Biographies of Our Instructors

Please scroll down to view all our instructor bios.

Gil Lopez - Gil is a third generation competitive dance coach, with over 20 years of experience. He is certified in American and International styles of Ballroom and Latin dance.
As a certified adjudicator, Gil believes in bringing fun and excitement to both social and competitive dance.
Gil offers private, semi-private and group lessons, as well as a Dance Fitness Class every Saturday. He can be contacted at 303-650-2876.  


Kevin and Pat Whiteley - Let's Dance Denver - Click here to visit them on the internet.


Linda Ream - Denver Swing Latin and Ballroom Dance Studio 

Linda has over 25 years experience as an instructor, choreographer, and performer. 

She is a seasoned and experienced dance professional well versed in teaching various styles of dance including Latin, Swing, and Ballroom.

Her teaching philosophy is to give her students a solid foundation in the basics of dance so that they may rapidly progress to the next level of proficiency. 

Her teaching emphasizes patterns, timing, lead and follow, as well as the character of the dance.

For a schedule of Linda's upcoming classes at Ballroom-Plus see this page.

Linda offers private lessons in various locations throughout the Denver metro area.   Contact Linda to book yours today! 
Phone: 303-995-2610
Email:  lindaream@msn.com

Jean Smith - Dance Smith & Dance Troy   
Jean began her love of dancing after watching Saturday Night Fever. She joined a disco class in Arvada and within eight weeks was teaching Hustle, East Coast Swing and Cha- Cha.
After three years, she joined Carter’s Dance Studio and became their top female instructor for twelve years.

She specialized in West Coast Swing, and Social Ballroom.

In 1991 she became dance director of Social Dance Arts. While there she trained instructors and brought in many well known teachers from other states for workshops. She was the first instructor to introduce Night Club Two Step to Colorado.  In 1997 she and her protégé Troy Reed formed DanceSmith & DanceTroy.They performed a West Coast Swing routine as an opening act for Reba McEntire in 1998.Jean and Troy have taught workshops at Swing Time in the Rockies, Colorado Country Classic, Reno, NV and Phoenix. AZ.

Jean is proud to have trained many top local and out of state professional dancers.Troy Reed is now a nationally recognized competitor and DJ.They continue to offer classes and workshops as well as a monthly dance.

As a founding member of Rocky Mountain Swing Dance Club, she has served on many boards and committees. She has also been Chief Judge for The Colorado State Swing Competition for three years.

Jean currently teaches classes at:
The American Legion  5110 Morrison Rd., Denver.
The Pearl Mac Center for Hyland Hills Park & Recreation
Rocky Mountain Swing Dance Club (in Jan. and May)
Her website is: www.dancesmithdancetroy.com
 
 
Manny Viarrial
Mannys been dancing for a little over 26 years.
His background comes from Swing, Latin, and Ballroom. He is a former Sophisticated Swing US Open Swing Dance Champion in 2001.
He currently holds over 40 titles in Strictly Swing, Classic, Pro am's and Jack & Jills in his 16 year career in Denver. He has also won many other titles around the country to his credit. He is a renowned judge, competitor, performer, and teacher. His most cherished moment came at the 1994 US Open Swing Dance Championships when he received the Most Improved Dancer Award for showing great improvement in West Coast Swing. What a great feeling that was to receive such a great Award at the US Open.
 Manny also has had the pleasure of being awarded the top teacher @ Mountain Magic in 2003,2004 and 2005.

Manny travels the circuit to coach, judge, and compete at the highest level of dance. His joy comes from helping others & meeting people at conventions around the country.

Manny looks forward to working and experiencing a great time at your event.

Happy Dancing
Manny

MANNY VIARRIAL
E-mail: Dancemanny@aol.com
Website: www.dancemanny.com