From as early as six years old, Angelina Evseeva’s mother would take her to dance classes. Angelina Evseeva loved where polished wooden floors seemed to gleam like liquid gold, and a dancer would move across it with a grace that defied the bounds of the physical world. This led to Angelina Evseeva doing jazz modern dancing and eventually ballroom dancing. While at a dance studio in a small town in Siberia, at seven, she started to do dance competitions, and her dancing dreams progressed.
“It was one of the biggest dance studios in my city,” said Evseeva. “I’ve been dancing all my life. From a small age, dancing was my dream, and I knew one day I’d own a dance studio.”
Since she was a child, Angelina Evseeva was exposed to the world of dance. She appreciated how a gentle sway in one’s hips can speak of years spent perfecting a dance style or how one glides across the stage making movements that are fluid and seamless, like water flowing over smooth stones.
Dancing throughout the years led to Evseeva going to a university and still taking dance classes. Dancing taught her invaluable lessons that have contributed to her success in high school, helping her excel in her university exams, and ultimately, led to her admittance into the prestigious Buryat State University to learn German language.
The discipline, focus, and dedication she developed through dancing translated seamlessly into her academic pursuits, enabling her to achieve her goals.
“I was one of the main dancers at the university,” said Evseeva. “Because a lot of the students never danced before. I’d train them, and we were doing concerts in the city and win the various contests between the universities in my town.”
This led to her going to different cities for dance competitions, generally DanceSport (Ballroom Dancing) let her go to different citifies and eventually, internationally such as to Mongolia. By 20 years old, Evseeva came to the United States in June of 2010 after her mother went to the United States and came across a program for college dance students.
“They pushed me to the United States and to see the world,” said Evseeva. “I had to learn English, and I wanted to transform into something more, I want to achieve more, and it was my dream to be in Florida.”
With Siberia having long winters that stiffen fingers despite thick gloves, numb toes inside fur-lined boots, and each inhale sending icy needles into the lungs, Evseeva looked forward to warmer weather. She realized she wanted cool weather when she traveled with her grandfather to Odesa, Ukraine, where they had bright beaches.
“I was jealous that some kids there could even do their homework on the beach,” said Evseeva. “It was my dream to live somewhere next to the ocean. When we came to the United States, we were in New York, but I came to Florida. It was my dream to see Miami.”
Once in the land where the sun rises with a lazy golden stretch, casting long fingers of light over the horizon, and where people seek shade beneath wide-brimmed hats and oversized sunglasses, she opened her dance studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Evseeva’s dance studio, Simply Dancing & Art invites the community to their diverse range of dance classes.
“I used to be an independent teacher,” said Evseeva. “I used to go from Fort Lauderdale to South Miami to teach dance. I even had some students in Boca Raton. I had a lot of students in North Miami. I trained kids, and most of them were Russian-speaking kids. I was literally teaching all over.”
From Latin, ballroom, Salsa, and wedding dancing, Simply Dancing & Art has experienced instructors helping to encourage, enthuse, and elevate your steps on the dance floor. The studio caters to all skill levels and ages.
“I wanted a place where my students can call it a home,” said Evseeva. “I wanted to create a special place.
Evseeva is a two-time champion in the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival. Which is often referred to as the “Crown Jewel” of competitive ballroom dancing, is also three-time US National Champion, and works with other award-winning dance instructors.
“We have 10-time world champions as coaches,” said Evseeva. “I met a lot of world-famous dancers through the competitions and even took lessons with them and here, anyone can get lessons from them. We opened last year, and adults have the opportunity to do group classes and interact, have fun, and dance with different partners. More goal-oriented people can have private sessions and dance with our instructors and even go to competitions.”
Jene Kapela has been taking dance lessons at the studio. She took a trip to Cartegena, Colombia about 10 years ago, and she took a dance lesson there, even though she believes she’s always been a bad dancer.
Kapela, who is a lifelong lover of dance and Program Director of the non-profit Emerge Broward, went to a restaurant near Simply Dancing & Art Studio.
“I saw that there was a dance studio next door,” said Kapela. “I immediately booked a private lesson and attended their next group class, and I was hooked.”
She focuses on Rhythm dances, specifically Cha Cha, Rumba, and Swing. Kapela also practices Salsa, Bachata, and the Hustle. Kapela had her second dance competition last month, the Boca Ballroom Dancesport Competition and she competed in Cha Cha, Rumba, and Swing.
“Training with them is so fun,” said Kapela. “Angelina [Evseeva], the studio owner and her professional dance partner, and my teacher, work together to plan my curriculum and make sure my lessons are challenging but also entertaining. After the competition, Angelina presented me with a huge bouquet of pink roses. They are always supportive and encouraging and take my interest in dancing seriously.”
Since Kapela is with Emerge Broward, she decided to share her experience with the young professionals and members of the non-profit organization. Evseeva worked with the Emerge Broward members since a few had expressed interest in a salsa class.
“Jene [Kapela] is one of our main students,” said Evseeva. “They worked with our professional dancer, Stanislav Morozov, and Jene won two dance championships. We see with Stanislav [Morozov] how Jene [Kapela] is transferring to the amazing dancer on every lesson she takes. She makes huge progress. We created that event because we wanted to share this with more people who’ll share it with friends, family, and see a part of our beautiful world.”
The beautiful dance studio also offers classes for painting, vocal classes, dance clothes for sale, and various camps for kids, like Summer Camp.
“It’s not just dance classes,” said Evseeva. “But programs where kids can learn the artistic world. It’s one place where they can do and learn artistic skills.”
Simply Dancing & Art also works with children and gives them access to learn and practice with professional, experienced and world recognized dance coaches. If you’re a parent wanting to find enriching experiences for your child or an adult in search of a fresh hobby, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
“We have very nice kids and very nice parents,” said Evseeva. We have group classes, and they learn a lot of different aspects not just with dance, but in life such as the way they talk to a teacher and the way they act in front of people, and how to succeed in life. I see how the kids grow up with us and I like to talk to them about how they feel about things, specific movements, and it’s about teamwork and confidence beyond the dance floor.”
Visitors to the dance studio will also meet Krosha, Evseeva’s 12-year-old chihuahua who has been with her since she started her American journey. Krosha, who is a small, white dog, no bigger than a loaf of bread, also pads across the dance room on soft, tiny paws.
“He is my best friend,” said Evseeva. “My family member and my best business partner. He also danced at one of the showcases with my student in the show, “Over the Rainbow” acting on behalf of Toto. He’s the fury boss of the studio and he meets and greets all the students. His presence adds a touch of cuteness, bringing extra smiles to the studio atmosphere.”
Evseeva hopes to encourage more students to improve everyone’s lifestyle, get people happier and healthier and open more locations. Evseeva’s mother also visited the studio and took lessons. The mother and daughter duo worked together on dance lessons leading Evseeva’s mother to her first ballroom dance competition which was a dream come true to do her ballroom dance competition which she won.
“My dad will be next,” said Evseeva. “I’ve loved dance since I was a child, and this is my dream to show everyone, even a person with two left feet, that we can all dream and have something to dance to.”
Very nice article Nile. It’s good to see a Russian point of view in coming to America.
Thank you very much! 🙂