Specialties: Building supportive communities, managing beautiful studios, and hosting fun events.

Monica began social dancing as a child in her home country Brazil. After moving to the United States in 2011, she began competing in Ballroom Dance. Her years of competition taught her the many benefits of dance and fitness. Quick to smile and with a passion for dance, Monica's dream has always been to build the premier dance facility in Silicon Valley. When the opportunity came to open a studio of her own, she seized the chance to share her love of dance with an extended family. And so, Studio M Ballroom Club was born. Welcome and let’s dance!

Specialties: International Latin, American Rhythm, Standard Ballroom, Smooth Ballroom, and Kids Ballroom

Artjom Shmigeljuk started dancing at the age of seven and won a number of competitions in his home country Estonia. In the United States, he was a finalist in many amateur and professional dance championships. Artjom has coached many Pro-Am students and takes pride in their success. He is a dedicated instructor whose teaching techniques and creative choreographies bring out the best in his students. Artjom teaches Intl Latin, American Rhythm, and Kids Ballroom, as well as private lessons. He speaks English and Russian.

Specialties: International Latin, Ballroom, Smooth, and Club

Specialties: International Latin

Specialties: International Latin, Standard Ballroom

Mike Monokandilos was born in Latvia and moved to San Francisco, California, where he began competitive ballroom dancing at the age of 9. Over 11 years, he represented the United States in WDSF and WDC world competitions in Moldova, Russia, Italy, Latvia, and France world competitions, achieving top 22 at the Youth Worlds in Latvia, as well as winning 15 National Titles across Latin, Standard, and Ten-Dance in USA and NDCA events. While at San Francisco's School of the Arts, Mike expanded his skills with Ballet, Modern, and Jazz at ODC and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. Passionate about movement mechanics, Mike loves helping students improve coordination, strength, and proprioception through dance.

Specialties: International Latin, Standard Ballroom

Specialties: Standard Ballroom

JJ and He met through dancing when they were undergraduate students at UC Berkeley in 2010. They have been partners in dancing and life ever since. Together they have won the world title at 2023 Open World Over 30 Ballroom, and placed 27th in the Dutch Open Open Amateur category. They have also competed nationally and internationally at Blackpool Dance Festival, NDCA Amateur National, Emerald Ball, NYDF, Embassy and many other competitions. They can teach in both English and Mandarin Chinese and are excited to begin teaching at Studio M Ballroom Club, one of the most premier ballroom studios in the Bay Area.

Specialties: Standard Ballroom

JJ and He met through dancing when they were undergraduate students at UC Berkeley in 2010. They have been partners in dancing and life ever since. Together they have won the world title at 2023 Open World Over 30 Ballroom, and placed 27th in the Dutch Open Open Amateur category. They have also competed nationally and internationally at Blackpool Dance Festival, NDCA Amateur National, Emerald Ball, NYDF, Embassy and many other competitions. They can teach in both English and Mandarin Chinese and are excited to begin teaching at Studio M Ballroom Club, one of the most premier ballroom studios in the Bay Area.

Specialties: Brazilian Zouk, Samba de Gafieira, Forró, Bolero, and Soltinho

Alexia, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, started dancing in 2009 at 14 years old. She learned all five Brazilian styles of partner dancing at Jaime Arôxa Dance School, where she joined the teacher program in 2014. She then moved to the US in 2019 and started hosting Zouk events and teaching Brazilian dances to the Bay Area dance community. She has taught at SFSBK Congress and Dance Nova Fest, as well as multiple Zouk Weekenders. She speaks English and Brazilian Portuguese.

Specialties: Salsa, Bachata, and Quinceañeras

Juan Carlos Camarena(JC) was born in San Jose but grew up in the Central Valley. He started dancing in Middle School and hasn’t stopped ever since. JC is trained in Mexican Folklore, Contemporary, Jazz, Salsa, and Bachata. In 2013 he placed first at the World Latin Dance Cup and the LA Dancefest. It brings him great joy to teach and coach students through special performance, competitions, weddings and Quinceañeras. He speaks English and Spanish.

Specialties: Bachata Fusion, Heels, and Contemporary

Ngoc Huynh grew up in the United States and started dancing in high school. In 2013 she started training in heels, contemporary, pole fitness and bachata. She trained under various Bachata instructors before she started competing in 2018 and teaching in 2020. She placed 1st in the Bachata Amatuer Couple Caberet Division at the World Latin Dance Cup in 2019.

Specialties: Mambo, Salsa, Bachata, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Modern

Specialties: Hustle and Cali Mix

Stephen Ward, born in Vietnam and later moved to the United States, started dancing at the age of 13 in 1984 with Breakdancing and Freestyle. In 1991, he learned Country Western, Line Dancing, and West Coast Swing from Jay Byam & Tyoni Busch in Bakersfield, CA. In 1996, he learned Hustle from Raul “Big Daddy” Ante & Bobby Concepcion in the SF Bay Area and started competing and teaching Hustle in 1997. Over time, he learned Salsa, Social Ballroom, Classical Ballet, Argentine Tango, and also added lifts & drops into his dancing repertoire. A highly-talented dancer and instructor with a diverse background, Stephen is a devoted Hustle dancer and is wholly dedicated toward the preservation, promotion & growth of Hustle dancing in the SF Bay Area.