Dance Lessons for Swing, Latin and Ballroom
About Us
Sondra Chan
CEO, Dance Director and Choreographer
John and Paula Delash
Event Coordinator:
For our annual events:
*Oktoberfest and
*The Fasching celebration,
the Bavarian version of Mardi Gras
in Helen Georgia.
* The Dance Program for Children assistance
including 2 small boys, grandchildren, in attendance.
Renee and Tony Goemaere
Staff Orchestrator and over site for all Programs.
Mark and Daria Hadalski
Social Dance Director and organizer for
Vienna New Years Eve Event.
Directs and hosts the Christmas Ball.
Mark is my Brilliant Assistant Choreographer to blend amalgamations for Ballroom Four/Silver Class.
Steve Mapel
Professional Voiceover and DJ
Steve is:
Making the world sound better, one voiceover at a time.
Steve is the life of the party and loved by all.
Paul Chan
Paul Chan the magic man,
if he can't fix it, no on can.
He is tech support, mechanical magic, master choreography creator and supports Sondra in every way possible.
Paul Chan is my magic man.
More about Sondra
Brother Deano and Sandy
Raised in a dancing community, where everyone started at about the age of four, I was considered the "Queen of Polka" and taught all of my cousins how to dance. We were the driveway champions, and the show at every wedding. They say I used to twirl around and declare: "When I grow up, I'm gonna be a fancy lady and teach dance."
I'm not sure about the 'fancy lady', however I've fulfilled my childhood dream and have enjoyed teaching for over 20 years.
Prior experience as an Occupational Therapist and a Social Worker (BSW) has given me the sensitivity to individuals' needs and abilities in order to celebrate each success, to encourage, and to motivate students to meet their chosen goals, one step at a time.
Awarded Best of State, twice
Enthusiasm abound and proud of my Polka,
Arthur Murray's School of Dance took me on, in 1987.
Not knowing any ballroom, I was taught correctly from the start. I was trained to lead first, which makes me the only female instructor, in America, as Harry would remind me, with a stronger lead than follow. Because I know how I like to be lead, like the Princess of the dance, I specialize in teaching men how to lead ' strong like bull', with finesse; always taking care of the lady, the princess. Accordingly the Price is adorned with an iron fist and a velvet glove. For this reason ladies call me 'The Dance Doctor'; as I fix their man's lead, and we ladies all know: it's all about the lead.
Yes, if he cannot lead it, it ain't happening.
After I passed all of Arthur Murrays' Bronze exams, I taught Ballroom full-time for years. They also taught me to teach the Country Dances like Country Two Step, Cotton Eyed Joe, Polka, Hop Polka, and The Schottische in order to prepare students for weddings. I loved every minute of it and my students used to laugh and say,
"Sondra you are having so much fun, we think you ought to pay us."
Dance Degree
In 1996, I was invited to join Northwest Athletic Clubs' huge Social Dance Program with one of the trainers I had worked with at Arthur Murrays' School Of Dance. This program was lead by two Directors who both trained me: a former Fred Astaire Teacher/Trainer and my former Arthur Murray's Teacher/Trainer. I loved it and taught there for many years, however, this franchise was purchased by Life Time Fitness. The Social Dance Program was a casualty in the transition and they let all the instructors go. Anticipating the ax as well, I faced my boss, but instead was asked to rebuild their entire ballroom dance program, to train, and to hire instructors, for all 22 locations. Overwhelmed, I turned to my trainer, my mentor, and my friend, the one and only: Mr. Harry Benson. He was the beloved instructor trainer for over 20 years at Fred Astaire and worked directly with Scott Anderson. Scott is now a tri-state examiner for Dance Vision and he and his wife Amy host the TCO Open for many years in Minneapolis.
Together Harry and I implemented a Professional Ballroom Dance Training Program based on the DVIDA curriculum which has successfully trained instructors for their exams. Harry also trained and prepared me for my DVIDA exam, where I was his partner for his exam as well. We are both certified today.
Therefore, I'm Professionally Triple Trained with exams from:
1. Arthur Murray's School of Dance
2. Fred Astaire Trained and
3. ProDVIDA Certified
Honored with the award 2 years in a row, then we were transferred.
It has been my pleasure to create and Direct the Social Dance Program for World Gym for 11 wonderful years.
Unfortunately they replaced the wood floor for foam rubber, which is not danceable material, so we found a wood floor at Carla's Dance Factory, where they welcomed us with open arms.
So blessed, to do what I love, and love what I do,
'tis an honor to share my passion with YOU!
Sondra
and
Many Good Bye Dance Parties
Many Good Bye Dance Parties
Many Good Bye Dance Parties
Many Good Bye Dance Parties
Many Good Bye Dance Parties
Sondra and Paul, you will be so very missed in the Ballroom Dance Community, Thanks for the memories.
Dan and Patti
Rick and Jan
Dan and Sone' Wedding
Many Good Bye Dance Parties
Birthday Dance Parties
Dan and Sone' chose a Viennese Waltz for their wedding dance. This is a difficult and fast dance, so we had private lessons every week for 3 months. We became fast friends and my family assisted on the wedding day, my son was their DJ and it was a family event.
I was able to see them nail their First Dance to the song Nothing Else Matters by Metallica.
Amazing day!
Birthday Dance Parties
Birthday Dance Parties
Birthday Dance Parties
Dan Dan the Dancer Man,
had a Birthday we could not resist a Dance Class Party!
We had cake balloons a banner and he had a wonderful and Happy Birthday!
Birthday Dance Parties
Birthday Dance Parties
Dance Director for HOME Fine Arts Connection in Morrow. Absolutely loving every minute and every child.
We even are preparing a year end presentation. FUN!
Featured in Chandler Field Annual Fundraiser Gala.
Featured in the Minnesota USA Dance Association: "How about that Sondra Chan, she directs Lifetime Fitness where she teaches and trains instructors to teach 20 classes so far." There are 22 locations in MSP/St.Paul