Our Staff
Theo & Ganine Derleth
Are the proud owners of the Fort Myers Fred Astaire, the Number one School in the Nation. Theo & Ganine owned and operated the original Fred Astaire Dance Studio on Broadway in New York City. Together, they performed for The Rainbow Room, The Tavern on the Green, The Copacabana, Cipriani’s, Laura Belle’s, Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night’s Swing, Good Morning America and The Today Show.
Theo Derleth
Has produced and choreographed shows for stage, television and film. As an ambassador for the ballroom dance industry Theo reached around the world to bring top dance champions to the United States. He was a driving force and strong influence to the influx of foreign competitors in America by securing them visas, sponsorship, housing, training and employment. Many are now the top dancers representing the United States as well as teachers and studio owners. Theo has touched countless lives in the dance industry. Breaking down borders and encouraging the exchange of information, techniques and styles, the dance standard has been raised and will continue to grow.
Ganine Derleth
Sings and dances, her credits include original Broadway companies of The Will Rogers Follies, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, Two For The Show, national Actor’s Equity companies of 42nd Street and A Chorus Line, The Cotton Club with Henry LeTang, The Grammy Awards, The Tony Awards, The Kennedy Center Honors. She performed as a Rockette in the Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular, dance coach for Tony Bennett’s music video “Stepping Out”, opening act for Sammy Davis Jr. & Jerry Lewis, Cleopatra for Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas and as member of the first United States Olympic Dance Corps. Ganine taught dance at Columbia University, Fordham University, Wagner College, College of Staten Island, and SUNY Brockport for Dance Rochester as well as at her own schools.
Carly Goellner
Has been dancing classical ballet since the age of four, at the age of 18 she received a scholarship for dance at Slippery Rock University. In 2008 she joined the Fred Astaire family and has been teaching and competing professionally ever since. She was recently awarded TOP overall teacher at the 2010 National Dance sport Championships!
Lyndsay Ridenour
Has been a part of the Fred Astaire Family since 2005. She is currently one of the Teachers and Managers of the Fort Myers location. She is a Competing Profession and was the American Rhythm Champion at our Sundance Classic competition and also placed in the American Smooth Division at our Ibis Classic Competition.
Has been a part of the Fred Astaire Family since 2005. She is currently one of the Teachers and Managers of the Fort Myers location. She is a Competing Profession and was the American Rhythm Champion at our Sundance Classic competition and also placed in the American Smooth Division at our Ibis Classic Competition.
Russell Perkins
Has always had a passion for dance… he joined the Fred Astaire Family to perfect his training and is now a competing professional.
David Flory
Is a competitive dancer on both a regional and national level, recently winning top male instructor in the US for 2010. His dance experience includes everything from ballet, to modern, to jazz ballroom and Latin.
Michael Dressler
Has been dancing since the age of three and has been a Ballroom Dance instructor for Twenty years.
Ashley Montoya
Has been dancing professionally since the age of sixteen, she comes from family of dedicated dancers and have received top awards in her professional completions and her students have placed top in all of their competitions.
Jessica Kutluay
Is an alumni of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Theatre and Dance. She enjoys sharing the passion of dance with all she comes in contact with by teaching at Fred Astaire Ballroom Dance Studio as well as performing bellydance together with her sister Angela Hicks.