Welcome to UBC Dance Club, the ballroom dancing organization of UBC Vancouver. Join one of the largest and oldest AMS clubs today!

Instructors

Kyryl Dudchenko

Kyryl started ballroom dancing when he was 7 years old in Ukraine. He underwent extensive training with different distinguished teachers and coaches in both Latin American and Modern/standard programs as well as supplementary basic training in ballet. He has competed in numerous competitions all over Eastern and Western Europe as well as in North America, at first representing Ukraine and then British Columbia, on international and local DanceSport arena. Furthermore, Kyryl also participated in the Canada-wide aired TV show, Dancing at the Palais. Since moving to Canada in 2000 and until turning professional Kyryl maintained highest amateur ranking position in British Columbia.

In 2002 Kyryl became professional and since then teaching and coaching competitors (kids, teenagers and seniors) in both Latin and Standard divisions.

Joel Marasigan

We are proud to once again have Joel teaching our Tuesday Newcomer and Advanced Standard classes. He brings a deep understanding and experience to the club which allows him to magically keep every class simple and fun while getting everyone dancing to a new level.

Apart from having a blast with UBC Dance Club students, he fills his time by co-running JC Dance Co, with his wife Clara. JC Dance Co is one of Vancouver’s most popular dance companies, and is a regular continuation for many UBC Dance Club members looking for high quality competition training without stress or pressure. Many current and past UBC dancers have found great success being part of the JC Dance Co DanceSport Team.

His list of accomplishments is too long to mention here, but let’s just say he (with is wife Clara) is the highest ranked Adult Standard male dancer to come from BC in the past 50 years, with Undefeated BC Championship titles, and winner of Western Canadian, North American and World Championship gold medals. He has also danced and choreographed for movies and television shows.

Quite possibly one of Joel’s most notable facts is that he took is first dance steps here at the UBC Dance Club, just like the students he currently teaches. He still remembers the excitement of being part of the UBC Dance Club (both as a student and as the club’s President), and therefore is thrilled to teach and inspire a new wave of student dancers.

Joel is currently offering discounts to all full time students for both his PEAK competition training sessions and private lessons at JC Dance Co. Please speak directly with Joel about these special offers.

Zillion Wong

Zillion began dancing at the age of 10 and has not stopped since. Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Zillion has become a well known international competitor in both International Style Standard and Latin dancing. He has travelled extensively to such countries as the United States, England, Belgium, Austria, and Russia to train and compete with the best in the world.

With his partner Sarah Liang, Zillion has had great success competing in Canada and internationally. Together their achievements include:

Top 100 Finalist – So You Think You Can Dance Canada 6 time Undefeated BC Closed Standard Champions 5 time Undefeated BC Closed Latin Champions 6 time Canadian Closed Standard Championship Finalists Vice-Champions in the Canadian Closed 10-Dance Championships The UBC Dance Club has been an important part of Zillion’s life. During his Engineering undergraduate studies at UBC, he greatly enjoyed being in the club as an executive member for 5 years, and is honoured to have represented the club as the president for 2 of those years. Zillion looks forward to working with the club to share his knowledge and passion for Ballroom and Latin dance.

Murray Schellenberg

Murray started dancing at the Dance Club at the University of Alberta in 1986. He did his initial professional training in Montreal and turned pro in 1991. He taught with the UVic Dance Club and with the Victoria Ballroom Dance Society until 2000 when he moved to Vancouver. There he taught with the UBC Dance Club and Not So Strictly Ballroom until 2012. Murray competed at the professional level with his partner Dianne Gallagher in the late 90s and has worked as a judge, scrutineer and Master of Ceremonies for many competitions. After a year in Rochester, NY he is thrilled to be back in Vancouver.

Laura & Simon

Laura began social lindy hopping in 2008 and Simon a couple years later in 2010. They were immediately hooked and the Lindy Hop became a deep resource for friendships, traveling to new places, learning, meeting new people, music, exercise, and creative expression. Eventually they started teaching together at UBC in 2016 for the UBC Swing Kids and they are excited to teach for UBC Dance Club this year. Simon and Laura take an approach to teaching that asks students to simultaneously learn both lead and follow partnering roles. To them, learning only to follow or lead is akin to only learning to comprehend and not learning how to speak a language. What you choose to dance on the social floor is up to you! Be reassured, Simon and Laura are looking forward to dancing with each of you, in either role. Challenge your brain, dance with every single person in class, and have lots of fun exploring this rich dance rooted in Black American culture.

Zoltan and Yuka

Yuka has started partner dancing 20 years ago, since then she is an active member of the Vancouver Westie community dancing, competing and DJ-ing. Zoltan met his wife, Yuka, at a local dance studio where she introduced West Coast Swing to Zoltan and slowly but surely he fell in love with this ever evolving partner dance. He has been enjoying dancing, competing and DJ-ing. for the past 16 years. Zoltan started teaching westie classes in 2017. He taught classes at Urban Beat Dance Co. at UBC Swing Kids and at SwingLabs bringing the westie community together. Zoltan & Yuka have been teaching together since 2018. They are excited to show you the world of west coast swing through a lot of fun partner drills. You will learn and experience the elastic look of the dance, the extension-compression technique of partner connection and how to improvise steps while dancing together. Zoltan & Yuka will get you moving, make you laugh and have fun dancing.

Platinum

Silver

Discounts

UBC Dance Club members get $10 off on their appointments for Physiotherapy, Active Therapy and Massage therapy. This alongside the 25 dollars subsidy from the UBC insurance is a steal of a deal to keep your bodies healthy and loose!

10% off at Pita Pit (UBC campus location)