- Multiple J&J winner and runner-up
- 2-Time The US Open Swing Dance Finalist
- All-Stars Division dancer
- Largest Moscow WCS festival Event Director
Biography
Experienced dancer and performer for over 30 years.
Started at the age of 6 with Artistic Gymnastics, then moved to Sports Ballroom Dancing for 8 years. Later switched to Jazz Modern and Classical Ballet dance styles, performing on the Big Stage for 5 years.
In 2007, discovered the world of social dances. Passionate in various styles such as: salsa, zouk, tango, and hustle. In 2008, fully immersed in West Coast Swing. Learned from top teachers, and participated in international competitions.
Started at the age of 6 with Artistic Gymnastics, then moved to Sports Ballroom Dancing for 8 years. Later switched to Jazz Modern and Classical Ballet dance styles, performing on the Big Stage for 5 years.
In 2007, discovered the world of social dances. Passionate in various styles such as: salsa, zouk, tango, and hustle. In 2008, fully immersed in West Coast Swing. Learned from top teachers, and participated in international competitions.
Started teaching West Coast Swing in 2011.
Experience in teaching over 10 years.
Worked with numerous partners such as Michael Kielbasa, Chuck Brown, Paul Warden, Thibault Ramirez, Brennar Goree, Maxence Martin, Ben Morris, and more. Gained the most valuable teaching experience as a "mentee" with Brandi Guild in the "Sweet Side of Swing project", Canada. Also, acquired significant experience conducting solo masterclasses.
Developed a highly flexible teaching method owing to this experience.
2015−2022 — Choreographed 3 routines in partnership with Pavel Katunin under the guidance of mentors Gary McIntyre and Susan Kirklin
Since 2022 — working with Daniil Pavlov.
Teaching and performing experience covers various countries:
Israel, Finland, Norway, Hungary, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Serbia, Taiwan, Korea, USA, UK.
Experience in teaching over 10 years.
Worked with numerous partners such as Michael Kielbasa, Chuck Brown, Paul Warden, Thibault Ramirez, Brennar Goree, Maxence Martin, Ben Morris, and more. Gained the most valuable teaching experience as a "mentee" with Brandi Guild in the "Sweet Side of Swing project", Canada. Also, acquired significant experience conducting solo masterclasses.
Developed a highly flexible teaching method owing to this experience.
2015−2022 — Choreographed 3 routines in partnership with Pavel Katunin under the guidance of mentors Gary McIntyre and Susan Kirklin
Since 2022 — working with Daniil Pavlov.
Teaching and performing experience covers various countries:
Israel, Finland, Norway, Hungary, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Serbia, Taiwan, Korea, USA, UK.
For over 10 years, have been developing personal Lady’s Styling project for WCS. Collected and equipped exercises for developing personal techniques and interpreting freedom in partnership. The program became successful and is relevant for partners of all levels.
Have extensive experience in choreographing group dance numbers, formation, boot camps, raising stars, and pro-am routines.
Active interest and in-depth study of Carolina Shag Dance since 2012, alongside WCS. Participated in competitions. Started teaching Carolina Shag in 2016. The footwork and intricate rhythmic variations in this dance complement WCS’s style.
Since 2012, have been participating in organizing and developing Moscow’s largest WCS festival, and in 2022 became the director.
Have extensive experience in choreographing group dance numbers, formation, boot camps, raising stars, and pro-am routines.
Active interest and in-depth study of Carolina Shag Dance since 2012, alongside WCS. Participated in competitions. Started teaching Carolina Shag in 2016. The footwork and intricate rhythmic variations in this dance complement WCS’s style.
Since 2012, have been participating in organizing and developing Moscow’s largest WCS festival, and in 2022 became the director.
"Dance is the hidden language of the soul" - Martha Graham
My philosophy
For me, dancing is the most beautiful form of self-expression. Partner dances are a dialogue, an interaction, providing opportunities for development through human connections, cultural exploration, acquiring new ways to communicate, and becoming more flexible in finding common ground. I have observed and experienced personal development through this process during WCS experiences.
Dance is important to me because it offers tools and methods for continuous, quality self-improvement. WCS stands out as its rich, diverse nature evolves and transforms constantly.
Dance is important to me because it offers tools and methods for continuous, quality self-improvement. WCS stands out as its rich, diverse nature evolves and transforms constantly.
A wide range of music styles and genres are inspiring and appealing to me. Music sets the tone, and our movements are a way of communicating. If we have a wider range of movements and interaction techniques, our conversations with partners become better.
I want to share my knowledge and body language skills, teaching the quality of interaction and movement, enabling people to immerse themselves in a beautiful dialogue and receive a wealth of positive emotions and food for constant growth.
Projects:
Dear LADIES!
If you confidently possess the base skill of West Coast Swing, you сomfortably dance in a pair but you want something more…
I invite you to Lady’s Styling WCS Regular Classes for additional development of esthetic part of West Coast Swing Dance.
Goal of our classes:
- Giving familiarity with pattern, style and opportunities of West Coast Swing Dance
- Forming improvisation skills and ability to express them in within the West Coast Swing Dance pattern
- Development of ability to keep yourself in hand on the public
- Setting a clear balance in body, posture and free moving
- Giving the realization of rhythm and musicality
Carolina shag
Carolina Shag! A dance that’s a delightful blend of familiar rhythms and melodies from West Coast Swing and swing styles, with a twist that opens up new avenues of musicality and interaction.
Carolina Shag draws inspiration from the familiar sounds and principles of WCS and other swing styles, incorporating the expected rhythms and melodies. However, it’s what sets it apart that makes it truly exciting!
The fancy footwork and creative combinations of movements that you’ve mentioned add a layer of complexity and playfulness, elevating the dance to a new level. It’s not just about execution; it’s about expressing oneself through the dance, with freedom and creativity.
In essence, Carolina Shag is a dance that celebrates the beauty of connections between partners, the music, and the dance itself. It’s a celebration of the joy of movement, of improvisation, and of the bond that forms between the dancers.
Carolina Shag draws inspiration from the familiar sounds and principles of WCS and other swing styles, incorporating the expected rhythms and melodies. However, it’s what sets it apart that makes it truly exciting!
The fancy footwork and creative combinations of movements that you’ve mentioned add a layer of complexity and playfulness, elevating the dance to a new level. It’s not just about execution; it’s about expressing oneself through the dance, with freedom and creativity.
In essence, Carolina Shag is a dance that celebrates the beauty of connections between partners, the music, and the dance itself. It’s a celebration of the joy of movement, of improvisation, and of the bond that forms between the dancers.
Marina and Daniel
Marina and Daniel each have over a decade of experience teaching dance and recently began to travel and teach together!
Combining different approaches, Marina’s charismatic style and Daniel’s structured methodology, they aim to create wholesome classes that reach all kinds of students.
They love west coast swing for its freedom and inclusivity that allows very different dancers to be able to create together and hope to share their passion with you!
Combining different approaches, Marina’s charismatic style and Daniel’s structured methodology, they aim to create wholesome classes that reach all kinds of students.
They love west coast swing for its freedom and inclusivity that allows very different dancers to be able to create together and hope to share their passion with you!
CONTACTS
Contact me through facebook, email or fill the form below. I am glad to be teaching, performing and judging west coast swing at your event, available for workshops, private lessons and more.