Fred Astaire Hartford Ballroom Dance Studio - Latin, Salsa, Swing, Wedding Dance Lessons

Fred Astaire West Hartford Dance Studio - Dance Instructors and Staff

Jessica Lengenfelder - director
Jessica began dancing at the age of 4 and has a dance background of ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, acrobatics, and hip hop. She took a break from dancing while attending the university of connecticut, where she received her bachelors degree in child psychology. Jessica started at fred astaire in 1998 where she met and started competing with her husband Clemens. The two took over ownership of the studio in 2001.

Clemens Lengenfelder - instructor/dance director/manager
Clemens began dancing in Linz, Austria at the age of 15. After completing all of his examinations in dance school, he began competing in major dance competitions throughout europe including the Austrian Open, German Open, Italian Open, Copenhagen Open, Czech Republic Open, and Blackpool. He was recruited by the studio in 1998 and became the owner with his wife in 2001. During his time with Fred Astaire, he has won numerous new england regional championships as well as top teacher awards. He is also the proud winner of the 2004 superhero award.

Alexander Lengenfelder - studio host
Starting to develop great hip action! Just learning the foxtrot, give him 16 years and he'll be ready to teach!

Debra Stroiney - dance instructor

Started dancing at age 6 in tap and jazz. While living in Boston, she started learning salsa, cha cha, and merengue. She became a member of the Noche Latina Dance Company where she started performing as well as acting as their marketing director. She made it to the semi-finals in the Boston Salsa Competition. She started with Fred Astaire in October 2004 and has been awarded the title of Mixed Novice Champion of New England. Debra is currently attending Southern CT State University for her masters in sport and performance psychology.

Tim Brooks - Dance Instructor

Originally from England, Tim was born the son of two professional dancers. As a junior he competed in International Style Ballroom and Latin competitions. He was four times North East of England Latin Champion before deciding to specialize in Latin American. Since then he has won many titles including the Amateur Rising Star Latin in Brentwood, London. He also represented England in Blackpool, the Dutch Open, the Italian Open, Gothenburg Invitational, Celtic Classic, Madrid Invitational, various IDSF competitions as well as the United Kingdom Championships. He has trained with some of the world’s most prestigious teachers and taught by invitation at 3 dance schools in England with great success before joining the West Hartford Fred Astaire team.
*Tim and his partner Mila are available for shows and performances, please call the studio for rates.

Harra Giangrave - office manager
Has been with the West Hartford studio for ten years and has been named "Receptionist of the Year" every year! Harra is our "go-to"girl and also helps out at our regional competitions!

Olaf Pries-Dance Instructor

Olaf has just joined us from Germany where he has been very successful in both the Latin and Standard styles of dance. Olaf competed in the highest levels in Germany as well as teaching, coaching and judging. Olaf owned his own dance school in Hamburg and danced many shows throughout Germany with his partner. Olaf also specializes in Argentine Tango. Mr. Pries had the honor of helping to choreograph Dirty Dancing and has recently been coaching Sara Connor one of Germany's biggest pop stars. We are very excited and honored to have Olaf join our team.

Mila Goldberg-Dance Instructor

Of German and Russian descent, Mila started her dance education at age 10. After three months of training she won the Berlin Championship. She was so successful that she continued to compete in both International Standard and Latin and won the Berlin Championships five times by the time she was 12 while making the final and placing second in 10 dance at the German Championship. Other accomplishements include second place in the Hungarian Latin Championships, and the two time winner of the Hungarian ten-dance Championships. Emilia has travelled around the world taking coachings from top professionals and competing. At age 15 she started an education in Modern and Ballet dance while continuing to compete in many IDSF competitions and she and her partner were the top Latin couple in Switzerland. Mila has much experience in all styles of dance and can teach beginners through Advanced dancers.
*Mila and her partner Tim are available for shows and performances, please call the studio for rates.

Marcia Lewis-Monopoli
Marcia comes to us with a diverse background in the Arts. Singing, Dancing, and Acting since childhood, she has been building her talent ever since. Competitive figure skating and gymnastics rounded out her extra-curricular activites until high school where she focused on musical theater. After attending Dean College and the Hartford Conservatory (where Marcia received her degree in music, theater, and dance), she became a professional singer with great success. Keeping a busy schedule, she also found time to shoot various regional commercials and was a background dancer for a show featuring rap artist 50 cent. She is more than pleased to join the Fred Astaire Family.