2 years later, he made his way to Fred Astaire studio in Westerville, Ohio, and began the second part of his life's journey in dance. As a professional ballroom dancer & instructor, it is his sincerest hope to share the laughter, the creativity, and the magic that is dance with all of his students.
Andrey Gergel-Owner
Andrey Gergel began his dancing career at the age of 12 in the Ukraine and holds several titles, including: Ukranian National Champion, European Cup Finalist, and US National Champion. Andrey moved to the United States to join Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Charleston in 2001. In 2006, Andrey established International Ballroom, Inc. and has been the owner/operator of 2 very successful dance studios in West Ashley and Mt. Pleasant. In 2016, upon the 10th anniversary of International Ballroom, Inc., his two studio locations have evolved into International Ballroom Dance Studios of Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, continuing to provide the best dance instruction in the Low Country.
Forgot username or password? Fred Astaire Dance Studios needed to create a web platform to maintain the Fred Astaire branding across the organization. The company wanted a website that would be modern, mobile responsive, and serve as the web presence for corporate as well as its 170+ franchised locations. Currently, the majority of Fred Astaire studio owners began as dance instructors. The right person with the necessary skills and abilities may have the opportunity to progress to become a studio manager, supervisor – and could even open their own Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studio in as little as 5 years of starting with the company.
Lacey Bramblett-Director
Lacey Bramblett has been professionally teaching ballroom dance in Charleston since graduating from Salve Regina University in 2004.She is currently the Director of International Ballroom Dance Studios of Charleston and Mt. Pleasant. She began her dancing career with Charleston's own Robert Ivey Ballet Company, where she grew up dancing for 15 years. Her passion for ballroom dancing began with Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Charleston in 2004, and she has been a part of the International Ballroom family since 2006.Lacey has competed professionally in both the Smooth and Rhythm categories, is a 4-time FADS National Champion, a 2-time World Mambo Championship finalist, as well as a Freddy Award winner. She is also the Writer, Director, and Formation choreographer for their annual Sottile Theater Showcase Production.
Blake Beardsley
Born in East Lyme, Connecticut, Blake began his journey into dance at the same time he was working on his Chemistry degree. An offer to go to medical school, and his first professional dance contract came literally 2 weeks apart. He finished his Chemistry degree, but the first stage of his journey was that of a ballet dancer, for which he danced 15 years professionally.
As his career in ballet began to wind down, he had the opportunity to attend a ballroom competition in Vancouver, Canada. The energy, enthusiasm, technique, and beauty of the dancers participating, won him over. 2 years later, he made his way to Fred Astaire studio in Westerville, Ohio, and began the second part of his life's journey in dance. As a professional ballroom dancer & instructor, it is his sincerest hope to share the laughter, the creativity, and the magic that is dance with all of his students.
Jesica Carden
Charleston native, Jesica Carden, discovered her love of performing arts at the young age of five while participating in a local church's plays and attending tap, jazz and ballet classes. Several years later she joined her school's cheerleading team gaining eight years of gymnastics, sideline and competitive cheer experience – she went on to coach small-fry cheerleading after graduating from Wando High School in 2010. Jesica is a Hospitality and Tourism Management Major at the Culinary Institute of Charleston and found her passions for hospitality, event planning and dance colliding upon joining the team here at International Ballroom. Jesica's favorite part of working at the studio is being able to watch students grow as dancers and individuals. She is the Front Desk Manager for both studio locations and a DVIDA Bronze Certified instructor.
2 years later, he made his way to Fred Astaire studio in Westerville, Ohio, and began the second part of his life's journey in dance. As a professional ballroom dancer & instructor, it is his sincerest hope to share the laughter, the creativity, and the magic that is dance with all of his students.
Andrey Gergel-Owner
Andrey Gergel began his dancing career at the age of 12 in the Ukraine and holds several titles, including: Ukranian National Champion, European Cup Finalist, and US National Champion. Andrey moved to the United States to join Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Charleston in 2001. In 2006, Andrey established International Ballroom, Inc. and has been the owner/operator of 2 very successful dance studios in West Ashley and Mt. Pleasant. In 2016, upon the 10th anniversary of International Ballroom, Inc., his two studio locations have evolved into International Ballroom Dance Studios of Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, continuing to provide the best dance instruction in the Low Country.
Forgot username or password? Fred Astaire Dance Studios needed to create a web platform to maintain the Fred Astaire branding across the organization. The company wanted a website that would be modern, mobile responsive, and serve as the web presence for corporate as well as its 170+ franchised locations. Currently, the majority of Fred Astaire studio owners began as dance instructors. The right person with the necessary skills and abilities may have the opportunity to progress to become a studio manager, supervisor – and could even open their own Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studio in as little as 5 years of starting with the company.
Lacey Bramblett-Director
Lacey Bramblett has been professionally teaching ballroom dance in Charleston since graduating from Salve Regina University in 2004.She is currently the Director of International Ballroom Dance Studios of Charleston and Mt. Pleasant. She began her dancing career with Charleston's own Robert Ivey Ballet Company, where she grew up dancing for 15 years. Her passion for ballroom dancing began with Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Charleston in 2004, and she has been a part of the International Ballroom family since 2006.Lacey has competed professionally in both the Smooth and Rhythm categories, is a 4-time FADS National Champion, a 2-time World Mambo Championship finalist, as well as a Freddy Award winner. She is also the Writer, Director, and Formation choreographer for their annual Sottile Theater Showcase Production.
Blake Beardsley
Born in East Lyme, Connecticut, Blake began his journey into dance at the same time he was working on his Chemistry degree. An offer to go to medical school, and his first professional dance contract came literally 2 weeks apart. He finished his Chemistry degree, but the first stage of his journey was that of a ballet dancer, for which he danced 15 years professionally.
As his career in ballet began to wind down, he had the opportunity to attend a ballroom competition in Vancouver, Canada. The energy, enthusiasm, technique, and beauty of the dancers participating, won him over. 2 years later, he made his way to Fred Astaire studio in Westerville, Ohio, and began the second part of his life's journey in dance. As a professional ballroom dancer & instructor, it is his sincerest hope to share the laughter, the creativity, and the magic that is dance with all of his students.
Jesica Carden
Charleston native, Jesica Carden, discovered her love of performing arts at the young age of five while participating in a local church's plays and attending tap, jazz and ballet classes. Several years later she joined her school's cheerleading team gaining eight years of gymnastics, sideline and competitive cheer experience – she went on to coach small-fry cheerleading after graduating from Wando High School in 2010. Jesica is a Hospitality and Tourism Management Major at the Culinary Institute of Charleston and found her passions for hospitality, event planning and dance colliding upon joining the team here at International Ballroom. Jesica's favorite part of working at the studio is being able to watch students grow as dancers and individuals. She is the Front Desk Manager for both studio locations and a DVIDA Bronze Certified instructor.
Raymond Cancel
Raymond Cancel has loved music and dance since he was a child dancing salsa, merengue, and bachata with his Puerto Rican family. As he grew, so did his love for dance…experimenting with breakdancing and hip hop styles. In 2003, his journey into the wonderful world of ballroom dance began when he joined Arthur Murray in Danbury, CT. Since then, Raymond has enjoyed teaching ballroom dance to all ages and helping his students achieve high-level goals, whether beginner or advanced. He loves seeing his students grow and gaining the many different benefits that ballroom dance provides. He has trained many Pro/Am competitors in the American Smooth, Rhythm, and Theater Arts categories who have placed as 'Top Student' in the Bronze & Silver levels, as well as earning the 'Top Teacher' title at many competitions. Professionally, Raymond has competed in both the American Smooth & Rhythm categories. He has also won multiple teaching awards, including: FADS highest honors (2015 & 2016), the Double Freddy Award, the Regional Star Award and the Customer Service Star Award. He looks forward to sharing his excitement and passion for ballroom dance with everyone on the dance floor!
Madelaine Hallman-Kenner
Free letter template. Madelaine Hallman-Kenner grew up in a family of dancers; her parents being world masters in the United Country Western Dance Circuit and her grandmother still currently taking lessons at the studio. She has been dancing herself since she was 5 years old and started as a student with Andrey at the age of 12. At the age of 18, she started as an instructor with the team at IBDS. She is an active professional competitor who is also a DVIDA certified silver instructor, competes in both the American Smooth & Rhythm categories, as well as in the Pro-Am divisions with her students. Her main drive in her work is to inspire her students to reach their highest potential and to help them get the most out of their dancing. Needless to say, dance is a passion of hers. 'I get to turn people into living, breathing art…it's an amazing thing to be a part of!' When Maddy is not dancing she is maintaining the social media accounts of the studio to make sure our dance family knows what is going on at IBDS!
Fred Astaire Studio Management Program Reviews
Anna Marie Imbordino
Fred Astaire Dance Studio Princeton
Anna Marie Imbordino has been passionate about the performing arts since childhood. As a child she studied and competed in jazz dance, hip hop, lyrical and theatre dance in addition to studying voice performance, flute, percussion and other musical instruments. Mixing her love of dance and music, Anna Marie attended North Central College graduating with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Music Performance and Entertainment Communication. She went on to study ballroom dance recreationally as a student through Arthur Murray and DeSarge Danceport in Illinois falling in love with the ballroom world and inspiring her to become a certified instructor. In 2013, Anna joined the Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Illinois region as an American Rhythm and Smooth instructor, competing Pro-Am and professionally throughout the Fred Astaire Ballroom Dance network. Anna Marie is new to Charleston, and has been a member of the International Ballroom family since 2020.
James Meek
James Meek has been professionally teaching and competing in the ballroom community for nearly two decades. He joined Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Charleston in 1999 as a student then teacher, and has been a member of the International Ballroom family since 2006.He is both a Regional and National Champion in the professional smooth and rhythm divisions. Introducing new people to the joy that he found through dance is the best part of his career as a teacher.
Scott Tucker
Instructor Scott Tucker was introduced to ballroom dance in college at the start of 2014, with no prior experience in dance, theater, or music, at the University of Tennessee. Scott's inner performer was released that day and he went on to compete throughout college, eventually becoming a USA Dance National Championship finalist as well as competing in such prestigious competitions as the Ohio Star Ball. After college in June 2018, he moved to Charleston and began teaching at International Ballroom Dance Studios of Charleston where he quickly became a DVIDA Silver Certified Instructor. Scott continues to improve his own dancing abilities, and he loves all of the perks that dancing has to offer. 'I come for the dance, but stay for the people. I've made such great friends through the dance community, and everyone is extremely supportive and encouraging.'
