Daniel Lee Tran
Dance Instructor
2x United States Champoin
2x World Cup Champion
Dan has been teaching at VIP since December 2021. His high energy and dedication to pristine performance have caused all of his students to excel beyond their expectations. He is a dancing powerhouse, an amazing instructor, and a dedicated father and husband. We love the whole Tran family!
Email: dan.dancesport@gmail.com
Slava Kostianets
Dance Instructor
2017 USA Pro Rising Star American Smooth Champion
2018 And 2019 Blackpool Pro American Smooth Finalists
2018 And 2019 Blackpool Pro-Am Smooth Champion
Finalists Of The Most USA Pro American Smooth Championships Won 33 Pro Rising Stars Competition In 2017
We are proud to welcome Slava to our family this year! His performance record is impressive. What's more impressive? His warm attitude and easy-going style. We are looking forward to many years of growth and success!
Sergey Malko
Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dance Instructor
Sergey Malko holds a World Dance Council certificate in International Latin and Standard.
He is professionally trained and holds the qualification of Teacher of Ballroom Sports and choreography from the following institutions:
St. Petersburg Humanitarian University of Trade Unions
The Russian State Academy of Physical Training in Moscow
Sergey’s diploma which he received with Honors, has been authenticated and it is comparable to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a specialty in Choreography at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States
Sergey has also served as a professor at the department of choreography in the Norilsk branch of the Moscow Humanitarian University of Culture.
Sergey’s special gift is working with children of every age. Dance World International for Kids developed by him has and continues to work in Russia successfully and now here in the U.S. He uses his program to train all new young dancers.
Sergey came to the United States in 2005, since then he not only has owned and operated a successful dance studio, he has produced and choreographed the following productions:
-
2006 - Wild Wild West
-
2008 - Spring Fever Dance Show
-
2009 - Summer Fusion Showcase
-
2011 - Northern California Summer Breeze Showcase
-
2013/18 - Annual California Capital Dancesport Competition
-
2017 - Dance theater production “Alice in Wonderland” play in Harris Center for the Arts
-
2018 - 10 years MPAA Anniversary Showcase with “Dancing with the Stars” celebrity guests in Harris Center for the Arts
-
2019 - Northern California Showcase “Spring In My Steps”
-
2019 - Dance theater production “Snow Queen II” in Harris Center for the Arts
-
2019 - MPAA Summer Showcase
-
2020 - Dance theater production “Peter’s Christmas Adventure”
Sergey is considered a high-level coach, choreographer, and Pro-Am Dance Instructor. He has a unique ability to adapt and teach various dance styles such as International Standard, Latin, American Smooth, and Rhythm. He has also branched into Argentine Tango, Salsa, West Coast Swing, Hustle, NC2Step, Lindy Hop, Freestyle, Party, and Theatrical dance.
Leslie Dickason
Dance Instructor
Leslie’s love of ballroom dancing began in 2011 when she took a social dancing class at UC Davis. From there she jumped head first into dancing, taking as many classes as she could, including joining the award-winning Spirit In Motion Dance Company, a ballroom and Latin formation dance team directed by Gwen Burton Luke. She has held a leadership position in the dance company for 11 years, including recently being elected captain.
After years of being a dance student, she decided she wanted to teach it. In 2021, Leslie completed the Professional Ballroom Teachers Academy teacher training program under the instruction and guidance of Gwen Burton and continues to contribute to the program as a teaching assistant. She has trained at the professional level in 17 different partner dances as a leader and a follower, specializing in American smooth, rhythm, and club.
Leslie’s teaching experience began in the middle school classroom. She holds a BS in Mathematics and CA teaching credential from UC Davis. For the past ten years, she’s been a middle school math teacher, teaching students in grades 6, 7, and 8. She utilizes her experience as a classroom teacher to make dancing fun and easy to understand for all levels.
She has competed in numerous local dance competitions, including the International Grand Ball, San Francisco Open, and collegiate competitions throughout California. Her extensive showcase performance experience ranges from small dinner parties to big outdoor events like the State Fair and UC Davis Picnic Day, to local dance showcases at Spotlight Ballroom and VIP Dance.
Her students always look forward to her weekly group classes and expanding their dance ability in private lessons. She enjoys the creative process of creating and teaching choreography for couples for showcases, performances, competitions, and weddings. Leslie’s upbeat and bubbly personality keeps private lessons and classes lively! She enjoys sharing her passion for dance and performing any chance she gets.