Meet the Dance Professionals

Meet Our Professional Dance Instructors

Asya &Oleg Dimitrov
Asya is dancing with Dan Crisafulli
Oleg is dancing with Kerry A. Bartlett

The husband and wife dance team of Asya and Oleg Dimitrov will be participating for their first time in Dancing with Vero’s Stars. Asya began her training in Ballet in Europe at age 8 and later moved on to Ballroom Dancing. It was then Asya and Oleg met, over twenty years ago. Both Asya and Oleg have represented their native Bulgaria competing all over Europe in International Style Ballroom. From1997-1998, Asya and Oleg represented South Africa and they won the Gold Cup in the Durban Open Championship in 1998. He was recognized as top teacher for New York State in 1999-2000 by the Fred Astaire Dance Company. Together they placed in the top 6 in the Miami World Championship for Argentine Tango in 2002. They are the owners and dance instructors at the Royal Ballroom Dance Studio located in K-Mart Plaza in Vero Beach, and in addition to the Tango, they are proficient in most styles of dance including Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Salsa, Merengue, Cha Cha, Mambo, Jive/Swing, Paso Doble, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz and Bolero.

“Knowing that the Healthy Start Coalition was an important charity in assisting single mothers and children in Indian River County, we are thrilled to be asked to participate in this year’s event. As one of the largest dance studios in Vero Beach, we wanted the Royal Ballroom to be part of such a prestigious annual event.”

Bob Kane
Bob is dancing with Cheryl Gerstner

Bob Kane is a storm shutter contractor/manufacturer by day and then rolls out his unsurpassed passion for dance by night as Vice President of USA Dance Space Coast Chapter, and Director of "Dance-on Space Coast." Bob, a resident of Melbourne, Florida, is welcomed back again this year. As the organizer for Dancing With Brevard for 3 years, and 1st place winner in 2008, Bob brings us his vast experience of dancing skills, as well as offering his tricks to success in operating a local dance competition such as our “Dance.” Bob, a father to two sons and one daughter, proud grandfather to two granddaughters as well as a coach and sponsor for city league sports for over 15 years….is representing his compassion for children’s initiatives as those supported by the Healthy Start Coalition.

James Martin
James is dancing with Annamarie LaBella

James Martin has been involved with the 14th Avenue Dance Studio for nine years. He is “hooked” on swing dancing above all other styles of dance and continues to take lessons and assist Shari and Joe Tessier whenever the need is there. As an occupation, James is a Software Developer and a Computer Gamer. He loves comedy and movies and has an upbeat personality which makes him a great fit to be participating again in Dancing with Vero’s Stars.

“I danced last year with Tatiana Dyer to a modern Swing song. We were great! I wanted to participate again in this event because I want to get more people dancing, enjoy giving something back and I think this is a good cause to be apart of.”

Patti Rooney
Patti is dancing with Tony Della Porta

Patti Rooney relocated to Vero Beach from the windy city of Chicago in 2006. She is no stranger to the world of entertainment or dancing for that matter. Patti has appeared in numerous commercials, music videos, stage productions, television shows and danced in various stage productions including the famous Radio City Music Hall Rockette’s Christmas Show. Closer to home, Patti has worked as executive director of a charitable trust, financial controller and business owner. As owner of Rooney Bookkeeping Service, Patti works with a client base that ranges from medical practitioners and professionals to landscaper and retail developers. Her passion, however, lies in the philanthropic arena, supporting the work of non-profits locally and internationally. She currently serves as CFO of Sebastian’s By The River, a 41 unit independent residential community for low-income seniors. And by the way, if we didn’t mention this, Patti was one of the star dancers in the inaugural competition and performed so well, she has been promoted to be one of our nine star instructors. Welcome Bank Patti!

"I am excited about dancing to benefit the Healthy Start Coalition again and I hope that my efforts will enhance the capabilities of this vital organization."

Harry Sark
Harry is dancing with Brenda Lloyd

Harry Sark, originally from Bulgaria, has been in Vero Beach since 2008. He works as an instructor of dance at the Royal Ballroom in Vero Beach, owned and operated by two other of our dance instructors, Asya and Oleg Dimitrov. Harry began his career in dancing at the age of 6 and competed for more than 14 years. He was both a semi finalist and a finalist at more than 10 European International Dance Sport Federation competitions and a champion of Bulgaria National competition. He has more than four years of experience in teaching ballroom to children and adults.

“My love for dancing and the interest in helping a charity was a combination I couldn’t ignore. I am excited to be part of the team to help the IRC Healthy Start Coalition.”

Shari & Joe Tessier
Shari is dancing with David W. Busch
Joe is dancing with Awilda Rivera

Joe and Shari Tessier formed the dance performance team "Swingsation" and began competing, performing, and entertaining throughout Brevard and Indian River counties in the late 1990’s. Following an ambitious schedule of public performances at the Special Olympics, working with the popular swing group "Big Bad Voodoo Daddy," performing for the Daytona 500 Grand National Ball with Host Jay Leno from the "Tonight Show" and the nationally broadcasted Orange Bowl half time show, they found their way to perform for the Vero Beach “Downtown Friday” Street Festival and knew, in an instant, their destiny was in Vero Beach. They opened Swingsation's 14th Ave. Dance Studio in 2000. Their flair for teaching, their youth and ability to build a strong presence as professional dancers and solid, experienced teaching abilities to the community, Joe and Shari quickly became favorites amongst the residents of Vero and Jensen Beaches. In fact, one will discover with a visit to their website, www.DJandDanceProductions.com, a schedule of their offerings including group classes, private lessons and dance socials in both Vero Beach and Jensen Beach.

“Through the years we have worked with many charitable organizations and are thrilled to once again be on the planning committee of the Healthy Start Coalition's “Dancing With Vero's Stars.” We believe in helping at risk mother's and babies in Indian River County. To be able to accomplish it through dance is an exciting venture for everyone involved and we are ecstatic to be part of it.”

NOTE: Joe and his partner Pam Director were the highest scoring couple in the inaugural 2009 Dancing with Vero’s Stars.

Joseph Wynes
Joseph is dancing with Rebecca F. Emmons

Joe is an independent dance instructor from Sebastian, Florida. His Friday night group social dance classes at the Sebastian Community Center have introduced the fun of ballroom dancing to people of all ages and walks of life. He also teaches private classes for individual students, couples and small groups at Dance Space’s Sebastian Studio. Joe began his teaching career in 1973 as an instructor of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia after receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Education from the State University of New York and Master of Fine Arts degree from the Maryland Institute in Baltimore. In 1981 Joe shifted gears and began training for a career in the health care field as a Respiratory Therapist. Following his move to Florida in 1988, Joe was first introduced to ballroom dancing by a talented nurse who encouraged him to begin dance training and ultimately to enter into a few dance competitions as her partner. In 2006 he started “Desire to Dance” with the philosophy that social dancing is an enjoyable and healthy activity that can be enjoyed by anyone. His mission is to offer cost effective dance instruction and to serve as an ambassador of social dance both within and outside of the local community. Joe’s website www.desiretodance.com can provide extensive information about his background and experience.

“To be included in the line-up of dance instructors for the second year is quite an honor for me since, at one time or another, most of them were, or still are, my teachers. All are truly an inspiration and I am pleased to call them all my friends. We are united in supporting the vision of the Healthy Start Coalition to benefit our area’s future dancers.”