NEWS RELEASE
Riverside Theatre’s Waxlax Theatre was the venue for the annual Meet & Greet for Dancing with Vero’s Stars on Sunday, November 8, where all dancers, instructors and the pairing of dancing couples were announced formally.
The magical evening will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach. Riverside Theatre is once again the Healthy Start Coalition’s Community Partner. Proceeds from this event will benefit the IRC Healthy Start Coalition and Riverside Theatre’s programs and services.
Ticket prices are $200 for Exclusive seating, $150 for Premium seating and $100 for General seating. The ticket cost will include an expanded pre-show Red Carpet event, a cocktail party complete with open bars, hors d’ouevres and a silent auction. You may purchase a ticket on or after Monday, November 23 by visiting the Riverside Theatre Box Office in person, 3250 River Park Drive in Vero Beach (Regular Box office hours are Monday – Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 12pm-8pm pr Sunday 12pm-2:30pm.), call the Riverside Theatre Box Office directly at 772-231-6990, or visit www.Dancingwithverostars.com. NOTE: The Box Office will not be open from Wednesday, November 25 through Sunday, November 29 while observing the Thanksgiving holiday. Cash or checks and Visa or MasterCard only will be accepted. If you are supporting a dancer, you may assign your ticket purchase to that dancer at that time as each $1 raised will equate to a vote for the dancer. There is limited handicapped seating availability. Please inquire at Box Office.
Sponsorship opportunities are currently available for consideration. Complimentary tickets are included in many of the sponsorship packages. You may refer to www.Dancingwithverostars.com for a list of sponsorship packages, or contact any of the participating dancers directly. You may assign the cost of your sponsorship towards your favorite dancer as each $1 raised will equate to a vote for the dancer.
Additionally, if you are looking to donate to the IRC Healthy Start Coalition in the name of your favorite dancer, you may visit www.Dancingwithverostars.com to do so. Each $1 raised will equate to a vote for the dancer of your choice.
Interested in more information? While more event information unfolds over the months ahead, potential sponsors of the event may contact the IRC Healthy Start Coalition at 772-563-9118. The mission of the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition is to establish a system that guarantees ALL women have access to prenatal care and that ALL infants have access to services that promote normal growth and development. Their vision is to have ALL babies in Indian River County able to maximize their health, growth and development through strong family relationships…ultimately being successful in school and life! Proceeds from this event will benefit Healthy Start Coalition and Riverside Theatre’s programs and services.
2016 Official Dancing Couples
Shelley Adelle – Yoga teacher and studio owner of The Yoga Pagoda – Laconte Turner – Dance host at Swingsation’s Friday Night Ballroom Dance at the Vero Beach Community Center and a Realtor with Billero & Billero Properties.
Dana Baker – Founding Director of EVER Skincare – Oleg Dimitrov – Dance instructor and Co-owner of Royal Ballroom Dance Studio
Nicki Maslin – Manager, AVP Market Manager and Lending Officer of the Cardinal Wealth Management Center for Seacoast Bank – George Go – Dancing teacher and in charge of the dance program for the Pt. St. Lucie Recreation Department.
Cindy O’Dare – Broker Associate at Premier Estate Properties – Joe Wynes– Owns and operates his own independent dance studio, “Desire to Dance” at the City of Sebastian’s Community Center.
Dr. Denise Pieczynski – Prosthodontist who treats adult restorative dental situations and makes patients’ smiles look beautiful and function comfortable. – Craig Galvin – Owner/teacher of Craig’s Dance Studio in Stuart
Bob Brunjes – President and Publisher of Treasure Coast Newspapers- the Press Journal, St. Lucie News/Tribune and Stuart News. – Beth Shestak – The Bulletin Editor at Holy Cross and the resident Choreographer and performer for Theater Go Round.
Jay Ganzi – Automotive director, general manager and partner of Vero Beach Chrysler Jeep Dodge/ Jeep Ram in Vero Beach. – Shari Tessier – Co-owner of Swingsation’s 14th Ave Dance Studio and Co-owner of Infinite Entertainment DJ Services.
Marc McCain – Owner and pediatric physician for Treasure Coast Pediatrics – Anya Christina – Dancer, Business and Marketing Manager for Royal Ballroom.
Steve Rennick – Real Estate Broker at Rennick Realtors and current President of the Realtors Association of Indian River County. – Karren Walter-Teacher of American and International Style dance for over 25 years and a choreographer for the Vero Beach Theatre Guild productions
Steven Salyer – Chief Operating Officer for Indian River Medical Center – Marianella Tobar -Owner and founder of Marianella’s Dance Fusion LLC and Marianaella’s Dance Fitness.
Instructor Bios-2016
Anya Christina
Anya Christina, who is the business and marketing manager for Royal Ballroom, but’s not the least of her talents! An alumnus of the Dance Program at the exclusive Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, Anya, went on to train in Bulgarian National Folk Dancing in Sofia, Bulgaria, and also trained and competed in Argentine Tango, International Standard Ballroom, as well as International Latin and American Smooth Ballroom under the direction of our very own Oleg (and Asya) Dimitrov, and World Professional Show Dance Champions, Andre and Natalie Paramonov. With other dance accolades under her belt, Anya brings her extremely talented and exuberant self to our competition for the first time…just call all of us, including her dance partner…very lucky!
Beth Shestak
As a dance instructor and choreographer for the past 9 years, Beth returns to Dancing with Vero’s Stars for her fifth year as an instructor. Currently, she is the Bulletin Editor at Holy Cross and is also the resident Choreographer and performer for Theater Go Round. Beth is a native Floridian who grew up in the theatre scene in Vero Beach, and earned her degree, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater, at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. After college she moved to New York and soon earned the title role doing interpretative modern dancing in the off Broadway world premier show of Agrippina at the famous Studio 54. She is an amazingly versatile dancer, and a singer for local venues who can definitely put on a good show! In fact last year, Beth with her star Dancer Eric Flowers, tied for best dancing award. Mother of two, Beth shares…”I am excited about instructing again this year and am thrilled to have made Vero Beach my home!”
Marianella Tobar
Welcome back wishes to Marianella Tobar, on her second year as an instructor for Dancing with Vero’s Stars. Owner of Marianella’s Dance Fusion in Vero Beach, Marianella is the owner and founder of Marianella’s Dance Fusion LLC and Marianaella’s Dance Fitness. As a professional dance instructor, professional competitor and choreographer, Marianella has an extensive background in Latin and Ballroom dances in American and International styles and teaches students from beginners to competition level. She has also helped to judge Dancing with the Stars in Univision, Latin version. Looking forward to Marianella “strut her stuff” on the Riverside Theatre stage again this year!
Shari Tessier
Shari Tessier returns to Dancing with Vero’s Stars for the fifth time! She and her husband Joe were the original producers and part of the committee that launched Healthy Start’s signature fundraising event in 2009. Shari and Joe are co-owners of Swingsation’s 14th Ave Dance Studio which has had a winning routine in every year the studio has been involved with Vero Stars. In 2009 & 2011 the studio brought home the Highest Dance Score trophy; in 2010: 1st & 2nd runner up; in 2011: 1st runner up & in 2013: 2nd runner up. In 2014, with just 6 weeks before the show, Shari and Joe worked together to bring home the mirror ball trophy with Joan Busch and last year, husband Joe, with star dancer Karen Franke won first place and tied for best dancing couple! In addition to being a co-owner of the dance studio, Joe and Shari also own Infinite Entertainment DJ Services. When Shari is not teaching dance, dj-ing events, or coordinating weddings, she can be found playing “taxi mom” for her high school son, college consultant to her daughter who’s attending UCF and serving as 5th Grade Chair at Glendale Elementary where their youngest attends.
Karren Walter
Karren returns for her 7th year as another former “winning” instructor with Dancing with Vero’s Stars. She has been teaching American and International Style dance for over 25 years, and has been the choreographer for the Vero Beach Theatre Guild productions including Oklahoma, Beauty & the Beast and Kiss Me Kate as well as performing in last year’s smash hit Gypsy! Karren has had the pleasure of dancing for Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan in the 1999 Super Bowl and completed a workshop with Karina Smirnoff, Dmitry Chaplin and Louis Amstel from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Karren always comes to Dancing with Vero’s Stars with a winning dance routine and a wide smile on her face….welcome back Karren!
Oleg Dimitrov
Award winning dancer, Oleg Dimitrov, is both a dance instructor and co-owner of Royal Ballroom Dance Studio, while being a father to two, and a returning instructor for this year’s Dancing with Vero’s Stars. In the 2015 event, Oleg and his star dancer Jackie Savell were 2nd runners up! Oleg hails from Bulgaria where he owned four ballroom dance studios, was an organizer of televised national ballroom dance competitions, and later won the Durban South Africa Gold Cup on in International Standard Ballroom. He received the Top Teacher Award from the New York State Fred Astaire Studios in 2000, and was finalist in the 2002 Argentine Tango World Championship where he was 6th in the world ranking. Oleg says he is proud to be a part of an event that helps children in Indian River County, and to say the least, we are proud to welcome Oleg to the Dancing with Vero’s Stars stage this year!
Craig Galvin
Craig Galvin is a 4-time first-place winner in Dancing with the Stars fundraisers, and an overall 10-time participant between the Martin County and Ft. Pierce events. Now.… Craig is ready to “boogie” up north for his first time with the Vero Beach event! Craig is the owner/teacher of Craig’s Dance Studio in Stuart and for 6 years has been teaching Ballroom, Latin, Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing. With this wide repertoire of dancing credentials, he also spends his free time surfing and fishing as well as enjoying two grown daughters. This gifted dance instructor brings an eye for creativity thanks to his tenure at the Art Institute of Atlanta where he studied in the Music/Business Division and was voted the “Most Likely to Succeed”. All eyes will be on Craig this season to see what “success” he can bring to the Dancing with Vero’s Stars stage!
George Go
One of our new instructors is a seasoned participant of Dancing with the Stars, and the event that is held in Fort Pierce is where we found him! A retired sales executive, George spends his time teaching dance for the past 12 years, as well as operating the dance program for the Pt. St. Lucie Recreation Department. He is past president and a six year member of the USA Dance/Martin-St. Lucie County. In between all of that, George cultivates Bonsais and enjoys flying drone helicopters. Well-named George Go….he is on the “go” all the time and just loves it! He believes that dancing is the only true form of being free and he enjoys doing it for charitable organizations. Welcome George Go!
Laconte Turner
Laconte is pleased to be a part of Dancing with Vero’s Stars and contributing to such a worthy cause! Shortly after relocating to Vero Beach from his home state of Ohio, Laconte began to volunteer and support local community programs and organizations including the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, Toast Masters District 87 and the Indian River Main Library, where he assists Spanish speaking citizens in improving their English. He works as a dance host Friday nights at Swingsation’s Friday Night Ballroom Dance at the Vero Beach Community Center and is Ballroom trained by Shari & Joe Tessier. Laconte is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration degree and is also a Realtor with Billero & Billero Properties. Welcome Laconte to our slate of instructors!
Joe Wynes
Joe is pleased to return for the 7th year, previously a multi-winning instructor for Dancing with Vero’s Stars. Joe founded the Vero Beach chapter of the United States Ballroom Dancer’s Association in 2000 and then in 2006, began his own independent dance studio, “Desire to Dance” at the City of Sebastian’s Community Center, offering a program of weekly classes and dancing activities including private classes and small groups. Simultaneously, Joe enjoyed a long career as a Respiratory Therapist at the Sebastian River Area Medical Center, gaining personal insight into the vital importance of community assistance programs, such as those provided by the Healthy Start Coalition. We welcome Joe and his smooth moves on the dance floor back for another round!
Dancer Bios-2016
Shelley Adelle
A Yoga teacher and studio owner of The Yoga Pagoda is not all that Shelley Adelle boasts on her bio that reads like several chapters right out of a good novel. She is also the studio’s Founder, and as she puts it, the chief cook and bottle washer! Shelley loves reading, Shakespeare & Classical Theatre has co-founded two Improvisation teams, is affiliated with the Wounded Warrior Project, Yoga for Vets, and acts on stage at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild! In fact, As a New York City Conservatory trained actress, Shelley has over 60 stage credits to her name plus…she recently starred in her first feature film entitled Rivers of Eden, which is currently making the film festival circuit. Shelley understands that children are the cornerstone of our future and our highest, moral responsibility. She is thrilled to do what she can for the Healthy Start Coalition. Shelley knows how to stretch her body and her schedule and we so happy she is doing it with us this year.
Dana DeLuca Baker
Dana Baker is entrepreneurial. She is confident and passionate about her involvements and she is driven to be the best she can be…literally. Dana jumped on board as one of our star dancers with an utter exuberance which she demonstrates as a Founding Director of EVER Skincare. For over 16 years, Dana has been a multi-time award winner, team leader, field trainer and mentor in the medical sales industry. Now as a Founding Director running her own business, Dana, coaches, guides and mentors a team of over 200 other independent business owners in her field of transformative skincare. Additionally, her time is split between yoga, barre, tennis, cooking, and gardening with spending time with her husband Keith and dancing with her 5year old daughter Aubrey. Dana is a strong advocate for wellness in people and loves making an impact. She hopes her dancing experience will be impactful for all children “with the hope to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.
Cindy O’Dare
Cindy O’Dare has been on our list of potential dancing stars for several years, and like cream rising to the top, so has Cindy, finally, selecting Dancing with Vero’s Stars as one of her many activities to conquer this season! Cindy enjoys hiking…cooking…gardening…canning…reading…traveling…as well as her local affiliations with the Environmental Learning Center, Indian River Land Trust, American Cancer Society, Lymphoma & Leukemia Society…and did we mention Cindy works? In between all of this, Cindy, a Broker Associate at Premier Estate Properties, has also been recognized for three years in a row as the Favorite Realtor in Vero Beach! This Miami born and bred lady may just prove to be the Favorite Dancer for Dancing with Vero’s Stars…we’ll keep a close eye on her! Welcome Cindy O’Dare..finally!
Nicki Maslin
Everyone in Indian River County knows Nicki Maslin…grew up with her, worked with her, and participated on event committees or non-profit boards with Nicki. Nicki’s list of local affiliations is a very long one. She currently manages the Cardinal Wealth Management Center for Seacoast Bank as the AVP Market Manager and Lending Officer. She is currently on the board of directors for the Heritage Center, Homeless Family Center, a member of the Oceanside Business Association and serves as a Chamber Ambassador for The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. Events for the Junior League of Indian River, IR Medical Society “We Care” Program, March of Dimes, Grand Harbor Community Outreach, United Way and Vero Beach Museum of Art, just to mention a few, have been successful in part thanks to Nicki’s involvement. As a mother of two year old Olivia Grace, Nicki believes that all babies should be cared for and loved equally, and that all families should receive the necessary help that is needed to raise a child in our society. Thanks to Nicki being one of our star dancers this year, she will be a part of making that belief a reality.
Dr. Denise Pieczynski
Dr. Denise Pieczynski (pronounced Pie-zin-ski) is our first-ever dentist on board in the eight years of Dancing with Vero’s Stars! She is a Prosthodontist, a specialist who focuses on restoring a patient’s smile and dentition using crowns, bridges, dental implants and state of the art materials. Sporting impressive education and numerous affiliations with local, regional and national dental organizations, Dr. Denise is actively engaged in rollerblading and boating as well as participating in Warriors Softball, a not-for-profit youth sports organization whose mission it is to make softball fun for everyone. A mother of two and a husband who is an Oral Surgeon in Port St. Lucie, Dr. Denise brings a host of experience in many things other than dance but, admittedly, is “game for anything!” She believes that strong communities are built with citizens who show kindness to one another and that Dancing with Vero’s Stars is a wonderful way to show that!
Bob Brunjes
Bob Brunjes reads the newspaper. And why not? He is the President and Publisher of Treasure Coast Newspapers which serves three major counties on the Treasure Coast ….namely the Press Journal, St. Lucie News/Tribune and Stuart News. Along with his wife Amy, Bob led the 2013-2014 Indian River County United Way Campaign…and through the paper and his stint with the United Way, Bob learned all about the Healthy Start Coalition. Once he learned the ways this organization was making a difference in the lives of so many, his acceptance was easy when he received his invitation to dance. In addition to his very involved position with the newspaper, Bob is a devoted family man, grandfather, the chairman of the Kairos Prison Ministry Advisory Council, and an avid golfer and Gators fan. Bob has invested much of his time towards the Vero Beach community and we are happy to have him on board as one of our dancing stars!
Jay Ganzi
Jay Ganzi is one active man…..the only thing not listed on his bio is dancing! But the time he puts into fishing, boating, exercising, bike riding, and traveling surely has prepared him for his newest challenge of dancing! He has a passion for skiing, growing up in Aspen, Co., and currently is a member of the Aspen Ski Club and a former member of the United States Ski and Snowboard Association Ski Racing. He has been in the car industry for 26 years and is the automotive director, general manager and partner of Vero Beach Chrysler Jeep Dodge/ Jeep Ram in Vero Beach. His family owns the Palm Restaurant chain, the oldest privately owned restaurant chain in North America. He not only brings strong qualities to the cast of our dancing stars, Jay believes his personal healthy start in life is why he wants to help every child experience the same. Jay…that’s why we are all here and thanks in advance for helping to make that happen!
Dr. Marc D. McCain
The 2016 dancers are very physically fit, and Dr. Marc McCain is no different. Marc enjoys running, weightlifting and golf in between his responsibilities as owner and pediatric physician for Treasure Coast Pediatrics. Marc is also the department chair in Pediatrics at Indian River Medical Center. Having Marc on our roster is very fitting, since his life’s mission, and that of the Healthy Start Coalition match…that is that every baby deserves a healthy start! Add one more Gator fan on to our list as Marc graduated from University of Florida and received his MD at the University of South Florida. He is actively involved with his family…three daughters aged 9-16 and wife Jeanette. Mark shares these thoughts…”As a pediatrician and local resident born and raised in Vero Beach, the Healthy Start Coalition’s mission is of the utmost importance to me. Being able to help raise money and interest by participating in such a fun event like Dancing with the Vero Stars is an honor and an exciting opportunity.”
Steve Rennick
Just when Steve Rennick thought his schedule couldn’t get any busier, he decided to sign on as one of our star dancers! As a father to three children (including a set of twins) all under the age of 8, Steve enjoys spending time with his family….that is day and night! Steve is consistently in the top 1% of the top-selling Realtors countywide, and along with his family, operates Rennick Realtors as a Real Estate Broker, assisting buyers and sellers with their home-buying journey. He’s also the VP of Milestones Developmental Center for Autism of Indian River County, and just recently was named President of the Realtors Association of Indian River County. With all that said, once Steve heard all about Dancing with Vero’s Stars and how important the Healthy Start Coalition is to our community, it sounded too great to pass up, not to mention all the fun this journey would take him on.
Steven Salyer
If you plan on visiting Indian River Medical Center in the next five months and collide with a man dancing down the corridors in a three piece suit…it won’t be your imagination! In fact, it will be the Chief Operating Officer, Steven Salyer, practicing his fancy footwork in preparation for Dancing with Vero’s Stars! Steven has been with the Vero hospital since April, 2014 after a two year stint as the Chief Executive Officer at the Sebastian River Medical Center. When a national search ensued in filling the COO position in Vero, the group didn’t need to look too far to know that the best person for the job was only a matter of minutes away. While Steven is responsible for all of the hospital operations, it allows him to know first-hand all the greater good that the Healthy Start Coalition provides patients. So when asked to dance, Steven knew he wanted to contribute his time to help the cause. As a father to three girls, and a passion for his hobbies, Steven took dancing on as his own personal challenge. In his own words, Steven shares, “I’m new to formal dancing…but I’m a good student.” Dance away Steven!
Indian River Guardian 