Welcome to Sergei’s Dance Studio, where our passion is turning spectators into dancers! With over 85 years of combined experience our award-winning instructors tailor each lesson to each dancer’s needs. We welcome social dancers, competitive dancers, professionals, children, wedding couples for first dance, and people who’ve never danced.
We hope you’ll join our family of dancers soon!
Sergei Shapoval the owner and dance director of Sergei’s Dance Studio, started dancing seriously at the age of 8 in the Ukraine and represented his country at the 1993 International Festival of Culture in France, where Ukraine took first place. Sergei has appeared on Ukrainian regional and national TV, and formerly competed as an amateur dancer in International Latin and Standard in Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, and Russia. He has received coaching from some of the finest coaches in the world. In 2001 Sergei was invited to teach in the United States and that same year he received a full Scholarship as one of the original members of Olympic Hopefuls Dance Program.
Sergei has taught students such as Rick Faugno (who plays Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys), Joyce Chittick (Rick’s wife, who is a Broadway dancer and choreographer), and Tara Palsha (lead dancer of Vegas! The Show). With Liza Smith, his former professional partner, Sergei was a winner and finalist at Professional American Smooth dancing competitions such as Ohio Star Ball, Emerald Ball, Manhattan Dancesport Championship, Nevada Star Ball, Holiday Dance Classic, among others. With Jami Jones, his former American Rhythm partner, Sergei has consistently won the Professional Rising Star American Rhythm division in ballroom dancing competitions such as California Star Ball 2010, Holiday Dance Classic 2010, City Lights 2011, among others.
With 24 years of dance experience — 17 of those as a dance teacher as well as a competitor — Sergei believes that learning to dance provides valuable benefits in many areas of life, and that dancing should not be a challenge but fun activity!
Liza, a native from Cape Town, South Africa started her career in both ballroom and ballet dancing at the tender age of six. As a junior level competitor, Liza was consistently a finalist in numerous competitions. In 1992, Liza advanced to competing at the “ amateur” ( adult ) level and from 1992 – 1995 was unbeaten in all major championships, including the Western Province and South African National Championships. In 1993, Liza and her partner made history by winning “The Shell Road to Fame,” in Sun City, South Africa, outperforming thousands of singers, musicians, and dancers in South Africa’s largest talent search. In 1994, she represented South Africa in the World Ballroom Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Liza became a professional dancer in 1996, representing South Africa in the World Ballroom Championships in Budapest, Hungary, as well as in the Open British Championships at Blackpool. Subsequently, she was chosen to represent her country in Fleetwood, England, placing sixth in this event. Liza also represented South Africa in the Open French Masters on the Isle of Reunion, where she placed third. In September 2000, Liza was invited to join the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in the New York region, where she received many top teacher awards for her hard work and dedication.
In April 2005, Liza teamed up with Sergei Shapoval in the American Smooth category. They won the Fred Astaire Rising Star Nationals in Las Vegas after a mere three weeks together and have placed and been winners in numerous competitions.
Adrian Lomeli , originally from El Paso, TX, dreamed about dancing since he was child but didn’t know how to begin. Finally in 2008 his sister introduced him to the ballroom world and he began dancing in the Open Amateur Circuit. With his passion for dancing and his unparalleled dedication to practice, Adrian ranked 4th in the Nation after only six months of competing.
Wanting to share dance with everyone Adrian developed the Salsa scene in El Paso by teaching at various nightclubs, and participating in events such as Look Who’s Dancing. Adrian also founded a program where young children developed their dancing skills at an early age and volunteered at the Boys and Girls Clubs. Adrian loves working with children of all ages and thinks that through ballroom dancing children can learn discipline, self-respect and poise.
Adrian currently specializes in American Rhythm, Smooth, wedding dance choreography and of course, Salsa!
Alexandria Toft showed an interest in ballroom dancing at the age of 15. With a strong background in competitive martial arts, Alexandria knew she had the drive and the strength to rise to the top of her new found hobby. It did not take long for Alexandria to realize she had developed a strong passion for ballroom dancing and that she had the natural ability to perform. Alexandria has performed at many prestigious events on the famous Las Vegas Strip, as well as being chosen as one of the dancers for singer/actress Jessica Simpson.
Alexandria believes that anyone can learn to dance and has dedicated much of her dancing career to teaching ballroom dancing to underprivileged youth in the Las Vegas Valley. As one of the youngest Professional Dance Instructors in the nation, Alexandria is rising to the top of her game and has achieved many first place awards in pro-am competitions and has always been a top three finalist when competing in American Rhythm and International Latin Dance Styles. Her humble and caring personality makes her an ideal instructor for both social and competitive dancers alike.
