Meet the Dance Passion Staff and Learn Their Stories
Ivan
Founder
Dance Instructor
This Bulgarian descendant has made his dancing career a priority. His computer science education could not compete with his love for dance and a desire to share and teach his passion for dance to students of all ages. Ivan began dancing as a child in Bulgaria to overcome shyness. It worked! After moving to the U.S. and becoming an American citizen he gave up a career in technology to become a highly rated dance instructor and studio manager in the Tampa Bay Area. During his 35 years of dance he has very successfully competed worldwide both in the pro/am and pro divisions and has performed locally.
Some of his accolades include:
- Top Guest Getter, 2011
- Top Teacher Award – Fred Astaire World Dance Competition, Puerto Rico, 2014
- Most Lessons Taught in Tampa Bay Area, 2014
- First Place Professional Smooth Division, 2015
Today, Ivan is the owner of Dance Passion Studio in Saint Petersburg. Being proud of his dance journey and accomplishments. Mr. Grigorov encourages his staff to always strive for excellence while sharing their joy and knowledge of dancing.
Karissa
Choreographer
Dance Instructor
Karissa is from a small town in New Hampshire, but recently relocated to the St. Pete area! She is a life-long dancer with a background in a variety of dance forms ranging from Contemporary/Modern dance, Contact Improvisation, all the way to Senegalese Dance. She discovered a love of Latin social dance while receiving her Bachelors of the Arts in Dance and Anthropology at Marlboro College. She is very passionate about forms like Bachata, Merengue, Salsa, and Cumbia, but also loves any kind of dance that gets people moving together, and communicating without words!
Connecting with people is Karissa’s passion and when you meet her she has an energy that is contagious and supportive! She firmly believes that there is no wrong way to dance and that movement is one of the best ways we can heal individually, as well as in partnerships and group settings. When taking a lesson with her you can expect to laugh, have fun, and forget your troubles for a little while. She is an artist and choreographer at her core and seeks to provide the best experience for all her dancers.
Bryan
Social Media
Dance Instructor
Bryan is a Saint Petersburg, FL local. He was always known for putting on little dance performances for his friends and family. In his adult life he rediscovered this passion when, on a whim, he took some dance classes in college. He has performed on stage a couple times with Comotion Dance Theater. Bryan also was in a few plays with Saint Petersburg College Theater Department . He began using dance as a major stress relief and way to express himself in ways that words never could. It allowed him to escape the craziness of day to day life. Dance has even saved Bryan’s life on multiple occasions when things have gotten hard. Eventually, he found a home away from home in places that offer both line dancing and partner dancing.
As an instructor, Bryan is very in-tune with what his students want and need. He makes sure each person feels valued and cared for as they embark on the new adventure of dance. His playful nature and gentle energy leave people smiling and laughing as they feel the stress melt away. He hopes to offer others a fun relaxing way to express themselves. That way everyone can find exactly what they need to get out of dance!
Victor
Choreographer
Dance Instructor
Victor grew up around the St. Petersburg FL area. He had many interests when he was growing up including Dancing, Basketball & Karate all of which helped his understanding of the body and how it works. He enjoys dancing and practicing every day. When he was competitively dancing, he won several awards such as 3rd place for minors in Tampa Bay Classic (2018) and 1st Place in Tropicana for minors (2019).
The more he danced the more he was able to find a healthy way to cope and release the stresses of everyday life. He has a passion for using dance as a tool for improving mental health. Victor hopes that his students will find this same sense of peace and tranquility as they enjoy the excitement of dance.
Victor’s goal when he is teaching his students is for them to enjoy their time and have fun while they learn! He wants to make dancing more fun and simple for students. Victor likes to connect with his students and make Dance Passion feel like home!
Our Mission:
When Ivan first founded Dance Passion he wanted to give people a place to dance that made them feel like they were at home. He wanted them to feel completely comfortable and safe as they started learning how to dance. That way if they messed up, they know that they were still safe and supported by the staff and other students. But while being comfortable he also wanted the experience to be fun. That way everyone was smiling and laughing and enjoying every minute that they were there. As many of our students will tell you, this place really has become a second home for them. They are able to escape the craziness of everyday life and really shine as their true selves here. All while learning to dance and laughing and having an amazing time.
He also wanted to have a studio that felt like one big happy family. And in this family, he wanted to have people of every background and from every walk of life. That way everyone could shine as exactly who they are, while still sharing the wonderful passion of dance! As you walk in the door everyone says hello and makes you feel like part of the Dance Passion Family! Your dance journey is super personalized to who you are as an individual and you learn the things that will make you feel as if you are a shining star! That way, no matter where you fit into the family, there is always a spot just for you.
Free Dance Teacher Training Classes:
At Dance Passion, our enthusiasm for dance drives us to constantly seek out talented instructors. We’re on the lookout for passionate individuals, both men and women, who share our love for dance. Our studio regularly conducts Dance Teacher Training Classes to identify and nurture bright and aspiring teachers. The upcoming round of our Training Class is just around the corner, and the exciting news is that no prior experience is required. If you possess the passion and eagerness to dance every day, we are ready to provide the training you need!
Our training program starts by covering the fundamentals of dance, such as frame, posture, and basic steps. It then progressively builds on this foundation, ensuring that you never feel overwhelmed. We place a strong emphasis on teaching techniques, equipping you not only with dance skills but also with the ability to convey them in a fun, easy, and engaging manner. Our goal is to make sure everyone has a great time while learning.
If you’re intrigued about joining our dynamic and exciting team, simply give us a call at (727) 304-5904. We can’t wait to share the joy of dancing with you soon!