Senior Certified Masters
Maria Hansen
Aliso Viejo, CAMaria Hansen was born October 25, 1967 in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The daughter of a career military father, she lived in many different areas in the United States and Germany. Eventually, the family settled in Central Texas.
As a child, Maria's mother enrolled her a variety of activities in the physical arts. Throughout her childhood, Maria had extensive training in ballet, jazz, gymnastics, baton twirling and musical training in the flute and piccolo. Maria performed in numerous shows and competitions and was often at the top of her class in each activity.
Maria loved these activities and found herself with a natural talent for them. She was also a dedicated academic student and enjoyed studying biology in particular.
After she graduated from high school, Maria attended university in Dallas, Texas. With her fascination and love of biology, her career choice at that time of her life was to become a nurse with a specialty in physical therapy. However, she could not stay away from dance for very long. She discovered a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in 1986 near the university and never looked back.
Maria excelled in learning this new form of dance. She loved experiencing movement with a partner and studied and competed in all styles... American Smooth and Rhythm, International Latin and Ballroom.
Three years later she decided to move to California to pursue her studies and career in Ballroom Dance. After competing successfully in all 4 styles, she decided to specialize in the International Ballroom style.
Throughout her journey, Maria became a 7 times United States finalist in the International Ballroom division, winning the Silver medal in 1994. She competed all over the World and was proud to represent the United States in the Blackpool Team Match in 1995. She was featured numerous times on the PBS special "America's Ballroom Challenge" and won the Showdance event at Ohio Star Ball in 1997.
Tragically, in 1999, Maria had to make the difficult decision to retire from Professional competition due to a neck injury. The pain was intense and it sent Maria on a mission to discover what had caused her injury and why she couldn't seem to correct it.
Her quest eventually led her to the renowned CHEK Institute in San Diego, CA. It was there that she finally found an answer. When Maria was 18 years old, she was involved in a car accident that had resulted in whiplash. The whiplash caused a reverse curve in her neck, which then created a great imbalance through the musculature of the neck. Even though she had been treated for the whiplash, the imbalances had never truly been corrected. The years of dancing took their toll.
Under the tutelage of a CHEK trainer, Maria discovered a newfound freedom in her body and was amazed at the difference she experienced when her body became more structurally sound and balanced. She was able to "sense" her body in a way that she had not before and became very excited at pursuing more knowledge in this area.
Maria began studying biomechanics and exercise kinesiology at the CHEK Institute. She was especially interested in learning to recognize imbalances and how they can affect free movement. She became certified through the CHEK Institute as a practitioner, specializing in postural correction and movement analysis.
Maria has a great love for teaching and enjoys working with people of all levels and ages. Her goal is to empower people to become the best that they can be in a positive environment of learning. She truly cares for her students and is dedicated to helping them find joy in their journey of dance.
This is what led her to the Baricchi Institute and the Baricchi Method of Movement. Maria has always had great respect for not only the dance ability of Luca Baricchi, but also his teaching methods. She became fascinated by his teachings on Instinctive Perception and the Psychology of Movement. She believes that Luca's studies in these areas is the key to discovering incredible mobility, balance and freedom in movement, which in turn, guides each dancer to express their true authentic self. In this way, artists are born. Maria finds a great synergy in the study of the Baricchi Method with her own teachings and is now also proudly certified with the Baricchi Method of Movement.
Knowledge is Power. Awareness is Everything.
Tomomi Iezumi
Tokyo, JapanTomomi Iezumi was born in Aomori, Japan. She began her Ballroom Dance career at the age of 18 in her hometown. During her childhood she experienced various arts as Ballet, Gymnastics etc. From her first dance lesson experience she had in her life, Tomomi understood Ballroom Dancing was her passion and vocation.
After a while Tomomi decided to move to Tokyo to continue her study and devote herself to the art of Dance. Immediately after her relocation she partnered with a young dancer from Tochigi, Japan and together they started their professional career.
Due to the big number of dancers in Japan, the professional field is structured in classes: E, D, C, B, A. Their evolution was so impressive, it took them only five years to reach the highest level of professionals, this fast progression is rarely achieved.
During her amazing career she archived the following results: Grand finalist in JBDF from 2000 to 2009 Grand finalist in JNCPD from 2004 to 2008 5th place UK Rising Star Ballroom Professional Championships 1999. 13 times Show dance Japanese Grand finalist, which is the highest record in Japan (this record remains unchallenged) Winner of All Kanto Championship Winner of Tokyo Dance Championship Winner of many more.
After an enormous successful career she took a decision to retire from competitions in 2009.
Tomomi's sensitivity guided her to always search for natural and pure movement, something she struggled to find as many questions and difficulties could not be answered until she was introduced to the Baricchi Method. This method deeply amazed her, finally she could find the answers to the many questions and start her pursuit for natural and pure movement.
Soon after the introduction to Baricchi Method, Tomomi with her partner started to constantly follow Mr Baricchi’s workshops, lectures and personal development lessons by literally following Mr Baricchi in every country and location he was sharing his knowledge and insight on the Art of Movement.
Tomomi continues to develop her knowledge and skills as a Master of Movement of the Baricchi Method by continuing her studies within the Institute, Tomomi believes Movement is endless, Art is endless and therefore learning and discovering is endless too.
Tomomi has a strong yet humble personality although she is very important part of the Institute being the principal Master teacher at Baricchi Institute of Movement and Art in Japan.
Everyday she is passionately guiding, nurturing and inspiring her students to become great dancers and exponents of the Baricchi Method.
Certified Masters
Yegor Novikov
Los Angeles, CAYegor Novikov was born in Samara, Russia, where he started ballroom dancing at the age of 9. In 2004 he moved to a small town of Everett, WA, where he met Olga Foraponova and got introduced to American Smooth for the very first time. Yegor could not ask for more perfect atmosphere, that studio welcomed him with. Even though from the age of 17 Yegor was enjoying discovering the world of International Latin American dancing, making his way up to the US National Professional pedestal as well as becoming a champion of Blackpool, UK Open, International championships in Pro RS, as well as other dance championships, American Smooth was something he always admired and was intrigued by. In 2014 Yegor decided to find out more about the Smooth and started competing in this new and exiting style. In the first year of competing with his stunning partner, Alexandra Smirnova, they became finalists in the US National and World Championship as well as Blackpool dance festival finalists later on. And now Yegor and Alexandra are grateful to be able share their vision of American Smooth with the Ballroom Dance World.
Christian Solares
San Francisco Bay Area, CAChristian Solares was born and raised in Marin County, California, just north of the San Francisco. From age 7 through adolescence, he was an avid martial artist, trained in Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo, and kickboxing. It was not until he was 12 that Christian was introduced to dancing, though initially he had little to no interest. Fortunately, taking lessons in the Latin American style sparked a desire for more, and he soon fell in love with International Ballroom as well. No stranger to athletics, Christian entered the competitive dance world and had the opportunity to work with many knowledgeable teachers from different styles over the span of eight years as an amateur competitor. In his recent transition to the professional field, he is now exploring the wonderful world of American Smooth to add to his experience. With a variety of trainers and a keen fascination with the Ballroom and Latin Technique, Christian is always seeking deeper and more specific information to enhance his knowledge of dance. When he was first exposed to the Baricchi Method at a lecture series, Christian immediately recognized that it was a potential path designed to bridge his technical knowledge with the psychology of movement, biomechanics, and creativity that the Institute encourages. Upon further exposure, Christian found acceptance of his own natural perception of movement, along with a community of brilliant people with a strong passion for introspection on both a kinesthetic and cognitive level. Christian firmly believes in constant learning, exploration, and awareness of mind, body and soul.
Alexander Bell
Cleveland, OHBefore being introduced to ballroom dancing, Alexander was competing in Track and Cross Country. He excelled in these disciplines well enough that he won many titles and college scholarships from around the country. During his first year in high school he was training with his sports team were he received a very serious injury. The doctors that he immediately consulted said he wouldn’t be able to compete again. Alexander sought out special therapy and wondered what would be next in his life. One day, Alexander and his mother drove by a local ballroom dance studio which peaked their interests. Alexander consulted with his sports doctor if he could try it, in which his sports doctor agreed that this would speed up his recovery process. Since then Alexander would juggle between ballroom dancing, sports, and college classes the remainder of his high school years. When high school was coming to an end, Alexander’s passion for dance was becoming cemented into his pathway of life. The desire to develop and passion for dance began to open many doors and opportunities. When Alexander was competing in Pro/Am competitions, he was becoming more intrigued with movement. He would have the great opportunity of being able to work with the amazing Maria Hansen . Who would ultimately plant the seed in helping Alexander to discover the Baricchi Method, and then being able to with work with Luca Baricchi himself. Alexander loves the effortlessness and individualism that the method provides, which makes the dancer unique in their own right while keeping a very high quality of movement. Having a structured method of movement is very important in teaching and dancing so the dancer doesn’t get lost during the development process. With the values of the method being placed on the artistry, naturalness, and self discovery this helps give the dance community a great direction of evolution for any level of dancer.
Tony Nunez
Laguna Hills, CAAntonio Vicente Núñez (Tony Nunez ) grew up in New York where he was heavily involved in Salsa, Merengue, and many of the Caribbean's African rooted folkloric dances. As he got older his mother pushed him into ballet, modern, and later hip hop. He learned ballroom dancing as a teenager and quickly became certified to teach at only 17 years old. Ballroom quickly replaced most other dance styles as Tony's passion, when he realized just how impactful this style can be to the soul and pyche of all of his students. After finally finding the right professional partner, he is now able to take what he teaches artistically to his students to the professional floor on a regular competitive basis. Tony and his partner are currently competing in professional rhythm and smooth and have recently made it to the US final in the 9 dance division. They have also danced in the final of the world Mambo and World Salsa championships. Having diverse a background of professional, competitive, and social dancing with a street flare, Tony strives to put authenticity in all he teaches and performs. With his degree in Education, he has been teaching now for 17 years. His background in Education, affords him the opportunity to inspire people on a deeper level. For him, dancing (particularly partner dancing), is the vehicle that brings true self awareness and therefore ultimate fulfillment regardless of the background, orientation, gender or ability.
Alexandra Smirnova
Los Angeles, CAAlexandra Smirnova (Sasha Smirnova) was born in Almaty, Kazakhstan and started her ballroom dance journey at the age of 11 at her parents’ dance studio. Mother of Alexandra, Tatiana Smirnova was a professional ballerina in her youth and later switched to ballroom dancing after meeting Sasha’s father Leonid Smirnov who was a ballroom dance teacher at that time but came from folk dancing background. Sasha’s parents were her only teachers and did both Ballroom and Latin until she moved to the US at the age of 19 to a beautiful city of San Diego, California, where she only continued dancing Standard for a couple of years. But later due to a long and unsuccessful partnership search Sasha stopped dancing for a year and was considering quitting for good. Although it wasn’t the case because there was Toe-knee Red who out of the blue pulled her back to dancing again. Toni suggested to try American Smooth Style which Alexandra fell in love with from the first try. “I’m going to be forever grateful to this inspirational woman with unbelievable passion and love to what she does, I don’t think I would have been dancing now if it wasn’t for her”. And all that, after a year of experiencing dancing American Smooth, brought her a partnership with the most talented and inspirational dancer, Yegor Novikov . They became US National and World Championship finalists in their first year of dancing together and later on became Blackpool Dance Festival finalists. “And now for us it’s such an honor to be a part of Baricchi Institute of Movement and Art which brings dancing and teaching experience on a very new level. We are so excited to evolve and share our knowledge with everyone.”
Oxana Kashkina
Laguna Hills, CAOxana Kashkina was born in Siberia. She grew up dancing 10 dance as well as ballet, and with her amateur partner traveled all over Europe to compete in very prestigious events. After coming to the US, she worked for and trained under Nadia Eftedal as she took to American style very naturally. Oxana has pro am students that she competes with an all 4 styles. She currently professionally competes with Antonio in 9 dance all over the US and has recently made the US final.
Tomas Surovec
Nitra, SlovakiaSurovec Tomáš started dancing when he was 12 years old. His best friends from the “street” crew started to dance Ballroom so Tomas and his sister decided to follow them. He started to love the atmosphere of Ballroom dances from the first training. He was also enchanted by the combination of classic ballroom dances and dynamic latin. What’s more, he had a great motivation at the beginning... It was one beautiful girl from the course ! After 5 years, thanks to their great teachers, Tomas and his sister reached the “S” class category and the real competitive dancing has started. During his dance career he had achieved some great results, which was a great motivation for Tomas. He was in the national Top team as finalists of the national championships in the category of youth and adults. Tomas and his sister danced 10 dance and they could never decide, which style they prefer more, standard or latin. In 10 dance they achieved their best results. Slovak National Champions in 2005, 1/4 finalist at the World championships in Melbourne in 2004, 1/4 finalist at World Cup in Liege in 2005. Once or twice Tomas and his sister participated in Tango Argentino competitions. Tango Argentino was a great time to take a break from the Ballroom dance environment, so they were able to achieved a great result such as finalist at GOC in 2003. As a couple they also had passion for exhibitions style, in Slovakia they have a National championships in these disciplines. This started to be a new goal for Tomas and his sister to understand how competitive dancing could touch the audience because of expressions and story of the dance. They also had a lot of fun creating the story and choreography with their main coach and choreographer Petr Horácek. Thanks to this period of their career, they became 5 times Slovak National Champions in exhibition style. After finishing their competitive dance career in 2007 Tomas was also a part of the national TV show “Dancing with the stars” for three seasons . He was dancing with two actors so they really helped him a lot with understanding how to express emotions. That was the first experience in his life where he felt that emotional dance can touch the audience meanwhile with competitive dancing was still about technique. Because of these experiences Tomas decided to study acting at the conservatory. This period really helped to realize that dancing could have two sides: movement and expression. In 2012 he got a great opportunity to perform at the dance show “Just dance”. This show has been played in the theater and started to be famous because of the popularity of ballroom dancing in that period of time (thanks to the TV show Dancing with the Stars). These seasons Tomas loved the most, he really felt that ballroom dancing brought more than technique and mechanics of the body. Audience enjoyed each part of the show and this feeling remained really deep inside of Tomas. Nowadays days Tomas is the main dance teacher for ballroom dance style (standard and latin) , CEO and co-owner of dance school Akadémia tanca. Dance school cooperates with more than 30 teachers (nationally and also internationally) for different dance styles. The goal is to find a way to teach movement in the most efficient and natural way.
Tony Tajuki Oka
Osaka, JapanTony Takuji Oka was born on 23 March 1964 in Okayama, Japan.
Since young age Tony was always great at any physical activities.
He also played the saxophone as one of members of brass band in his high school.
At the age of 18 they both joined competitive dance club in Ehime University where he met Anita Ikue Takamiya. They partnered each other on the second year and kept their partnership for all their career.
They danced in the university league and the amateur league, due to their success Hirotada Torii (former world 10 dance champion) invited them to teach in his studio.
Once they graduated from university they decided to turn professionals and in the next year they suddenly got in the prestigious final of Asahi Tako Cup Open Championship. Being young professional competitors Tony and Anita were very exited to make that final where in adjudicating panel there were 3 World champions . Hirotada Torii hurried to teach them how to dance Viennese Waltz before their final. They danced it on the floor of the championship final round for the first time.
In 1991 it was the first time they went to England to study dancing deeper. One of the first lessons in London was with Hans Laxholm. They saw a beautiful couple that was learning from Hans. Tony and Anita were impressed to see them and thought ''What splendid movement! What fresh charm!" That young man was Luca Baricchi, when he was an amateur competitor.
From 1992 to 1996 they won JBDF West Japan Standard Champions and in 1996 they were runners-up in JBDF Japan 10 Dance Championship.
Although they have retired from competitive career they still continue their education. Mr Baricchi is and has been always one of the most important influences in their growth. They have also been studying with Mr Kayano a master of movement and body structure) Now Kayano is one of teachers of Baricchi Institute.
Tony loves to study dancing and keep improving his understanding and educational skills.
Awards
- 1992~1996 JBDF West Japan Standard Champion
- 1996 JBDF Japan 10 Dance Championship runner-up
- Japan International Championships, All Japan Championships, Super Japan Cup Dance Championships
- Standard and Latin Semi-Finalist
Anita Ikue
Osaka, JapanAnita Ikue Takamiya was born on 22nd of February in Ehime Japan.
Since childhood Anita had a great sense of music.
From the age of 4 Anita started studying piano, she also played the flute as one of brass band members of her junior high school.
She loves editing music and choreographing.
At the age of 18 she joined competitive dance club in Ehime University where she met Tony Takuji Oka.They partnered each other on the second year and kept their partnership for all their career.
They danced in the university league and the amateur league, due to their success Hirotada Torii (former world 10 dance champion) invited them to teach in his studio.
Once they graduated from university they decided to turn professionals and in the next year they suddenly got in the prestigious final of Asahi Tako Cup Open Championship. Being young professional competitors Tony and Anita were very exited to make that final where in adjudicating panel there were 3 World champions . Hirotada Torii hurried to teach them how to dance Viennese Waltz before their final. They danced it on the floor of the championship final round for the first time.
In 1991 it was the first time they went to England to study dancing deeper. One of the first lessons in London was with Hans Laxholm. They saw a beautiful couple that was learning from Hans. Tony and Anita were impressed to see them and thought "What splendid movement! What fresh charm!" That young man was Luca Baricchi, when he was an amateur competitor.
From 1992 to 1996 they won JBDF West Japan Standard Champions and in 1996 they were runners-up in JBDF Japan 10 Dance Championship.
Although they have retired from competitive career they still continue their education. Mr Baricchi is and has been always one of the most important influences in their growth. They have also been studying with Mr Kayano a master of movement and body structure) Now Kayano is one of teachers of Baricchi Institute.
Awards
- 1992~1996 JBDF West Japan Standard Champion
- 1996 JBDF Japan 10 Dance Championship runner-up
- Japan International Championships, All Japan Championships, Super Japan Cup Dance Championships
- Standard and Latin Semi-Finalist
Christjohn Batters
Atlanta, GAChristjohn Batters started teaching ballroom in 2002 after studying Dance Education at the University of Georgia. He spent 11 years with Fred Astaire Dance Studios and in 2013 went independent and founded CJBDANCE. Since then, his team has garnered several state,regional and national pro/am titles, including the prestigious Best of the Best award at the 2016 Ohio Star Ball. He is currently teaching and competing in Atlanta GA and is happy to be a new member of the Baricchi Institute.
Matt Rivers
Chicago, ILMatt Rivers was born in Australia into a ballroom dancing family - his father, Ray Rivers, is a former World Latin finalist and World Ballroom semi-finalist and his mother, Robin Giacomantonio, won numerous Australian professional championships in addition to competing around the world. His siblings, Jason and Kristy Rivers and Toni Redpath, have all competed professionally as well. Matt started training in Latin and Ballroom at the age of 14 under the instruction of his parents. He became Australian junior, youth and amatuer state champion and representative and national finalist before moving to San Diego, California.
By the age of 19, Matt was teaching and competing professionally. He was involved in the movie "Dance With Me" with Vanessa Williams and was in the Euro MTV music video "You Take My Self Control." Matt has performed in many shows throughout the United States as well as in Spain. He is a 2-time US National Rising Star Smooth Finalist and a US National 10-Dance Finalist and has won numerous Rising Star and Open events in Smooth, Latin and Standard.
Matt is certified by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. He lives and teaches in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to coaching couples and working with his Pro/Am students, Matt has been coaching Northwestern University's ballroom team since 2006 and is a guest coach for the University of Chicago's ballroom team.
Joshua Tilford
Westerville, OHJoshua Tilford was born in Dallas, Texas on August 18, 1982. His family encouraged him at a young age to participate in sports and performing arts. From the age of 4 through adolescence he played competitive soccer, track and field, baseball and basketball. During this time he also sang in numerous choirs, acted in school musicals, and became one of the best French Horn players on a state level.
Excelling at Music, Performing Arts and Sports were central to his development and led him to his current career.
Academically, he enjoyed reading and science for his formative years, which lead him to study Physical Therapy at Saint Louis University in Missouri as well as English Literature at Miami University of Ohio.
A strong desire to heal, help, teach and perform led him to his current career. He found ballroom dance after his studies at University and has been a continuous student of music, movement, and performance while building his business and becoming one of the top Pro-Am and Professional competitors in the U.S.
He has been a recipient of numerous awards and championships, most notably a consecutive six-time top 10 teacher in the World ProAm Dancesport Series, a three-time Global Dancesport Series top teacher, as well as winning many Rising Star and Open Professional events on a state and regional level.
Always seeking ways to improve his dancing and his teaching ability, he was introduced to the Baricchi Method by one of his coaches, Maria Hansen. The effortlessness of the movement awed, moved, and inspired him. He hopes to make the same impact on all of his current and future students, and to become a lifelong learner of this truly unique and wonderful method of awareness.
Tatiana Rozhkova
Kiev, UkraineTatiana Rozhkova was born in Poltava, Ukraine.
She started her dance career at the age of 5. From Juvenile to Professionals, Tatiana has gone through a successful way, being a prize-winner in all categories at the National Championships. At the age of 15 she received the title Master of Sports of Ukraine; at the age of 25 - International Master of Sports.
Since early childhood, she decided that she want to become a coach so after the school she moved to Kiev, admitted to the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine. From the beginning of her studies at the university, Tatiana showed a particular interest in scientific activities, so she graduate university and defended her Ph.D. thesis, receiving a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Tatiana continues her scientific activity, working as a teacher at the Department of Choreography and Dance Sports at the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine.
Tatiana started coaching at the age of 14 and every day she develops more and more love for the profession that she chose and students that she cares so much for. In addition to coaching children, Tatiana is engaged in the ProAm direction and after 2 years of dancing together with her ProAm partner , they won the Blackpool Dance Festival and became the European Champions.
Tatiana continues her dance career in the Professional category. Together with Vladyslav Lutskiy, they won the Dutch Open Championship and were in TOP 20 UK, International, Blackpool in the Professional Rising Stars category. In addition to the main ballroom program, Tatiana and Vladyslav, performed in the Show Dance and were vice-champions at the National Championship, prize-winners of the Dutch Open Championship for 3 years in a row, and in 2019 they represented Ukraine at the WDC World Championship and became semifinalists.
During her dance career, Tatiana always felt that she needed a system that would answer her questions that did constantly arise. In her opinion, Baricchi's method is a combination of love, soul and a pure system built on the natural coordination of a person. Anyone can dance, the main thing is to reveal personal potential.
Tatiana believes that every dancer and coach must constantly learn and be aware of the dance deeper and deeper.
We are extremely exited to announce and welcome a new Baricchi Institute of Movement and Art certified teacher!
Elena Babaeva
Moscow, RussiaElena Babaeva started ballroom dancing due to the health issues at the age of 6, and after a year of intensive daily trainings she managed to avoid asthma. Her dance career began rapidly. At the age of 8, she became a finalist of the Russian National Championship. She took part in many Russian competitions, from the age of 14, she began to actively travel abroad and became the finalist of the Junior Blackpool Dance Festival.
After graduating from school, Elena choose to study in the Academy of Law at the only specialization in Russia at that time- Law in Sport and at the same time with the support of her family she opened the first dance studio in Moscow. She continued to actively dance and develop and won the title of the vice-champion of Russia in Ballroom show program in the category under 21. After breaking up with her partner, she suspended her dance career for almost two years and intensively developed her dance school. But every day she dreamt about dancing floor and competitions, and she understood that her personal dancing had always been a stimulation for her, always had been given her strength and was the meaning of her life. She returned to ballroom dancing already fully aware that she would like to connect her life and career with the art of dance. After a month of intensive trainings, she did her first competition with a new partner and ended up in top 30 at the biggest international competition GOC in amateurs.
The next year she spent her time in traveling, intensive training, participation in competitions and at the same time studying at the University while developing a network of the dance studios. In the following years, she opened two more dance centers, graduated with honors from the University, found a new partner and changed her dance development vision. In the next stage of her dance career she moved to Germany and changed the dancing Federation from WDSF to WDC. It was a time of new experience in the foreign country and again a new style of dancing and stage of development. Over the years, Elena has changed 4 main dance style schools in Ballroom and has always been open to gain new knowledge and searching for herself as a dancer and a coach.
A year ago, she started to dance with Ruslan Kaliuzhnyi and continued her journey in USA in amateur category. They have successfully competed in several American tournaments and made it to the top 30 at the UK Championship as the second best couple from America . Elena continued to support her dance schools in Moscow and went to teach in her hometown every month. With the effort of all members of her dance club team her couple won the 4th place at the Russian National Championship in the junior 1 category.
With her experience of working with a different contingent of students, Elena has always looked for an optimal teaching system that would be simple and understandable to everyone. Not only for athletes of all ages, but also for any adult dancer, even a beginner. In her opinion, Baricchi's method fully meets these searches and, most importantly, carries an understanding not only of the psychology of movement and biomechanics of the body, but also of the dance itself. Indeed, in recent years, ballroom dancing, in her opinion, has made a big leap towards Olympic kinds of sport, but has lost its true nature, its roots and the uniqueness of this art. The Baricchi’s method allows any dancer to learn not only how to move and dance naturally, but also how to express yourself in dancing, to be able to interact with a partner, to better understand your body and personality and to reveal your inner self through dance.
Ruslan Kaliuzhnyi
Seattle, WARuslan Kaliuzhnyi has started dancing at the age of 5 in a small town near Odessa, Ukraine. Main reason for that was to fix a health condition (he was walking on his toes). After that Ruslan continued dancing and became more and more interested and involved in the dancing world. At that time Ruslan had already decided that he would connect his life with dancing. Soon he started to compete at the local competitions and got exposed to the bigger dance community. One of the studios got interested in him and offered to move to Odessa where he could continue his development.
Later, Ruslan started to dance with a girl who studied at Odessa Special Stolyarsky Music School which had a dorm and she offered Ruslan to move there so it would be easier to practice and spend less time on traveling since the studio was very close to the school. And that’s what he did. Ruslan started to study music which helped him to understand and feel dancing even better. He played the saxophone as the main instrument and also additional instrument- piano.
In 2007 Ruslan changed his partner and it was the begging of a new step in his dancing career. In the next period of his development he had an opportunity to work with a lot of top teachers all over the world and compete at the biggest dance competitions. He became many times Ukrainian champion in youth and under 21 categories, achieved great results at many international competitions. For the great representation of Ukraine at international competitions Ruslan received the status of an international class master of Ukraine in ballroom dancing. During his dance education Ruslan decided to do other activities on the side such as boxing and karate to get different experience and get a better understanding of the body movements. After splitting with a partner Ruslan continued his career in America. He moved to Seattle in 2013 where he began an exciting chapter of his dancing. He actively continued to develop, which allowed him to get into the final of American Amateur National Championship where he became 4th. At the same time Ruslan started his teaching career. He spent time building dance community in Seattle and raised couples who became American National Champions.
In 2019 Ruslan started to dance with Elena Babaeva and continued his dance journey.
As a dancer and teacher Ruslan has been always searching for the organic, efficient and inspiring way of learning Ballroom dancing and has always been interested and motivated in deeper understanding of movement to become free and be able to express the true beauty and magic of dancing. All of these he found in Baricchi method of teaching. Thanks to Baricchi Institute of Movement and Art he felt the instant improvement in all aspects of dancing. The unique approach to every student makes it undoubtedly one of the best and strongest way to evolve not only in Ballroom dancing but also in all possible varieties of activities.
- Ukrainian champion in Junior 1 Standard and 10 dance in 2005
- WDC World Championship in Paris Runner up in Youth and Under 21 categories in 2008, 2009 and 2010
- Italian champion in 2012
- Top 12 at the International Championships 2012
