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Ballroom dancing is enjoying its biggest resurgence since the 1940s, thanks to television shows such as “Dancing With the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” and feature films “Mad Hot Ballroom” and “Shall We Dance.” Professional competitions are increasing, dance as fitness and health businesses are thriving, and countless people are lacing up their dancing shoes in studios everywhere.
So it’s no doubt that the opening of the Arthur Murray Mt Kisco Dance Studio at 175 E. Main Street three years ago has created more than a buzz. In that short time, its developed into a growing community of students and teachers, all moving around the dance floor with a common goal – taking advantage of the many benefits and “new cool” of dance.
The studio is operated by international dance champions and partners, Yuliya Zubava and Andrei Svirydzenka, both from Belarus. They began as DanceSport competitors as children (and continue to compete) and eventually decided to turn their talent, knowledge and skills into helping others discover the pure joy, excitement and other benefits they see in ballroom dance.
And those benefits are plentiful. Dancing in the studio is much more fun than working out in the gym, dancers gain self confidence and learn to relax, studies show that dancing improves brain activity, and the social and emotional benefits gained from dancing together with a partner or with others through group class participation, practice parties, showcases and competitions are significant.
Zubava and Svirydzenka have been associated with Arthur Murray International, first as teachers, for over ten years, and have gained success throughout the world in dance competitions for over two decades. They’ve won junior, youth and Amateur Belorussian championships in Standard, Latin and 10-dance categories and have collected several top 10 finishes in International DanceSport Federation competitions throughout the world.
In addition to operating their studio, Yuliya and Andrei have devoted their talents to giving back to the community as well, through thousands of dollars worth of gift certificates for auctions or fundraisers, and have donated their time and training to local “Dancing with the Stars” type fundraising events for organizations such as as Hillside Food Outreach and Bedford’s Temple Shaaray Tefila.
"I have always thought that dance can be a life changer for people, and the ability to expose them to this through lessons or through charitable participation and demonstration, is what I enjoy most," said Zubava.
