Instructors

Kyryl Dudchenko

Kyryl Dudchenko started dancing in Ukraine at the age of 7. He has undergone extensive training by many distinguished teachers and coaches in both the Latin American and Standard programs, as well as supplementary basic training in ballet. Kyryl competed in numerous DanceSport competitions all over Eastern and Western Europe as well as in North America, at first representing Ukraine and then Canada (in 2000). During his competitive career, he maintained the highest of amateur rankings and was featured on the Canadian national TV show, “Dancing at the Palais.” As an amateur, Kyryl competed for 13 years. In 2002, after being accepted to Simon Fraser University, Kyryl decided to become a professional dance instructor and taught while completing his undergraduate degree. Even upon completion of a degree in Criminology and Legal Studies in 2007, he decided to continue his career as a professional dance instructor, and has since been teaching and coaching competitors of all ages in both Latin and Standard programs.

For over 20 years, Kyryl has coached numerous students who have excelled in both the local and International DanceSport arena. He has taken his students to major Canadian and International competitions in Ohio, Toronto, Seattle, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Calgary and Victoria. He has trained and brought up dancers to become top BC Juvenile and Junior competitors, Adult BC Champions, as well as Junior Canadian Closed finalists. Kyryl’s Senior level students have also been achieving high rankings and respectable results throughout their competitions. Since 2005, Kyryl has been teaching at the UBC Dance Club. He teaches Newcomer, as well as Intermediate Level classes. Between 2007 and 2011 Kyryl taught at the Vancouver Academy of Dance, as a founder of the Ballroom Division. Kyryl is a qualified member of the Canadian DanceSport Federation. Besides coaching competitors, Kyryl has also been running social group classes of all levels, from Newcomer to Gold Star.

Joel Marasigan

We are proud to once again have Joel teaching our Tuesday Newcomer Plus 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 his first dance steps here at the UBC Dance Club, just like the students he currently teaches. He still remembers the excitement of being a 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.

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 University of Alberta Dance Club 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. Here, 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.