Des Moines Ballroom
2745 Douglas Ave, Des Moines, Iowa
Contact us: info@desmoinesballroom.com or call 515.277.3545

Instructors

Biography

Contact

(Listed alphabetical by last name)

 

 

Nick Babberl

Des Moines Ballroom

Professional Dance Instructor

 

Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, West Coast Swing, Hustle, Bolero, Rumba, Cha cha, Mambo, East Coast Swing, Merengue, Salsa, Samba, Paso Doble & Jive

 

 

 

Nick has been dancing ballroom since 2005. He has also studied many other styles of dance and theatre but specializes in competitive and social ballroom. He was part of the competitive team at Iowa State and has competed at Minneapolis, Omaha, and Ohio Star Ball. Nick has also won several rising star competitions in Texas and around the nation in the last couple years.

 

Dancing is a way of life that can be shared throughout life and helps define who you are.

 

 

 

515-661-7855 (Cell)

515-277-3545 (Studio)

Email Nick




 

Anne Bates

Des Moines Ballroom

Professional Dance Instructor

 

Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, West Coast Swing, Hustle, Bolero, Rumba, Cha cha, Mambo, East Coast Swing, Merengue, Salsa, Samba, Paso Doble & Jive

 

Anne has been teaching ballroom dancing professionally for several years and also runs a Youth program at the Des Moines Ballroom. Anne became a teacher of ballroom only after studying dance and participating in the Heart of America and Chicago Crystal Ball dance competitions in a Pro/Am couple. Anne's great knowledge and skill in dancing lead her to where she is now, a successful and sought after instructor for competitive dancing and social dancing.

 

Good dancing is good dancing, whether you are competing or playing.

 

515-402-5594 (Cell)

515-277-3545 (Studio)

Email Anne




 

Luisito Cabrera

Salsa Des Moines

 

Salsa, Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, Cha Cha & Hustle

 

Luisito is a co-owner of Salsa Des Moines, a non-profit organization to promote Salsa dancing.  He specializes in teaching beginner, intermediate, and advanced salsa.  He provides instructions in what is referred to as “in-line style” salsa which can be either danced ON 1 (also known as L.A. Style) or ON 2 (also known as N.Y. Style).  He can also provide instruction in social ballroom dance (American and International Styles – Bronze and Silver levels).  He will teach couples, groups, and individual ladies.  He will instruct up to a serious social dance level but does not do competition level instruction.  

 

515-771-1776 (Cell)

Email Luisito




 

Markus Cannon

Des Moines Ballroom & Cannon Studios

Professional Dance Instructor

Owner

 

Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, West Coast Swing, Hustle, Bolero, Rumba, Cha Cha, Mambo, East Coast Swing, Merengue, Salsa, Samba, Paso Doble, & Jive

 

Markus first danced on stage in high school musicals. He was a lead actor on the stage of Theatre Cedar Rapids in several musicals before he began his journey into the ballroom.

Now he works and trains with champion dancers from all over the country and has found many successes by winning several Top Teacher Awards from his students Top placements at competitions all over the United States. He is known nationwide as fun & friendly and a top competing Pro/Am instructor.

His belief is that the Quality of dancing is what makes it magical and not just learning a ton of steps.

 

When you learn to to dance, you learn about yourself and your partner.

 

319-329-5151 (Cell)

515-277-3545 (Studio)

Email Markus




 

Roger Chapman

Independent Instructor

 

Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha,

Tango, East Coast Swing, Merengue, Country Two-Step, Line Dance, Polka

 

Roger has been teaching social dancing around the Des Moines area for 25 years. His relaxed teaching style makes the learning experience fun.

Along with American Smooth and Rhythm dances he teaches Polka and Country Two-Step. His specialties include teaching wedding couples and line dances at parties or family reunions.

 

551-554-6646 (Cell)

Email Roger




 

Donovan Chesnut

Des Moines Ballroom

Professional Dance Instructor

 

Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, West Coast Swing, Hustle, Bolero, Rumba, Cha Cha, Mambo, Samba, East Coast Swing, Merengue

 

The moment Donovan stepped into the ballroom he was destined to teach. His ability to quickly learn, his attention to detail, his work ethic, and his outgoing personality made Donovan a natural choice to bring into the mix of dance instructors.

He teaches group classes, private lessons, wedding couples, performance lessons, and also dances in competitions.

 

515-229-7225 (Cell)

515-277-3545 (Studio)

Email Donovan




 

Larry & Rae Mullica

Step Into Swing

 

Vintage Swing, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Vernacular Jazz

 

 

The Mullicas have danced at the Des Moines Playhouse in the production of Swing!  They have been swing dancing since 2003 and started teaching swing dance in 2005. They teach in a fun, energetic fashion and want to make sure you enjoy your lesson while learning how to dance.  Private lessons are available to those who want to be on a faster track to dancing proficiency.  They are the owners of Step Into Swing, an organization with goals to promote swing dancing and also organize and instruct a group of performance swing dancers.

 

Email Mullicas




 

Melanie Rivera

Salsa Des Moines

Director/Instructor

 

Salsa

 

Co-founder of the non-profit company, Salsa Des Moines, Melanie can be found teaching salsa lessons in the Des Moines Ballroom on Friday nights and is available for booking private lessons. She loves what she does and it shows in her dancing.

 

515-240-2954 (Cell)

515-277-3545 (Studio)

Email Melanie