Featured Profile: Gentry Fielder

For some dancers, having a person who can push them to excel is the most important quality in a coach. For others, finding someone who can help them have fun and feel comfortable is what they want most. 

As the lead instructor for Fred Astaire Boise, Gentry Fielder is able to do both. His passion for dance always comes through, whether it’s your first time on the dance floor or you’re training for a national competition. 

Gentry has been a certified ballroom professional since 2014. Throughout his career, several of his students have received top placements in American ballroom in both amateur and pro-am competition. But his favorite part of teaching is seeing people of all different backgrounds, ages, and interests find the joy of partner dancing. 

Growing up between New York, Texas, and Maine, Gentry played sports, practiced martial arts, and danced a variety of styles. Playing piano and cello, and studying music theory, provided him with a deep appreciation for music. Playing football, baseball, and being in an orchestra taught the importance of community and teamwork.

He started dancing at the age of 6 years old as a way to combine music and athletics, focusing on ballet, tap, and jazz. He went on to dance ballet professionally, which provided an opportunity to travel across the United States, Mexico, and Russia to perform with various companies. It was through ballet and musical theater that he was initially introduced to ballroom dancing as part of a number of productions.