Join us for a special evening where 9 stars of the South Bay perform with professional dancers for the chance to win a cash prize for their favorite charity.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of dance professionals and votes from the audience.

Cherie Davis
Cherie is the General Manager of the new Miyako Hybrid Hotel in Torrance. She is a veteran of 19 years in the US Army Reserve. Recently, Cherie added published author and public speaker to her impressive resume. Always enjoying giving back to the community, Cherie is a founding member of Vets Unite US, a new non profit for veterans and their families returning to civilian life and sits on several community boards.
Current Employment: General Manager, Miyako Hybrid Hotel
Dance Experience: “Think Kristie Alley”
Dancing for: Pediatric Therapy Network

Robert Porch (Dancing with Cherie Davis)

After years of studio life in NYC as full-time instructor & competitor, Robert was fortunate enough to be cast in the international stage show “Simply Ballroom” in England, the U.S. tour with host Debbie Reynolds, & at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. Most recently, Robert & his dance partner/wife have travelled the world dancing & teaching on cruise ships. He is thrilled to be settled in California & teaching at YCD Studio.

For lessons, Robert can be reached at:
www.ycdstudio.com

Sherry Kramer (Dancing with Kent Lowell)
Sherry is involved in several area Chambers of Commerce including El Segundo, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Torrance and past Chairwoman of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce.  Her areas of focus include Legislative and Education Committees.  While involved in numerous philanthropic organizations, ones close to her heart include serving on the boards of the South Bay Police and Fire Memorial Foundation and the Torrance Memorial Medical Center. She is truly dedicated to the community
Current Employment: Continental Development Corporation
Dance Experience: Think High School Cheerleader
Charity dancing for: South Bay Police and Fire Memorial Foundation

Kent Lowell (Dancing with Sherry Kramer)
Kent was a world champion in 1979 and danced in Blackpool, UK for BYU dance team. He has toured across the country and Europe as a performing dancer on stages and film. He is currently dancing and teaching at You Can Dance Studio in Hermosa Beach.

For lessons, Kent can be reached at:
www.ycdstudio.com

Mary Matson (Dancing with Mark Mendez)
Born and raised in South Bay, Mary lives in Torrance with her husband David Matson and 3 children, all North High graduates. In addition to her work with Torrance Memorial, in her “free time”, Mary is involved in the Torrance First Christian Church ( Board of Elders, member of worship team, participate on scholarship committee) and is the Co-Chair of Leuzinger High School alumni class scholarship.
Current Employment: Director of Volunteer Services at Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Dance Experience: “Tried beginning ballroom 3 times. Never graduated”
Dancing for: Torrance Memorial Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary/ Healing Garden pledge

Mark Mendez (Dancing with Mary Matson)
Mark has always enjoyed dancing and most outdoor sports. Originally, dancing for fun, Mark began to get more interested in technique and styling. Always having a competitive spirit, Mark started taking part in dance competitions and soon turned professional. Mark has competed in International Style Latin and American Style Ballroom and socially enjoys salsa and swing. Over his 20 years experience in teaching dance, Mark gets great satisfaction in seeing his students grow and develop.

For lessons, Mark can be reached at:

www.StardanceStudio.com

Shirley Pe (Dancing with Michael Miller)
Shirley has been with South Bay Yellow Cab for over 9 years as the Director of Marketing. Her dance experience comes from her father who would have her follow along instead of trying to have her memorize the steps. Actively involved in the community, Shirley is a new Mom for Sammy, her Maltese, and Ozzie, her Shitzu. “ I am hoping my participation with “Dancing with the South Bay Stars” will teach me the importance of learning a routine and the discipline to do it.  Look out Hollywood, here I come! LoL!”
Current Employment: South Bay Yellow Cab
Dance Experience: None
Charity dancing for: VetsUnite Us

Michael Miller (Dancing with Shirley Pe)
Michael started teaching ballroom dance 25 years ago in Torrance at a Fred Astaire dance studio owned by Wayne and Donna Eng, called CLUB 2005.  It was an amazing opportunity to teach with and receive training from the top teachers in the country.  For the last twenty years he has been teaching beginners through advanced dancers in American style ballroom, Latin, line dancing, country and swing in long beach.  

For lessons, Michael can be reached at:

Michaelmillerdance.com

Michael Rouse (Dancing with Alina Sachs)
A long-time South Bay resident, Michael had a distinguished 30 year career at Toyota Motor Sales, USA.
Serving on the boards of TCAF, Torrance Memorial Medical Center Foundation, California Science Center Foundation, Cal State Dominguez Hills Foundation, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, American Heart Association Executive Leadership Team and advisory boards of the Torrance Ed Foundation and Manhattan Beach Ed Foundation, Michael has little time to dance, but is never one to run away from a challenge. Such an example would be when he conducted the Long Beach Symphony a few years ago.
Current Employment: Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Dance Experience: “I like to dance”
Dancing for: Switzer Learning Center     

Alina Sachs (Dancing with Michael Rouse)
Alina was born in Saratov, Russia and started dancing at age 6. She was invited to teach at a highly acclaimed Boston studio in 2006. She was sponsored to represent New England in International Latin and American Smooth. When Alina isn’t training and competing in International Standard all over the country, she is the lead coach for the Kids Department and Performance Team at YCD Studio.

For lessons, Alina can be reached at:
www.ycdstudio.com

Brian K. Sunshine (Dancing with Barbie Foster)
Brian has worked for the City of Torrance for 26 years, born and raised in Torrance and is a current resident of the city. He is dancing for the American Cancer Society’s Torrance Relay for Life 2012 because fighting cancer is his passion. Finding a cure has always been important to Brian but became a focus when he lost his wife to breast cancer in 2002.
Current Employment: City of Torrance City managers office.
Dance Experience: Did the opening number in Damn Yankees for the Torrance Theatre Company
Dancing for: American Cancer Society’s Torrance Relay for Life 2012

Barbie Foster (Dancing with Brian Sunshine)
Barbie has been teaching dance for 25 years but her passion is wedding dance for young and old alike. Also in the last 5 years she has been teaching beginning salsa, West Coast Swing, Cha Cha and other ballroom dances. She loves anyone who says “I have 2 left feet” and then is amazed at how much they’ve learned in 1 hour and they had a ball! Feel free to call or e-mail for lessons before your retirement, wedding reception or birthday party. Salsa makes a great party activity.

For lessons, Barbie can be reached at:

(310) 658-2295
Dancingbarbie9@yahoo.com

Mark Waronek (Dancing with Debbie D’Aquino)
Mark has over 17 years of experience in advocacy, government and community relations and public affairs.  Mark  is the former Mayor and Councilmember for the City of Lomita.  Mark has been involved in many organizations and associations in the South Bay and the Los Angeles County region.  Currently he works for Ek & Ek out of the San Pedro Office and is assisting existing clients in the City of Los Angeles and cities within Los Angeles County. Currently living in the city of Lomita, with his wife, Kristine, and two children Mark enjoys spending time with his family and traveling with family and friends. 
Current Employment: Ek and Ek
Dance Experience: Very Little
Charity dancing for: Boys & Girls Club of the South Bay

Debbie D’Aquino (Dancing with Mark Waronek)
A recognized dance instructor in the South Bay for 13 years, Debbie has won multiple awards in West Coast Swing and New York Hustle Style Dancing. So in demand as an instructor, Debbie has traveled to Paris, Malaysia and Hong Kong to teach. Currently Debbie is teaching West Coast Swing every Sunday in El Segundo at the Studio Art of Dance and monthly Associate with Ballroom instructor Lou Schreiber and Walk in Dance Out.

For lessons, Debbie can be reached at:

Debbie@calcoastal.net

walkindanceout.com/links.html

Jeff Williams (Dancing with Mandy )
Born and raised in Southern California, Jeff is a Firefighter/Paramedic for the Torrance Fire Department. In his “spare time”, Jeff began a non-profit company, “Neighborhood United” (www.neighborhoodunited.org) which will be launching at the end of the year.  An avid traveler and novice photographer, Jeff enjoys rock & ice climbing, surfing, scuba diving, snowboarding, and powered paragliding.
Current Employment: Torrance Fire Department
Dance Experience: “Almost none”
Charity Dancing for: Friends of Torrance Exceptional Athletes

Mandy Fontaine (Dancing with Jeff Williams)
Mandy loves to bring excitement to the dance floor. She believes in energy, energy, ENERGY! Mandy is currently a dance major in college and has been a lead dancer in film and television.. She currently dances and teaches at You Can Dance in Hermosa Beach. During the week, Mandy teaches Zumba to hundreds of people. 855 people took her classes in one month alone.

For lessons, Mandy can be reached at:
www.ycdstudio.com

Jane Yeh (Dancing with Doug Eno)
Jane Yeh is the proud mother of 2 lawyer daughters, one of whom happens to be ExxonMobil's Torrance Refinery Attorney and the Switzer Learning Center's 2011 Woman of the Year for Community Activitism. A stay at home mom while her girls were growing up, Jane started to write many years ago as a hobby. This hobby eventually led to her winning a prestigious writing award in 1998 from the World Journal (Shìjiè Rìbào), a daily Chinese language newspaper serving overseas Chinese. She has since then written several Chinese language books, the most recent one about 29 cultural/historical sites in China. Jane is passionate about the arts and actually volunteered her time/services to help the J. Paul Getty Museum translate their "If You Only Have an Hour" guide into Chinese.
Dance Experience: Some previous experience
Charity dancing for: Torrance/South Bay YMCA.

Doug Endo (Dancing with Jane Yeh)
Doug Started teaching West Coast Swing dance to fellow co-workers in 1990 and has been a member of several dance teams. Teaching WCS classes at the Hacienda Hotel since 1995, Doug still dances competitively with his teams and in many “Jack & Jills”.

For lessons, Doug can be reached at:
(310) 892-2407
dougendo@aol.com