Fort Walton Beach Staff

Georgia Ambarian

Georgia 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

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 Studio in Sarasota. Ronald along with his Wife Katie joined the Ft Walton Fred Astaire Team in 2007. While also working as an instructor is competes as a professional dancer in the Rhythm category. Everyone at the studio enjoys this international dancer and his Peruvian accent, which makes him a welcome addition to our staff.

Accomplishment to Date:
2010 Fred Astaire World Rhythm Champion
2010 Fred Astaire World Rising Star Champion,
6th place United States Rising Star Rhythm couple
3rd place at Ohio Star Ball in Rising Star.
2008-2010 Dancing with Desire performer

Eric Luna

Eric 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, "currently ranked 1st 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 "won" the prestigious United States Championships in the Theatrical division, and were invited as one of the world representatives in 2009 and 2010 where they placed 2nd in the World" They are definitely worth watching!

Accomplishments to Date:
National Cabaret Champions,
World Cabaret Champions,
Ohio Star Ball Cabaret Champions
World Fred Astaire 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