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Invited Staff, DJs, MC and Judges

Promising to be bigger and better than ever, there will be great Hustle, WCS and Salsa workshops with the top instructors throughout the country.

Invited Dj's
Bobby Morales
Johnny 'O' Ortiz
Nelson 'Paradise' Roman
Nino Torre
Emcee
Ron Bess
Lori Brizzi, Event Director
Bobbi Petri
, Head Judge
Anthony Lee, Scrutineer
Bonnie Herbert Diaz, Animal Rescue Charity Organizer

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Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlow

Billy and Katie have inn the relatively short span of their partnership, amassed an impressive list of credits. The pair quickly moved up through the discriminating ranks of the ballroom dance world, and boast the current titles of IDO World Cabaret Exhibition Dance Champions and IDO World Disco Hustle Champions. They are the only couple in the history of the US to hold two separate world dance titles within the same year. A few of their other titles include 2000 US Open Cabaret Champions, 1999 United States Hustle Champions, 2002 NADC Cabaret Champions. In addition, the couple have been three time invitees to the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival Open Exhibition Championships, an honor reserved for only a select few throughout the world. They have been featured performers in many far off destinations, including Singapore and China, and have been featured at home in the US at such well known venues as Radio City Music Hall and Lincoln Center. They were the subjects of a special television segment for Good Life TV. In addition to their performance career, Billy and Katie continue to run Dancesation! Studio and Entertainment, producing top notch entertainment programs for thier various corporate clients. Recent Dancesation! performances include Deloitte and Touche, McKinsey and Company, Lorillard Companies, Merck Pharmeceuticals, and Home Depot.

You can read more about Billy and Katie at www.billyandkatie.com
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Billy Marti

Billy teaches at stepping out studios in Manhattan. He started dancing at 18 and quickly mastered the fundamentals of dance. Within a year he realized he had found what would be his life’s passion. As his repertoire expanded to include other forms such as ballet, so did his experience with other dance studios. Billy was hired with his first dance partner, Nancy Melius, to perform in Israel as a “Fame” dancer with Robert Guillaume and Albert Hague who played Professor Shorofsky. Later Billy was inspired while watching a competition in a nightclub where he discovered his new love for Hustle Theatre Arts. He met Wanda Soto who began teaching him in the art of partnering and soon began dancing and performing with Hustle’s elite dancers of the time. He takes great pride in his ability to thoroughly prepare students for showcase and dance competitions by articulating a music and choreography mix that enhances the student’s individual style, and thus complementing their strengths. ___________________________________________________________________________________________   

 

Brian Gallagher

Brian can break down patterns to help you understand the major components of hustle: movement, framework, footwork & timing. He trained in Ballroom and Latin prior to Hustle. He incorporates a variety of dynamics; traveling, shaping, syncopated rhythms, creative combinations, and speed. Known for traveling moves, creativity, and burning up the floor at a 130 bpm without hesitation. Current "2003 Professional Theater Arts Hustle Champion" and undefeated Pro Just Hustle Champion, Brian has won every major Hustle competition over the last decade. G11Brian@aol.com

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George Garcia

George aspired to be a performer early in life. At the age of 6, he began his studies in classical piano, later moving on to jazz and contemporary music. He earned a Bachelors of Music in Music Business & Technology from New York University and a Degree in Music Technology from The Center For The Media Arts. George worked as a musician, DJ, sound engineer, technical consultant, educator, and music editor.

In 2001, he began his formal training as a dancer and sought out the best educators the Hustle, Salsa, West Coast Swing, Latin & Ballroom communities had to offer. George enjoys dancing and competing with different partners and in 2008 alone, was privileged to dance with Tammy Brown, Sophy Kdep, Hazel Ulrich, Stephanie Risser, Diane Nardone, Angela McCabe, and his new partner, Sabrina Paxmann. Known as one of the friendliest social dancers, George always dances with a smile on his face and enjoys dancing with dancers of all levels.

George teaches private lessons, group classes and workshops, and choreographs wedding dances and cotillions in the NY, NJ, CT, & PA area. He currently is a teaching artist for Pierre Dulaine & Yvonne Marceau's renowned Dancing Classrooms program as depicted in "Mad Hot Ballroom" and "Take The Lead". George also specializes in music editing for dancers and edited the music used for the Hustle routine choreographed by Maria Torres and performed by Lacey & Kameron on "So You Think You Can Dance."

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Diane Nardone

She began dancing Hustle in the early 70's with the Hustle Kings dance troop, taught at the famous Dales Dance studio's in NY and went on to open her own studio. She is still teaching, performing and competing. She has appeared in motion pictures and is the sole organizer of the annual "World Hustle Dance Championships".

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Donna Boyle

Founder of Disco America Dance Championships......Philadelphia's own Donna was the regional dance champion on the national TV show "Dance Fever". For 20 years, she has been competing performing, and exciting audiences with her polished and sensual style. Donna is the choreographer and principal dancer of the "Disco America Dance Troupe". She performed for acts such as: Billy Crystal, Tu-Pac, Sammy Hager, Deney Terrio of Dance Fever, etc. Her TV credits include: Discophonic scene and on the air with the Geater; 1999 QVC National Dance Promotion; 2 appearances at the Phillies game with the Phillie Phanatic; Good Day Philadelphia (with Dick Clark); 1999 PBS show "Dancing" aired in England; and two appearances on the CBS nationally syndicated competition " Dance Fever" in Los Angeles. She was director and choreographer for Radio 95.7 Jamming Gold dancers and one of the top 3 winners at the Harvest Moon Ball. Her performances in Atlantic City include: the Tropicana Hotel, Ballys Hotel, Resorts and Ceasars Hotel. Donna was one of the Event Directors for Hustle USA 1995.

Donna has been teaching, coaching and promoting Hustle in the Philadelphia area as well as traveling throughout the United States to conduct workshops and promote her dance event Disco America. She is also the proprietor of Party Pros Entertainment. Donna's success is evidenced by her awards and participation in competitions . She is currently on the teaching staff of Sandy Fortuna's Universal DanceSport Center (NJ), Tophat Dance Studio (PA), and Dance Manhattan Studio (NY).

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Donna Desimone

Donna has been dancing since the age of 4,studying Ballet, Tap and Jazz and teaching 30 years. In 1975 Donna was introduced to a dance called the Hustle. Two years later she started to teach it in a near by studio. In 1978 she opened her first Dance Studio. Four years later opened her second studio. Donna entered many New York nightclub competitions with much success. In 1983 she discovered the world of Ballroom dancing and competed for 8 years in American & International styles. In 1986 she won her first United States title, USBC American Rhythm Champion in Miami Florida.

Donna went on to choreograph for dance tours to China, Italy, Florida, Hershey Park, Carnegie Hall ( Cole Porter s 100th Birthday Celebration and An invitation to Dance with the NY Pops Orchestra). Currently Donna teaches, Choreographs and performs in New York. For the past 12 years Donna has been the Entertainment Director for the Stardust Dance Weekends in the Catskills.

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Elizabeth Darchi & Louis Orlando

Elizabeth has been dancing for many years with an extensive repertoire in Ballet, Jazz, and Ballroom. Hustle is her main love which has drawn her back into the world of dance after a long break. She has taught ballroom and hustle for the Battista Dance Studio, Stepping Out Dance Studio, Sandra Cameron's Studio and Authur Murrays. Her unique style has also been recognized in front of the camera by both the film and television industries. She was assistant instructor for the stage production of "Saturday Night Fever" in the National Theater, Santo Domingo.

Louis has been dancing hustle for over 25 years. His expert lead and rythym has gained him great exposure. He has judged for Hustle USA, Disco America, IHSC, Summer Hummer, New Years Extravaganza, plus more. Louis has danced for the film and television industries.

Both Elizabeth and Louis' approach to teaching is fun and informative and they emphasizes a strong and solid foundation in hustle technique. They have a chemistry when teaching their workshops that have you wanting more. They are top competitors in the hustle divisions. They have judged and taught workshops thoughout. The Hip-Hop, Rumba, Cha-Cha style in their Hustle has been the hallmark of their career. They teach privates in New York/New Jersey and throughout all dance events.

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Jami Josephson

is a professional dancer, performer, choreographer and a certified dance instructor in Ballroom and Latin dancing with over 100 titles in competition dancing including US Mambo Champion in 1997.

Jami has been dancing all her life and at the age of 5 had her own show on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City. Being in showbiz since she was a little girl, Jami has studied Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Tap, Ballroom, Latin, Country Dancing, Hustle and Acting and is well known for her exceptional dancing and teaching skills, which she obtained from many years of training and studying with the best teachers in the co untry.

Some of Jami’s credits include many TV Commercials, such as Coke-a-Cola, McDonalds, Hallmark, Capri Sun, to name a few as well as credits in Off-Broadway’s “American Passion” and “Latin Madness”. TV appearances are Channel 4, Good Day NY, Today Show, Good Morning America, Sabado Gigante, The Christina Show, “World Latin Festival” By Walt Disney and more. She has choreographed numerous Music Videos, “Havana After Dark” in Atlantic City, “Valentino, The Musical” – Off Broadway, and co-choreographer for the International Hustle and Salsa Competition Dinner show. Jami was also the Associate Artistic Director and Coach of “Latin Madness” for LA, UK, and NYC, 2004 and now directs her own team, an All Female Latin Troupe- “The Rhythm Divas”.

Jami's recent work is "Havana After Dark" a latin dance show she choreographed at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, and was head choreographer for the “Love Concert” held in Hong Kong for 8 top pop stars of China. Jami coaches and teaches all over the world at many salsa congresses and schools along with coa ching top salsa teams and was recently a Judge for the World Salsa Championships in Orlando - Dec. 2007.

Jami also runs the Instructors Forum for salsa instructors from around the world for Salsaweb.com and has made over 21 instructional dance videos throughout her career.

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Kim Vanaman

Dance Professional Kimberly Vanaman started off her career as an artist and tennis instructor before discovering her love of dance. She then began in the performance arena, initially Tap dancing as a member of Providence, R.I.'s "All Tap Revue," under the direction of Brian Jones. One dance form led to another and she spent many years studying and performing Jazz Dance at the Jeannette Neil Jazz Studio in Boston, MA. Simultaneously, she began her love affair with Hustle. Kim has been a Hustle Specialist and enthusiast since 1978. Since then, she is the primary source responsible for keeping Hustle alive in the New England region. She has also trained in American Style Ballroom Dance with an extensive focus on East Coast Swing. Kim teaches at the very classy Studio 665 in Needham/Newton. This successful competitor, performer, teacher, judge and choreographer includes among her favorite credits: consistently
finishing in the top 3 of all National Hustle Pro Jack and Jill events; 3rd Place, Professional Classic Hustle, Hustle USA 2002; a founding member, one of the original officers and currently the Regional Representative for the IHDA(International Hustle Dance Association); reviving the art of the Hustle formation team for the National Hustle events; receiving "Top Teacher Award" at Hustle USA 1997; choreographing for several Professional theatres in Mass.; making NE Regional finals for Dance Fever;
being happily married for more than 20 years and being the mother of two wonderful daughters.

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Lisa Nunziella

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Lisa literally conquered the Hustle world. She competed and performed all over the world, winning virtually every title with various partners - Eddie Vega, Danny Llaurado, Ricky Quintana, Arte Phillips and Deano Georgio. She is a true pioneer of the hustle we dance today. Lisa won the World Hustle title, two time winner of the United States title, semi-finalist on Dance Fever, Harvest Moon Ball winner at Madison Square Gardens and was undefeated winning 13 consecutive weeks (never done before) on Ed McMahon's nationally-televised "Star Search", winning the $100,000 Grand Prize with partner Eddie Vega.

Lisa is a wife and mother and still following her passion to inspire and motivate anyone she can to make positive changes in their lives though dance, fitness and good nutrition.

Lisa has doubled for Cameron Diaz in the Mask, Pricsilla Presley in Naked Gun2 1/2 and worked with Prince on his Diamonds and Pearl video to name a few.

Lisa is the recipient of the first Ny Hustle Congress Inspiration Award 2005 and is a Member of the Hustle Hall of Fame.

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Lori Ann Greenhouse & Kelvin Roche

This couple has performed all over the world. With their unique style of latin and theatre arts they have captured many titles. They have worked with numerous stars such as: Vanessa Williams, Conan O’Brian, Liza Minelli, and many more. Kelvin and Lori Ann have also worked on many movies, commercials and television shows. They appeared in the movie “El Cantante” with Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. And the Disney movie “Enchanted” starring Patrick Dempsey, Susan Sarandon and Amy Adams.

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Mark James & Karen Lupo

Elite Member of the Hustle Dancer's Hall of Fame, 6 time American Star Ball Theatrical Champion, the only 4-Time Zachary's Show Dance Champion, As seen on PBS' - Championship Ballroom Dancing, Sought after Coach, Dance Teacher & Choreographer - Expertise in Hustle, WCS, Salsa, American & International - Whose motto is "Anyone can do almost anything given Time, Energy, Motivation plus Loving Patience with Themselves".

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Paul Pellicoro

own and operate DanceSport International Ballroom and Latin Dance Studio. Since 1985, this dynamic pair has contributed enormously to the tremendous resurgence of partner dancing in Manhattan and across the nation. Renown for their work in films, Paul and Eleny have extensive film experience both as performers and choreographers. They have been dancing together for over 10 years. Their long list of credits includes appearances and performances on daytime dramas, numerous talk shows, music and instructional videos and infomercials. In 1995, they founded the Partner Dance Educational Fund, a not-for-profit organization with a stated mission to bring partner dancing to a wider public. Currently, the Fund sponsors free dance workshops in New York City public schools and private spaces.

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Robert Vance

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Roberto Pagan & Rosa Paredes

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Silvana Gallagher

Silvana is known as one of the top professional Hustle and Theater Arts dancers in the United States. Having a successful 10 year career with her partner, Brian Gallagher, Silvana is now working towards becoming one of the countries top Dance Instructors in her field of Hustle. Her mission is to inspire, create, and achieve artistic dancing.

Silvana's dance career began in 1988. She started with a local Ballet and Jazz dance company in Doylestown, PA. Though Ballet and Jazz were her start, partner dancing was her true passion. Three years later she moved on and into the city of Philadelphia for formal Ballroom and Latin training. She has not stopped since.

In 1992, shortly after starting her training in Ballroom and Latin, Silvana was introduced to Hustle and Brian Gallagher and together they trained and pursued a competitive career in Hustle and Theater Arts. Though Hustle became her competitive dance, Silvana never stopped training as a dancer. She continued and still continues her coaching in Hustle, Jazz, Ballroom, Latin and has added dances to her repertoire since, such as West Coast Swing and Salsa.

Silvana is based in Philadelphia. She primarily teaches out of two locations: DanceSport 101 in West Philadelphia, PA and La Luna Dance Studio in Bensalem, PA. She also travels nationally coaching, judging, performing and competing. So look for her in a city near you.

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© 2009 New York Hustle Congress