Meet The Staff

Lori Brizzi - Event Director

Ron Bess - MC

Ron resides in Southern New Jersey and has been dancing in the Hustle scene for over 35 years. He has performed on the nationally syndicated TV show "Dance Fever" and has won over 100 dance contests throughout the United States. Ron has been the Master of Ceremonies at many Hustle conventions and events for the last 20 years including the first Hustle USA, NY Hustle Congress, Disco American Dance Championships. Currently he promotes/organizes dance socials, coaches dance couples and is the editor of the on line newsletter "DanceTalk®" - reaching over 20,000 dancers every week. In efforts to keep the history of the Hustle alive, he helped create, write biographies and design the 'Hustle Hall Of Fame' website. Ron was the recipient of the Icon Award at the 2011 'NY Hustle Congress, Christopher M. Nardone Award, The 'World Hustle Dance Championships' Life Time Achievement Award, and inducted into 'Disco America' Hall Of Fame in 2013. Ron has also promoted and CO-produced events including The PBS televised "Get Down Tonight - The Disco Explosion," and the annual 'Holiday Spectacular'.

Kimberly Vanaman Head Judge

Kim is a National Hustle Specialist and is THE “go-to” Hustle Dance Instructor in New England.. Kim is also trained in American Style Ballroom Dance with an extensive focus on East Coast Swing, WCS, as well as a strong background in Jazz and Tap dancing and performing. Consistently finishing in the top 3 of all National Hustle Pro Jack and Jill events; Finalist, World Hustle Professional Division, International Hustle and Salsa Competition; 3rd Place, Professional Classic Hustle, Hustle USA; 1st Place, Classic Hustle ProAm Showcase, The Easterns Dancesport Competition; Founding member, original officer and currently the Regional Representative for the IHDA (Interrnational Hustle Dance Association); "Top Teacher Award", Hustle USA; The Arte Phillips Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kelvin & Loriann Roche

Together they are 9 time World Hustle Champions. Featured in many movies together, such as Disney's Enchanted and El Cantante with Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. They have traveled around the world preforming in places like Egypt, China, Japan and Hawaii. Choreographed So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Kelvin, with a Latin background, has been dancing all his life. Studied with Joffrey Ballet, trained in Latin and ballroom. Has background in jazz and modern from studying in New York City. Finalist at USBC in International Latin.. Featured in several commercials, television shows and movies as well as Life Magazine. Worked with Vanessa Williams, Rubin Blades, Conan O'Brian and more. Since the age of 4, Loriann found a love for dance. Trained in ballet for 15 years, and ballroom and Latin for 25. Studied with the Royal Academy of Dance in England. Finalist at USBC in American Rhythm and Theater Arts. Also a finalist in the Invitational Theater Arts in Blackpool, England. World Hustle Champion 9 times.

Louie Orlando & Beth Darchi

Louis and Elizabeth have been instructors for dance events: IHSC, Disco America, Tri-State Dance Festival, Canada Salsa and Bachata Congress, LA Hustle Congress, plus more. Louie has been teaching and dancing for many years and is considered one of the best Hustle leaders. Elizabeth has attended Performing Arts High School as a Ballet major. She also has an extensive dance repertoire of Jazz/Theater, Salsa, Ballroom and Hustle. As a choreographer she has touched the realm of show productions and choreographing for major Dance events.

Louis and Beth’s workshops are fun and informative where they have a chemistry that will have you wanting more. They strive to introduce their innovative funky/rhythm and creative style in Hustle by utilizing Classic House, Hip-Hop and R&B music. Their diversity has been the hallmark of their career.

Maria Torres

World Hustle Champion, Dance Magazine 2023 Honoree, and New York Performing Arts Library's 2023 Oral History and Residency recipient.

Maria Torres is an acclaimed dancer and choreographer who has left an indelible mark on the world of dance. With a dazzling career spanning decades, Maria's passion and dedication to her craft have earned her the title of World Hustle Champion, showcasing her exceptional skills on dance floors around the globe.

In 2023, Dance Magazine recognized Maria Torres as one of its honorees, acknowledging her outstanding
contributions to the dance industry. Her innovative choreography and artistic vision have inspired countless
dancers and enthusiasts worldwide.

Maria's commitment to preserving the history and legacy of dance led her to the prestigious New York Performing Arts Library, where she was selected for the 2023 Oral History and Residency program. This unique opportunity allows her to delve into the rich tapestry of dance history, sharing her own experiences and insights while contributing to the library's extensive collection of dance knowledge.

Maria Torres continues to be a beacon of excellence in the dance world, and her achievements serve as an inspiration to dancers and artists everywhere. Her remarkable journey in dance and her dedication to its preservation make her a true luminary in the field.

Daniel McGee

Founder and co-owner of Top Hat Dance Studios in Philadelphia and Lancaster as well as Top Hat Dance Studio School of Ballet. Since its grand opening in 1995, the strength of Top Hat Dance Studio has been attributed to his abilities, both as a dancer and an instructor. For over 15 years, Daniel has continued to teach, perform and compete in the Ballroom, Latin, and Hustle dance forms. He is currently one of the top ranked competitors in the country and undefeated in the Pro/Am Theatre Arts Hustle division. Daniel is currently on the board of the International Hustle Dance Association. In addition, Daniel received his Associate certification in International Standard with a "Highly Commended" score by the ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance) in 2007. In 2008, Daniel recieved, "with Honors" his ISTD Licentiate Theatre Arts certification. Daniel is also a member of the National Dance Council of America (NDCA).

Jameson Kilburn

Is co-owner of Top Hat Dance Studios of Philadelphia and Lancaster where he can be found teaching group classes and private lessons in Ballroom, Latin, Swing, & Hustle. For the past 10 years Jameson has continued to study, teach, compete, and perform in the arena of professional partner dancing. Recently Jameson received a score of "Highly Commended" on his certification examinations in International Standard dancing with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Jameson is also a proud member of the National Dance Council of America (NDCA) and has been an active board member of the International Hustle Dance Association (IHDA) for the past 4 years. He can be seen at many different dance events throughout the country teaching, judging, performing, and competiting and is best known for the way in which he "de-mystifies" the technical side of partner dancing to make it obtainable by everyone.

Jaime Serna

Jaime has been competing on the national Hustle circuit for the past 22 years holding numerous titles as an amateur and several since becoming a professional. Jaime learned by training and competing with several of the top Hustle Legends/Dancers/Instructors of years past. Since becoming a Hustle Pro, Jaime has taught Hustle classes and workshops at various dance studios in New Jersey and at Dancesport New York City. He is currently teaching independently in the tri-state area. He has been on staff at Disco America, IHSC, World Hustle Dance Championships, New York Hustle Congress, Swing Dance America, Mad Jam and Swing Fling. Jaime's passion and talent for Hustle, combined with his precise movements and smooth style has made him a prominent figure in the Hustle scene. He continues to compete in Pro/Pro and Pro/Am's with his students receiving top honors at events around the country. Jaime's goal is to inspire his students to develop their own personal style and to be the best they can be while having fun, whether it's preparing for a competition or just social dancing. Jaime believes in using traveling patterns to move around the floor to show footwork and flair.

Christy Kam

Christy is a ballroom, latin, salsa, and hustle pro with over 20 years of teaching experience located in central PA. She first fell in love with partner dancing after a 15 years of intensive ballet training, which formed the foundation of her love of technique and movement. Recently, she has also danced rhythm with Jameson Kilburn, making finals in professional rising star rhythm. Jameson is also her partner for hustle and triple threat (hustle, salsa, and west coast swing), where they have won many titles, most notably winning the first place title in the open professional world hustle championships, professional strictly hustle, and professional triple threat in 2014, making her the current and reigning world hustle champion.

Stephen Ward

A highly-talented dancer and instructor with a diverse background ranging from freestyle, Country Western, West Coast Swing, ballroom & ballet. Stephen is a devoted Hustle dancer and is wholly dedicated toward the preservation, promotion & growth of Hustle dancing in the SF Bay Area.

Nino DiGiulio

Creator and Executive Director of the May I Have This Dance Curriculum & Studio, Nino has taught Hustle, West Coast Swing, Salsa, and Ballroom for over 28 years. In Hustle, he and his partner, Dawn, have won professional championships at numerous events including DiscoAmerica, Swing Dance America, Miami Dance Magic, and the World Hustle Championships. In West Coast Swing Nino has been a featured instructor and adjudicator at events throughout the US, Canada, and Europe, teaching workshops, intensives, and competing in All-Stars, Champions, and Invitationals over the past 22 years. Most recently they have created one of the most robust online video dance tutorial sites with over 700 instructional videos, www.OnlineLearningLounge.com. They've also been honored as the featured Pro Hustle representatives, contributing over 320 moves, to the global resource www.DanceLib.com, a historic and incredible resource featuring the top 60 dance couples in the world for many of the popular social dances like Salsa, Zouk, Bachata, West Coast Swing, Lindy, Argentine Tango, and of course Hustle/DiscoFox. Most importantly They are most proud of developing one of the fastest-growing hustle and west coast swing communities out of Chicago and the wonderful students they teach and dance with every day.

DJs

Jamal R Class

Cesar Cab

David Ho