DANCE STUDIO
Instructors
Gert Roslender
The owner of Aurelia Dance Studio, Mr. Gert Roslender, started dancing at the age of nine in Estonia. Since then, he has won many ballroom titles in International Ballroom and Latin. Even after finishing university as a civil engineer, he never lost his passion for ballroom and continued competing and opened his own dance studio. In 1998 Mr. Roslender started competing and coaching in the United States. He is certified by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), North American Dance Teachers Association (NADTA) and the National Dance Council of America (NDCA). Gert has achieved a very high level of success as a professional dancer and instructor. He is United States Professional Rising Star Ballroom Champion and Professional Open Ballroom Grand Finalists. He is also co-organizing the Riverfront DanceSport Festival. Gert is a top ranked pro-am competitor nationally and regionally, having the opportunity to instruct and partner many students to United States and World Championship titles. He not only enjoys working with competition level students, but he also enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of dance with students at all levels, from young children to those who want to have fun and improve their skill as social dancers. Gert can help you discover your dance goals and make them a reality.
Kirsti Roslender
Kirsti was always detined to be a dancer. At the age of 4 she started with ballet and step dance classes and continued with gymnastics until she was 10. She started teaching childrens classes during high school and recognized an immediate passion for teaching. She earned a masters degree in cultural studies, choreography and dance instruction. Kirsti, with her life partner Gert, represented Estonia five times in European and World Championships before moving to the United States in 1998. There, they continued their professional career, becoming United States Rising Star Champions and Open Standard Grand Finalists. Kirsti is certified by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and the National Dance Council of America (NDCA), placing her in an elite category of ballroom dance instructors worldwide who have attained these designations. Whether it is the basics of social dance choreography, a wedding dance, or performing in studio showcases, she would love to teach you. Kirsti believes that dancing is fun and great exercise and that anyone can learn this beautiful form of expression for a lifetime of enjoyment.
Jonah Schneider
Jonah began his dance career in 1996 as an amateur social dancer and quickly became interested in competition. By 1997 he competed for the first time as an amateur and later decided to become an instructor and began teaching in 2001 and became a Professional in 2004. He trained diligently with world class coaches and trainers as well as completing professional instructor exams.
Some of Jonah’s accomplishments: World Professional Open American Rhythm Finalist, World Professional American Rhythm Rising Star Champion, U.S. Professional American Rising Star Vice-Champion, Fred Astaire Professional Open American Rhythm Vice-Champion, and Multiple time Fred Astaire Professional Open American Rhythm Finalist.
Over the years he has won several top teacher awards throughout the U.S. while partnering many students in pro/am divisions achieving U.S. and World titles. A memorable experience was dancing on the main stage with the Dancing with the Stars cast and celebrities in the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade.
Jonah enjoys working with all types of students from beginners through advanced levels, dancing Pro/Am events with competitive students, social, or wedding preparation. Helping people believe in themselves, accomplish their personal goals, and developing a strategy for success and exceeding their own expectations is Jonah’s goal all while making it easy and enjoyable.
Esther McCrystal
From a very early age, Esther has always loved both the art and science of physical movement. She began taking karate classes when she was eight years old, eventually earning her black belt. Through this art form she gained a love and respect for the powerful ways physicality can be used to protect, communicate, and creatively inspire others. As a young girl, she looked on longingly while other kids took ballet classes, wishing she could be a dancer, and thinking that surely it was impossible for “someone like her”.
By the time she discovered competitive partner dancing in college, the stage had been thoroughly set for her to fall in love with the creative sport. She quickly discovered that people like her, could in fact, dance at a competitive level. She has been dancing ever since.
Because of her fierce passion for the sport, Esther is highly techincal when preparing herself and her students for competitions. Her specialties are West Coast Swing, Salsa, and Bachata.
Although she knows all too well how daunting it can be to step into a studio for the first time, Esther firmly believes that anyone can overcome their fear and learn how to dance, and, most importantly, how to have fun. Her goal is to help her students do just that.