Credit – John Benson, Cleveland.com
NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio — The “Dancing with the Stars” craze continues, with viewers often wondering how they can make their ballroom dancing dreams come true.
That’s exactly what the newly opened Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 4647 Great Northern Blvd. in North Olmsted, is promising its students.
More so, owners Elena and Aleksei Minaev are as passionate about dance as they come.
“We are world champions,” said Elena, who along with her husband, Aleksei, spent a year performing on Norwegian Cruise Lines before moving stateside in 2017.
“We’ve been dancers our whole life, so as a result, we opened our own place. That’s something we wanted to do for a long time. It’s like a dream come true.”
Dancing together for more than two decades, the couple has competed around the world, including winning titles at the European Championship in Denmark, The World Championship of Russia, World Cup IDU in Rome, Fred Astaire National Professional Open Championship and Nashville Starz Ballroom Open Championship.
They’re also the current National Fred Astaire 10-Dance Champions for three years running.
Originally looking to open a studio in Westlake, Elena said the new 5,000-square-foot site offers a perfect setting.
Dance lessons range from salsa, mambo, merengue, rumba and cha cha to samba, bolero, foxtrot, tango and waltz. There’s even country and western two-step.
“I can talk about dancing for hours,” Elena said. “There’s nothing better, because it gives you so many benefits in your life. There’s health, friends and creating positive vibes and emotions.”
For those folks who are avid viewers of “Dancing with the Stars,” Elena promises that this is your moment.
“Coming to our studio, everybody will find things they’re looking for,” she said. “It’s a great activity. It’s very fun and very joyful.
“Also, they can stay healthy, because what can be better than the workout without doing a workout.”
