About Us

Polina Kirillova

At the young age of 6, she started ballroom dancing and participating in competitions throughout Ukraine and Russia in both Ballroom and Latin. She later moved to the United States where she continued to compete professionally in Ballroom and Latin before opening American Ballroom Dance Academy in Portland Maine.

Dancing is her passion and when sharing this art with her students, the subtle elements of correct form, posture, styling and rhythm are all taught with the utmost care.  Understanding that every body is different- the way people stand, move  and feel the music, Polina strives to understand this about the students and instructs them to be able bring out their ability to the highest possible level while making her lessons fun and enjoyable for everyone.

She teaches all four disciplines (Ballroom, Latin, Smooth and Rhythm) from beginning to award-winning competitive level.

Sergei Slussky

Sergei Slussky taught and competed extensively throughout his native Russia, Europe, and the United States before opening the American Ballroom Dance Academy in Portland together with Polina Kirillova.

Sergei's wide range of dancing and teaching experiences enable him to work well with a variety of students ranging from beginners learning the foundation of ballroom dances to experienced dancers wishing to hone their skills in preparation for competitions.

Certified to teach by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, Sergei has knowledge, attention to detail, style, grace, and humor that makes lessons with him a fun and rewarding experience!

HeatherThompson

Heather has taught Ballroom, Latin and Swing dance for the last twelve years and still feels the same passion and excitement that she had from the beginning.

She loves to motivate and encourage people to try something new and to grow through learning. Heather believes that one can't learn without being relaxed and she strives to make her classes fun and comfortable. After attending Connecticut College Heather earned a B.A. in Child Development and Education.

Angie Jalbert

Angie Jalbert loves dancing and music makes her want to get up and move.  She is a Belly Dancer and performs at events with a group of women.  As someone who loves dancing she first took Ballroom and Latin dance lessons 11 years ago.  Now for about the last 4 years she has been teaching her own Ballroom and Latin dance classes.

Barbara Charles

Barbara Charles, a Maine native and retired nurse, has been dancing most of her life. Starting with tap and ballet as a child, about age 4, for a number of years.

After raising a family, she decided it was time to return to her passion, dancing. She has been training with Sergei Slussky and Polina Kirillova, of the American Ballroom Dance Academy in Portland. She has competed in many competitions, in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Montreal, and Quebec, in gold and silver categories and has attended many workshops in these areas.

She has been teaching in the Portland studio for about 12 years. She directs and teaches at the Augusta, Brunswick, and Lewiston satellite studios. She has also taught at the Lewiston Multipurpose Center, and the YMCA in Augusta.

She teaches group lessons, private lessons, wedding preparations and private parties.