A Lifelong Passion for Dancing
Dancing has been a lifelong passion and pursuit for both Wendy and Taras. When the two began their dance careers as Instructors with Arthur Murray Dance Studios, they joined the organization with individual, yet equally extensive, backgrounds in fine arts. Wendy, a Musical Theatre major, started dancing at a young age with a classical background in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. Her love and talent for the stage was highlighted in the well-known productions of Grease and Man of la Mancha. Taras found his love of dance through his culture, as he explored movement and music through Ukrainian Folk Dance. His natural ability and talent for Ballet earned him the title of Lead Dancer in the premier Ukrainian Folk Dance Group of Rochester, New York. Passion met opportunity when Wendy and Taras discovered the world of Ballroom Dance. They chose to pursue their personal and professional dance goals, which led them to great achievement. Partnered in 2001, they dedicated themselves to the continued growth of their respective dance studios while simultaneously training to reach champion-level success in the competitive dance arena. Wendy and Taras professionally thrive in all positions within Arthur Murray as instructors, managers, coaches, and, most recently, as franchisees of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Success & Accolades
The successes and accolades of Wendy and Taras are numerous. Wendy’s ability to teach and motivate, with her reassuring and positive approach to students, earned her the title of Top Teacher in the Rochester studio, which led to her promotion as Executive Supervisor overseeing the growth of her staff and helping to create one of the leading studios on the East Coast. As Dance Director of the Rochester studio, Taras helped raise the area’s dance standard. As a natural leader, his ability to organize international competitive events helped Arthur Murray students and instructors broaden their perspective of the power of dance to connect people of different cultures. His ingenuity as a choreographer, as well as his skill for highlighting the unique talents and abilities of his students, is demonstrated with every formation, spotlight performance, dance show, and competitive routine to which he lends his talents.
Wendy and Taras credit much of their competitive career success to their wonderful instructors and dance coaches. Having worked with some of the Industry’s best, they acquired the skills and level of discipline necessary to achieve a level of professional success that only top competitors will know. In 2005, they became Arthur Murray Rising Star Rhythm Champions. Since then, they have been finalists and champions in such competitions as the Caribbean DanceSport Championship, the New York City Superama and Dance-O-Rama, Atlanta Open, Atlantic City Dance-O-Rama, Las Vegas World-O-Rama, La Classique du Québec, and Falls Premier Ball. They experience continued success in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Bringing the Magic to VA Beach
In 2009, an exciting opportunity led Wendy and Taras to relocate to Virginia Beach where they opened their own Arthur Murray Dance Studio, serving as owners, instructors, and mentors to their own team of dedicated ballroom and Latin dance teachers. Since that time, their consistent efforts to evolve in the field of performance art have reinvigorated dance in Virginia Beach. The authentic quality and standard of dance that typically exists only in major cities, like New York and Los Angeles, can be experienced in their Virginia Beach studio. Presently, their goal is to expand so that everyone in Hampton Roads / Tidewater may have the opportunity to experience the magic that Arthur Murray brings.
The below video features Wendy and her husband, Taras, in a featured news segment for Dancing With Rochester Stars.
