INSTRUCTORS & COACHES
All Dance Obsession teachers are licensed members of the National Association of Dance Instructors.  Our teachers love dancing and are eager to convey their enthusiasm to all their students.  In their own words....

Barney & Debbie
Barney & Debbie Aquilino have been teaching ballroom dancing for 30 years and have owned Dance Obsession for over 22 years.  After only a few short years of dancing together professionally, they won the US Rising Star Ballroom Championships in foxtrot, bolero, swing & mambo.  In the years following that accomplishment, they placed in the top 6 finalists in every professional competition they entered.  After their first child, they took a break from competing but returned several years later competing in a new division - international Latin.  They retired from professional competition in 1998 to add another child to their family.

During the time that they were competing professionally, Barney & Debbie opened Dance Obsession and continued teaching students.  They love dancing and have retained all their professional techniques, which they freely share with their students.  As Barney says "In addition to being fun and  great exercise, the benefits of dancing are endless.  It can totally change your whole world.  When you study ballroom dancing, you become part of a world filled with glamour, excitement and lots of fun.  Most ballroom dancers stay in great shape and appear ageless." 

Rosalie
I have been dancing since I was 21 - ballet, jazz and modern dance.  I began ballroom in my early 20's as a student and soon started competing.  After many years of lessons and competitions, I decided I wanted to teach and give back to others what I had learned physically and emotionally.  I love to dance and love music.  When I dance, I am in my own world of fun, peace, contentment and total happiness!  I love to teach and share my love for the art, and hope to enrich people's lives with a hobby that will provide them with much enjoyment.  I feel dancing is a form of exercise and definitely relieves stress.  Dancing is fun for all ages, singles, couples, etc.  I enjoy all my students and especially like working with couples who are preparing their wedding dance!  The ultimate reward is they return from their honeymoon with their wedding pictures & videos of their first dance.  How many people can say they love their job as much as I love mine!  "Dance like there's no-one watching!"

John
I've taught ballroom dancing for 20 years (15 at Dance Obsession).  Over the years, I've taught a wide range of students - some who are brushing up old skills, others who are brand new to dancing, singles, couples, males, females, some are social dancers and others love to compete.  I believe that with patience - and having steps & movements explained numerous ways - anyone can become a dancer.  In addition to being a great stress reliever, dancing is a way to meet and make new friends.

Rita
After many years of teaching ballroom dance, I joined the staff at Dance Obsession over eight years ago.  My teaching philosophy is "anyone can learn to dance".  Although no two people have the same ability or drive, everyone can master basic steps and achieve a sense of accomplishment and contentment.  I enjoy working with everyone, regardless of their ability and take pride in seeing my students succeed.

Joey
For the past 20 years, I've been teaching ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical and workshops for some of the top performing arts studios in the metro NY area.  In addition to teaching, I've performed with various artists (including Liza Minenelli, The Village People and C&C Music Factory).  Now teaching ballroom dancing, I've worked with some of the top coaches in the US and was a finalist in the World Open Hustle Dance Championships.  I have been at Dance Obsession for nearly five years.  I believe "if you can walk, you can dance" and love to convince my students of this!  In addition to teaching social dancing, I also compete with my students frequently and hone their technique.

Alison
Alison is thrilled to be returning to the Dance Obsession staff after completing a Fulbright Fellowship in Germany.  Though she had to take a brief hiatus to pursue the grant, she has been a part of the Dance Obsession family since she started dancing in 1989.  Her favorite aspect of teaching is discovering the different personalities of her students and helping them express those qualities on the dance floor.

Jaime
I started teaching ballroomd dancing five years ago and have been a member of the Dance Obsession staff for three years.  I truly believe that teaching is an honor!  I take pride in having the opportunity to teach people how to dance.  Seeing my students dance is a wonderful gift and provides a sense of achievement - for them as well as for me!  Anyone and everyone is capable of dancing - there is no such thing as "two left feet".

COACHES
In addition to providing customized choreography, coaches offer dancers a myriad of opportunities.  Coaches who have worked with Dance Obsession students include:  Ed Simon, Tony Meredith, Ian Folker, Peggy Heeney, Max & Yulia, Marianne Nicole, Amy Block and Bill Davies.