Meet our Staff
Academy Ballroom offers dance instruction and/or partnerships from a range of sources:
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Johnny Tang
Standard, Latin, Smooth, Theatre Arts
- NDCA registered as Pro/Am Teacher/competitor
- USTA Certified Theater Arts, International Standard, International Latin, American Smooth
and American Rhythm
- Johnny and his wife Heather have danced together for over 10 years since college. In addition to training adult dancers for all levels, the Tangs work together as a team training our youth dancers in their weekly Family Ballroom group class.
- Available evenings and weekends by appointment johnnytang@comcast.net
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Heather
Rhythm, Smooth, Ballet/Tap/Jazz for children
- Dancing since age 3 and teaching for 10 years!
- Danced for Hampton and Virginia Ballets, studied with NY Ballet Company
- Artistic Director and Choreographer for the Thomas Nelson College Dance Team
- Instructor for the East Tennessee Chinese School Cultural Dance Program
- Specializes in introducing young children to dance
- Available by appointment,
contact: heathertang@comcast.net
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Charles Gibbs
Smooth, Rhythm
Charles has background as an opera singer and voice instructor. He was first introduced to ballroom dance
as part of his opera performances.
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Rana
Smooth, Rhythm
Originally from Egypt, Rana has loved dancing since she was a child. Rana says dancing makes her a happier
person. "When I worry too much, I dance. I wish everyone could enjoy it as much as I do."
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Richard Bull
Smooth, Rhythm
Richard is an experienced ballroom instructor who has recently returned to the
Knoxville area as the new owner of the studio. At 6'2", Richard is our tallest instructor.
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Walter Hayes
Rhythm, Smooth
Walter is a recent graduate of UT, with a BA in Theater. Originally from Memphis, he lives to
entertain, dances to live! "Laugh now, cry later!"
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Jeremy Norris
Rhythm, Smooth, Theater Arts, Latin, Standard
Jeremy is an NDCA registered professional instructor, dance sport trainer and competitor,
whose dance team successfully competes in local, regional and national competitions.
Jeremy trains newcomer through professional level dancers.
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Greg Carney
HipHop
Greg is an accomplished local performer with many years experience performing and
teaching HipHop from
beginning (aerobics) level, through the mastery series.
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Emily Loyless
Rhythm, Smooth, Theater Arts, Latin, Standard
Emily began her dance career training in flamenco, the traditional dance of Spain.
She brings her fire and passion from this dance to the floor in her latin dancing. After
a few intro salsa lessons, she fell in love with the rhythms of latin dancing and has
been training in latin and ballroom ever since.
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...and other independent local instructors who teach on an occasional basis
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Cathy Jiao
Standard, Smooth, Latin, Rhythm
Originally from China, Cathy has a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from
Penn State. She is a research
scientist at the Oak Ridge National Lab.
Cathy has studied and performed a variety of dance styles:
Chinese cultural dance, Belly dance, Hip Hop, and Ballroom. She is currently
an instructor for the East Tennessee Chinese School Cultural Dance Program.
Cathy loves the passion of Latin and the elegance of International Standard.
In 2006, Cathy began to study all 19 ballroom dances in
International and American styles under the direction of Johnny Tang. Today,
she continues to enjoy Pro/Am competetions with Johnny, while she prepares
herself to become a professional ballroom instructor in the future.
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Igor Litvinov & Julia Ivleva
Standard
- 2006 Ohio Star Ball Showdance winners
- 2007 Hotlanta Standard Ballroom winners
- Ranked #2 in the U.S.
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David Medeiros of Nashville
Smooth, Standard, Rhythm, Latin, and Theater Arts
- Ranked in the top six Rhythm Dance Champions
- 2000 Can-Am Open Pro-Rising Star American Rhythm
- Former 9-dance champion, two-time U.S. Top Teacher
- Organizer of the
Volunteer State Dance Challenge
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Tanya’s love for Ballroom and Latin Dance began in Las Vegas in 1994.
Since moving to Atlanta a few years ago, she has enjoyed being a motivating instructor
committed to her students’ goals.
Students can rely on her expertise and patience in assisting them to achieve their
aspirations. Tanya teaches both social and competitive dance and does choreography
for shows, weddings and special events. She dances competitively with her students
as well as professionally with her partner, Josh Jones. She is a member of the
National Dance Council of America and is certified with Dance Vision
International Dance Association and Fred Astaire Dance Studios.
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