| Group Classes in International Standard Jenell Maranto U.S. National Ballroom Champion & Adjudicator will conduct group classes in International Standard, with a focus on figures from the ISTD Manual, including Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Quickstep Saturdays, 11 am - noon Starting June20: International Tango (the entire Bronze Syllabus in 6 weeks) (focus on the figures, technique, and timing) Cost: Each class is $120 for six weeks (must be paid in advance!) For further information, call 602-285-1569 |
| What makes the Academy of Ballroom Dance Unique? The Academy of Ballroom Dance strives to provide its students with the very best in dance instruction. There is continuous development of teaching methods, keeping abreast of dance trends, ongoing teacher training, social programs and activities. If you are looking for choices in quality dance training the Academy offers first rate staff. All are highly trained specialists in their field of Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Social, International or American styles. |
Our private lessons are flexible in order to mold around the
individual needs of each student, offering lessons at every skill
level, so that each student can be placed in an environment
that is both comfortable and challenging.
Social dancing is one of the most popular pastimes in the world
- enjoyed in every country, by persons of every age. In the art
of living the art of knowing how to get along with people,
dancing is a social necessity - and to realize the full enjoyment
of the experience you must know how to dance well.
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Jim grew up in Oak Forest Ill., He graduated with a BA
from the University of Chicago. In college he was on
the National Honor Society, was an Illinois State
Scholar and was on the all conference football and
baseball teams earning six varsity letters.
In 1983 Jim moved to Arizona where he became a
stock broker for four years. During that time he was
pursuing an interest in ballroom dancing as a hobby.
With his highly competitive spirit he won the U.S
National Pro/Am Championships. In 1987 he became a
professional Ballroom Dancer and together with his
dance partner opened the Academy of Ballroom Dance
in Phoenix.
Jim competed professionally in the International
Standard and American Smooth for 15 years and was a
finalist for 10 years. Together with his partner Jenell
he trained with the top coaches in the world. They
won every major Smooth and R.S. International
Standard competition in the United States. The
highlight of their career was winning two U.S.
American Smooth Championships in 1993 and 1994.
They have represented the United States in two World
Showdance events and many competitions throughout
Europe, Asia and North America.
Over the past 20 years Jim has trained many Pro/Am
Champions. He has won numerous top teacher awards
and his students consistently finish in the top three in
the U.S. As a teacher Jim is one of the best
communicators of technique and theory in the
business. He has an intense love of his work and
displays a natural enthusiasm that is contagious.
Jim is a licentiate of the Imperial Society Ballroom
Branch. He is the co-author of the DVIDA American
Smooth Syllabus and an examiner for DVIDA. He
currently travels extensively to compete with his
students, to coach, lecture and judge competitions.
from the University of Chicago. In college he was on
the National Honor Society, was an Illinois State
Scholar and was on the all conference football and
baseball teams earning six varsity letters.
In 1983 Jim moved to Arizona where he became a
stock broker for four years. During that time he was
pursuing an interest in ballroom dancing as a hobby.
With his highly competitive spirit he won the U.S
National Pro/Am Championships. In 1987 he became a
professional Ballroom Dancer and together with his
dance partner opened the Academy of Ballroom Dance
in Phoenix.
Jim competed professionally in the International
Standard and American Smooth for 15 years and was a
finalist for 10 years. Together with his partner Jenell
he trained with the top coaches in the world. They
won every major Smooth and R.S. International
Standard competition in the United States. The
highlight of their career was winning two U.S.
American Smooth Championships in 1993 and 1994.
They have represented the United States in two World
Showdance events and many competitions throughout
Europe, Asia and North America.
Over the past 20 years Jim has trained many Pro/Am
Champions. He has won numerous top teacher awards
and his students consistently finish in the top three in
the U.S. As a teacher Jim is one of the best
communicators of technique and theory in the
business. He has an intense love of his work and
displays a natural enthusiasm that is contagious.
Jim is a licentiate of the Imperial Society Ballroom
Branch. He is the co-author of the DVIDA American
Smooth Syllabus and an examiner for DVIDA. He
currently travels extensively to compete with his
students, to coach, lecture and judge competitions.
Jenell started dancing at age 3. Over the years she
has studied almost every form of dance. She was a
champion gymnast in college and a professional chorus
line dancer at Harrahs in Lake Tahoe. She then went
on to head the dance department for Sierra Nevada
College for over nine years. There she taught Jazz,
ballet, and gymnastics.
Ballroom dancing is her favorite form of dance because
of the variety. There is always something to learn and
many different styles to choose from and enjoy.
Jenell has been teaching ballroom dance since 1980
and opened her own school - The Academy of
Ballroom Dance - in 1987. At that time she set her
goals high and began seriously training for dance
competition.
Together with her partner Jim they trained with the
top coaches in the world. With many lessons and a lot
of practice, they won every major Open Professional
Smooth competition in the United States and also won
every Professional Rising Start International Standard
competition in the United States. Ultimately the
highlight of their career was winning two U.S.
American Smooth Championships in 1993 and 1994.
They have represented the United States in two World
Showdance events and many competitions throughout
Europe, Asia, and North America
Jenell is a licentiate of the Imperial Society Ballroom
Branch and has trained a number of U.S. Pro-Am and
Amateur Champions.
Jenell is an examiner for DVIDA and is also the author
of the American Smooth Syllabus for DVIDIA
Winner of the prestigious Feather Award for the best
female teacher in the United States, Jenell is a
teacher of teachers. A teacher who teaches from her
heart and can back it up with a clear understanding
and knowledge of the technique and physics of
ballroom dancing. She is also known for her creative
and inspirational choreography. A professional dancer
and teacher for over 25 years, Jenell knows how to
handle students with care and understanding that will
get results.
has studied almost every form of dance. She was a
champion gymnast in college and a professional chorus
line dancer at Harrahs in Lake Tahoe. She then went
on to head the dance department for Sierra Nevada
College for over nine years. There she taught Jazz,
ballet, and gymnastics.
Ballroom dancing is her favorite form of dance because
of the variety. There is always something to learn and
many different styles to choose from and enjoy.
Jenell has been teaching ballroom dance since 1980
and opened her own school - The Academy of
Ballroom Dance - in 1987. At that time she set her
goals high and began seriously training for dance
competition.
Together with her partner Jim they trained with the
top coaches in the world. With many lessons and a lot
of practice, they won every major Open Professional
Smooth competition in the United States and also won
every Professional Rising Start International Standard
competition in the United States. Ultimately the
highlight of their career was winning two U.S.
American Smooth Championships in 1993 and 1994.
They have represented the United States in two World
Showdance events and many competitions throughout
Europe, Asia, and North America
Jenell is a licentiate of the Imperial Society Ballroom
Branch and has trained a number of U.S. Pro-Am and
Amateur Champions.
Jenell is an examiner for DVIDA and is also the author
of the American Smooth Syllabus for DVIDIA
Winner of the prestigious Feather Award for the best
female teacher in the United States, Jenell is a
teacher of teachers. A teacher who teaches from her
heart and can back it up with a clear understanding
and knowledge of the technique and physics of
ballroom dancing. She is also known for her creative
and inspirational choreography. A professional dancer
and teacher for over 25 years, Jenell knows how to
handle students with care and understanding that will
get results.
Jenell Maranto
Jim Maranto
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| Starting in June: Classes in International Tango taught by Jenell - see below! |