DANCE PROFESSIONALS FROM 2019

Allan Alday

Dance Alday Balloom & Latin Studio

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 was born and raised in beautiful Kingston, Jamaica, later moving to Miami where he spent most of his time choreographing, training and instructing salsa, bachata and Kizomba.   

    A lover of several different dance styles, Sean has also trained and performed in Latin dances, Argentine tango, west coast swing, rueda de casino and dancehall. 

    Outside of dance, Sean earned his bachelor degree in Finance and graduate degree in Real Estate Development 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 Anthony

    Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio
    Carolyn is the owner of Monarch Ballroom Ponte Vedra, specializing in ballroom and latin instruction in St Johns County, where she lives with her family.  Having danced since childhood, her training includes classical ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary as well as ballroom and latin styles.  Performing live has always been a joy, with opportunities including performing with the Australian Opera Company and for Sydney based companies in Japan and Thailand before sailing the Caribbean with Carnival Cruise Lines.  Carolyn has placed in both American Rhythm, and American Smooth styles since focusing on ballroom dancing, as well as competing Pro-Am with her students.  With many years of teaching and performance experience, Carolyn is pleased to be able to participate in First Coast Dancing With The Stars supporting Beaches Fine Arts Series.

    Carolyn Copeland

    Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio Ponte Vedra

    Jeremy Jose

    Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio
    Jeremy Jose’s affinity for dance started at an early age from watching music videos and learning the dances from them. Dancing socially quickly became a passion and his thirst grew more and more. He uses dance as an outlet for all feelings and emotions. “I feel that you can express any and every thing through dance.” He eventually found a “home” at Monarch Ballroom where he loves everything from the grace and poise of the waltz to the artistic freedom of hip-hop. “I’m truly excited for my third year in First Coast DWTS and hope for many more to come!”

    Krista Thomas

    Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio
      Krista Thomas has been teaching Ballroom, Latin and Country Western dancing for 20 years. In addition to teaching adult students at the studio she also teaches ballroom dance to middle and high school students at Christ’s Church Academy and works with 2 middle school cotillions. She is co- owner of Monarch Ballroom and Dance Studio and is a returning Pro-Partner for First Coast Dancing with the Stars.
    Megan Wallace Widrich started dancing at a local dance studio while in high school, but didn’t really start to pursue her passion until she attended college at Florida State University.  While away at college she trained at an Arthur Murray,  teaching throughout her time there. Upon graduating she moved back to Jacksonville and worked, performed, and competed with her students. Among the places she was able to travel to compete were Las Vegas, New York, Nashville, and Savannah. Once a co-owner of Beyond Just Dance, she is now teaching at Dance Alday in the evenings and works at Mayo Clinic during the day. She has over 14 years of experience dancing, teaching, and competing with her students and loves every minute of it. Any dance that you can do with a partner she has done, ranging from Latin to Country, but Salsa and Cha Cha are the ones she most enjoys. “My favorite part is seeing the progress… maybe not every lesson, but when  students love what they are doing, stick with it, and see the result of their dedication, it feels magical when IT just happens!”

    Megan Wallace Widrich

    Dance Alday Ballroom & Latin Studio
    Johnetta Wise is a dance instructor at Monarch Ballroom Dance Studio. “I’ve been in the dance industry for 5 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 started at Salsa Dance Jax and progressed very rapidly, finding my way to Monarch Ballroom Dance Studio. 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 8 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

    Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio