The World’s Best Dancers and Coaches, in Our Studio!

Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Burr Ridge offers and delivers the finest in group and private ballroom dance classes, but we also bring you a great variety in our professional coaching. Broaden your knowledge and skills by meeting and working with some true standouts. You’ll be glad you did. These professionals have helped shape the dance industry and continue to inspire the teaching methods used throughout the dance community. We encourage you to enroll today with one (or better, both!) of these special guest coaches.

Tuesday, February 10th
Coaching Day
Katie Guillen

What I love the most about my dance studio is who I share it with!

Katie was only 3 years old when she took her first dance class in Bradenton, Florida. She learned Ballet, Tap, and Jazz at Georgene’s School of Dance. While studying Elementary Education at Florida State University, she continued to dance Jazz, Hip Hop, and Pom as a teammate on the Golden Girls dance team. Katie also graduated from the University of Florida with a Law degree. However, her heart still belonged to dance. Luckily, she found Fred Astaire in the fall of 2007 and started taking lessons as a student. In less than a year she became an instructor at the Fred Astaire in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Since then, she has received the highest awards as a teacher in Florida and many of her students have won top solo and showcase awards nationally. Her competitive professional accomplishments so far include:

  •  U.S. Mambo Champion (2012 & 2013)
  • U.S. Rhythm Finalist
  • U.S. Open Cabaret and Theatrical Vice Champion
  • Fred Astaire World Open Rhythm Champion
  • Fred Astaire National Show Dance Champion
  • Emerald Ball Open Rhythm Finalist

Friday, February 20th
Coaching Day
Aaron DeSoto

Aaron Desoto, a Wisconsin native with a lifelong passion for sports, achieved a notable milestone by securing the college World Series Championship in Division 3 baseball. Transitioning to Chicago, he swiftly rose to become a top instructor at regional, national, and international levels and was awarded the overall Top Instructor in the entire Fred Astaire Dance Studios® industry for 3-separate years.  Eventually Aaron took on ownership of the esteemed Fred Astaire Dance Studios® of Buffalo Grove, now thriving in Long Grove alongside his brother, Jesse Desoto. Aaron’s athletic prowess seamlessly translated into his ballroom dance career, where he mentored students from novice to United States Champions. Together with his wife Iryna Desoto, they competed professionally worldwide, proudly representing Fred Astaire Dance Studios® and clinching numerous prestigious titles. Aaron is widely regarded as a revered instructor and accomplished dancer in the industry, and his success as a business owner further solidifies his expertise and influence in the dance community.

Achievements

  • 2-Time United States Rhythm Finalist
  • 2-Time World Rhythm Finalist
  • Fred Astaire Dance Studios® National ShowDance Champion
  • Blackpool Rhythtm Finalist
  • Fred Astaire Dance Studios® Vice Rhythm Champion
  • Ohio Star Ball Finalist
  • USDC Mambo Finalist
  • Fred Astaire Dance Studios® Undefeated RS Rhythm Champion
  • Fred Astaire Dance Studios® IL Rhythm Champion
  • USDC 9-Dance Finalist
  • Ohio Star Ball RS Rhythm Champion

Areas of Expertise

  • Rhythm
  • Smooth
  • Theater Art/ Exhibition
  • Choreography
  • Enrollment Teaching Department
  • Advanced Teaching Department
  • Business/ Business Development
  • Instructor Training