Meet Our Studio Team
Fred Astaire Dance Studios Professionals & Staff
Our friendly staff and talented Dance Instructors can help you realize your dance goals – and you’ll have lots of fun doing it! Browse this page to meet our team of certified Dance Pros and learn about their qualifications and experience. Then call us, and get started today.
Jackie & Fabian Sanchez | Dance Instructors in Hoover, AL
Meet Jackie and Fabian Sanchez
Award-Winning Ballroom Dance Professionals in Hoover and Birmingham, Alabama
For more than three decades, Jackie and Fabian Sanchez have helped people throughout Hoover and the Birmingham metro area discover the confidence, connection and joy that come from dancing.
As the owners of Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Birmingham, located in Hoover, Alabama, Jackie and Fabian welcome dancers of every experience level. Their students include complete beginners, social dancers, engaged couples preparing for a wedding, children learning ballroom dance and experienced competitors working toward their next goal.
With more than 25 years of studio ownership, Jackie and Fabian have created a friendly, encouraging environment where learning to dance feels exciting and approachable. Whether you have never stepped onto a dance floor or want to refine advanced ballroom and Latin technique, they believe your instruction should be personalized around your interests, comfort level and goals.
Fabian Sanchez:
World Champion, Choreographer and Dancing with the Stars Professional
Fabian Sanchez brings world-class competitive, performance and teaching experience to the Birmingham dance community.
A four-time Fred Astaire National Champion, Fabian’s professional accomplishments include becoming the 2006 World Mambo Champion, a United States Rising Star Champion and the 1999 American Rhythm Champion. He also became widely recognized as a professional dancer on Season 6 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, where he partnered with Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin.
Their partnership showcased Fabian’s ability to communicate rhythm through movement and physical connection, helping Matlin perform without relying on the music in the traditional way. Fabian later participated in the Dancing with the Stars national tour and brought his Latin dance expertise to So You Think You Can Dance as a salsa and mambo choreographer.
Today, Fabian brings the same creativity, technical knowledge and ability to connect with a partner to his students at Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Hoover, AL. He works with beginners, social dancers, wedding couples and competitive students, making even challenging techniques understandable, achievable and fun.
Jackie Sanchez:
Champion Dancer, Studio Owner and Dedicated Instructor
Jackie Sanchez is an accomplished ballroom dance professional, Fred Astaire National Finalist and Southeast Regional Champion.
Her experience as a performer, competitor and instructor allows her to understand the needs of dancers at every stage. Jackie enjoys helping beginners feel comfortable, guiding wedding couples as they prepare for meaningful moments and supporting students who want to challenge themselves through competitive ballroom dancing.
Her patient, positive approach helps students move beyond uncertainty and recognize what they can accomplish. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all instruction, Jackie works to understand each student’s goals and learning style. The result is a dance experience that is welcoming, personal and rewarding.
Together, Jackie and Fabian have built more than a dance studio. They have created a Birmingham-area dance community where students can learn new skills, form friendships, celebrate milestones and experience the lasting benefits of ballroom dancing.
Ballroom and Latin Dance Lessons in Hoover, AL
Under Jackie and Fabian’s leadership, Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Birmingham offers personalized instruction for adults, children, couples and competitive dancers throughout Hoover and the greater Birmingham area.
Programs include:
- Wedding and first-dance lessons
- Father-daughter and mother-son dance preparation
- Practice parties and studio events
- Private ballroom and Latin dance lessons
- Group dance classes
- Social dance instruction
- Kids ballroom dance programs
- Competitive and Pro/Am dance training
Students can explore American and International ballroom styles, including Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep. Latin, Rhythm and social dance instruction includes Salsa, Mambo, Rumba, Cha Cha, Bachata, Merengue, Samba, Bolero, Hustle, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing and more.
Instruction combines private lessons, group classes and guided practice opportunities. This gives students individual attention while helping them develop musicality, partnering skills and confidence in a comfortable social setting.