(615) 707-1463
Hours: 10:00AM - 9:00PM
Open 7 Days a Week!
Meet Our Instructors
Christopher Wayne
Christopher Wayne started dancing at the age of six in his hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa. He became the under 16 Latin American Champion and Under 18 Male Tap Dance Champion. Christopher moved to the US in 1999 and has established himself as one of the top ballroom dance teachers in the country. His competitive students consistently win major competitions in all styles of ballroom dance from newcomer all the way through advanced/open levels. Christopher has also been a featured professional dancer for the large Nashville charity event Dancing for Safe Haven for the past 9 years - 7 of which he has won the “crowd favorite” award. Christopher has had a very successful competitive career and currently competes professionally in American Rhythm and Smooth throughout the US with his partner Mallory Evan. They have won several professional events throughout the US and are United States Professional 9-Dance finalists. He has a humorous and fun style of teaching- but you will surprise yourself with how much technique and style you’ve learned in such a short time. As the Director of The Ballroom of Nashville, Christopher will place you with the teacher best suited for your needs and style. You are in great hands.
Mallory Evan
Mallory Evan is a California native turned Nashville enthusiast! She is a classically trained dancer that specializes in all of the styles of competitive ballroom dance as well as the latin social dances and swing. Having trained under some of the nation's top coaches, Mallory has competed extensively throughout the United States and is currently competing in Professional American Rhythm and Smooth (9-Dance) with her partner Christopher Wayne. Christopher and Mallory have won several Rising Star and Open Professional competitions throughout the US and are currently United States Professional 9-Dance finalists. Mallory is an experienced performer and was selected to dance at the Super Bowl Pregame and Halftime shows. She has been a featured performer at the Nashville Dance Congress as well as various music videos and promotional events. She has also been a featured professional dancer for Dancing for Safe Haven for the past 4 years. Mallory also coaches the Vanderbilt ballroom dance team (Vandy Ballroom). Mallory loves teaching dance and seeing her students develop confidence. She takes pride in her ability to explain movement so that “steps” can become dancing…the more you dance the more fun you’ll have!
Juanita Simanekova
Juanita Simanekova started dancing at a young age and has enjoyed teaching Ballroom and Latin dance in the Nashville area since 2008 when she relocated here to compete with her professional partner. Over the years, she has earned several Rising Star Rhythm Champion titles and is an Open Rhythm Finalists at numerous events throughout the country.
As an experienced instructor Juanita enjoys working with students of all ages in both private and group settings. Seeking ways to be active in the community through dance, Juanita has volunteered to provide lessons during Metro Parks’ Big Band Dances, participated in numerous local fundraising events (“Dancing for Safe Haven”), and has provided instruction at several local high schools for their special events. In addition, Juanita has been fortunate to work with Metro Parks and Friends of Metro Dance in the past to implement a summer program, Music City Ballroom Kids.
Ian Meeks
Ian is a North Carolina native where he started his dance career in show business. Having studied musical theatre, modern, contemporary, tap, jazz, and trained in many other dance styles for 10 years; Ian was a professional traveling around the country until he chose to settle in Nashville.
This is where he discovered one of his greatest loves; teaching dance. Ian still competes professionally in Cabaret and has had considerable success with American Rhythm and Smooth in different seasons of life.
Now Ian focuses on helping others achieve their dance goals. He finds joy and success bringing others onto the stage or competition floor for their very first or hundredth time, and training them to be better than before. Whether your desire is to learn a dance for your wedding or wanting to be the best of the best, Ian will help you get there.
Claire Ramage
Vivacious and entertaining, Claire co-hosts our Saturday Socials, runs the Ballroom Basics group class, and teaches private lessons! She uses a light hearted and energetic approach no matter what she’s doing, hoping every student at the Ballroom of Nashville feels welcomed and at ease. With a resume boasting everything from line dancing, to social salsa, to competitions and performances, Claire’s got you covered. She competes with her students in all styles, and with her professional partner in Smooth and Theatre Arts. Acting as both lead and follow in opposite and same sex partnerships, with students as well as professionals, Claire has acquired a unique versatility and perspective as a teacher. She is focused on finding a way to make dancing feel accessible to all of her students, no matter what role they are in, their experience level, or the material at hand. Her love of dance is inspiring, and her love of teaching is obvious. Claire wants to make sure your lessons feel productive and enjoyable every time you step on the floor, regardless of what you’re working on!
Sean Lyons
Sean began ballroom dancing at the age of 13. Dancing International Latin, he competed domestically and internationally representing Argentina throughout South America, ranking top three in the country. He regularly appears on local television and made appearances in group performances on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. Since then he has studied the roots of Latin dancing (with a focus in salsa) on the island of Cuba alongside top dancers in the world. He has competed in the professional rhythm circuit and is currently focused on teaching and spreading his passion for all styles of dance to everyone in Nashville (and beyond)!
Anne-Marie Fournier
Anne-Marie Fournier is a native of Toronto and has been dancing for as long as she could walk. Her mother was a lifelong dance instructor, and she followed in her mother‘s footsteps literally. She has been a dance instructor for over 30 years and has competed as a professional in many styles of dance throughout the US. Anne-Marie has taught thousands of students how to dance for all types of occasions- whether it be a wedding, business function or just for fun. She works one-on-one with her clients to help them learn while enjoying the process and realizing their dance goals.
Susanna Cranford
Susanna Cranford was born and raised in Nashville, TN. Growing up, she trained in Ballet, tap, hip hop & Jazz. In addition to her dance career, she has an expansive background in musical theatre. She was first introduced to Ballroom in high school and immediately fell in love. When a job opportunity came up to teach Ballroom in Nashville, she immediately jumped in and has yet to look back. Her teaching specialties and certifications include all of the American and Smooth styles, as well as Salsa and other social dances. In her ballroom career she has competed in Open American Rhythm, Theatre Arts, and is about to begin her journey as an American Smooth competitor with her partner, Claire Ramage. She has competed both with students and professionally in Ballroom dance competitions across the country and hopes to continue traveling and building a competitive student body. Teaching dance and performance are her passions and she believes in teaching her students by encouraging them to be the best versions of themselves.
Newell DeFreest
Newell DeFreest is a ballroom, country, and swing dance instructor who has made his career all across the southeast. He teaches American Rhythm, American Smooth, Country dance and West Coast Swing. With over 10 years of experience, he has trained multiple Pro-Am UCWDC world champions. In 2019, Newell and his partner won the UCWDC Division 1 World Championship in Nashville, Tn. Newell looks forward to continuing to train competitive students and furthering his professional competitive career in the ballroom and country dance industries.
JoAnna Senn-Russell
JoAnna Senn-Russell started dancing in her late teens and after discovering a love of ballroom decided to pursue it as a career and didn't look back! Over the years, she has worked as a Pro-Am teacher and competitor, studio manager, and dance director. JoAnna had a great journey in professional competition as well. She and her partner placed in the U.S. Rising Star American Smooth final for three consecutive years and won many other Rising Star and Open American Smooth events. In addition, her Pro-Am students had great success in competition in all four ballroom styles.
JoAnna has not been limited to teaching amateurs. She has trained and coached many professionals in various stages of their careers, including individuals those just starting out in the dance business. This passion for teaching lead JoAnna to become a National Certified Examiner for DVIDA (Dance Vision International Dance Association). This certification allows JoAnna to train and administer examinations for both students and teachers on a Nationally recognized syllabus.
Even with all the years in the dance business, JoAnna still enjoys working with all levels of dancers from beginners to professionals. And perhaps the greatest joy in teaching comes from helping a student discover a concept that was elusive to them only moments before.
Michael Hosale
Michael Hosale was born and raised in Nashville (essentially making him a unicorn!) Just like Michael, his lessons are one in a million! Michael has been competing, coaching and training his students to be the best they can be for almost 30 years. He teaches all four styles of dancing, American rhythm and smooth, and International Latin and Standard. Michael has trained with many of the world's top coaches. He has competed all over the world- both professionally and pro-am. His students always place well in their competitions. Dancing is his love and passion and he enjoys sharing all of the amazing benefits that comes with learning to dance. He brings fun and excitement to every lesson and makes learning to dance easy, fun, and simple!
Marielle Suddarth
Marielle Suddarth started her dance career at eight years old studying the Balanchine method of classical ballet in the pre-professional academy of the Kansas City Ballet School. At sixteen, Marielle transitioned to ballroom and Latin dance, and competed Pro/Am until moving to the United Kingdom to attain her undergraduate degree. Throughout college, Marielle received training from champion coaches across the UK and competed in both International Latin and International Standard styles on the Oxford University Dancesport “A” Team. Marielle now enjoys teaching competitive and social students of all ages in Nashville, TN, and offers lessons in all four styles of traditional ballroom dance; American Rhythm, American Smooth, International Latin, and International Standard. On a mission to continue to develop and share her passion for dance, technique, and body mechanics, Marielle founded BarbellsNBallroom in 2019, where as an NSCA Certified Personal Trainer, Functional Movement Specialist, and an ISSA Corrective Exercise Specialist, she also works with dancers and non-dancers alike to increase their mobility, stamina, and strength, in order to enhance their dance performance, reduce risk of injury, and ensure a long and healthy dance career… And life!
Kalai Myrick
Kalai is a Minnesota girl that relocated to Nashville for school in 2012. She started dancing soon after her graduation in 2016 when a chance West Coast Swing class turned into a job offer. Kalai has trained with some of the top coaches in the world and got Dvida certified in 2019. She volunteers her time to monthly run the Otter Creek Swing dances, and also teaches at Metro's Big Band Dances - which makes dancing free and accessible to anyone who attends. Now Kalai is dancing the competitive circuit with her dance partner Tim Taylor and looking forward to taking students on the road with her.
Danny Pugh
Danny Pugh has been teaching ballroom dance for the past 20 years, specializing in the 4 styles of competitive ballroom dance and has received training from top level national coaches and choreographers. Danny has competed both professionally and Pro- Am and holds several titles across the United States most recently winning pro am titles at Emerald Ball and Ohio Star Ball.
JT Thomas
JT Thomas is a two-time US and World Smooth Champion. She has been studying dance since the age of 7, including earning a BFA in dance from the University of Arizona. She has competed professionally in the Rhythm, Latin, and Theatrical styles as well as Smooth. She coaches all styles of partnership dancing and loves to create choreography for competitive and showdance routines.
JT moved to Nashville in 2013 and it immediately felt like home. In addition to teaching and coaching locally, she is also a national adjudicator and produces shows throughout the country.
With her partner, Tomas Mielnicki, JT has performed numerous shows in the US, Mexico and Poland. They were featured performers on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and in the Disney movie Enchanted. She was also a choreographer for the Fox show So You Think You Can Dance.
Adrienne Hope Hite
Adrienne started dancing at the age of three. At the age of fifteen, she started dancing on a competitive dance team, where she was soon named team captain. She was introduced to various partnership dances in high school, quickly realizing she had a knack for it. She was fortunate enough to pursue ballroom more formally in college, and has been doing so for the past ten years.
After receiving her BFA in Media and Theatre Performance, Adrienne also acquired her DVIDA certification, recognized by the National Dance Council of America, which she is a member of today. She has also won various titles in the American Rhythm competitive circuit. In addition, she is yoga certified, having first been introduced via her love of dance. She received her RYT-600 and is currently pursuing her Master's in Yoga Studies, along with her C-IAYT, Clinical Yoga Therapy Certification. She loves diving deeper into the various aspects of yoga, both physically and mentally. She specifically enjoys cultivating an environment where body awareness, connection, and self-empowerment are fully available to each one of her clients. Adrienne comes from a place of authenticity and integrity, truly meeting her clients where they are. She loves helping people in all walks of life. Whether someone is looking for a challenge, a new hobby, a stress reliever, fitness, or beyond, she tailors the lessons around her students' specific goals and needs. She brings not only her vast knowledge to the lessons, but has been told her encouragement, patience, as well as pushing her students to bring their best to every lesson, is the perfect fit for someone wanting to include either dance or yoga into his/her life.
Dan Sanderson
Dan Sanderson spent his childhood in northeast Arkansas playing sports and enjoying the outdoors. Performance is what Dan loved and eventually he found a position portraying various character roles at Walt Disney World for live guest interactions. Dan moved on to Spend six months in New York City studying entertainment Comedy and performance and after seeing it all finally found the calling he was meant to find, teaching! Dan’s passion for teaching in the love he has for his students is tremendous. Dan began studying Ballroom at age 33 with zero prior experience. Ballroom of Nashville is everything anyone could ask for. Dan is very excited to be a part of this warm impressive community and he looks forward to meeting you.
Tim Taylor
Tim first learned about Ballroom dance when he attended a class at the local library. In college, Tim continued learning though classes and clubs, eventually becoming the President of the Swing Dance Club. One professor told Tim that there are two rules to dancing- keep your partner safe and have fun! After college, Tim started competing as an amateur and eventually started competing as a professional. He is now enjoying his life sharing the joy of dance with others, and competing around the country with his dance partner Kalai Myrick.
Patricia Lefler
Korean born Patricia Lefler started dancing at 2 years old. Patricia’s Mom enrolled her in dance classes because she would dance on the fireplace every time music was played. Patricia put on her first performance at 2 ½. She’s a show girl and loves to make a statement! Patricia has been a choreographer, teacher and coach for over 30 years. Her background is not only in dance, but also martial arts, acro and gymnastics. Patricia loves to mix the elements together to create a unique and memorable routine. She has worked with competitive gymnastics, cheerleading and dance teams, and is grateful to have state and national titles. Known as the 'clean up', 'synchronicity' coach, she loves seeing a group perform as one heart beat! Patricia loves choreographing everything from wedding couples, father-daughter dances, cotillions, show choirs, quinceanera, dance teams, martial art groups to drag queens! She loves to see the confidence glean in her students’ eyes when they have that critical “Aha!” moment. Patricia also loves to give her time and talent to her mission of bringing joy to others. She volunteers for numerous charities and events. She was awarded The Mayor’s Award for her service on helping people with disabilities. She loves bringing her students to nursing homes and military facilities with people struggling from PTSD. Patricia, together with her blind student Peggy, are “The Dancing Peas,” and they have volunteered to teach dance at the Tennessee School for the Blind. They’ve traveled the country and were recognized by Fox News for the difference they’ve made. With the help of her dance partner, Sasan Saati, they started Give-n-Groove, where they get people together to dance for a good cause. They’ve been able to take Give-n-Groove to other cities and hope to resume these events in the near future.
Laynee Day
Laynee Day has spent the entirety of her life in fine arts, singing, dancing, acting, competing, directing, and teaching. She has dedicated her career to studying fine arts, graduating with a B.A. in Applied Voice, and continually learning from internationally renowned coaches in classical dance, theatre, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, American and International Ballroom, Club Latin, and Country. Laynee adapts her teaching style to her students’ goals, making sure to pair technical information with a fun, positive learning environment. After 14 years of teaching dance and fine arts, Laynee continues to enjoy seeing others experience and enjoy dance, whatever their goals may be. She has worked with children and adults of all ages, working with social dancers and wedding couples to choreographing full production numbers. Laynee is currently competing on the West Coast Swing, Country, and Ballroom circuits. Catch her for a dance at our social parties, or find her talking about the joy of dance with her friends and fellow instructors!
Kristin Sanderson
Kristin Sanderson, a Nashville native, grew up dancing since the age of 3, focused on the styles of ballet, jazz and tap. She attended the University of Alabama from 2006-2010 where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Journalism. Kristin interned for a semester as a character performer for the Disney College Program in 2008 and after college she returned to Florida where she performed at both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios for four years. Some of her favorite credits include Disney’s Electrical Parade, Celebrate the Season castle show, the Main Street Trolley Show and the Magic Kingdom Festival of Fantasy parade. Kristin returned to Nashville where she discovered ballroom and social dancing. While teaching she acquired her DVIDA certifications and competed across the country both pro-am and professionally in Smooth, Rhythm and Theatre Arts. She is happy that both her and her husband Dan have found a home at The Ballroom of Nashville. She is eager to share her talents and passion for the life-changing skill of partner dancing and wants to help you reach your dance goals!
Laurie Schwimmer
-Picture & Bio Coming Soon-
Luisana DiFiore
-Picture & Bio Coming Soon-
Jack Gardner
-Picture & Bio Coming Soon-
Austin Jauregui
-Picture & Bio Coming Soon-