Presenting our 2026
DANCE PROFESSIONALS
We are grateful for their support!
TAVIA AGTUCA
Tavia started ballroom dancing much later than most pros but when the opportunity arrived, she didn’t want to turn it down as it was something she had admired since a young age.
Dancing since 2007, she is a full silver certified instructor with a very wide range of dance knowledge. She teaches American Smooth & Rhythm, Club Latins, Swings, & Country.
Tavia has participated in numerous competitions and showcases both as a professional and with her students. She managed two studios in the DC Metro Area for many years.
KATERYNA BURAK
Kateryna is originally from Ukraine and moved here with her son in the last few years.
She studied music and composition and is a very skilled musician and conductor.
She enjoys helping all students find their confidence on the dance floor and loves to interpret beautiful music into beautiful motion.
When she’s not teaching dance, you can find her teaching music and piano lessons and conducting her church’s choir.
OLIVIA CARD
Olivia began her dance training at the Northwest Florida Académie, where she studied ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip-hop, and contemporary for eight years. In 2014, she transitioned into ballroom dancing, developing a passion for cabaret. Anthony discovered dance at the age of 21 in El Paso and quickly immersed himself in the ballroom world. He has since built a professional career competing in 9-Dance, 10-Dance, and cabaret divisions.
Together, Olivia and Anthony have been competing as a professional duo for the past three years, earning multiple national and international titles. In addition to their competitive success, Olivia and Anthony are certified ballroom instructors. They are three-time Open Worlds Invitational Cabaret Champions, Dance As Fire Italian Cabaret Champions, Two-time Heritage Classic Cabaret Champions and World Masters Cabaret Champions, among many others.
EKATERINA DEREVLEVA
Ekaterina Derevleva is a professional ballroom dancer, coach, choreographer, and entrepreneur with an international dance career and a passion for inspiring others through ballroom dancing. Originally from Russia and now proudly representing the United States, she is a U.S. National Professional Ten Dance Bronze Medalist, World Ten Dance Finalist, and current National Dance Vision Professional American Rhythm Champion.
MERRICK FLEMING
Merrick was born in San Francisco in 1993 and moved to Japan in 1998 where he lived until 2012 when he moved to the Philippines. In 2013 he moved to Merced, California. He started doing line dancing and Zumba in 2016. In March, 2022 until he joined the Navy.
Merrick retired from the military in 2024 facing depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. “I didn’t want to be on medication so I forced myself to get out to try something that can be consistent and I became fully invested in dance last summer and I danced every Saturday night at Sadlers ranch. I steadily started adding other locations such as Monarch, K1, and Dance Shack as places to learn dances. I started working for monarch in December in 2025 and have been learning to teach salsa, bachata, waltz, and country swing. I am currently the line dance instructor at Monarch.”
I look forward to participating for the first time as a Pro for First Coast Dancing with the Stars!
CLINTON JAMES
Clinton is a professional ballroom dance instructor, competitive dancer, certified performance coach, and board-certified holistic health practitioner known for blending high-level ballroom training with an approachable, real-world teaching style.
Originally coming from a background in aerospace engineering and aviation maintenance, Clinton transitioned into the ballroom industry driven by a lifelong passion for movement, music, performance, and human connection. Since turning professional, he has trained extensively with world-class coaches and top competitive professionals while developing a teaching philosophy that combines technical excellence with genuine connection and accessibility.
In addition to his ballroom training, Clinton holds certifications and advanced education in fitness, performance coaching, corrective exercise, and holistic health through organizations including NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association), NESTA, ACE (American Council on Exercise), and NCCA-accredited programs, along with additional health and wellness studies through Stanford Medical-affiliated continuing education coursework.
This diverse background allows Clinton to bring a unique perspective to ballroom instruction, emphasizing not only dance technique, but also posture, movement efficiency, body awareness, conditioning, injury prevention, confidence, and long-term physical wellness. His ability to bridge elite ballroom training with functional movement coaching has made him especially effective with beginners, social dancers, wedding couples, and students seeking both performance and personal growth.
Known for his grounded personality, southern charm, humor, and ability to make students feel comfortable while still challenging them to grow, Clinton believes ballroom should feel inspiring rather than intimidating. His teaching style focuses on creating confidence, connection, musicality, and authentic enjoyment both on and off the dance floor.
Outside the studio, Clinton is also a songwriter, creative producer, fitness professional, and proud father whose passion for movement, creativity, and human connection continues to shape his vision for the future of ballroom dance.
TONY KANTIN
Tony had an early aptitude for dance and music, and started dancing at an early age. As a lifelong dancer, he believes in the power of dance to foster the healthiest and happiest versions of ourselves.
Some professional dance accomplishments include dancing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and adjudicating multiple ballroom dance competitions.
Tony’s many dance awards include Open Pro American Rhythm Champion; Open Pro American Smooth Champion; Open Pro International Latin Champion; Open Pro International Ballroom Champion; National Open Pro 9 Dance Finalist; National Open Pro 10 Dance Finalist; and Open Pro Cabaret Finalist. Tony and his professional partner, Olivia Card, have been traveling and competing all over the United States, and they’ve won three World Titles in England.
Tony is also an accomplished professional seascape photographer whose work can be enjoyed at vitaminseaphotography.com.
Tony is married to Elise Kantin, and they are parents to two lovely little girls, ages six and four, and a beautiful lab, Mia. Tony, along with his wife, is owner of Seaside Ballroom.
HEIKO LEYHAUSEN
Heiko was born and raised in Germany. He moved to the US in 2009 and since 2021 he has resided in Saint Augustine, Florida.
As representative for Germany, he became 2x World and 3x European Champion in Standard and Latin Formation Dancing.
Besides the accomplishments as an active dancer, he is certified nationally and internationally as dance instructor and adjudicator for ballroom and other styles of dancing.
Heiko is the founder of the Arthur Murray Dance Center-Ponte Vedra Beach Studio.
CHUCK NORRIS
Chuck Norris has been dancing various styles of dance for 20 years and has been
instructing American Ballroom for 16 years, teaching students of various knowledge levels in social, competitive, and show dance routines. He likes to take student’s everyday experiences and use them to help understand their movements and instruction, as well as learning from his same students in new ways to instruct.
Chuck moved to Jacksonville in 2022 to further his professional career and dances competitively in American Rhythm and Show Dance with his wife Carissa and has achieved finalist positions in multiple competitions throughout the United States.
KRISTA THOMAS
Krista Thomas is the owner/CEO of Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio. She has owned a dance studio since 1996 and taught dances to thousands of students including waltz, tango, foxtrot, rumba, cha cha, swing, hustle, salsa, bachata, Viennese waltz, country two step, Irish dance and line dancing. She also specializes in choreographing wedding dances for the bride and groom, father and daughter, mother and son, as well as dances for the whole family or bridal party. Krista also choreographs dances for quincea.eras, and other special events.
Krista has choreographed over 40 group show dances with themes like Cinderella, Zorro, Riverdance, Blue Danube, White Christmas, A Chorus Line, Little Mermaid, Singin’ in the Rain, and many more.
She has participated in First Coast Dancing with the Stars to benefit Beaches Fine Arts Series for 13 years partnering with leaders of Jacksonville in dance performances and won with partner Aaron Bean-Senator and John Regan-City Manager of St. Augustine, other partners include Rick Mullaney- Director of Public Policy Institute Jacksonville University, Curtis Ford-President /CEO Habitat for Humanity, Kris Budhram-Partner, Lydecker LLP, , Rodger Baldwin-Probate Solutions, and Patrick Carrin-Wells Fargo.
Krista led the Ballroom Dance Club at Christ’s Church Academy for over 17 years and taught the dance program for Manners for Life with Kaye Simonetta for over 17 years as well.
Krista choreographed all the dance numbers for the Bishop Kenny High School production of Mama Mia.
Krista donates dance lesson packages to dozens of charity events annually and volunteers many hours of dance instruction to groups and individuals to support the community and share the experience of dance with those who have yet to explore it.
While she loves teaching dance, her first priority is being mother to her four daughters; Haley, Lily, Ruby and Gracey. Krista has called Jacksonville home for over 37 years and enjoys living and working in this wonderful community.
Presenting our 2026
DANCE PROFESSIONALS
We are grateful for their support!
TAVIA AGTUCA
Tavia started ballroom dancing much later than most pros but when the opportunity arrived, she didn’t want to turn it down as it was something she had admired since a young age.
Dancing since 2007, she is a full silver certified instructor with a very wide range of dance knowledge. She teaches American Smooth & Rhythm, Club Latins, Swings, & Country.
Tavia has participated in numerous competitions and showcases both as a professional and with her students. She managed two studios in the DC Metro Area for many years.
KATERYNA BURAK
Kateryna is originally from Ukraine and moved here with her son in the last few years.
She studied music and composition and is a very skilled musician and conductor.
She enjoys helping all students find their confidence on the dance floor and loves to interpret beautiful music into beautiful motion.
When she’s not teaching dance, you can find her teaching music and piano lessons and conducting her church’s choir.
OLIVIA CARD
Olivia began her dance training at the Northwest Florida Académie, where she studied ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip-hop, and contemporary for eight years. In 2014, she transitioned into ballroom dancing, developing a passion for cabaret. Anthony discovered dance at the age of 21 in El Paso and quickly immersed himself in the ballroom world. He has since built a professional career competing in 9-Dance, 10-Dance, and cabaret divisions.
Together, Olivia and Anthony have been competing as a professional duo for the past three years, earning multiple national and international titles. In addition to their competitive success, Olivia and Anthony are certified ballroom instructors. They are two-time Open Worlds Invitational Cabaret Champions, Dance As Fire Italian Cabaret Champions, Two-time Heritage Classic Cabaret Champions and World Masters Cabaret Champions, among many others.
EKATERINA DEREVLEVA
Ekaterina Derevleva is a professional ballroom dancer, coach, choreographer, and entrepreneur with an international dance career and a passion for inspiring others through ballroom dancing. Originally from Russia and now proudly representing the United States, she is a U.S. National Professional Ten Dance Bronze Medalist, World Ten Dance Finalist, and current National Dance Vision Professional American Rhythm Champion.
Ekaterina is the owner of Ballroom Dance Academy in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as co-owner of Rhythm & Smooth, a ballroom dance and event venue in the Orlando area. Through her studios, she has helped build vibrant dance communities focused on education, personal growth, entertainment, and competitive excellence.
With a Master’s Degree from a Pedagogical University and years of experience teaching students of all ages and levels, Ekaterina is known for combining high-level technical training with warmth, creativity, and a welcoming approach to dance. Her students and instructors have earned numerous regional and national titles, and her studios regularly host showcases, competitions, charity events, and community programs.
Beyond the dance floor, Ekaterina is passionate about using dance to bring people together and support meaningful causes. She is honored to participate in this year’s “Dancing with the Stars” event and looks forward to sharing her love for dance while helping make a positive impact in the community.
MERRICK FLEMING
Merrick was born in San Francisco in 1993 and moved to Japan in 1998 where he lived until 2012 when he moved to the Philippines. In 2013 he moved to Merced, California. He started doing line dancing and Zumba in 2016. In March, 2022 until he joined the Navy.
Merrick retired from the military in 2024 facing depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. “I didn’t want to be on medication so I forced myself to get out to try something that can be consistent and I became fully invested in dance last summer and I danced every Saturday night at Sadlers ranch. I steadily started adding other locations such as Monarch, K1, and Dance Shack as places to learn dances. I started working for monarch in December in 2025 and have been learning to teach salsa, bachata, waltz, and country swing. I am currently the line dance instructor at Monarch.”
I look forward to participating for the first time as a Pro for First Coast Dancing with the Stars!
CLINTON JAMES
Clinton is a professional ballroom dance instructor, competitive dancer, certified performance coach, and board-certified holistic health practitioner known for blending high-level ballroom training with an approachable, real-world teaching style.
Originally coming from a background in aerospace engineering and aviation maintenance, Clinton transitioned into the ballroom industry driven by a lifelong passion for movement, music, performance, and human connection. Since turning professional, he has trained extensively with world-class coaches and top competitive professionals while developing a teaching philosophy that combines technical excellence with genuine connection and accessibility.
In addition to his ballroom training, Clinton holds certifications and advanced education in fitness, performance coaching, corrective exercise, and holistic health through organizations including NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association), NESTA, ACE (American Council on Exercise), and NCCA-accredited programs, along with additional health and wellness studies through Stanford Medical-affiliated continuing education coursework.
This diverse background allows Clinton to bring a unique perspective to ballroom instruction, emphasizing not only dance technique, but also posture, movement efficiency, body awareness, conditioning, injury prevention, confidence, and long-term physical wellness. His ability to bridge elite ballroom training with functional movement coaching has made him especially effective with beginners, social dancers, wedding couples, and students seeking both performance and personal growth.
Known for his grounded personality, southern charm, humor, and ability to make students feel comfortable while still challenging them to grow, Clinton believes ballroom should feel inspiring rather than intimidating. His teaching style focuses on creating confidence, connection, musicality, and authentic enjoyment both on and off the dance floor.
Outside the studio, Clinton is also a songwriter, creative producer, fitness professional, and proud father whose passion for movement, creativity, and human connection continues to shape his vision for the future of ballroom dance.
TONY KANTIN
Tony had an early aptitude for dance and music, and started dancing at an early age. As a lifelong dancer, he believes in the power of dance to foster the healthiest and happiest versions of ourselves.
Some professional dance accomplishments include dancing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and adjudicating multiple ballroom dance competitions.
Tony’s many dance awards include Open Pro American Rhythm Champion; Open Pro American Smooth Champion; Open Pro International Latin Champion; Open Pro International Ballroom Champion; National Open Pro 9 Dance Finalist; National Open Pro 10 Dance Finalist; and Open Pro Cabaret Finalist. Tony and his professional partner, Olivia Card, have been traveling and competing all over the United States, and they just won their first World Title in England.
Tony is also an accomplished professional seascape photographer whose work can be enjoyed at vitaminseaphotography.com.
Tony is married to Elise Kantin, and they are parents to two lovely little girls, ages four and two, and a beautiful lab, Mia. Tony, along with his wife, is owner of Seaside Ballroom.
HEIKO LEYHAUSEN
Heiko was born and raised in Germany. He moved to the US in 2009 and since 2021 he has resided in Saint Augustine, Florida.
As representative for Germany, he became 2x World and 3x European Champion in Standard and Latin Formation Dancing.
Besides the accomplishments as an active dancer, he is certified nationally and internationally as dance instructor and adjudicator for ballroom and other styles of dancing.
Heiko is the founder of the Arthur Murray Dance Center-Ponte Vedra Beach Studio.
CHUCK NORRIS
Chuck Norris has been dancing various styles of dance for 20 years and has been instructing American Ballroom for 16 years, teaching students of various knowledge levels in social, competitive, and show dance routines. He likes to take student’s everyday experiences and use them to help understand their movements and instruction, as well as learning from his same students in new ways to instruct.
Chuck moved to Jacksonville in 2022 to further his professional career and dances competitively in American Rhythm and Show Dance with his wife Carissa and has achieved finalist positions in multiple competitions throughout the United States.
KRISTA THOMAS
Krista Thomas is the owner/CEO of Monarch Ballroom & Dance Studio. She has owned a dance studio since 1996 and taught dances to thousands of students including waltz, tango, foxtrot, rumba, cha cha, swing, hustle, salsa, bachata, Viennese waltz, country two step, Irish dance and line dancing. She also specializes in choreographing wedding dances for the bride and groom, father and daughter, mother and son, as well as dances for the whole family or bridal party. Krista also choreographs dances for quincea.eras, and other special events.
Krista has choreographed over 40 group show dances with themes like Cinderella, Zorro, Riverdance, Blue Danube, White Christmas, A Chorus Line, Little Mermaid, Singin’ in the Rain, and many more.
She has participated in First Coast Dancing with the Stars to benefit Beaches Fine Arts Series for 13 years partnering with leaders of Jacksonville in dance performances and won with partner Aaron Bean-Senator and John Regan-City Manager of St. Augustine, other partners include Rick Mullaney- Director of Public Policy Institute Jacksonville University, Curtis Ford-President /CEO Habitat for Humanity, Kris Budhram-Partner, Lydecker LLP, , Rodger Baldwin-Probate Solutions, and Patrick Carrin-Wells Fargo.
Krista led the Ballroom Dance Club at Christ’s Church Academy for over 17 years and taught the dance program for Manners for Life with Kaye Simonetta for over 17 years as well.
Krista choreographed all the dance numbers for the Bishop Kenny High School production of Mama Mia.
Krista donates dance lesson packages to dozens of charity events annually and volunteers many hours of dance instruction to groups and individuals to support the community and share the experience of dance with those who have yet to explore it.
While she loves teaching dance, her first priority is being mother to her four daughters; Haley, Lily, Ruby and Gracey. Krista has called Jacksonville home for over 37 years and enjoys living and working in this wonderful community.