Meet the Team

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Kris Kuvshynov

OWNER, BALLROOM

A lifetime of experience in classical ballet and modern dance brought Kris to pursue ballroom dancing. In addition to training the outstanding community of ballroom dancers within Areté Dance Center, she loves inspiring people to move freely in her LaBlast fitness classes and is certified in Zumba and line dancing. Kris attended the Juilliard School, graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and holds a BFA from the Ohio State University in Dance Performance.

A young man with short dark hair, light complexion, and hazel eyes, smiling slightly, wearing a black shirt with a gray collar, against a plain light gray background. 
Yuriy Kuvshynov

OWNER, BALLROOM

Yuriy started his dance teaching career assisting nightclub and ballroom dance classes at Foothill College. From there, Yuriy began teaching International Standard and International Latin dance full time at Areté Dance Center, eventually becoming a co-owner of the studio. Yuriy teaches private lessons as well as ballroom and Latin group classes. Yuriy competes pro-am with his students, and professionally with his partner, Kris, in Professional Rising Star Ballroom and Smooth.

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MacKenzie Soldan

BALLROOM, BALLET

MacKenzie started dancing at the age of four with tap and ballet. Her love of dance grew as she did, and she added jazz and contemporary to her practice. She performed and competed through high school and some of college. After college, she began learning International Standard and International Latin at ADC. MacKenzie brings her backgrounds in dance and education into her teaching.

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Mark Scolieri

BALLROOM

Mark is well known in the dance community for his expertise in many styles of partner dancing.  He is a classically trained dancer who also has studied jazz and theater arts extensively.  Mark also teaches and judges competitions for the Bay Area’s large ballroom community and beyond.

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Yegor Zhukov

BALLROOM

Yegor, born in Ukraine, began dancing after moving to the United States in 2016. Since the age of 8, he has accumulated multiple championship titles and achievements both nationally and internationally. These include multiple consecutive years as a U.S. National Finalist, Under 19 Ohio Star Ball Champion, and a WDC-AL World Championship Team Match representative for the United States. Yegor has been trained by master coaches Olga and Dima Sukachov, as well as Mr. Ray Rivers. Yegor brings authenticity and uniqueness in his teaching to the studio.

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Alejandra Serrano

BALLROOM

Alejandra developed a passion for dance by training in classical ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance throughout her childhood. To explore other dance styles, she began to take social ballroom dance classes at Foothill College and from there began her serious training and teaching at Areté Dance Center. She made her competitive debut with a cabaret routine in the showdance category at the 2019 International Grand Ball. Recently, Alejandra won first place and earned a standing ovation as the professional partner of a newcomer doctor in a "Dancing with the Doctors" fundraiser in Florida, which raised $300,000 for charity. She currently teaches private ballroom dance lessons at Areté Dance Center in both Latin and Standard, as well as ballet.

Portrait of a man with short dark hair dressed in a tuxedo and bow tie 
Arthur Nabok

BALLROOM

Arthur was born and raised in Ukraine, where he grew up competing in ballroom dancing nationally and internationally since the age of 5. His titles include Blackpool China Rising Star Champion, Ukrainian Ballroom Champion, USA National Finalist, and others. Arthur specializes in working with kids - in his work he takes great care to raise kids according to proper body mechanics. He holds a college degree in kinesthetics and dance coaching.  He uses his background to educate young students about the demands of being a champion. In 2017 dance brought him to the US, where he has been dancing and teaching since.

A man and a woman standing close together, posing for a photo at an event. The man has curly dark hair and is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt. The woman has blonde hair styled back, wearing a black top and a necklace. 
Dima & Olga Sukachov

MASTER COACHES

Dima and Olga Sukachov are a professional Latin couple from the San Francisco Bay Area. They are former United States Professional Rising Star Champions, Grand National Finalists, and World Quarter Finalists in the International Latin division. Trained by the legendary Ray Rivers, Dima and Olga bring a strong passion for dance and authentic technique into their private coaching and master workshops.

A ballroom dance couple in formal attire performing on stage. The woman wears a sparkly blue dress with feathers, and the man wears a black suit. 
Nathan Zaytsev & Alisa Bankova

MASTER COACHES

Nathan and Alisa have been competing together since 2021, representing the U.S. in national and global competitions. Their partnership has won numerous championship titles including U.S. National Youth Champions (2x), U.S. National Under 21 Champions, and WDC-AL European and World Champions. Both Nathan and Alisa have been training and competing in Ballroom and Latin dance since childhood, and they are currently trained by our master coaches Olga and Dima Sukachov and Mr. Ray Rivers. As experienced competitors on the world stage, Nathan and Alisa bring a unique perspective to their coaching of our students.

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Cortez, Rex, Sophie, & Gemma

Cortez: Chief Resource Manager | Rex: Human Rexources

Sophie: Branch Manager | Gemma: Barketing Intern

Cortez (tricolor), Rex (ruby), Sophie (blenheim), and Gemma (black and tan) are our studio mascots! They are all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and have been a staple in the studio's office since 2017. They enjoy long naps, lots of toys, and the occasional waltz around the ballroom. Will work for treats and cuddles.