ABOUT US

Owners : Steven Powell, Miché Bernier

Instructors : Sergh Aliev, Danilo Rakita, Kristen Prall

At the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Hamden, we have created a friendly, no pressure environment in which our students can learn great dance from world class instructors. Our most important priorities are that our students have fun while they improve their dance skills. Click anyone of the teachers names above to read and see a short biography on each of the Very Qualified Instructors.
Fred Astaire took great pride in a standard of excellence which is still alive and well in our studio. Our instructors have completed a rigorous training program and are Certified teachers. We train and promote our students through the trophy system and have beginners, social dancers, competitors, and advance level dancers. Our instructors are hand picked and have been brought to the studio from Belarus, Serbia, England, Canada, and even one instructor from the United States. Our unique qualifications both in American and International Styles allow any student to progress from a beginner to any goal they set for themselves in a very short time frame. We offer Bronze, Silver and Gold level instruction for those who have taken lessons in the past; and for absolute beginner we have specially developed Beginner Programs which will have you dancing on your very first lesson.

	Steven came to the United States from the U.K. Steven as Dance Director for the studio and studio Manager has both International and American Competitive Experience. His passion for teaching has lead him to many Fred Astaire Awards as Top Teacher. Steven's unique sense humor combined with his honest sense of caring for each of his students has made one of the most requested Teachers in the New England Region. Steven's availability is very restricted due to the large number lessons he is currently teaching and his schedule as a competitive coach on the Road with other studios.
	Miche while started in the studio teaching, he now spends most of his time handling both the Business and Accounting Side of the Studio. He can usually be found at the front desk helping new students, working with the existing students and being available to work with not only the Hamden Studio, but many other studio's have called for his more than 30 years business experience. Miche has been a guest speaker several times for the National Owners Meetings specializing in Business Development and analysis. Miche continues to prove to all of us that Accountants are not boring and can offer a great sense of humor.
	Sergh Aliev joined the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Hamden in June 2004 as a beginner through advanced level teacher. Sergh comes to us from Belarus, where he taught Ballroom and Latin Dancing at the University of Minsk. This incredible teacher and performer has more than 10 years of experience and innumerable performances under his belt. He is a graduate of the University of Minsk with a degree in Art, and additional studies at the Belarus University of Culture. He has enjoyed a diverse dancing career which spans several continents. He was a recent Top 10 competitor in the 6th Super Korea Cup International Dance Sport Championship. Since his arrival in the United States Sergh has achieved many awards within the Fred Astaire New England Region and remains in the Top 10 instructors month after month. Serge's students have achieved incredible placements for both Regional and National Competitions and continues to strive for excellence in dance with everyone he works with. All lessons with Sergh must be made in advance, and many times weeks in advance as this Competitor and Accomplished teacher has few openings, and is currently booked out for many weeks in advance.
	Danilo joins an international staff of former competitors and performers at the Fred Astaire Studio as he begins offering both American and International Style DanceSport Ballroom and Latin Dance. Prior to his arrival Danilo has established a long list of accomplishments including; Being a Certified Dance Sport Coach; A Certified International Competitive Adjudicator. Danilo has chaired the Serbian Dance Federation, and has choreographed stage productions of Red Riding Hood, Snow White, New Years Fairytale to name only a few. Danilo left a Brazilian Samba Show "Tera Latina" which he performed over 110 Shows through Asia to much acclaim to accept the position with Fred Astaire Hamden. Danilo has inspired students to compete, achieve top marks throughout the region. Danilo works to bring each student to their full potential and achieve a level of excellence in their dance. As a former adjudicator Danilo has a judges eye when working with his students and brings the highest level of technique to each lesson. His sense of humor and passion for dance coupled with his easy going and friendly personality has brought him many awards throughout Fred Astaire, and he continues to achieve top placements in many of the areas of excellence within our region. Adding to the many feathers in his hat is the distinction of being part of the Guinness World Book of Records as the choreographer for the all high school students from Kragujevac for the long simultaneous Quadrill Dance in 2006. In addition to the many stage productions Danilo was also featured on Television shows - the most famous of which was "Maratonci tree pocasni krug" directed by Oliver Vitrovic. The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Hamden teaches beginner through advanced level ballroom and Latin dancing. The studio teaches singles and couples, private and group lessons. They provide individualized instruction in each dance technique and will choreograph for special occasions, such as a first wedding dance. Danilo’s excitement to embrace new students and share his passion for movement and dance is evident in each lesson. His move to the States was motivated by the style and professionalism which Fred Astaire himself made world famous.
	Kristen our American Gem arrived in the studio and has ignited a new sense of passion in everything the studio tackles. Kristen, a Vassar graduate, has taught in the public school systems and has a unique yet highly effective ability to present new information. In Kristen's short time with the Hamden Studio she has quickly become the point person for information, training teachers on new syllabus steps, while managing large numbers of entries for the studio at regional competitions. Kristen's recent television appearances have generated a great deal of interest in this elegant and informative teacher. Her experience in teaching children and her passion for dance have all developed her into an incredible asset to our studio.