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Independent Instructors:
Joanne Lapierre and Terry Cummings
We have invited Independent Instructors, Joanne Lapierre and Terry Cummings to teach the Country Nightclub Lesson at our August 14th FREE DOCMA Anniversary Dance. Please come, learn the Nightclub and celebrate our Anniversary with us!
Joanne Lapierre has been teaching ballroom and partner dancing for the past 12 years. She is currently teaching at Studio One RI. Joanne trained in International Standard, International Latin, American Ballroom, American Rhythm, and Country Western along with many social dance styles. Joanne developed a special love for Country dancing after living in Colorado for 10 years. She and her students attend country competitions around the country.
Terry Cummings is recently retired from the KS Air National Guard USAF and also teaches at at Studio One RI. Terry started dancing in 1999 and in 2000 began competing in both of the country dance circuits: American Country Dance Association (ACDA) & United Country Western Dance Council (UCWDC). In 2004 he turned pro and founded JustGottaDance where he could teach and share his passion for dance. In 2007 he became the Co-Director of ACDA’s Wichita Dance Roundup competition in Wichita, Kansas.
In June 2021 Joanne and Terry paired up to compete on the country circuit and took their first World title in January 2022.
Arthur Murray Worcester
Instructor & Owner: Kia Kenney
Kia and Christian became partners in 2013 as American Smooth competitors. They are Arthur Murray Open Professional Smooth finalists, 2017 Arthur Murray Superama Rising Star Champions, and 2017 Arthur Murray World O Rama Rising Star Smooth Champions.
Christian, a third generation Arthur Murray professional, has been around dancing his whole life. Kia grew up in a musical family, and though not formally trained in dance as a child, was always seeking a way to move to music. A shared drive, commitment, and passion to maximize their potential as dancers brought them together, and their motivation is sustained by the joy of discovering the technical intricacies of the craft, the satisfaction of the athleticism of the sport, and by the coaches in their lives that push them to reach their potential.
In their first year competing together they became 2014 Arthur Murray Superama Rising Star Finalists and Boston Dance O Rama Rising Star Smooth Vice Champions. Additional accomplishments include Montreal Extravaganza Rising Star Smooth Champions, Ohio Star Ball Rising Star Smooth Semi-finalists, and Open Smooth Finalists at Commonwealth Classic, Motown Showdown, Washington National Dance O Rama, Yuletide Dance Classic, Houston Dance O Rama, Eastern Dancesport Championships, Washington Open, Dancing al a Carte, Cinncinati Dance Classic, Unique Dance O Rama, Ciao Amore Dance O Rama, and Northstar Dance O Rama.
Owners of Arthur Murray Cambridge and Worcester MA; we are fortunate at DOCMA to have such Professionals in our "backyard".
Tony Miloski, Instructor at
ABL DanceSport Center
ABL is a multi-functional Dance Center and USA Dance member offering professional dance Instructors who teach Social or Competitive Ballroom dancing to adults. Our 10,000 square foot facility, the Largest in Central Mass, is a beautiful venue. We want everyone to feel really special when they come here, and we've designed the space to bring you fun and excitement as you learn how to dance!
Dancing is our PASSION! We would like to take an opportunity to share it with you to make this world a little bit happier!
For more information, please go to www.abldance.com
Jim Cole, Instructor at
ABL DanceSport Center
Studio Address:
184 West Boylston St, West Boylston, MA
Studio Website: abldance.com
ABL is a multi-functional Dance Center and USA Dance member offering professional dance Instructors who teach Social or Competitive Ballroom dancing to adults. Our 10,000 square foot facility, the Largest in Central Mass, is a beautiful venue. We want everyone to feel really special when they come here, and we've designed the space to bring you fun and excitement as you learn how to dance!
Dancing is our PASSION! We would like to take an opportunity to share it with you to make this world a little bit happier!
For more information, please go to www.abldance.com
DOCMA'S
STUDIO SPOTLIGHT
As you may know, DOCMA offers Studios an opportunity to participate in our “Studio Spotlight Series”. While we have some awesome studios that will be featured in upcoming dances, we also wanted to celebrate Independent Instructors. Shane Steele is a fixture in Central Mass and an independent instructor. He has supported DOCMA for many years and been a key instructor and dance partner during many of our events. It is with great pleasure to highlight his talents and love for ballroom (and other) dance.
Steele Shane is a professional instructor and dancer and is known throughout New England for his clear and easy to follow teaching style and his ability to instruct anyone to dance.
For over 25 years, he has worked with hundreds of students and competed and performed in many venues locally and nationally. He is currently the Director of Dance Programs at the Longfellow Club in Wayland, MA and is available to teach private and group lesson in Worcester MA area.
He teaches Ballroom, Country, Swing & Latin and has taught locally at the Poise, Style & Motion (PSM) and American Ballroom & Latin (ABL) studios.
To contact Shane for lessons, you may reach him at www.steelshane.com
Dance Connections with Heidi
Dance Connections with Heidi offers customized private lessons, classes for all levels, performance groups, fun social dances, and themed parties. We can promise something for every dancer at every level of skill.
Owner Heidi Schoenfeldt's love of dance started with ballet. She has studied jazz, modern, tap and American Ballroom. She holds a Full Bronze Teaching Certification in American Smooth and Rhythm, and has been teaching and competing for the past 17 years. Heidi looks forward to creating lifelong dancers, and making connections through dance for years to come.
Dan Gabel and The Abletones Big Band featuring Vocalist Kimberly Hawkey
“The real deal…”
Hailed by the Boston Globe as “the real deal, [a bandleader] that looks and sounds like the 1940s”
and by the Syncopated Times as “the champion of Big Bands and vintage jazz”, Dan Gabel is a
trombonist, arranger, bandleader, historian, and educator. His popular Big Band, Dan Gabel and
The Abletones, has played throughout the northeast and is featured on numerous recordings and
video/television programs. The band features a vintage look and sound, and “transports audiences to
another time through the sights and sounds of the Big Band era.”
Some of the band’s recent engagements include: Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s Inaugural
Ball, W.C. Handy Festival (Alabama), Scullers Jazz Club, Mechanics Hall, The Hanover Theatre,
Museum of American Armor (Long Island), Veterans Inc, Boston Tall Ships, many non-profit
organizations, civic groups, businesses, weddings, ballrooms, and swing dances everywhere.
As busy sideman, Dan Gabel tours internationally and has recorded with The World Famous Glenn
Miller Orchestra, as well as first-call with many other groups. Gabel was chosen as the Musical
Director of the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra, as well as curator of the famous bandleader’s archive
by Monroe’s family. Since 2014, Gabel has served as the President and CEO of the American Big
Band Preservation Society, a non-profit organization based in Boston and dedicated to preserving,
promoting, and performing while keeping music in schools. Dan Gabel holds two bachelors degrees
from UMass Amherst, and a Masters Degree from New England Conservatory.
In 2023, Gabel was hired at Westfield State University as Professor of Jazz History and leading the
Big Band. Considered an expert in Jazz, Big Bands, and the Great American Songbook, Gabel has
presented lectures at many colleges and universities, including Harvard, MIT, Indiana University, as
well as clinician and director for high school and collegiate festivals. Gabel also founded and directs
the Worcester Youth Jazz Orchestra program for young musicians in central New England. He can
also be seen leading the High Society Orchestra (Hot Jazz of the Roaring 20s) from the drums,
working as a busy arranger and member of ASCAP, or as a musician with his Brass Quintet, theatre
pit orchestras, symphony orchestras, or various other musical settings. When not on the bandstand or
the studio, Dan enjoys reading, traveling, hiking National Parks, and chasing trains.
Recordings Available:
• Yes, Indeed! (2010) • Homesick for New England (2012) • Business in ‘F’ (2014) • Happy Feet (2016)
• The Abletones Live! (2018) • The Vaughn Monroe Show DVD/streaming (2018) • By the Fireside (2019)
• Happy Holidays TV (2020) • Dance Through the Holidays (2022) • Snowed In! (2023) • Let’s Get Away
From it All (2024)
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Featuring Aleh Kulyba
"Aleh is a distinguished figure in the ballroom dance realm, boasting a rich and diverse background that exemplifies his expertise. With a foundational start in Russia at the tender age of four, Aleh's journey in dance burgeoned as he honed his skills in Belarus, swiftly ascending to championship status in both standard and Latin disciplines.
His unwavering commitment to excellence led him to specialize in Latin dance during his formative years, culminating in an esteemed invitation for a groundbreaking partnership in the United States. Although Aleh's competitive endeavors have transitioned, his ardor for dancesport perseveres as he imparts his wealth of knowledge to athletes across all age brackets through dedicated coaching.
From his illustrious tenure as a premier athlete representing his homeland at numerous esteemed European dance events in Belarus, Aleh seamlessly transitioned into the realm of adjudication, earning distinction as one of the youngest WDSF certified judges. Furthermore, his role as the coach of National Champions in Latin dance for the United States underscores his profound impact and influence within the industry. Aleh's multifaceted journey epitomizes a profound dedication to the artistry, athleticism, and intricacies of ballroom dance, positioning him as a revered authority in the field."
The Dancing Feeling
Instructor:
Anthony Scalzi
Anthony Scalzi began ballroom dancing in 2009 while attending Rhode Island College. Anthony served as President of the Rhode Island College Ballroom Dance Club and co-founded the Rhode Island College Annual Collegiate Ballroom Competition. Anthony has a great style of teaching where people feel comfortable and learn at the pace that is just right for them while having fun! Anthony enjoys teaching both social and competitive dancing including American and International style. He also has a background in country dancing.
Anthony currently competes professionally in the American Smooth style in the NDCA Professional Circuit. He and his partner have become finalists at various competitions across New England. Anthony’s students also continue to place at the top of their categories, including various scholarship and championship divisions, while always enjoying the fun of competition.
DOCMA has had the pleasure of Anthony's instruction and performances over the past several years!
