Georgia Ambarian has been dancing since the age of five. She graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Boston Conservatory. After graduating, she decided to add ballroom dancing to her list of dance studies, and quickly found a new calling and outlet for her skills.
Georgia teaches for Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She is a ten-time National Fred Astiare Theatrical Champion. Georgia and her partner, Eric Luna, are also two-time World Cabaret Champions, two-time United States National Cabaret Champions, Ohio Start Ball Champions, Heritage Classic Champions, and three-time United States representatives at the Blackpool Invitational. They have been featured performers on the PBS special “American’s Ballroom Challenge” and the ABC hit “Dancing with the Stars.”
Georgia is a passionate teacher and coach. Her many years of ballet, modern, and jazz training, combined with her knowledge of Rhythm and Smooth help create a multi-faceted understanding of technique, movement, and performance quality.
Accomplishments to Date:
Two-time World Cabaret Champions
Two-time United States National Cabaret Champions
Ohio Start Ball Champions
Heritage Classic Champions
Three-time United States representatives at the Blackpool Invitational
PBS special “American’s Ballroom Challenge” ABC hit “Dancing with the Stars.” / featured performers
Jesse Benedetti - Jesse brings ten years of experience to the Fred Astaire’s of Ft. Walton Beach by way of Tennessee. One of the few to have worked at every angle of the industry, as an instructor to management, he owned and operated the Coral Springs, Florida Fred Astaire’s for three years. He gave it all up to come join us in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, and return to teaching and training. Jesse has been under the world renown tutelage of Bruno Collins and LuAnn Pullium to reach his goals.
While working at his craft he was partnered with Kimalee Piedad, another instructor in the studio, and their combined efforts have earned them numerous titles. As professionals they won the 2007 Fred Astaire national Theatre Arts Championship, the Florida State Open Championship, and the Open Challenge of the Continent. This dynamic duo most recently placed 2nd at the prestigious United States Championships in the Theatrical division, and were invited as one of the world representatives in 2009 to Blackpool, England.
Jesse’s return to the teaching and competitive arena has paid off. He is recognized as one of the Top Instructors in Florida, as well as one of the most engaging professionals around. His love of dance and zest for life makes him a fantastic instructor and entertaining performer.
Accomplishments to Date:
2nd National Cabaret Champions
2nd World Cabaret Champions
United States Championships in the Theatrical division
Emerald Ball Showdance Champion
Southern States Dancesport Cabaret Champion
Fred Astaire’s Cabaret Champions
2008 Desire Street Show / Charity Event / Performer
Ronald Guillen- Ronald was born and raised abroad in Lima, Peru. He started his dancing career at the young age of seven. He has studied Folk dancing and Latin, and enjoys a career teaching, performing and choreographing dance of all forms. During his youth he represented Peru in many competitions throughout Europe and South America.
In 2006 he moved to the United States, and as a professional dancer joined the Fred Astaire’s studio in Sarasota, Florida. While working as an instructor he participated in the pre-champ divisions in Regional and National competitions in the Orlando, Florida area. Presently, he is ranked among the top male instructors in Florida for 2007. Ronald recently relocated to the Emerald Coast of Florida to join the teaching staff at the Ft. Walton Beach Fred Astaire’s. He is partnered with Katie Jenkins, and will be hitting the professional stage soon to show off their sharp and elegant style. Everyone at the studio enjoys this international dancer and his Peruvian accent, which makes him a welcome addition.
Accomplishment to Date:
2008 Desire Street Show / Charity Event/ Performer
Eric Luna came to Ballroom dancing after spending most of his life training for a career in sports. He transferred the dedication and teamwork developed in athletics to his dance career.
Eric’s hard work has paid off, both in his teaching and his competitive career. His efforts in Ft. Walton Beach have earned Eric recognition as one of Fred Astaire’s Top Teachers for the past seven years. In addition to winning the National Fred Astaire Smooth title, and is a seven-time National Fred Astaire Theatrical Champion. Eric and his partner, Georgia Ambarian, are also two-time United States national Cabaret Champions, two-time World Cabaret Champions, Ohio Star Ball Champions, Heritage Classic Champions, and three-time United States representatives at the Blackpool Invitational. The have also been featured performers on the PBS Special “America’s Ballroom Challenge” and the ABC hit “Dancing with the Start.”
Eric has a reassuring nature with his students and strives to instill the best in them through a calm, yet persistent personality. His eleven year of experience allow him to bring a great depth of knowledge to his lessons.
Accomplishments to Date:
Two-time World Cabaret Champions
Two-time United States National Cabaret Champions
Ohio Start Ball Champions
Heritage Classic Champions
Three-time United States representatives at the Blackpool Invitational
PBS special “American’s Ballroom Challenge”
ABC hit “Dancing with the Stars.” / featured performers
Kimalee Piedad- Kimalee has been in the dance world all of her life. She danced professionally with the Louisville Ballet (2002-2003), Ballet Met (2003-2004), and as a Principal Dancer for the Northwest Florida Ballet here in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. This ballerina has fourteen years of experience in classical dance training. She fills some of her spare time with this local organization teaching ballet to young dancers.
In 2005, she joined Fred Astaire’s Dance Studio in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida and immediately began her competitive Ballroom dancing career. As a talented instructor, she has assisted many students in presenting themselves in a graceful way. She teaches our Kids Class in ballet, and performs throughout the community at special events.
Kimalee and her partner, Jesse Benedetti, are currently ranked second in the nation and the world in the Cabaret Divisions. Together they hold many dance titles for their unique performances. This dynamic duo most recently placed 2nd at the prestigious United States Championships in the Theatrical division, and were invited as one of the world representatives in 2009 to Blackpool, England. They are definitely worth watching!
Accomplishments to Date:
2nd National Cabaret Champions
2nd World Cabaret Champions
United States Championships in the Theatrical division
Emerald Ball Showdance Champion
Southern States Dancesport Cabaret Champion
Fred Astaire’s Cabaret Champions
2008 Desire Street Show / Charity Event / Performer
Chris Schultz -Chris is from the snowy state of Michigan, where he graduated from high school and joined the United States Marine Corps. After his military career, he moved to the sandy beaches of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida where he decided to purse a career that would allow his artistic talents to shine. In 2005, he joined the top studio in the state and has been non stop ever since. He is ranked as one of the Top male Instructors in the state of Florida in 2007.
While his week is full of teaching, his practice time is spent with the some of the best, such as Bruno Collins, Makism Chmerkovskiy, and Jonathan Roberts to improve his performances. Chris’s laid back and fun-loving approach to each lesson makes him a sought after instructor and is currently our Studio’s Guest Director.
Chris is presently partnered with Stephanie Parker, and together won the Pre-Champ division regionally, and placed 2nd at the National level in Orlando, Florida. They are the up and coming couple to watch! In March of 2008, he traveled internationally to Argentina to compete in the World Pro-Amateur Championships. This trip was truly one of his most memorable. While It is apparent to all that Dancing is a passion of his, he always continues to use his talents to be a stand-out in the professional arena.
Accomplishments to Date:
2006 Regional Novice Champion
2007 Regional Pre-Champ Champion
2007 Freddy Award Recipient
2008 National Smooth Finalist
2008 National Rising Star Finalist
2007 & 2008 Desire Street Show / Charity Event / Performer
Diedre Williams- Diedre moved to the area as a child from Palm Springs, California. She was very active in theperforming arts, voice, piano, art, and many different sports as a child. She continued her athletics during her high school years as a member of the volleyball, tennis, and Step teams. Whatever she was involved in, dancing was always her passion and focus.
At the age of thirteen, she began taking lessons and dancing competitively at an independent studio. Her love of dance convinced her brother to start dancing. Upon graduation from high school, Diedre decided to continue her quest of excellence by training to become a professional dancer and instructor at Fred Astaire’s in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. She inspires others throughout the community to dance as an instructor for Liza Jackson Prepatory, Northwest Florida State College, retirement homes and several elementary schools in the area. She also participated in the Relay for Life in 2007.
Diedre continues to make a name for herself, with many accomplishments including attending Northwest Florida State College part-time. She is working towards a degree in the Performing Arts. The focus of her dance is in Latin and Rhythm. As a competitor since 2004, her tall lines and graceful moves make her beautiful to watch.
Accomplishments to Date:
National and Regional awards in the Pre-Champ and Novice Divisions
Fred Astaire’s National Pre-Champ title w/ partner / Orlando, Florida /2007
2008 Desire Street Show / Charity Event / Performer
Georgia Ambarian has been dancing since the age of five. She graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Boston Conservatory. After graduating, she decided to add ballroom dancing to her list of dance studies, and quickly found a new calling and outlet for her skills.
Jesse Benedetti - Jesse brings ten years of experience to the Fred Astaire’s of Ft. Walton Beach by way of Tennessee. One of the few to have worked at every angle of the industry, as an instructor to management, he owned and operated the Coral Springs, Florida Fred Astaire’s for three years. He gave it all up to come join us in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, and return to teaching and training. Jesse has been under the world renown tutelage of Bruno Collins and LuAnn Pullium to reach his goals. 
Ronald Guillen- Ronald was born and raised abroad in Lima, Peru. He started his dancing career at the young age of seven. He has studied Folk dancing and Latin, and enjoys a career teaching, performing and choreographing dance of all forms. During his youth he represented Peru in many competitions throughout Europe and South America. 
Eric Luna came to Ballroom dancing after spending most of his life training for a career in sports. He transferred the dedication and teamwork developed in athletics to his dance career.
Kimalee Piedad- Kimalee has been in the dance world all of her life. She danced professionally with the Louisville Ballet (2002-2003), Ballet Met (2003-2004), and as a Principal Dancer for the Northwest Florida Ballet here in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. This ballerina has fourteen years of experience in classical dance training. She fills some of her spare time with this local organization teaching ballet to young dancers. 
Chris Schultz -Chris is from the snowy state of Michigan, where he graduated from high school and joined the United States Marine Corps. After his military career, he moved to the sandy beaches of Ft. Walton Beach, Florida where he decided to purse a career that would allow his artistic talents to shine. In 2005, he joined the top studio in the state and has been non stop ever since. He is ranked as one of the Top male Instructors in the state of Florida in 2007. 
Diedre Williams- Diedre moved to the area as a child from Palm Springs, California. She was very active in theperforming arts, voice, piano, art, and many different sports as a child. She continued her athletics during her high school years as a member of the volleyball, tennis, and Step teams. Whatever she was involved in, dancing was always her passion and focus.