Ballroom Dance Lessons, Dance Classes, Beginners Dance Classes Philadelphia, Salsa, Latin, Cha Cha, Academy of Social Dance

Charles has been dancing for 25 years and coaches Professional, Amateur, and Pro-Am couples in International-Style Latin & American-Style Rhythm & Smooth. He is a former Italian National Latin Champion, was a finalist at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival, and has won numerous titles in other competitions throughout the world.

After retiring from competitive dance, Charles became a world-class adjudicator and received DVIDA, IDTA, and ISTD certifications. He is also a certified examiner for DVIDA.

Charles has traveled all over the world to teach and coach dancers at every level and most recently starred in Italy’s production of “Dancing with the Stars”. His other performing arts credits include training professional dancers in the film “Mad Hot Ballroom” and the popular U.S. TV shows “So You Think You Can Dance?” and “Dancing with the Stars”. He was one of the originators of “Burn the Floor” and also played a leading role in the film adaptation of the legendary musical “Evita”. Charles has owned and managed several studios throughout Europe, and currently directs three studios in the Tri-State Area: Philadelphia and Exton, P.A.

He coaches all of The Academy of Social Dance instructors on a regular basis and requires them to attend training sessions multiple times a week to meet detailed DVIDA syllabus requirements.

In his personal life, he trains in Jiu Jitsu and MMA and was a Golden Glove boxer. Charles’ competitive experience and effortless dancing style combined with his coaching ability and innovative vision enable him to provide our instructors with top-flight leadership and guidance, which ultimately benefits our students.

Ed is from a family with a rich history in dancing. From early childhood, he excelled in sports such as hockey and cultivated an interest in Aikido and other martial arts. Ed also developed an interest in music and became a professional musician, landing a recording contract right out of high school and touring in support of those recordings. Ed’s love of music gave impetus to his desire to dance, and he became an instructor at The Academy, where he is now the manager. He introduces students to the poetic movement of Argentine Tango and frequently accompanies students to Buenos Aires to experience the dance. He also competes at pro-am competitions nationally and internationally and has won numerous “Top Teacher” awards.

Chelsea stepped into a studio for the first time at the age of 4 with her pink tutu and her ballet shoes on the wrong feet. Growing up dancing was a given for her and she soon became proficient in ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, gymnastics, and contemporary. She then went on to study dance in college. While in college her choreography was Featured at the American College Dance Festival Association and adjudicated by a panel of professionals. After 4 years of intense training, learning, and choreography Chelsea graduated from Eastern University with a BA in Dance. She then emerged into the world of Ballroom dance and is a certified instructor. Chelsea also competes with her students in numerous national competitions and has won “Top Teacher” awards.

Born in Eboli, Rosaria began dancing at the age of 7 in the styles of Latin and Standard. Over the years, she has participated in many competitions and international championships in which she gained International Class status in 2007. She has had many victories and made the finals in some of the most recognized International competitions such as, “league of Southern European, Malta Open, and the Sardinia Open. In 2006, she performed as a dancer in the RAI TV show, Morning in the Family. In addition to being certified as a Latin and Standard instructor, she is also a certified Zumba instructor. Rosaria has been competing professionally since 2012. She has earned many top recognitions in National and International Competitions throughout the years, and is currently partnered with Francesco here at the Academy.

Francesco was born in Salerno, Italy and began his dance training at the age of 7. It was almost right away that his family recognized his competitive drive as he won his first championship that year in the “Italian Circuit” in the youth category. From there he was a finalist in the German Open, one of the most important competitions in the world. H then took 1st places in the Alassio Open (also won by Chuck Danza). Lithuania Open, and the Bulgarian Open and was a finalist in the Italian Championships in 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2013. In November 2014 Francesco came to Philadelphia to explore the opportunity of joining the Academy. He and his long time friend, Rosaria, decided to try competing together last minute. With only three days to put together five routines, they competed at the Ohio Star Ball, the hardest competition in the US. They were placed ahead of 30 professional couples and narrowly missed being in the final round by only one mark. Francesco and Rosaria have since been competing nationally and won top honors. Francesco has also won many Top Teacher awards competing with his students, he took first place award in 2015 at the Ultimate Dancesport Challenge in New Orleans and in 2016 at the Philadelphia Dancesport Championships.

Artur Lago-Varjapetian started his performing career as a competitive dancer in International Ballroom Style. His humble passion for performing arts grew as he received his AA degrees in Dance and Liberal Arts at Santa Monica College; and his BFA in Dance Major /Theater Minor at CSU, Long Beach. Artur believes in the power of art to make our world a better place by bringing art into our communities. Since his graduation, Artur has been teaching Ballroom, Ballet and Physical Education to children and adults. He also has been collaborating with Gregory R.R. Crosby on multiple film projects and has been nominated for his role of Al in the short film The “Janitor” as a best actor in Milan Film Festival. He also is one of the featured dancers in an upcoming film with Ben Affleck Live By Night. He is excited to be a part of Academy of Social Dance team and grateful to be given an opportunity to share his passion for dance and to play an active part in his new community.

Fran has filled her life with dancing. Since the age of 9, dance has been her passion. Since joining the Academy, her favorite part has been seeing the students enter the studio with no experience, and watching them grow into beautiful dancers. Fran can often be heard saying “I love helping them in any way I can to make them feel like family…and, I might add, they are family”.

Roberto was born in Cecina (Leghorn) Tuscany , Italy. He started his dancing career at the age of 10 both in Latin and Ballroom. After few years of dancing he placed 4th at the Italian Championship in the Youth A category. Over the years Roberto continued to obtain good results in Italy and all over Europe, winning the Rising star ballroom at the Alassio Open Championship, reaching the 2nd place in Benelux and in Belgium, and the final in Riga (Latvia). He conquered the semifinal in many competitions in Italy but also in other countries, such as France, Spain, Malta, and Austria. In recent years, besides practicing Latin and Ballroom, Roberto has been a certified Zumba instructor and trainer of Salsa, Bachata and Merengue.