The Instructors
Deborah Fields Perez
Deborah is the Founder of By Your Side Dance Studio and one of the most sought after dancers and choreographers in the United States. Due to her love for choreography, she also serves as the best Wedding Dance Instructor in Los Angeles. Deborah teaches American Rhythm, American Smooth, International Standard, Salsa, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop and Tap Dancing.
Deborah has over twenty years experience as a dance instructor and competitor competing in National Dance Championships across the country. Her titles include: United States Rising Star Theater Arts Champion, Dixie Invitational American Style Theater Arts Champion, South Eastern Theater Arts Dance Champion, Fred Astaire Dixie Invitational Theater Arts Champion, World Champion Dance Cheerleader – Notre Dame University. Deborah was Certified by Arthur Murray Studios and Fred Astaire Dance Studios with high honors. She trained with dance greats such as Patrick and Wendy Johnson, Chester Whitmore, Rufus Dustin, Ron Montez, Rick Valenzuela, Terry Leone, Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. As a sideline special skill, Deborah also has a background in theatrical weaponry and has trained many of Hollywood’s stuntmen for movie scenes!
Deborah is a member of the National Dance Council of America, USA Dance, Inc. as an Athlete:Professional, a coveted member of the International Dance Council – CID and listed on the International List of Who’s Who in Dancing . Deborah has appeared and choreographed in numerous television, films, music videos & stage productions. Her latest television appearance was on “The Bachelor” as a dance instructor. Deborah now dances professionally with Craig Morris and owns the By Your Side Dance Studio as well as By Your Side Productions performance dance company.
Jerry Perez Gallego and Christine Urgell Lopez
Building upon their extensive and diverse professional dance careers, Jerry & Christine formed a partnership back in 2001. They have excelled in a variety of dance genres including: Modern, Contemporary, Latin, Hustle, Musical Theatre and most currently the intoxicatingly beautiful Argentine Tango. Possessing a mix of Modern and Classic style and known for their razor sharp technique as well as their earthy and expressive performance style, they draw in audiences with their storytelling choreographies as well as their dynamic improvisational skills. As teachers they are clear and concise with a knack for simplifying the most complex information while building in layers of technical understanding as well as placing emphasis on improvisation, dynamics and aesthetic. As people they are highly recognized for their infectious enthusiasm, passionate energy and their genuine interest in the development of their students. Jerry and Christine have taught and performed in major cities such as: NYC, Miami, Los Angeles and Paris-France. Both have been cast as principal dancers in theatre shows including Tango Connections, Gypsy Tango, Amor De Tango and Eras Del Tango. In addition, they have performed alongside some of the world’s top partnership dance couples and artists such as: Jorge Torres, Graciela Gonzalez, Karina Smirnoff from (DWTS), World Theatre Arts Champions Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlow just to name a few. Film and Television credits include: Principal dancers in “El Cantante” with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony and “South beach” with Vanessa Williams. Their most current project is the comedy feature film “Tony Tango” working as featured dancers, actors and choreographers. Jerry & Christine are the 2007 1st place winners at First ever U.S. Tango Championship in NYC. They currently work and reside in Los Angeles, CA.
Laura Canellias
Laura Canellias, also known as the “First Lady of Salsa” is one of the foremost salsa dance instructors on the west coast as well as one of the pioneers of the L.A. Salsa style. Originally from Texas, her dance training began at a young age with ballet, jazz and tap and later included ballroom dancing. Since moving to Los Angeles 24 years ago, her reputation and teaching skills in the world of salsa have placed her in high demand taking her around the globe teaching, coaching, judging, performing as well as choreographing for television, film and stage. As a featured performer, she has danced her way into movies such as: The Mambo Kinds, Out To Sea and Dance With Me. Her performance with the great Tito Puente, was one of the highlights of her career was performing with The Spanish Harlem Orchestra at the 2003 Montreal Jazz Festival. She has received multiple honors including The Anibal Vasquez Award, one of the most prestigious awards in teh salsa community presented to her at Bacardi’s 2000 World Salsa Congress in Puerto Rico, as well as Awards of Special Recognition in 1998 & 2001 at the W.C. Salsa Congress in Los Angeles and again at Puerto Rico’s 2005 World Salsa Congress. She produced and created the aerobic workout and dvd, Cardio Salsa as well as producing seven music CDs for Rhino Records, five of which were Latin cds that charted on Billboard’s Tropical To 40. She performed and was artistic director of the eclectic salsa performance group, Salsa Confunction for seven years and was recently featured in the book, Faith In Carlos Gomez, by Samantha Dunn. Over the last 12 years her skills extended into promoting local salsa events in Los Angeles with salsa promoter, Albert Torres, as she continued to teach, perform, coach and judge at various events and congresses around the world. She has been and adjunct faculty member at Santa Monica College for 11 years and has instructed at Loyola Marymount University and currently teaches at By Your Side Dance Studio in Los Angeles.
Alexander Demkin
Alex is a dynamic International Ballroom Dancer and Competitior. He is the winner of the East European Championship in 10 dances. Other Championships include; Delphic Games, Semi-Finalist: World Cup in Latin American & Ballroom Dances, Semi-Finalist: European Cup in Latin America & Ballroom Dances, Winner and Finalist: USA an International Competitions, Winner: Moscow Championship. Originally from Russia, Alex now lives and teaches in Los Angeles, CA at By Your Side Dance Studio. He is currently preparing students for upcoming dance competitions in the International Standard and Latin categories.
Reza Zargari
Reza Zargari has been a professional Ballroom and Latin dancer for over 15 years. He is a veteran in the Ballroom Dance community and has previously owned his own ballroom dance studio. Reza is board certified in American Smooth and Rhythm and has appeared in numerous films, t.v. commercials, and stage productions. He is a very patient and warm instructor putting his students at ease almost immeditely. He loves to choreograph and perform show stopping routines with his students in both competitions and annual Showcases. Reza is also a specialist when it comes to Wedding Dance choreography. Reza currently teaches and trains in Los Angeles at By Your Side Dance Studio.
Billy Parish
Billy Parish is a graduate of the Ballroom Dance Academy’s Teacher Training Program, as well as certified through the Dance Vision International Dance Association. He has worked with students of all ages from children in a program with Tony Dovolani from Dancing with the Stars, to special work with senior centers and senior living residents. He was the producer of the Superstars of Ballroom Dance Camp which featured teachers from the hit shows Dancing with the Stars, So you think you can dance, and Dance your ass off. He is also a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, the Moscow Art Theater, The National Theater Institute, and holds a Bachelor in Theater from Occidental College.
Chester Whitmore
A unique performer and person! Chester is known as a tapper, Lindy Hop and Vernacular Jazz Dancer, composer comedian, actor, choreographer, stuntman and bandleader. He is a multi-talented teacher that continues to surprise everyone. We believe he’s from another planet. He started out as a tap dancer in 1974 and, for many years, was a protege of the famous tap legend John Bubbles. He has also worked together with many tap masters such as the Nicholas Brothers, Willie Covan and stars like Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr. and Lionel Hampton. Give him a goal and he will reach it!
Craig Morris
Craig Morris has been a professional Ballroom and Latin dancer for over 20 years. He is a veteran of National Ballroom Dance Championships and is board certified in both American and International style dancing as an instructor. He is one of the most sought after ballroom dance instructors in the United States. Craig dances professionally with Deborah Fields Perez in theatre arts where they specialize in lifts and drops. He has appeared in numerous films, t.v. commercials, sitcoms and stage productions. Craig currently teaches and trains in Los Angeles at By Your Side Dance Studio.
Now is the time to learn to dance from the best ballroom dance instructor in Los Angeles!
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Telephone: 310-391-0400
- By Your Side Dance Studio
- 12613 Washington Blvd.
- Los Angeles, CA (West Culver City) 90066
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