ABOUT US

Tom corrects a common footwork error.

Master Teacher, Tom Slater has performed and competed around the world and is recognized as an expert in the areas of American and International style ballroom dance as well as Theatre Arts (Cabaret, Adagio or Exhibition Dancing).

Tom has been dancing and teaching ballroom since 1976. He has been featured in national commercials in Hollywood and has worked with many celebrities as a teacher and performer. He fulfilled one of his life dreams when he danced with Juliette Prowse in a PBS special, “Big Band Ballroom Bash”. Tom has performed for two Presidents and is featured in the movie “Dance With Me”.

He is a teacher and choreographer and has trained many couples, among them World Champions in various styles of couple dancing.  He has choreographed caping for Raul Julia in Adams Family Values, co-choreographed the theatre arts pieces in Dance With Me and has choreographed for Cirque du Soleil.

Tom’s training is as diverse as his resume and includes ballet, jazz, modern and all styles of ballroom. He studied Theatre at the University of Southern California where he minored in Dance.  He is a World Exhibition Champion, a style of ballroom dance also known as Theater Arts, Cabaret, or Adagio (dancing where overhead lifts are permitted and encouraged).  He is a Regional Examiner for DVIDA and has passed his DVIDA qualifying exams with high-honors.  He has received the American Style Rhythm Associate of Dance Degree, American Style Smooth Master of Dance Degree and International Style Standard Associate of Dance Degree.  He continues to study and earn degrees through the DVIDA program.

In 2005 Tom moved to Bloomington, IN, US from San Francisco, CA, US where he taught and choreographed at the Metronome Ballroom (Cheryl Burke Dance Studio) and the Allegro Ballroom in Emeryville.  At the Metronome he directed the showcase performances of the pros and amateurs at the Cowell Theatre.  In Indiana he has been involved in dancing, choreographing and directing with the Panache School of Ballroom & Social Dance, Windfall Dancers, Starrynight Productions, area High Schools and in San Francisco for the sold-out Gala Electronica shows.

In 2008, Tom aligned himself with the Panache School of Ballroom & Social Dance as an Independent Instructor. He is thrilled to be affiliated with this top-notch studio and teaches classes and workshops on such topics as Body Organics, Cuban Motion and West Coast Swing as well as the Bloomington Ballroom Teachers Academy.