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!
Ihor Pylyay
Ihor started dancing in his hometown of Poltava, Ukraine in 1992. He was competing in the International Style, showing outstanding results in both Ballroom and Latin dance programs, and becoming either a winner or finalist for numerous National and International dance championships. He studied at Poltava University with a major in choreography. Ihor was the National Ukrainian Champion in 1999 and was awarded the title of Master of Sport of Ukraine in 2004. Ihor is a certified instructor in both International and American Styles and with his knowledge, experience, and great personality, you will enjoy dancing to the fullest extent.
Diana Barrera
Diana Barrera is originally from South Texas. She started her 14-year Ballroom career training along the major cities in Central Texas (San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas), then settling in Tulsa, OK where the performing arts are thriving. She is a 2020 graduate double majoring in Theatre and Musical Performance while simultaneously teaching as an adjunct professor at the prestigious University of Tulsa. Diana has an extensive performing background with a fortuity to perform with Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Oklahoma Showgirls, and Royal Caribbean entertaining audiences in a multitude of musicals including Company, Cabaret, West Side Story, Chicago, and Mamma Mia! to mention a select few. Diana has regularly attended DVIDA Mastery Camp in Las Vegas, College Thespian Festival, and Open Jar Institute Broadway College Summer Intensive. Besides teaching advanced dancers, Diana excels with beginners. Her students describe her as a fun and most patient teacher. She is also a choreographer for wedding dances, specialty dances, and formations. Get ready for an unforgettable self-expanding experience and come out to the dance floor!
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.
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!
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.