Andrew is the Artistic Director of Absolute Ballroom Dance Center of Pittsburgh. Dancing with students in competitions around the country, Andrew teaches in both Pittsburgh and New York City. The owner of the Pittsburgh DanceSport Championships and the Pittsburgh DanceSport Collegiate Challenge, Andrew also competes professionaly with his dance partner Amanda Wolf. His philosophy merges the enjoyment of social dancing and the sportsmanship of competitive DanceSport - a combination to further the development of anyone with any level of dance experience.

To contact Andrew, please visit his website at www.pittsburghdancesport.com.

Bill Graner is one of Pittsburgh’s premier ballroom dancers. He is an accomplished professional ballroom dancer, instructor, and current ballroom dance competitor in two different styles of dance.  Bill competes with his professional partner, Lisa Vegas in International Standard Style and American Smooth Style throughout the United States and consistently places in the finals of most of the major competitions. They are nationally ranked competitors and their titles are many including: *Yuletide Ball Champions*St Louis Star Ball Champions*Southern Ontario Champions*Northcoast Dancesport Champions*Maryland Dancesport Champions*Chicago Harvest Ball Champions*Heart of America Champions*Magnolia Dancesport Champions*Virginia State Champions*Windy City Open Champions. Together, Bill and Lisa are realizing their goals and enjoying all that life throws their way. The fact that Lisa lives in Cleveland and Bill lives in Pittsburgh, doesn’t stop them from meeting, practicing, taking lessons and competing around the country, but it poses difficult challenges at times however they are both up to the task and continue to rise to each and every occasion. They have developed a life long friendship, and enjoy each other’s company both on and off the Ballroom Dance floor. Currently, you can find Bill and Lisa dancing and competing throughout the United States where they are working hard to be the best they can be.

To contact Bill Graner, please email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit his website at www.billgraner.com.

Bill and his wife Denise have been dancing together since 1992 and love it as much now as they did then. They have participated in competitions all over the U.S. and Canada, from Boston to Houston to San Francisco to Vancouver, British Columbia to Toronto and many places in between.  In Europe, they have competed numerous times in England, and in the Czech Republic. In 1993, they were the U.S. National Amateur 10 Dance Runner’s Up. Bill turned professional and has been teaching since 1996.  He has taught at Penn State and Carnegie Mellon Universities and has also judged competitions.  In 2001 he retired from competition in order to start a family.  However, both he and his wife still do perform together and compete with students at competitions.  His experience and background enables him to teach the newest beginner through the most advanced student; in social through competitive environments.

To contact Bill Kumer, please email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit his website at www.BallroomCentral.net.

While in college, Arthur Murray introduced Chris Drum to teaching ballroom & Latin dancing.  For Chris, it was a wonderful opportunity to be able to work full time teaching partner dancing.  Chris moved to Los Angeles 5 years into her teaching career and taught at the Beverly Hills Arthur Murray.  She had many celebrity students that she helped get ready for movie roles.  Chris also competed in Professional American Smooth & Pro Am Scholarship American Smooth & Rhythm.  She had great success both with her professional partner & students.  Los Angeles was also a great opportunity for her to train in West Coast Swing & Texas 2 Step. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, Chris became an independent contractor & competed professionally in American Rhythm & with several amateur partners. Chris now teaches in the Greensburg area & coaches at several area studios.  She also offers a line of instructional DVD’s and is a vendor for Very Fine Dance Shoes.

To contact Chris Drum, please email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit her website at www.chrisdrum.com.

Jeff and Colleen Shirey are school teachers by day, salsa dancers by night. They discovered salsa over a decade ago while listening to a Latin band at a Pittsburgh nightclub. They have been hooked on the music and dance ever since. What started out as a hobby has developed into a passion and second vocation. Operating under the trade name, “Salsa Pittsburgh”, Jeff and Colleen teach group and private lessons, offer DJ services and update the information for www.salsapittsburgh.com, a website dedicated to salsa dancing in Pittsburgh. Jeff and Colleen can be found most Friday nights teaching group salsa classes at the Wightman School Community Building in Squirrel Hill. They teach eight-week cycles four times per year for beginner and intermediate level dancers. The Shireys also organize a monthly social dance as well as dance/workshop weekends with some of the world’s most famous professional salsa instructors and performers. During the summer months, Jeff and Colleen usually spend time in Los Angeles furthering their technical training with many of their mentors.

To contact Jeff and Colleen, please email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit their website at www.salsapittsburgh.com.

For over 20 years Dave Marsh has enjoyed various styles of ballroom dancing beginning his training with the American Style and progressing to International Standard and Latin.  Dave received formal training from several nationally acclaimed instructors including world-renowned professionals Maja Serve and Glenn Weiss.  During his dancing career, Dave has ranked in the top six nationally in the Amateur International Standard category which includes the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep and the Viennese Waltz. He has also placed in the top six in numerous competitions throughout the United States and Canada.  In addition to his ballroom training in International Standard and Latin, David has also received training in Tap, Ballet and the Luigi Technique of Jazz.

Denise and her husband Bill have been dancing together since 1992 and love it as much now as they did then. They have participated in competitions all over the U.S. and Canada, from Boston to Houston to San Francisco to Vancouver, British Columbia to Toronto and many places in between.  In Europe, they have competed numerous times in England, and in the Czech Republic. In 1993, they were the U.S. National Amateur 10 Dance Runner’s Up. Denise turned professional and has been teaching since 1996.  She has taught at Penn State and Carnegie Mellon Universities and has also judged competitions.  In 2001 she retired from competition in order to start a family.  However, both she and her husband still do perform together and compete with students at competitions.  Her experience and background enables her to teach the newest beginner through the most advanced student; in social through competitive environments.

To contact Denise Kumer, please email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit her website at www.BallroomCentral.net.

Denise Tunno began her career in the early 1980’s teaching at various Pittsburgh area dance studios. In 1990, she found her home when Dance America, Inc. was formed by Gay Gregg and John Konop. Since beginning her teaching career, she has competed in ProAm competitions locally, nationally and internationally where her students have taken top honors. She has dedicated her life to teaching anyone who wants to learn to dance, whether it is for an upcoming wedding or to prepare for competition. Her students range in age from 5 to 85 years. She is known for her creative choreography for wedding couples as well as for students at Dance America preparing for the Grand Ball held twice a year. She also teaches line dancing for senior citizens at Dance America, as well as, line dancing for the “not so senior citizen” at Blueberry Park.

To contact Denise Tunno call (412) 766- 8680 or visit the studio’s website: www.danceamericapgh.com.

Jeff and Colleen Shirey are school teachers by day, salsa dancers by night. They discovered salsa over a decade ago while listening to a Latin band at a Pittsburgh nightclub. They have been hooked on the music and dance ever since. What started out as a hobby has developed into a passion and second vocation. Operating under the trade name, “Salsa Pittsburgh”, Jeff and Colleen teach group and private lessons, offer DJ services and update the information for www.salsapittsburgh.com, a website dedicated to salsa dancing in Pittsburgh. Jeff and Colleen can be found most Friday nights teaching group salsa classes at the Wightman School Community Building in Squirrel Hill. They teach eight-week cycles four times per year for beginner and intermediate level dancers. The Shireys also organize a monthly social dance as well as dance/workshop weekends with some of the world’s most famous professional salsa instructors and performers. During the summer months, Jeff and Colleen usually spend time in Los Angeles furthering their technical training with many of their mentors.

To contact Jeff and Colleen, please email them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit their website at www.salsapittsburgh.com.

Group and Private lessons - focus on Dance Club, Wedding, and American styles, social to advanced

With over 14 years of American ballroom and social dance instruction experience, Kristen will be teaching private and group dance lessons as well as providing choreography for wedding couples. She specializes in the rhythm and nightclub dances such as Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and Cha Cha. Kristen also teaches Salsa at Altar nightclub on Thursday nights. A former studio owner, Kristen knows the business inside and out, believing that a quality dance lesson begins with setting goals and ending with a celebration of what you have accomplished! Kristen is currently accepting new students.

To book a lesson with Kristen call 412-606-8308.

Luanne O’Brien is an accomplished ballroom dancer and instructor. In 2006, Luanne began teaching International and American style group classes for adults as well as putting together a curriculum for instruction for both elementary and high school students.  She currently teaches private and group lessons to adults and children.  Since the early 90’s, Luanne has adopted an integral lifestyle approach which involves health and fitness of the body, mind and spirit.  In 1999, in an effort to find a fitness program befitting of this philosophy, she began to study ballroom dancing.  Since then, she has created dance programs to help others experience the joy and fitness of this ever increasingly popular art form of ballroom dance.  As an amateur competitor, Luanne partnered with her husband Joe in both in the United States as well as Canada. They competed in International Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz as well as International Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Jive and Paso Doble.  When she is not teaching, Luanne volunteers her time promoting the art of dance through charitable events.

To contact Luanne, please email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit her website at www.integralballroom.com.

Ryan is a well-recognized face within the Pittsburgh social dance scene. An established professional instructor, Ryan specializes in the American syllabus, teaching social dancing and is available for competitive training for those who wish to take their dancing to the next level. Ryan coordinates all performances for social and charity events and bases his lesson structure around the ideal that no matter what you have to enjoy your dancing for yourself because you never know who your next partner will be! Ryan is currently accepting new students.

To book a lesson with Ryan call 412-567-6472.