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

Monica began social dancing as a child in her home country Brazil. In 2011, she began competing in Ballroom Dance in the United States. 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 the Bay Area. 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, Standard Ballroom, American Rhythm, and Smooth 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 in his 20+ years as an instructor and takes pride in their success. He is a dedicated teacher whose techniques and creative choreographies bring out the best in his students while ensuring they enjoy every step fo the way. He speaks English and Russian.

Specialties: International Latin and Standard Ballroom

Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Polina started dancing at 7 years old. She became the Ukrainian, Icelandic, and Swedish National Champion many times and was invited to join the British Dancing with the Stars. Since 2016, Polina has been at the top of her league, winning almost all Major Championships around the World. She was Vice-Champion at the US Open Championships, the British Open, and made the Final 7 times at Blackpool. She was also a Champion at the International Championship and the Dutch Open (2x). She is also the only dancer to have ever won the World Latin American Championship 3 times in a row (2016-2018). In 2025, Polina was placed in the top 12 best couples in the World. She speaks English and Russian.

Specialties: International Latin

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 are excited to teach at Studio M Ballroom Club, one of the most premier ballroom studios in the Bay Area. They speak English and Mandarin Chinese.

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 are excited to teach at Studio M Ballroom Club, one of the most premier ballroom studios in the Bay Area. They speak English and Mandarin Chinese.

Specialties: Standard Ballroom

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

Alexia, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, started dancing in 2009. She trained 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 events and teaching in the Bay Area Zouk community. Alexia is a skilled dancer in both Follow and Lead roles and has taught at SF-SBKZ Congress, Hello Zouk Fest, Dance Nova Fest, and multiple Zouk Weekenders. She speaks English and Brazilian Portuguese .

Specialties: Bachata

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

Specialties: Hustle and Social Club Dances

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.

Specialties: Aerial Arts, Circus

A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Rae discovered the world of Aerial Arts at a late age in Bangkok, Thailand. She became a certified circus instructor by North America's top circus school Ècole Nationale de Cirque ( aka as ENC) as well as completing Teacher Training Courses in Aerial Tissue in Los Angeles with Aerial Physique, Jill Franklin, and in her own home studio in Bangkok. She then furthered her knowledge of body movement by completing an anatomy course with certification thrugh The Anatomy School with Rachel Ellery. Rae is an artist of the team that won Thailand's Got Talent Season 7 in 2018 called "KV Family". She has over ten years of performing, choreographing, and directing directed various circus events. She believes Circus Arts are a colorful never-ending work-in-progress that she intends to keep exploring by giving and sharing with its tight-knit community.

Specialties: Aerial Arts, Circus

A native of Rome, Italy, Moni Santini-Kelly has a background in ballet (1974-1984) and competitive swimming. After moving to the USA, she discovered a passion for aerial arts and began her circus training at the San Francisco Circus Center. From 2008 to 2011, she studied Acrobatic Chinese Pole under the tutelage of Master Lu Yi, where she developed a deep interest in the discipline’s athletic intensity and artistry. In 2013 she launched a successful Aerial Arts Menlo Park program at the AFG Center and led students to perform in annual showcases, at various festivals, and on stage. Moni has developed a curriculum for children and adults that emphasizes discipline and technical precision. Her teaching style incorporates breathtaking aerial drills and choreography, blending athletic strength with the grace of contemporary dance. She aims to prepare her students for auditions at circus colleges and major productions, while also helping amateurs discover the joy of movement and the "aerial dancer within." She speaks English and Italian.

Specialties: Aerial Arts, Circus

Soo Hom is an aerial arts instructor with over 15 years of experience in the circus and movement arts community. Born in Hong Kong and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Soo discovered aerial arts through her journey into juggling and the wider circus world. Her practice includes silks, static trapeze, hammock, and acro yoga, and she has been coaching students in silks and static trapeze for more than five years. Soo has performed in local studio showcases and festivals throughout the Bay Area, including appearances at Ascend Aerials, Inspiration Studios, the San Francisco Movement Arts Festival, and other community events. Now retired from the tech industry, she brings her deep passion and creative spirit to teaching, with the goal of helping each student grow, explore, and find their own artistic voice through aerial arts.