ALLAN ALDAY

Born in the Philippines, Allan Alday moved to Jacksonville in 1982. He started his professional dancing career in 1991 as an instructor and later, in 2001 became the owner of Dance Alday Ballroom & Latin Studio in Ponte Vedra Beach. He competed professionally with three different dance partners and has won Pro Rising Star in American Rhythm.

Allan currently competes throughout the United States with his students in the Pro-Am division in all four styles; American Smooth, American Rhythm, International Ballroom and International Latin.

His passion and extraordinary ability to teach has led him to receive numerous awards as being one of the top teachers in the nation, and he has won numerous scholarships monies with his students in many prestigious competitions.

His major accomplishments include:

• United States Ballroom Championship Regional Series Top Teacher Grand Finalist
• United States Pro-Am Rhythm Champion and Smooth, Standard, and Latin Finalist
• Six-Times First Coast Classic Top Teacher Recipient and Sixteen-Times Finalist
• Four-Times The Dancer’s Cup Circuit Top Teacher Finalist
• World Masters Pro-Am Smooth, Rhythm, Latin, Standard, 9 & 10-Dance Champion
• American Rhythm Rising Star Champion First Coast Ballroom Dancesport

Championships

• United States Ballroom Championship Top Standard Teacher Finalist
• Florida Classic Series Top Teacher Finalist
• Choreographer – Local production of “Six Dance Lesson In Six Weeks“

SEAN ANTHONY

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Sean focuses most of his attention on Latin dancing, but also devotes much of his attention to ballroom, west coast swing and Kizomba.  As an avid social dancer, he’s performed and taught at several Latin dance festivals in the United States.

Outside of dance, Sean earned his bachelor’s degree, law degree and Masters in Real Estate from the University of Miami and has also spent several years working with local organizations to improve the quality of the Florida public school system.

Sean recently opened Studio 904 in Jacksonville Florida.

EKATERINA DEREVLEVA

Ms. Ekaterina Derevleva is professional Ballroom dancer, teacher, and owner of Ballroom Dance Academy and designer of ballroom dancewear collections.

She dances for the USA representing Professional Ten Dance and Professional International Latin and Ballroom divisions at World level competitions and currently is the holder of the title World Ten Dance Finalist.

Ms. Ekaterina was born in the North part of Russia, where she won many competitions and became a champion of Arkhangelsk Region in the International Latin division. She has a master’s degree from a pedagogical university named after M.V. Lomonosov with honors.

Her knowledge and dance experience gave her students the opportunity to win high placements in the biggest National and International competitions in all 4 different styles: International Latin, International Ballroom, American Rhythm and American Smooth.

Ms. Ekaterina Derevleva won many USA competitions in International Latin and International Ballroom divisions and became United States National Professional Ten Dance Finalist 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021. She is also a Bronze US medalist in Ten Dance and Show dance divisions. Champion and finalist of almost all major DanceSport competitions in the country such as: Heritage DanceSport, Nashville Star, Platinum Dancesport, First Coast Classic, Triple Crown Series, South Open DanceSport, Ohio Star Ball, United States Championship, New York Dance Festival, Florida Super Star, Millennium, Grand National and many more.

She is teaching at Ballroom Dance Academy in Jacksonville and Sway with me Ballroom Dance studio in Ocala (Wildwood), Florida and working as a traveling coach around the USA as well.

JEREMY JOSE

Growing up mostly Hip Hop, Jeremy found himself in the Ballroom world after coming across Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio. With a great love for dance and music, Jeremy also moonlights as a sound technician for local band Bold City Classics.

No matter the time of day, he is constantly dancing and listening to music.

Considered to be a veteran for First Coast Dancing With The Stars, Jeremy enjoys giving back to the community, especially for BFAS. Even during his off time, Jeremy finds himself in the performing arts world, choreographing for FSCJ as well as judging various events such as Miss Jacksonville and Dancing With The Coastal Bend.

When he’s not working, you can find Jeremy eating at one of the many amazing restaurants the First Coast has to offer.

TONY KANTIN

Tony had an early aptitude for dance and music, and started dancing at an early age. As a lifelong dancer, he believes in the power of dance to foster the healthiest and happiest versions of ourselves.
Some professional dance accomplishments include dancing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and adjudicating multiple ballroom dance competitions.

Tony’s many dance awards include Open Pro American Rhythm Champion; Open Pro American Smooth Champion; Open Pro International Latin Champion; Open Pro International Ballroom Champion; National Open Pro 9 Dance Finalist; National Open Pro 10 Dance Finalist; and Open Pro Cabaret Finalist.

Tony is also an accomplished professional seascape photographer whose work can be enjoyed at https://www.vitaminseaphotography.com.

Tony is married to Elise Kantin, and they are parents to two lovely little girls, ages three and one, and a beautiful lab, Mia. He, along with his wife, is owner of Seaside Ballroom.

CHRISTIAN MARCANTONIO

Christian is an independent dance instructor with over 20 years dance experience. While attending the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in California on a scholarship, he discovered Ballroom dancing and went on to be trained at the Arthur Murray studios. He was designated Top Teacher there and went on to compete world-wide for over 10 years.   

During this time, he was also coached by some of the top dancers and champions in the world, like Dimitry Chaplin and Nick Kosovich. Christian is well-versed in all Ballroom dances and styles but he believes he shines in teaching social dancing.

He believes it is his job to make dance instruction fun for all his students.

“I have never had a student say “I wish I had waited longer to learn to dance” but many say “I wish I had started sooner!” Life is short. Have more fun; start dancing today.”

CHRIS THOMAS

JOHNETTA WISE

Johnetta Wise is an independent dance instructor.

“I’ve been in the dance industry for 9 years. As a child I’ve always been interested in dancing but my parents didn’t have the money to sign me up for dance lessons. I learned from others who were experienced, and I joined cheerleading while I was in high school.

After high school, I continued dancing with friends who also loved dancing and we created a dance group that volunteered to perform at events such as Art Walk or at the Jacksonville Landing. My interests grew to include Latin and Ballroom.

I’m very passionate about dancing and love inspiring others who have the ability to dance.

I’m originally from Chicago, IL, but I’ve lived in Jacksonville for 10 years.

I believe that you can achieve what you want to achieve, so just go for it even if people tell you that you can’t.”

ALLAN ALDAY

Born in the Philippines, Allan Alday moved to Jacksonville in 1982. He started his professional dancing career in 1991 as an instructor and later, in 2001 became the owner of Dance Alday Ballroom & Latin Studio in Ponte Vedra Beach. He competed professionally with three different dance partners and has won Pro Rising Star in American Rhythm.

Allan currently competes throughout the United States with his students in the Pro-Am division in all four styles; American Smooth, American Rhythm, International Ballroom and International Latin.

His passion and extraordinary ability to teach has led him to receive numerous awards as being one of the top teachers in the nation, and he has won numerous scholarships monies with his students in many prestigious competitions.

His major accomplishments include:

• United States Ballroom Championship Regional Series Top Teacher Grand Finalist
• United States Pro-Am Rhythm Champion and Smooth, Standard, and Latin Finalist
• Six-Times First Coast Classic Top Teacher Recipient and Sixteen-Times Finalist
• Four-Times The Dancer’s Cup Circuit Top Teacher Finalist
• World Masters Pro-Am Smooth, Rhythm, Latin, Standard, 9 & 10-Dance Champion
• American Rhythm Rising Star Champion First Coast Ballroom Dancesport

Championships

• United States Ballroom Championship Top Standard Teacher Finalist
• Florida Classic Series Top Teacher Finalist
• Choreographer – Local production of “Six Dance Lesson In Six Weeks“

SEAN ANTHONY

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Sean focuses most of his attention on Latin dancing, but also devotes much of his attention to ballroom, west coast swing and Kizomba.  As an avid social dancer, he’s performed and taught at several Latin dance festivals in the United States.

Outside of dance, Sean earned his bachelor’s degree, law degree and Masters in Real Estate from the University of Miami and has also spent several years working with local organizations to improve the quality of the Florida public school system.

Sean recently opened Studio 904 in Jacksonville Florida.

EKATERINA DEREVLEVA

Ms. Ekaterina Derevleva is professional Ballroom dancer, teacher, and owner of Ballroom Dance Academy and designer of ballroom dancewear collections.

She dances for the USA representing Professional Ten Dance and Professional International Latin and Ballroom divisions at World level competitions and currently is the holder of the title World Ten Dance Finalist.

Ms. Ekaterina was born in the North part of Russia, where she won many competitions and became a champion of Arkhangelsk Region in the International Latin division. She has a master’s degree from a pedagogical university named after M.V. Lomonosov with honors.

Her knowledge and dance experience gave her students the opportunity to win high placements in the biggest National and International competitions in all 4 different styles: International Latin, International Ballroom, American Rhythm and American Smooth.

Ms. Ekaterina Derevleva won many USA competitions in International Latin and International Ballroom divisions and became United States National Professional Ten Dance Finalist 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021. She is also a Bronze US medalist in Ten Dance and Show dance divisions. Champion and finalist of almost all major DanceSport competitions in the country such as: Heritage DanceSport, Nashville Star, Platinum Dancesport, First Coast Classic, Triple Crown Series, South Open DanceSport, Ohio Star Ball, United States Championship, New York Dance Festival, Florida Super Star, Millennium, Grand National and many more.

She is teaching at Ballroom Dance Academy in Jacksonville and Sway with me Ballroom Dance studio in Ocala (Wildwood), Florida and working as a traveling coach around the USA as well.

JEREMY JOSE

Growing up mostly Hip Hop, Jeremy found himself in the Ballroom world after coming across Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio. With a great love for dance and music, Jeremy also moonlights as a sound technician for local band Bold City Classics.

No matter the time of day, he is constantly dancing and listening to music.

Considered to be a veteran for First Coast Dancing With The Stars, Jeremy enjoys giving back to the community, especially for BFAS. Even during his off time, Jeremy finds himself in the performing arts world, choreographing for FSCJ as well as judging various events such as Miss Jacksonville and Dancing With The Coastal Bend.

When he’s not working, you can find Jeremy eating at one of the many amazing restaurants the First Coast has to offer.

TONY KANTIN

Tony had an early aptitude for dance and music, and started dancing at an early age. As a lifelong dancer, he believes in the power of dance to foster the healthiest and happiest versions of ourselves.
Some professional dance accomplishments include dancing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and adjudicating multiple ballroom dance competitions.

Tony’s many dance awards include Open Pro American Rhythm Champion; Open Pro American Smooth Champion; Open Pro International Latin Champion; Open Pro International Ballroom Champion; National Open Pro 9 Dance Finalist; National Open Pro 10 Dance Finalist; and Open Pro Cabaret Finalist.

Tony is also an accomplished professional seascape photographer whose work can be enjoyed at https://www.vitaminseaphotography.com.

Tony is married to Elise Kantin, and they are parents to two lovely little girls, ages three and one, and a beautiful lab, Mia. He, along with his wife, is owner of Seaside Ballroom.

CHRISTIAN MARCANTONIO

Christian is an independent dance instructor with over 20 years dance experience. While attending the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in California on a scholarship, he discovered Ballroom dancing and went on to be trained at the Arthur Murray studios. He was designated Top Teacher there and went on to compete world-wide for over 10 years.   

During this time, he was also coached by some of the top dancers and champions in the world, like Dimitry Chaplin and Nick Kosovich. Christian is well-versed in all Ballroom dances and styles but he believes he shines in teaching social dancing.

He believes it is his job to make dance instruction fun for all his students.

“I have never had a student say “I wish I had waited longer to learn to dance” but many say “I wish I had started sooner!” Life is short. Have more fun; start dancing today.”

CHRIS THOMAS

JOHNETTA WISE

“I’ve been in the dance industry for 9 years. As a child I’ve always been interested in dancing but my parents didn’t have the money to sign me up for dance lessons. I learned from others who were experienced, and I joined cheerleading while I was in high school.

After high school, I continued dancing with friends who also loved dancing and we created a dance group that volunteered to perform at events such as Art Walk or at the Jacksonville Landing. My interests grew to include Latin and Ballroom.

I’m very passionate about dancing and love inspiring others who have the ability to dance.

I’m originally from Chicago, IL, but I’ve lived in Jacksonville for 10 years.

I believe that you can achieve what you want to achieve, so just go for it even if people tell you that you can’t.”

Johnetta Wise is an independent dance instructor.