News & Press

Fred Astaire Dance Studios, in the News!

At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, it’s always exciting when our talented staff & students, and exciting events & locations are celebrated in the media! From local community stories to national news, our goal is to help share the inspiring examples of how the positive and transforming power of dance enriches lives – physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Browse these links, and perhaps discover something new and engaging about dance. Then, step in to Fred Astaire Dance Studios and experience the joy and confidence that dance lessons can bring to your life.

Doctors embrace adrenaline rush, health benefits found on dance floor

July 24, 2017 | By Joy Sewing | The Houston Chronicle

Dancing was something neither Tina Bui nor Susan Curling thought they’d be good at.

Bui, 52, a pediatric dentist, was convinced she had two left feet. Curling, 60, an anesthesiologist, thought the same.

That these two women became dance champions is proof that dreams can come true, and you can get in shape while it happens.

At the Fred Astaire Dance Studio at Lake Houston in Atascocita, Curling slips into a soft-teal ballrooom gown that flows with the wind when she does the Foxtrot or Viennese waltz. Bui dons a sexy yellow, sequins number fit for rhythm dances, such as cha-cha and mambo.

In May, the women were finalists in the Blackpool British Open Championships Pro/Am in Blackpool, England. It was the first time the competition was open to ProAm competitors, which are students who dance with professionals, like on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars”…READ MORE.

Dancer still finds thrill in competing

Greek native also teaches in Atascocita studio

When Alex Armaos started dancing as a teen, he soon realized getting the steps right only was the beginning of his journey.

It’s the joy, the passion associated with dancing that makes a performance magical, said Armaos, who lives near the Texas Medical Center and teaches in Atascocita.

“You really have to feel the music. It has to be in your heart, your soul.”

Armaos, who was born and raised in Greece, has lived in the U.S. nearly two years.

In addition to teaching at the Fred Astaire Studio, 18321 W. Lake Houston Parkway, he regularly puts his skills to the test as a dance competitor.

Armaos won first place in international Latin, first place in rhythm and second place in the smooth dance category last April during Fred Astaire Dance Studios’ Cross Country Dance Championship, a national competition held at the Mirage Casino in Las Vegas.

He competed with colleague Cheryl Humphreys.

Prior to that event, Armaos and partner Sandra Korpitz received first place in rhythm and first place in Latin at the Fred Astaire regional competition.

Now, Armaos and new partner, Tarin Smith, are preparing to compete at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios World Championships, which will be held July 20-24 in Puerto Rico.

Smith, a Memorial-area resident who teaches at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Memorial, said she has been enjoying working with Armaos.

“He can be serious about the dancing, but he has a fun side,” Smith said.

“Alex is wonderful. I think we are going to do some really great things together.”

Cha-cha origins

Armaos said he first was exposed to dancing at age 13, while attending a friend’s birthday party. The friend’s mother danced the cha-cha for the guests.

Intrigued by the dancing and the music, Armaos began taking lessons. READ MORE…

Fred Astaire Dance Studios competes at Texas Holiday Dance Derby 2013

Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Texas Region kicked off the holiday season with the 5th annual Dance Derby Nov. 23-24 at the beautiful Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine.

Eight of the Houston Fred Astaire Dance Studios were represented. First place American Rhythm Pro went to Chris Simmons, Cypress and Helena Tokareva, Katy. First place Open American Smooth Pro was awarded to husband and wife team Ben and Cheryl Seifert. Cheryl is the pro from the Vintage Park Dance Studio and Ben is the pro at The Woodlands Studio. Nancy Lappin, a student at Lake Houston, received the Top Newcomer Award. First place Open Championship Cha Cha went to Tina Bui & Alex Armaos, Lake Houston and 1st place Open Championship Mambo went to Liza Difillipo and Daniel Blain, Memorial.

Guests enjoyed magnificent performances from ballroom, country western and Latin dances along with listening to great music, including Christmas favorites. Social dancing was enjoyed by many throughout the event and gave everyone a chance to dance with professional dancers and dance enthusiasts. READ MORE…