Our Staff
Piper Glen Ballroom Instructors and Staff. See All Photos.
Dimitrijus Sazinas
Dimitrijus Sazinas, born and raised in Lithuania, was exposed to dance in his very early years by his mother, a former ballerina and folk dancer. In his youth, he began to take Ballroom and Latin classes, and his interest in the sport peaked to competitive levels. Once in America, he continued to pursue his passion for dance, and currently competes at the top Professional level, Nationally and Internationally, in the Open International Standard Division. He has won several competitions and is a finalist in some the largest competitions throughout the nation. He is currently second in the nation and 8th in the world in the Classical Showdance Division. Dimitrijus is also the owner of Piper Glen Ballroom one of the leading Ballrooms in the South East.
Along with his passion to dance comes his passion to teach. He says "Teaching gives me the opportunity to share one of the greatest things in my life," and he hopes, as the owner of Piper Glen Ballroom, he is able to share with others the joy that dancing can bring.
Erica Sazinas
Erica Sazinas, born in Argentina, began to dance in her youth. Her inspiration came from her native country and obvious home of the Argentine Tango. Her love and passion for dancing only become stronger throughout the years. She began intense training with world renowned coaches and choreographers, and she currently competes at the top Professional level, Nationally and Internationally, in the Open Professional international Standard Division. She has won several competitions throughout the nation and is currently ranked second in the Nation and 8th in the world in the Professional Classical Showdance Division "Dancing is expression without words, anything I feel, but cannot say... I can dance." She enjoys teaching as well, and feels that being able to share her passion is a gift. She believes that it's not every day that people can do what they truly love.
John Willoughby
John Willoughby has spent most of his life on the stage. Growing up in the small town of Mt. Gilead, North Carolina, John quickly began doing theatre work. He studied musical theatre and voice at performance conservatories in New York City. During his studies and performances on the stage, John began studying Ballroom and Latin dance. This quickly became his true love. He has worked for nationally recognized franchises throughout the country. He is currently a competitive American Smooth dancer and has won awards as top teacher, and placed as finalist and winner of competitions throughout the country. His students have won top student awards. John hopes to bring a strong love and passion for dancing, whether it be competitive or social. He believes that dancing brings about powerful change and demonstrates that anyone can be anything he or she wants to be. If he can dance, anyone can!!
Lucianne Hamilton
Max Maleshko
Max was born in 1982 in Siberia, Russia. He started dancing Ballroom at age 11. He was 3 times Siberian Champion, finalist of Russian Open Championship, finalist of European International Championships in Italy, Finland, France and Denmark. He also danced for the Open to the World Championship in Latin Division, and in 2007 in the Florida State Championship in Standard Professional Division.
After 2 years of teaching at one of the most successful dance studios in Florida, he re-established a professional partnership and competed in Florida.
In 2007, Max became a part of the Piper Glen Ballroom family, and is teaching both social and competitive students in all dance styles. In the studio, Max is known as “The Torturer” because of his emphasis on the importance of technique as the foundation of Ballroom dancing.
After 2 years of teaching at one of the most successful dance studios in Florida, he re-established a professional partnership and competed in Florida.
In 2007, Max became a part of the Piper Glen Ballroom family, and is teaching both social and competitive students in all dance styles. In the studio, Max is known as “The Torturer” because of his emphasis on the importance of technique as the foundation of Ballroom dancing.
Pavel Antanovich
Pavel, or “Pasha,” as he is known to most, was born in Belarus in 1985. He started dancing when he was 8 years old.
His biggest accomplishments are as follows: in 1994 he placed 1st in his first competition, in 1998 he performed the 10- dance at the Belarus National Championship, and also represented Belarus in the World Championships, placing 44th out of almost 100 couples. In 2005 Pasha received 2nd place in Nationals in Belarus, and then represented his country in Germany at the World Championships, where he placed 52nd out of 600 couples.
Pasha is a soccer player, and has played competitively for 6 years. He enjoys racing cars. In the studio, he is known as “The Comedian” because he always has a laugh or a joke to share.
His biggest accomplishments are as follows: in 1994 he placed 1st in his first competition, in 1998 he performed the 10- dance at the Belarus National Championship, and also represented Belarus in the World Championships, placing 44th out of almost 100 couples. In 2005 Pasha received 2nd place in Nationals in Belarus, and then represented his country in Germany at the World Championships, where he placed 52nd out of 600 couples.
Pasha is a soccer player, and has played competitively for 6 years. He enjoys racing cars. In the studio, he is known as “The Comedian” because he always has a laugh or a joke to share.
Daniel Gonzalez
Daniel Gonzalez was born in Colombia, South America in 1991. He began dancing at a very young age. Daniel started Latin American folkloric dancing at age 10, and shortly thereafter discovered an interest in Ballroom Dancing. Since then, Daniel has proven himself a passionate dancer and teacher. He was 2006 Junior World Pro-Am Champion at the Ohio Star Ball. He was also Youth Amateur Finalist in many competitions in the United States; 2008 United States Latin Pre Champ National Champion, Third in the United States Overall Youth Amateur Dancesport circuit, and is currently in the top 20 in the Open Amateur Latin Division in the USA Dance circuit. Daniel currently trains with some of the world’s finest Latin dance instructors and competes in the top National as well as international competitions.
Nataly Ramirez
Nataly Ramirez, born in New York in 1989, found herself in Charlotte at age 3, and has been here ever since. Nataly has been dancing from a very young age; she started as a Latin American Folkloric Dancer then went on to compete in Salsa competitions. At age 17, Nataly began Ballroom Dancing, and she quickly found her niche as a Latin Dancesport Competitor. Nataly has gone on to prove herself as one of the top youth amateur female dancers in the United States. She was Third in the overall United States Amateur circuit, and a finalist in many National Dancesport competitions in the United States. She is currently in the top 20 Open Amateur Latin Division the USA Dance circuit. Nataly is a passionate teacher who maintains a strong focus on the technical aspects of Latin dancing. She currently trains with some of the best Latin dance instructors in the world. This Latin-blooded dancer is a serious competitor in National as well as international competitions.