to Boston one night a week to train and focus on International Latin and Standard.

When Nicole decided to change majors from Finance to Nutrition, she not only needed a school with an excellent Dietetics program, she also wanted to be near some of the best dancers in the country, so she transferred to New York University. After graduation, she moved to New Jersey and has been training with Diana and Gary McDonald at Rogers Dance Center for the past 10 years. She is currently dancing in the professional Latin category with Eli Rosenstein. Recently, she took the Professional Examination in Bronze International Latin, passing highly commended, and is working toward the rest of the certifications through the United States Terpsichore Association (USTA).

Shayna McDonald

Shayna’s dance training started at a young age, first with Ballet, Tap and Jazz then quickly adding in the disciplines of Ballroom, Latin and Cabaret.  Shayna has climbed the competitive circuit with both Pro-Am and Amateur partners.  Though Shayna has competed in all styles, she is currently focusing on competitive International Latin, having made many finals with her partner Oskar Krimus.  In addition to her competitive training, Shayna is in the process of finishing her Teaching Certification through the United States Terpsichore Association (USTA) having already passed her first set of exams Highly Commended.  Her roles in the Ballroom industry continue to flourish as she is also hands on with USTA as their website editor.

Slawek Roszak

Slawek started dancing at the age of 9 in Poznan, Poland. While in Poland Slawek was not only the Polish National Salsa Champion, he also trained in both the International Latin and Ballroom styles giving him the opportunity to compete throughout Europe. He was also featured in the widely acclaimed TV series “So You Think You Can Dance,” in Poland. Once Slawek came to the United States, he began competing in the American Rhythm division, making the Final of the 2011 Professional Rising Star Rhythm Championship at the San Francisco Open. Slawek has also continued to appear on TV having been hand picked to perform on the Univision TV show “Sabado Gigante” broadcasted in over 24 countries.

Travis Tuft

Travis is originally from Boise, Idaho where he began dancing in a once-a-week social ballroom dance class at the age of 14. He went on to attend Brigham Young University, graduating with a degree in Spanish and a minor in Ballroom Dance. While attending school he traveled the world as a member of their prestigious formation ballroom dance team. With the Latin team Travis placed 1st at the British Open Championships in Blackpool, England and is a four time U.S. Latin Formation team champion. He is also a two time U.S. Amateur Theatre Arts runner up and has trained and competed in International style Ballroom and Latin, and American style Rhythm and Smooth.

After their marriage in 2008, Travis and Jaimee teamed up to become the undefeated two time US Amateur American Smooth Champions.  Since turning professional in February 2011 they have danced their way into the finals of many important competitions across the country including Vegas Showdown, Yankee Classic, Manhattan Dancesport Championships, La Clasique du Quebec in Montreal, the Costa Rican Classic in Costa Rica, and the Caribbean Dancesport Championships in Puerto Rico .   Their most recent and greatest accomplishment since turning professional was their success at the prestigious Ohio Star Ball, winning both the Rising Star American Smooth and the Open Professional Theatrical Arts Championships.

Due to their immediate success as professionals, Travis and Jaimee have been invited to present their award winning solo in the Theatrical Arts Championships at the world renowned British Open Championships held in Blackpool, England.

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. 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.  Although her specialty is in Latin dances, Zoya teaches Ballroom and Club Style dances and for the past year she has been training extensively and teaching Argentine Tango. She is available for private lessons with beginners as well as high level competitors

Jaren Hopkins

Jaren is originally from Lindon Utah, where he began dancing in the Brigham Young University youth program at the age of 12. During his time in the program, he won 8 Formation National Team Championships in both Ballroom and Latin divisions. Later he attended Brigham Young University as a student where he studied Russian with minors in Business and Ballroom Dance. While there, he was on their highly esteemed ballroom touring team. As part of the Latin team, he placed 1st in the British Open Championships in Blackpool, England in 2019.
                                                                                                                      
Jaren has also had much success as an individual competitor. In High School he won the United States Smooth Championship. He has also made the final in the adult ballroom category at many competitions around the country including Embassy Ball, Ohio Star Ball Championships, San Francisco Open, Utah DanceSport Classic, Emerald Ball, and Manhattan Dance Championships. Recently he moved to New Jersey to compete in the professional ballroom category.