Fred Astaire Cleveland Staff
We have a highly trained and qualified staff.
Yuliya Volok is from Russia and has been dancing ballroom, jazz and modern since the age of 7. She started to focus on ballroom dancing in high school and especially in college when she competed with the Case Western Reserve Ballroom Team. Throughout the years she has been performing locally and participating in shows. She began teaching at Fred Astaire in 2006 and hopes to compete professionally as well as finish her degree in Sociology and Spanish.
Andy Slimak dance credits include tap, jazz, ballet, modern and now ballroom. Andy has been dancing since he was 14 years old and one day hopes to finish his Masters Degree in Theatre and Performing Arts at Cleveland State University, already having an Associates Degree in Fine Arts. Andy involves himself in many area theaters and scene study performances. Andy's teachers, instructors and choreographers include Sarah Clare, Chrissy Prince, Lester Currie and Anderson Sylvestre.
Slava I have recently joined the Fred Astaire Dance studio staff. I was born in Moscow in 1987. At the age of 11 our family permanently immigrated to America. Upon coming here I have began my introduction to dance by taking a class at the local dance studio. My true passion however did not come out until my initiation into the Case Western University Ballroom Dance Society. Besides studying ballroom dance I also took a liking to Hip Hop and joined a Hip Hop dance group on campus. In April of 2007 I joined the staff of Fred Astaire Dance Studio and aim to take forth my passion for dancing past any and all of the obstacles in order to one day compete professionally among the best.
Charlie Hawkins was born in Cleveland, OH. While growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Charlie had an interest in dance, modeling and acting. She especially had an interest in Tap, Ballet and Ballroom dancing. Her first performance was at the tender age of 4, where she did a dance recital, which required a little acting at the same time. She learned early about the importance of facial expressions. She obtained professional training to help hone her craft, at The Music School Clement-Cleveland, private coaching, and Training at Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Charlie is currently a Dance Instructor at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Northfield Center, OH. Besides Dance, Charlie enjoys acting, martial arts and modeling, reading, and most of all spending time with her family.
Mr. Sylvestre is a national ballroom dance competitor and an instructor who brings out the best in everyone -- from beginner to the most advanced. He brings cutting edge technique to the dance floor, the latest trends in steps and body movement and a continuous smile that’s definitely contagious!
Mr. Sylvestre is originally from the Caribbean island of Haiti, where he owned the ballroom studio Salsa Plus. He brings an authentic Caribbean style to those hot Latin dances, especially salsa, mambo, cha-cha and rumba.
He’s a terrific instructor, with 13 years experience in making students comfortable. “If you can walk, you can dance,” he always says, and he’s been right every time.
Shari Smith-Shemitz studied Tap/Jazz/Ballet since age 8 with the Primary Love for Ballet. Studied Ballet with Jan & Ray Smith at the Willoughby Fine Arts --- Attended the University of Akron for the Performing Arts and Apprenticed with the Ohio Ballet for 2 years. Was introduced to the world of Ballroom in 1992 when a studio opened in Mentor, Ohio. Dancing has remained Her Love ever since.
