Our Instructors
We would love for you to visit the Carolina Ballroom Dance Studio of Greenville, SC and meet our staff. We brag about our American and European trained Instructors, and we take pride in their knowledge and instructional expertise!
Miriam Marie
Miriam Marie is an accomplished professional dancer who discovered her love for dance at a young age. She trained extensively in all styles of Ballroom Dance, as well as Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Theater Arts, and Showdance shaping her into a versatile performer and storyteller through movement.
Miriam is an AM Theater Arts Champion, Smooth FC Champion, Rhythm FC Champion, and a World and U.S. Exhibition/Cabaret Finalist. She has produced theater productions and directed dance and choreography for those shows.
Here’s a fun fact: Miriam represented North Carolina at the national level in a beauty pageant, holding the title of Miss Grand North Carolina 2019.
Miriam finds great joy in teaching and choreographing. She is passionate about helping students of all levels build confidence, develop their skills, and discover the joy of dance.
Alex Zhylenko
Alex is a world-renowned championship ballroom dancer, choreographer, and adjudicator. Born in Ukraine, Alex began studying dance at an early age and has been dancing for more than 22 years. He is a certified competitor, dance teacher and adjudicator of the World Dance Council and a member of the prestigious International Dance Council of UNESCO. Alex is a two-time National Ukrainian Champion, and he believes in an engaged and dynamically based method of teaching. And, above all, it should be fun!
Vlad Andriushchenko
Vlad is a professional Ballroom dance teacher with over 26 years of experience. He is a two-time winner of the IDUS European Cup and a Silver medalist of the IDUS World Cup. His students were champions and medalists of Ukrainian Championships and Cups, as well as Silver medalists of the WDC World Championship in Paris, France. Vlad is a true expert in his field yet also is charismatic and fun to be around. Beware, Vlad (aka Volodymyr) quickly establishes rapport and gains connection with his students, which can make you fall in love with dancing for life!
Dmitri Naumov
Dmitri has more than 30 years of experience in both Ballroom and Latin dancing. He is a winner of The Super Cup of Ukraine as well as many major National and International championships. Dmitri enjoys the success of coaching top-ranking couples both in Europe and the United States. He holds the International Adjudicator degree with the World Dance Council. Taking time to dance internationally, to teach and to judge, Dmitri traveled to Germany, Holland, Great Britain, Hungary, Poland, Italy, and Czech Republic.
Marco Dal Pezzo
Marco is an and dedicated professional ballroom dancer, competing nationally and internationally across multiple styles including American Smooth, American Rhythm, Cabaret, Showdance, and Theater Arts. As a certified instructor, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge and helping students of all ages and skill levels build confidence and refine their technique through personalized lesson plans.
Marco’s accolades include:
• Theater Arts Champion
• Smooth FC Champion
• Rhythm FC Champion
• World and U.S. Exhibition/Cabaret Finalist
Before focusing on ballroom, Marco built a strong foundation in Ballet and Contemporary, performing in over 40 productions and competitions with consistently impressive results.
Fun fact: Marco holds a black belt in karate, reflecting his lifelong commitment to discipline and physical artistry.
Lena Skrypnyk
Lena started her ballroom dancing journey at the age of 8 in the famous Ukrainian town of Poltava. Since then, she has participated in numerous regional, national, and international competitions and dance festivals. She graduated from the Ukrainian Academy of Dance with a bachelor’s degree in Ballroom and Latin choreography. She is the winner of the Ukrainian National Cup, two-time Grand finalist of the Ukrainian National Championship, as well as the recipient of New York Top Teacher Awards. Her expertise, professionalism, kindness, and enthusiasm will make your dancing fun and memorable.
Yevhenii Davydenko
Yevhenii started his dancing journey at six years old. Since then, he was a multiple winner and medalist of Ukrainian and International championships and competitions in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany in International Latin, Standard and 10 dances. During his more than 24-year career he was also a dance adjudicator in Ukraine and Poland. In 2023 he moved to the United States of America, since that time he is also specializing in American Rhythm and Smooth, Country and Nightclub dances. Yevhenii (aka Eugene) is a very kind, positive and fun dance teacher who will make creative immersion into the World of Ballroom Dance for new students. You undoubtedly will have fun learning to dance with his experience and extensive knowledge that he brought from Europe.
Alan Beardsley
Alan owes his existence to Ballroom Dancing. It was as partners on a competitive formation team that his parents met. Growing up in Illinois as part of ballroom dancing family gave him a head start when joining the dance program at the BYU campus in Idaho. He completed two tours with the University’s premier performing team, Dance Alliance, as well as teaching college-level dance classes and coaching Swing and Stunting teams. For Alan, dancing is more than a career; it is a hobby and lifestyle that he persues at professional social and events around the country allowing him to keep his finger on the pulse of the latest dancing trends. With over 2 decades of experience under his belt, his down-to-earth instruction style and fun energy will get even the greenest new students ready for the dance floor in no time!
Mariana Arbuz
Mariana is a dedicated dancer who embarked on her dance journey at the age of 6 in the Republic of Moldova. From an early age, she developed a deep passion for dance. Her dedication has led her to high level results in numerous International dance competitions across various countries, including Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Belarus, Lithuania, Germany, and others.
In 2018, she moved to the United States, where she now has the opportunity to share her extensive knowledge and experience as a dance instructor. Mariana is excited to continue inspiring and guiding both new and advanced dancers, helping them express themselves through the beautiful art of movement.
Grygorii Kalinichenko
Grygorii is originally from Ukraine. He started dancing at the early age of seven and continued his professional career as an International Standard and Latin dancer for 20 years. He has been a multiple time winner and finalist of national and International dance competitions and championships. After receiving his master‘s degree in Choreography and Psychology of Education, he chose to follow his heart to pursue a Professional career in teaching Ballroom Dancing. As an instructor, Grygorii derives a great deal of satisfaction in seeing his students achieve new heights in their dancing whether it is a high result at the National Competition or just learning a new step. He believes that dancing changes people’s lives and feels honored to be a part of it.
Sofia Morgul
Meet Sofiia, a dancer and dedicated instructor passionate about Ballroom dancing. Since the age of 6, Sofiia has been immersed in the world of dance, honing her skills and cultivating a deep understanding of various dance styles. Her journey has been marked by triumphs and victories at numerous national and international competitions.
With a patient and energetic attitude, Sofiia approaches both her own dance practice and teaching with unwavering dedication. Her flexibility, both physically and mentally, allows her to adapt to different styles and techniques, ensuring a well-rounded approach to dance education. As an instructor, Sofiia is attentive to the needs of her students - beginners and advanced - providing guidance and support to help them achieve their fullest potential.
Oleg Skrypnyk
Oleg’s ballroom dance story began in Ukraine in 1985. Year after year, competition after competition, his love of dance has grown stronger. Performances, competitions, seminars, coaching, and judging brought Oleg to Poland, Moldova, Czech Republic, Italy, Romania, England, and the United States. He has numerous great accomplishments including Ukrainian National Cup Winner, two-time Ukrainian National Championship Finalist, National Closed Rhythm Champion, WDC World Pro/Am Silver Medalist and many others. Oleg truly has a passion for dance and if you dance with him, we know you will too!
Maryna Ferris
Maryna began dancing at five years old. She is a graduate of Poltava Art Academy, majoring in Choreography. She is a winner and medalist of numerous Ukrainian championships. Maryna also represented Ukraine at major international events in England, Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic. Maryna is a member of W.D.C. and N.D.C.A. and a certified instructor in American Style and International Style. With her skillful guidance you will feel very comfortable either making your first steps on the social dance floor or polishing your advanced moves.
Nickolai Scherban
Nickolai is the manager of Carolina Ballroom Dance Studio. He is also a certified dance instructor in both American Style and International Style.