Our Teachers

Ballroom Dance Lessons are fun when you have the right teacher and learning environment.

At Arthur Murray Saratoga Springs we have some of the best ballroom dance teachers in Albany and all of New York.

Ricardo Sopin and Iraida are the current American Rhythm Champions in the Rising Star Division.

Their high level of ballroom dancing means you receive the highest quality instruction and look great on the dance floor!

Iraida Volodina

Iraida Volodina, a native of St. Petersburg, Russia started dancing at age 6. During her career she studied contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, swing and ballet with different companies from the USA, France, Sweden, Finland, Poland and Canada. However her passion always was ballroom dancing. She started competing at age 12 and with several partners won many championships. With her current partner, Ricardo Sopin, she became Arthur Murray’s World Rising Stars Champion and has won several championships in the USA.

“Learning to dance from Iraida is like learning to sing from Elvis,” said David, one of Iraida’s weekly dance students.

 

Ricardo Sopin

Ricardo Sopin was born and raised in Haiti and started dancing at age 21. In 2005, he traveled to France and England in pursuit of more dance training. He decided to make a career of ballroom dancing and in 2007 he moved to the United States.

After competing in 2009 in the American Rhythm Division, he won the world Arthur Murray Rising Star Championship. He continues to win many championships with his partner Iraida Volodina. Ricardo’s enthusiasm and expertise make him one of the most sought after dance teachers in the Albany-Saratoga Springs region.

Leslie Valencia

Leslie Valencia has been with Arthur Murray studios for more than 30 years. Currently the Manager of the Saratoga Springs Franchise, she is also the public relations director for Arthur Murray Dance Studios in NYC and Long Island. Leslie was instrumental in the induction of Arthur and Kathryn Murray to the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, and is well known through out the country among Arthur Murray Dance Studios as a motivational speaker. A former Assistant Chairperson for Arthur Murray International Inc., Leslie brought many innovations to the company, including the development of Ballroomdancing .com, and was an active lobbyist that helped to write and pass a bill for the integrity of dance studios in New York State.

A former ballroom dance competitor, she also performed with Tito Puente and was a dancer on American Bandstand. Leslie’s main focus is to maintain a top quality dance studio, superior in service and dance instruction, and continue to do what she loves: change peoples’ lives through dancing.

Steve Olson

A true gentleman, and former Rising Star American Smooth and American Rhythm Champion, Steve enjoys helping ballroom dance students understand proper style and technique that goes along with each individual dance. With over 25 years of teaching and judging ballroom dance competitions you are sure to enjoy your dance lessons with Steve.