Owners
Michael Guzmán, a native of Puerto Rico, grew up in New York City. While attending Syracuse University, he began his ballroom dance instruction teaching for Walt Medicis. A former teacher at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, he gained further experience as a choreographer for the school musicals and as the instructor for the Ballroom Dance Club. His performance credits include Pepe in West Side Story and Pedro in Man of la Mancha. Mike and Jennifer Greene, his assistant and dance partner, have danced together for functions such as the State Fair, ABC Spring Silent Auction and the Carriage House Cotillion. Mike is a regular guest instructor in many school districts throughout the county.
Jennifer Greene, originally from Virginia, moved to Syracuse after having attended Ithaca College for her Masters Degree in Music. While an undergraduate student, she got her first taste of dancing the polka while working at the Interlochen Summer Music Camp in Michigan. Jennifer continued her pursuit of ballroom dancing by studying at Arthur Murray’s with her husband, Tony. A teacher at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, it wasn’t long before she met Mike and began attending his Ballroom Dance Club. When Mike opened the studio in September of 1999, Jennifer began her training as an assistant instructor. She and Mike have danced together with the Syracuse Symphony and taught together in demonstrations/ workshops at the New York State Fair and many area schools.
Office Manager
Kris Caccamo
Teachers
Marisa Guzmán-Colegrove has been a part of the Central New York dance community for many years. She teaches at GDS, Syracuse School of Dance and is an Adjunct Professor at Syracuse University. Her teaching credits include Flamenco, Jazz, Creative Movement, Modern, Stott Pilates and Ballet. She has performed with the Syracuse Contemporary Dance Company, Syracuse Opera Company and with the Syracuse Symphony. Marisa has choreographed for Fayetteville Manlius High School musicals, Flamenco for the Syracuse Symphony and for the Syracuse Contemporary Dance Company. Marisa, this year at GDS, will be teaching Creative Movement. Her greatest creations, thus far, have been her beautiful daughters Elena María, born December 2nd, 2005 and Silvia Isabella born July 17th, 2007.
Sarah McCombie is a native of Chittenango who began dancing at the age of 4 and has studied under several different teachers on the East and West coast. She has competed at many dance competitions and has received many awards including being selected to participate in the Pro Bowl Half Time Show in Hawaii. In addition, she was chosen “Sweetheart” four consecutive hears in the I Love Dance competitions and traveled to Los Angeles and Las Vegas to perform. She has spent the last 4 years studying Ballet, Jazz and Modern at the Center of Ballet and Dance Arts in Syracuse, NY. Sarah will be teaching Ballet, Pointe, Modern and Jazz at GDS this year.
Lisa Powell has been teaching in the Syracuse area since 1995. Her training includes the Royal Academy of Dancing Ballet Sylabus in which she graduated with distinction. She attended Teacher Training Programs through Dance Educators of America as well as classes at Steps and Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Lisa continues to study and perform Ballet, Jazz, and Modern and looks forward to instructing at Guzmán's this year.