Linda Dean is a legend in the ballroom dance industry. Her professional demeanor and impeccable taste have made her one of the most sought after coaches in the industry.

• Former U.S. American Style Champion
• U.S. Theater Arts Champion
• U.S. International style Latin Champion for four years
• Four times a finalist in the World Championship in International Latin
• Member of the Fred Astaire Dance Board 25 years
• Galaxy Dance Festival, co organizer

Find out more about Coach Dean here: Linda Dean – Encyclopedia of DanceSport (wikidancesport.com)

Rufus Dustin is one of the most famous, titled, and highly regarded dancers, coaches, choreographers, and certified adjudicators in the world, known for the passion instilled in him by the power of partner dancing.

• 2-time World Exhibition/Cabaret Champion
• 2-time United States National Professional American Style Champion (Rhythm and Smooth) (1974 – 1975)
• North American Latin Champion
• North American 10-Dance Champion
• United States Champion
• Blackpool Dance Festival Champion
• Multi-time Lecturer at the World Ballroom Dancing Congress in Blackpool, England

Find out more about Coach Dustin here: Rufus Dustin – Encyclopedia of DanceSport (wikidancesport.com) 

Bruce and Debby Hasson are the owners of Carolina Danceworks in Southern Pines, NC and are the invited judges for our bi-annual Trophy Match.  Bruce is also a DVIDA certified National Examiner and runs the tests for all of our staff’s professional certifications.

It all started back in the Disco Days…1979 to be exact, when Bruce became a dance instructor in Beverly Hills.  His wife, Debby, grew up as a ballerina in the Washington DC national ballet. At age 17, she switched over to the ballroom dance world in DC and then on to Florida where she met Bruce.  The two ended up teaching dance all over the country until they settled in North Carolina and opened their studio in 2004. 

Bruce Hasson 

– Certified in all levels of American and international style Ballroom and Latin
– National Professional Examiner and Adjudicator
– Has won numerous Regional and National Championships
– Choreographer for many of the top shows around the country
– With Debby, he ranked in the top 3 in the country in both American styles and International Styles

Debby Hasson

– Started as a Ballet dancer and Instructor for the Washington School of Ballet in Washington DC
– Over 25 years experience  in the Ballroom World
– Has won numerous Regional and National Championships in the American Smooth and International Standard
– Open Finalist in Both American and International
– Has the largest children’s program in North Carolina, “Ballroom of Tomorrow,” teaching at a number of schools in Moore County

Find out more about Coach Hasson & Hasson here: Staff | carolinadanceworks

Tony Meredith is a Professional Ballroom Dancer, choreographer and former United States Professional Latin Champion who has choreographed for numerous celebrities and whose work and dancing has appeared in television, film, and theater performances all around the world.

• United States Professional Latin Champion
• Represented the United States 12 times in the Professional World Latin-American Dance Championships
• Over 100 first place trophies
• North American Latin Champion
• American World Swing and Cabaret Champion
• Latin World Cup Champion
• DanceSport World Cup Champion
• Latin World Trophy Champion
• First place in the “Dirty Dancing Championships”
• 3-Time Winner of the Championship Ballroom Dancing competition sponsored by PBS
• Choreographed for competitive dancers and celebrities including:
• Pierce Brosnan
• Renee Russo
• Vanessa L. Williams
• Tim Robbins
• Cameron Diaz
• Megan Mullaley
• Matthew Morrison
• Susan Sarandon
• Jessica Biel
• Lisa Lampanelli
• Steven Dorff
• Patrick Stewart
• Leslie Caron
• Jennifer Beals
• Campbell Scott
• Rob Schneider
• Barbara Walters

Find out more about Coach Meredith here: Tony Meredith – Encyclopedia of DanceSport (wikidancesport.com)

Marianne Nicole is a former Champion in three styles of competitive dancing. Marianne is also a former examiner for the Fred Astaire Dance Studio organization, and currently a National Examiner for the DVIDA Organization.

• United States Rising Star American Style Champion
• Undefeated Fred Astaire American Style Champion
• Examiner for the Fred Astaire Dance Studio
• Capital Dancesport Championships, Co Organizer

Find out more about Coach Nicole here: Marianne Nicole-Depalma – Encyclopedia of DanceSport (wikidancesport.com)

Jonathan Roberts is most well known for dancing on the United States version of “Dancing with the Stars“. In the past Roberts has competed and won the 2003 Blackpool Professional Rising Star Latin.

• 2008 World Professional Smooth Champion
• 2003 Blackpool Professional Rising Star Latin Champion
• 1997 US National Professional Rising Star Ballroom Champion
• 2008 US National Professional American Smooth Champion
• Competitor on TV Show “Dancing with the Stars“

Find out more about Coach Roberts here: Jonathan Roberts – Encyclopedia of DanceSport (wikidancesport.com)

Sam and Lisa West are a talented dance duo who have made significant contributions to the world of dance, particularly in the Carolina Shag style.

Sam West:

• Sam is a 15-time national shag dance overall champion
• He has been an ambassador for the Shag dance, teaching and sharing his love for it across the U.S. and internationally.
• Sam’s dance journey includes memorable wins, including dancing alongside his sister, Sarah, and with his wife, Lisa

Lisa West:

• Lisa’s love for dance began on the Country Western dance floor
• She has taught dance, line dance, and couples dance at Dance Connection studio in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
• Lisa met Sam at the USA Grand Nationals in Atlanta in 1998, and together, they have been teaching and promoting shag dance throughout the country and beyond.
• They have even held workshops in France, Spain, England, the Netherlands, and aboard cruise ships

Find out more about Coach West & West here:  About Sam and Lisa