OUR MISSION STATEMENT
UConn Ballroom Dance is an inclusive community of people who love ballroom dancing and encourage any and every one to give it a try! As such, we strive to provide a supportive environment for members (students and non-students alike) to learn about and explore ballroom through affordable beginner-friendly lessons, social events, and optional competition opportunities. We at UConn Ballroom believe everyone deserves a chance to experience the benefits of this uniquely social hobby and the way it combines an outlet for creative expression, a fun way to exercise, and a great way to make connections and long-lasting memories!
There are so many people that make this amazing community possible: from our coaches and instructors who teach us all the fancy moves to our Board who works to make sure we have this space to enjoy what we love. We wouldn't be what we are today without them, and we are always excited when new members show interest in helping to keep UConn Ballroom going!
OUR COACHES
SARA SCHILLING & EVGUENI CHAOULSKI
Owners of EDANSE COMPANY AND BALLROOM in Enfield, CT
Evgueni and Sara have developed into a world class couple, competing in the 10-dance division (Latin American and Ballroom styles), representing Evgueni's country of Canada. They work very hard and coach with the best coaches in the world, including Yulia Zagoruychenko, Erminio Stefano, Luanna Conte, Glenn Weiss, Aleksandra Gisher, and many more. They started EdanSe Company and Ballroom in Enfield, CT. The studio is home to many dancers of all levels and they pride themselves in offering high quality lessons in a friendly, welcoming environment.
Sara and Evgueni are the only couple in Connecticut to have been representatives to the World Championships 7 times: Tokyo, Japan in 2009; Kiev, Ukraine in 2010; Gatineau, Canada in 2011; Valleyfield, Canada in 2012; Valleyfied, Canada in 2013; Innsbruck, Austria in 2014, and Moscow, Russia in 2018. In 2010, they were Canadian 10-Dance Champions, and have been Canadian National Finalists numerous times as well as finalists in competitions all over the world.
Sara has judged competitions in the New England area and has performed on television and at corporate events and shows. Sara teaches all styles of ballroom and latin dance; Standard, Smooth, Latin and Rhythm from newcomer through open levels. She also choreographs routines for competition and shows. Sara prides herself in mixing both her passion for dance and teaching in a positive way to create wonderful, inspired dancers.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
AD-HOC BOARD
Want to know more about our Board?
CLICK HERE to read our group's Constitution & By-Laws! We hold board elections every year and are always looking for members to find new ways to get involved!
BOARD ELECTIONS for the FALL 2023 year are to be held on February 27, 2023 (for the E-BOARD) and March 6, 2023 (for AD-HOC). If you would like to become involved as a board member, please feel free to contact any of our existing board members for more information on each position!
OUR INSTRUCTORS
Our UCBD Instructors are experienced dancers and professionally taught by our coaches Sara and Evgueni! They are the ones you will see most often, as they teach the lessons and are available for questions during open practices.
STEVEN CHICK
(He/Him)
Steven is a Husky Alumni, works as an electrical engineer, and has been with UCBD for the past 7 years. He’s been teaching ballroom for about 4 years and currently dances Open Latin and Smooth. His favorite dances are basically all of the Latin dances plus Viennese Waltz! Something he’s learned from ballroom, that he’s been able to apply to many areas of life, is the ability to take something that appears complicated on the surface and break it down piece by piece to gain a deeper understanding.
Steven loves being able to meet so many different people through UCBD, and, as a teacher, he enjoys when others are able to discover something new and how they continue to grow as dancers and individuals. Outside of ballroom, he enjoys video games, electronics, and cooking/baking. Fun fact: Steven can read and speak German, thanks to over 10 years of studying the language!
DESHAUNA HAMMOND
(She/Her/Hers)
Deshauna is a Husky Alumni, is currently working as a Field Examiner – CID, and dances Open Latin and Open Smooth (her favorite styles!). She has been with UCBD for 7 years and has been teaching ballroom for the last 4 years. Her favorite part about UCBD is its sense of friendship and community and how encouraging all the members are to each other. As a teacher, Deshauna loves watching people grow and learn and seeing the excitement in their eyes when they finally understand something they’ve been working on! She also loves the ability to help others on their dance journeys. As a ballroom dancer, she has learned that “Confidence is key. Go out in life, or onto the dance floor, like you own the place, and everyone will believe you.”
When she’s not dancing, Deshauna enjoys doing hair, sewing, and going to the beach. She also has an adorable cat named Tommy!
BECKY CHALMERS
(She/Her)
Becky has been with UCBD since Fall 2016 and has been teaching ballroom for the last 3-4 years. As a dancer, she is currently jumping to Open Smooth and Standard and dances Silver/Gold Rhythm and Latin. Her favorite style of dance is Smooth, but she particularly enjoys Viennese Waltz, Samba, Bachata, and Quickstep! She loves the complete and utter acceptance of everyone in UConn Ballroom Dance, and appreciates that all the members genuinely want to support and help each other grow. When asked what she’s learned from ballroom dance, she responded “Sometimes the traits we've always wanted to see in ourselves, were there all along. Turns out, you just need a little bit of encouragement to grow and build to who you want to be.”
Becky loves being able to teach and seeing the excitement when something clicks for whoever she might be helping. Outside of ballroom, she enjoys art, tabletop games, social dancing (both ballroom and other), sewing, baking, mead making, and even had seven years of martial arts before doing ballroom!
EDWARD MCMANUS
(He/Him)
Edward has been with UCBD since 2017 and is currently a Graduate student studying for his Physics PhD. He loves Standard, particularly Quickstep and Foxtrot, and is currently making the jump to Open in both Standard and Latin.
Edward loves the sense of comradery among UCBD dancers, especially during competitions, and, as an instructor, he enjoys when the students come to understand why certain moves are danced the way they are. Through ballroom, Edward has learned to have confidence and not second guess every decision.
A couple fun facts about Edward: he loves hiking in his free time and is a sword collector!