About Your Dance Instructors

Dan Matkowski

Freshly retired from 33 years of teaching school with the District School Board of Niagara, Dan is presently working at Hildebrand Estates Winery. He is also enjoying his pursuit of music, dance and amateur theatre. He and his wife have taught social dancing for many years. Dan has performed with the Niagara Men's Chorus, Rainbow Productions, Garden City Productions and with various dance recitals. He taught beginner classes for Ballroom Etc last year and looks forward to seeing past and future students this year.

Garth & Dora Hamilton

Garth learned to dance at age 12 but after graduating High School he was not actively involved in ballroom dance again until 1980 when his partner Dora an Ice Dancer wanted to take lessons to help her with her Ice Dancing. Since then we have tested and past Bronze and Silver levels in International Latin standard.
We started teaching in 1992 Social Dance Basics for the Niagara District School Board and continued to teach for them through the 2004-2005 school year at Niagara Secondary on the East West Line and Highway 58 in Niagara on the Lake. 2007 Fall Term will be our sixth year at Niagara College teaching ballroom basics. Garth first worked with Barbara at Fort Erie prior to her acquiring the first Queen Street Studio in Niagara Falls. For several years Dora and Garth taught Ballroom Basics for Dance FX School of Dance in St. Catharines. In November 2004 we started teaching at Ballroom Etc. on Monday evenings. We have participated in several show cases such as the Mexican Night for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Buffalo. We were on the organization and operating team for the Niagara Cup International Dance Competition held in St. Catharines at the Merritton Community Centre from 1990 to 2000.

Stan & Pat Vandermolen

We have been dancing as a "hobby" since we first met at a high school dance & have been dancing ever since. Our "hobby" eventually evolved into "teaching" in 1996 when we decided to focus on "country" dance including 2-Step, Cha, Fixed & Progressive Pattern (Cha Cha). A short time later, our increasing passion for dance allowed us to embrace "swing", including West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Hustle & Nightclub 2. We presently teach lessons in both categories, to people of all ages, singles & couples, in private or group sessions
Our professional background in education has greatly assisted us in our teaching style and technique. We take great pride in providing quality instruction in a "fun and casual" atmosphere with emphasis on the "social" rather than the "competitive" aspect of dancing.

Over the years, we have provided weekly instruction at the Wild Rose in Toronto, Club Heidelberg in St. Catharines, Club Infinity in Buffalo, Beamsville Legion in Lincoln, the Burlington Social Club in Burlington, District School Board of Niagara, Ballroom Etc. in Niagara Falls, and in our home studio in Grimsby. We have also taught at many special events in Ontario - Toronto (Canadian Classic and Toronto Swing Dance Society), Ottawa, Brantford, Wasaga Beach, to name a few.

Chamari Boralessa

Chamari has been passionate about dancing since age 8. Initially she started with a traditional style of dancing while in Sri Lanka. After immigrating to Canada she has performed in various cultural events. She became interested in learning ballroom dancing in 2000 and is currently a Professional Dance Instructor, Choreographer and a Member of the C.D.T.A. (Canadian Dance Teachers Association)

Dance Training & Qualifications

C.D.T.A. Ballroom Dancing Diploma
C.D.T.A Professional International Style Ballroom Test (passed with Highly Commended Average)
C.D.T.A International Style Ballroom Amateur Medal Test (passed with Highly Commended Average)
Completion of Dance Foundation program.
Performed in various charities, dance recitals, social and cultural events.
International and American styles of dancing

Latin dancing (Rumba, Cha Cha, Jive, Samba, Paso Doble, etc.)
Standard/ Smooth (Waltz, Fox trot, Tango etc.)

Club dancing (Salsa, Mambo, etc.)
Competitive and non-competitive (social) dancing
Wedding choreography.