Katusha Demidova
Owner
Originally from Moscow, Russia, Katusha has won every major Championship in the world with her partner Arunas Bizokas. Katusha is also the co-organizer of Balera’s yearly event, the Bay State Festival.
Basil Issaev
Owner, Instructor
Basil came from St.Petersburg, Russia, dreaming of competitive ballroom dancing as a career. Having chosen New York as his new home, he fulfilled his dream of being able to have lessons with the best coaches of the US and of the world. His very first year saw him winning the under 21 Ohio Star Ball Championship, and becoming a Bronze National Medalist, consistently making finals of National Championships.
In 2006, Basil turned professional and achieved great results both in the national area and international arena. In 2007, he became the Arthur Murray Professional Standard Champion and the Norwegian Professional Champion and representative to the Worlds. In 2012, he made finals at the International Rising Star Championship in London and in Professional Standard at the Ohio Star Ball Championship. In 2013, he placed first in many competitions nationwide, including Michigan Dancesport Challenge, Virginia State, Maryland Dancesport, and Eastern Dancesport Championships in Boston, MA.
In addition to a successful professional career, Basil has distinguished himself as a top ballroom instructor in the Boston area. His excellence in teaching has shown through the many successes had by his students in top national competitions.
Liene Apale
Owner, Instructor
Liene came from Riga, Latvia pursuing a dance career. She was undefeated National Amateur Champion for three years straight. After turning pro, Liene quickly moved up to the elite of the ballroom dancing world and won numerous competitions in the USA, and was a consistent finalist at the National Championships, winning a Bronze medal in 2007 and representing the USA at the World Championships. Included in her top achievements are: Runner Up at the Rising Star Blackpool Dance Festival, winner of the Rising Star UK Open, semifinalist at the Blackpool Dance Festival, and semifinalist at the World Championships. Additionally, she has had the great success of winning the Professional Standard event at the Ohio Star Ball Championship in 2005 and again as finalist in Professional Standard at the Ohio Star Ball Championship in 2012. In 2013, Liene placed first in many competitions nationwide, including Michigan Dancesport Challenge, Virginia State, Maryland Dancesport, and Eastern Dancesport Championships in Boston, MA. In addition to a successful professional career, Liene is a full-time ballroom coach and is considered one of the top female ballroom instructors in the United States.
Nikita Vasilenko
Instructor
Nikita is the newest addition to the Balera team of instructors. Nikita’s titles and achievements in the dancing career are:
Lyndsey Sorenson
Instructor
Lyndsay loves working with kids and anyone who has a desire to learn dance.
Lyndsay has been dancing since she was three years old. She has learned and has been teaching dance styles such as Hip-Hop, Ballet and Latin American.
Elaine Anderson
Instructor
Elaine is a newest addition to the Balera School of Ballroom dance. She started dancing in her early years and was trained in different styles (ballet, jazz, contemporary, ballroom).
Elaine is our wedding dance specialist .
“I have been dancing for as long as I can remember, starting with ballet and contemporary. In college, I discovered my true love: ballroom dance. I would love to help you find the same joy within dance as I have.
I understand that confidence comes with practice and preparation. Your big day is coming up and it’s my mission to make you feel as comfortable and beautiful on the dance floor as possible.
I am happy to work with any song of your choosing to choreograph a perfect wedding dance.
My lessons are LGBTQ+ friendly. Being part of the community, I have learned that ballroom classes can often be intimidating. I make sure that everyone feels comfortable and welcome when working with me.”