Kirsten Obermiller came to FADS Belmont with a diverse and eclectic background in dance and performance art. Along with her obsession for all things ballroom, she also has extensive experience with street, club, and belly dance styles. She has directed and appeared in numerous experimental performance art pieces and is an accomplished performer and trainer of trick hula-hoop, circus arts, and fire dance. Kirsten is also an award-winning fashion and costume designer. She is thrilled to be able to share her passion and love through teaching such a unique and life changing art.


Melodie Brannan began her formal education at the British Record Industry Trust School, and following completion enrolled at the Laban Centre of London.  Following her training, she started her career as a dance performer, instructor, and choreographer.  Melodie taught throughout London, specializing in childrens instruction in a variety of dance styles.  She also staged numerous performance pieces for stage, television, and theatre.  In 2003 she joined the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Glastonbury, CT, later transferring to Greensboro, NC.  Since joining the Belmont staff, she has acquired a reputation of teaching exciting and high-energy lessons.


Istvan Cserven enjoyed an extensive dance career in his native Hungary before moving to the United States; there he held the amateur title of Hungarian Standard Champion, three-time Vice-Hungarian 10-Dance Champion, and was a member of the National Champion Latin Formation Team.  For the next 11 years he coached competitive couples of all levels and ages, as well as the Hungarian Latin Youth Champions.  He also served as the Vice-President of the Hungarian Dance Sport Association for two years.  Istvan joined the Fred Astaire studios of New England in 1997 and has since taught in the Norwood, Boston, and Hanover locations.  He has been named Top Teacher at the Fred Astaire Tri-Star Championships, and is an accomplished Licentiate of the U.S. Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing.  "I love to see people grow in all aspects of their life through developing their dance ability."


Michael Lombo discovered his love and talent for the arts in high school, where he first appeared on-stage and began singing in and choreographing musical productions.  He graduated with honors from Rowan University, receiving a BA in Vocal Music with an emphasis in Education and minors in Theatre and Dance.  While in college, Michael won numerous American College Dance Festival Gala Honors for his choreography.  Most recently, Michael worked as a professional musical theatre actor in the Toronto, Ontario area.  Favorite roles include:  Jerry from The Full Monty, Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods, Bobby Strong in Urinetown: The Musical, and Jamie in The Last Five Years.  He is thrilled to be a part of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio's family where he hopes to help others find their passion for dance.


Martin Rycroft started dancing at the age of 4 and by age 8 was already into ballroom and Latin American dancing styles.  He soon began competing regularly, soon reaching the World Junior 10 Dance semi-finals and representing Wales as the Welsh Champion throughout Europe and beyond.  Later on, Martin became a part of the chart-topping pop band The Fast Food Rockers.  In 2006 he appeared in the Channel 4 production of "Boys Will Be Girls" before joining a Take That tribute band and working as a choreographer/performer throughout Manchester.  Martin recently joined the Norwood/Belmont team, where he splits his time between the two studios.


Dance action photos are generously provided by Mark Druy.