Danznik Studios Reviews

This is an amazing place to go dance and have fun. The staff are really nice and they offer a lot of classes during the week. Also going to the Friday and Sunday rounds for Latin dance is really fun.

We had private dance lessons for our wedding and had an amazing experience! Faustine did an amazing job choreographing our first dance song and we had such a fun experience! We are both beginners in dancing but she never made us feel like that and always gave the best tips and helped us on what to practice on between lessons. She was professional, communicative and amazing at what she does. Thanks Faustine!!! Would 100% recommend Danznik and Faustine!

Brook was a wonderful teacher!

Stephanie is a great instructor! She spent time getting to know us and understand what kind of first dance we wanted. She then choreographed an incredible dance we were able to learn and master in just four lessons that dazzled all our guests. Truly didn’t know I had that type of dancer within me! The lessons themselves were fun and engaging. Stephanie is not overly focused on formal steps and counting which allowed us to explore moves we might have thought were too complicated otherwise. We really loved our experience!

My husband and I had the best experience preparing our first dance with Faustine! Faustine is so incredibly talented, kind, patient, and helpful. She is an amazing teacher and choreographed our first dance beautifully! She taught us our dance in small increments which allowed us to slowly learn and understand our dance. Neither of us have any dance experience, but we felt so confident and excited about our dance all because of Faustine! She was such a joy to work with and we looked forward to each lesson! Thank you so much Faustine, you are the BEST!!!

We worked with Faustine for 4 sessions on first dance prep, and I cannot say enough positive things about the experience! She is an incredible teacher and super fun person, not to mention so talented at what she does! We came in with no experience and left with a choreographed dance that we feel excited about and comfortable with. She always took the time to answer any questions we would have along the way. 10/10 super fun experience - would recommend Faustine to anyone!

Stephanie was a fantastic instructor. She really listened to what we wanted and created choreography that captured both the music video and our Stranger Things-inspired story. Our guests are still talking about the dance! The free self-practice sessions included with our package before the wedding made a huge difference and helped us feel confident and prepared for the big day. We highly recommend booking with Stephanie!

Working with Ana on our first dance was such a wonderful experience. She is incredibly patient, kind, and talented, and made us feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire process! Ana created a dance that felt natural and truly reflected us as a couple. Every lesson was something we looked forward to, thanks to her warm personality and encouraging approach. We are so grateful for her guidance and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a thoughtful and talented dance instructor <3

This is really the best dance studio I’ve ever been to. We’re preparing for our wedding dance, and took a few date night lessons as well as a private lesson. The lessons are really well paced and they really make the most of the time — in one night, you learn two dances with your partner! Stephanie was amazing and taught us how to improve our dance and stances, which was super helpful!

Boot camp was very beginner friendly, the teacher brook is very funny and personable and made what is always an awkward experience (a beginner in a physical activity not knowing what they are doing while having to hold hands and be up close with strangers) and enjoyable experience. I had a good time

We had such a wonderful experience learning our wedding dance with Stephanie! She is incredibly experienced, passionate about dance and so patient with us throughout the entire process. She made every lesson fun and enjoyable, and her warm, caring personality made her feel like a mum looking after us. We always felt supported and encouraged, even when we struggled. We couldn't have asked for a better teacher and highly recommend her for anyone preparing for their wedding dance! Also, remember to practice :)

Can't say enough wonderful things about Danznik. The space, the location, the staff -- all top notch! Nikolai has built a wonderful program right in the heart of the city. Most recently I worked with Gaby Cook (through Midtown Swings) to prepare for a ProAm competition and she was an absolutely perfect teacher and partner. Communication, skill, preparation, choreography -- impossible to have asked for anything more. Hands down the best studio in NYC!

My fiancee and I had a fantastic experience at Danznik. We booked 4 private sessions with Faustine to choreograph our first dance at our wedding, and we're so happy with how the routine came out. I had no experience with dance choreography before this, and she was a great teacher. She explained everything in a very easy to understand way, and choreographed a custom routine that fit our song. Would recommend!

Stephanie was an excellent instructor who went above and beyond to help us craft a beautiful wedding dance together (in a short timeframe and with an unexpected injury!) that we were so excited to perform. We would highly recommend her to anyone!

My husband and I were paired with Stephanie for the 4-class wedding dance package. Scheduling was really easy, and Stephanie designed a custom 1.5-minute routine for our first dance song. Stephanie designed a routine with lots of movement and twirls that photographed really beautifully (but was still easy enough for us beginners!). Stephanie walked us through every movement and detail. One bonus is the studio has enough space for you to practice, as long as there isn't an event going on. We took advantage of that and tried to do a little practicing ourselves after class when we could, which really helped us memorize our routine. I would highly recommend Stephanie and this studio! Remember to bring your wedding shoes!

We had an absolute blast working on the first dance for our wedding with Stephanie! She is a great teacher and choreographer, we are so happy we decided to do a choreographed first dance! Everyone was very impressed with our dance and doing these classes together was a fun way to de-stress from wedding planning. I would definitely recommend Danznik and Stephanie for anyone looking for wedding dance classes (and don’t be scared if you don’t have a lot of dance experience!)

My wife and I took dance lessons with Stephanie to prepare for our wedding first dance, and it was one of the best decisions we made. Stephanie is incredibly patient and supportive, especially for beginners like us. She took the time to understand our skill level and comfort zone, and carefully choreographed a routine that felt natural while still looking elegant and impressive. What really stood out was her sense of aesthetics and creativity. She didn’t just teach us steps — she helped us create a performance that felt personal and meaningful. Throughout the process, she made learning enjoyable and stress-free, which was so important during the busy wedding planning period. Our first dance turned out beautifully, and we received so many compliments from our friends and family. It truly became one of the highlights of our wedding. We’re very grateful to Stephanie for her guidance and would highly recommend her to any couple preparing for their special day.

Stephanie was our instructor for our wedding first dance and she was absolutely phenomenal to work with!! We didn't expect to have as much fun as we did, and the dance lessons were a really fun night activity for us. Steph was always so accommodating of our schedules. She also chose choreo that fit our personalities perfectly! We really loved our experience here and appreciated all the giggling and fun we had with Steph. She's so sweet and it's very clear she absolutely loves what she does.

My husband and I took our wedding dance lessons here with Stephanie. She was amazing at highlighting our strengths and creating a unique and meaningful dance with us. We really enjoyed going to the studio each week, spending time together and working towards a goal. Stephanie was so supportive throughout the process, kept us accountable, and also took our input into consideration. Our dance turned out amazing, and we'll always look fondly back on our time working with Stephanie!

We had a wonderful experience working with Faustine at Danznik Studios to prepare a choreographed “first dance” for our wedding! It was easy to schedule practice sessions and Faustine provided excellent feedback throughout the lessons. The dance turned out amazing and everyone was impressed! Highly recommend their services!

Danznik, Nikolai, and especially my ProAm Partner, Tatiana Banko have collectively re-inspired my love of dance and taken me to a whole new level. Technically excellent, patient, encouraging, the right balance of discipline and support, I offer my highest recommendations to anyone considering the social joy or the sport than is Ballroom Dance!

I have been taking Argentine Tango classes with Anton Domansky and combination Smooth and Rhythm classes with Brook Diamond. Both Anton and Brook are excellent teachers, guiding with their vast knowledge and warm sense of humor. Also, I attend Brook’s once a month Sunday Social, which is lots of fun dancing to DJ Antonio’s wonderful variety of music. For the first time, I recently attended La Practilonga, hosted by Carolina Juarena - very welcoming, instructive and fun. I certainly recommend Danznik for excellent instruction and fun social events!

My experience at this studio has been great. The dance floor is large, clean, and well maintained, and the music system is high quality. The owners, staff, and instructors are very kind and supportive. As a pro/am student, I especially appreciate having access to exceptional teachers without needing to travel far. Highly recommended.

With enthusiastic gratitude I will gladly praise the exceptional and superior Pro Am program at Danznik, in large part the beating heart and bedrock foundation of Danznik. And, if one tracks results at local and regional competitions, one will quickly see how overrepresented Danznik Pro Am competitors shine in the volume of both their quality and award winning performances. Thus, mine is hardly lone or superfluous praise. When I first started to learn to dance over 8 years ago as an unofficial extension of my grief therapy following the death of my son Andrew, I had no idea what to expect. I was fortunate to be introduced at various levels to about 13-14 different formal styles of dance by my pro at the time at another studio, other pros, and several group instructors of various abilities. When COVID shut everything down, I had only just started to explore and prepare for International Latin competition. As the world regrouped and reopened, it was more than good fortune to discover Danznik Studios in my process to seriously pursue my Pro Am ambitions. It is hugely understated to say that I was blessed to be accepted as a student by the widely recognized, indisputably world class pro and teacher, and more than likely the very best Pro Am teacher and partner in captivity today, Tatiana Banko. Yes, we have had success in competitions, but perhaps my biggest lesson is how to use such events to overcome issues within myself, as much or more than other competitors on the floor. Tatiana is forever challenging me to become a better and more improved dancer in many areas, in a constantly evolving journey of personal challenge and growth. In all of the styles of Pro Am offered, you will regularly find superior and personally responsive pros. If Pro Am is an emerging interest or a full blown passion or yours, you will be hard pressed to find a better garden in which to grow than Danznik.

I have been dancing with Randy Dias, an instructor at Danznik Studio in Hawthorne two years. What a great experience I am having with Randy at Danznik! The studio has a main floor which suits International Ballroom dancing perfectly. It's almost as big as a competition floor. The space is open and airy. Windows and mirrors line the walls and the floor is always just right - not too slippery and not too sticky. Oh, and did I mention the ballet barre which is great for a pre dance stretch! Randy and I have grown into a steady partnership during the time that we have been dancing at Danznik. He's an instructor who is a great dancer and a super teacher. I am improving my skills without the frustration so often felt when the learning experience isn't clear. There is always a warm welcome from the other Danznik students. I have met people at the studio who are forever friends. We support and encourage each other. We're interested in each other's dance experience and lives in general. The atmosphere is light and caring. I'm happy.

I have been studying smooth ballroom technique, and receiving coaching towards my ability to compete. I absolutely love the training that I'm getting the opportunities to grow artistically. The studio is beautiful and the atmosphere is very professional.

Danznik is unique in that it genuinely feels like a place that could be your own for however long your feet are on the dance floor! The owner Nikolai and all of the staff are very pleasant, and I hope to keep dancing in this queer-friendly, professional, and fun space. Highly recommend the Borough Ball events!

Danznik Studios offers first-class teachers. I avidly pursue Pro/Am lessons & competitions with Nikolai Shpakov and Tatiana Banko. They give much thought into what I need to do to continue growing. I have seen this kind of detail and dance teaching from all the teachers who work at the studio. The same is true of all their group classes. If you are pursuing social dancing or want a group setting to enhance your individual growth, you will find these group classes a real a real plus. The studio itself is clean, bright, and has a superb floor on which to dance. See you there!

As a ProAm dancer with over 20 years of experience, I can confidently say that Danznik is truly exceptional. I have never once considered changing studios because I have consistently found everything I need here: excellence in instruction, a family-like warmth, and a supportive community that lifts you up both on and off the dance floor. The coaching is world-class, the energy is inspiring, and the people make you feel at home from day one. After two decades in ProAm, that combination is rare—and incredibly special. I’m proud to be part of the Danznik family.

My ProAm experience at Danznik Studios has truly been one of the best. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed, supported, and inspired. The energy in the space is warm and professional, for both students and teachers. The quality of instruction is world-class—technical, thoughtful, and tailored to what you need. Excellent teachers and coaches. Nikolai also hosts showcases which are so beneficial especially for students new to performing. It is a wonderful community event attended not just by Danznik students but by other students from outside studios. My ProAm journey here has given me not only better dancing, but also more confidence and a wonderful sense of community. If you are looking to start your ProAm journey, I highly recommend this studio!

I have been a student and Pro-Am Competitor at Danznik Studios for almost 5 years and am thrilled with my experience there. The owner, Nikolai Shpakov, has created an environment where an amateur such as myself can dance with, and learn from, highly accomplished and expertly trained ballroom professionals in a supportive and congenial environment. (It is not uncommon, for example, for Danznik students to show up at competitions as spectators so as to cheer on other competing Danznik students.) Students have the opportunity to compete in many different styles, including International Latin, Standard, American Smooth and American Rhythm in both national and international competitions. The studio itself, which was recently renovated, is the most spacious I’ve seen in Westchester and is kept immaculately clean. In addition to my lessons with my professional, as a Pro-Am student at Danznik, I have the opportunity to participate in Danznik’s weekly rounds where Pro-Am couples can practice their dances in heats with a DJ to mimic a competition environment. I also have access to top-notch coaches both on staff at Danzik and from the outside, who have taken my dancing to the next level. In sum, as a Pro-Am student with a total of 10 years of ballroom dance experience and almost 50 competitions under my belt, I could not ask for a better studio to call my “dance home.”

We had a great experience with Stephanie Shapiro learning the first dance for our wedding! The space itself was great, with 2 rooms for lessons and practicing on our own. Stephanie was very easy to coordinate with and was flexible to our schedule. We had a lot of fun at every lesson - Stephanie was reassuring, keeping it light even when we were struggling. She was able to choreograph a dance that fit the style we wanted and looked professional, but wasn't too difficult for a couple beginners to learn in 4 lessons. We received so many compliments on the dance - it was definitely one of the more memorable parts of our wedding night for us and our guests.

We waited until the last possible minute to do a choreographed dance for our wedding, but we were able to get a great dance together thanks to Danznik. Our instructor, Stephanie Shapiro gave us the tools we needed to do a routine that was fun and unique to us. She was patient, knowledgeable, and very fun to work with. We also took advantage of Danznik’s free practice time available for wedding couples which was incredibly helpful for us with our tight deadline.

I had a hard time choosing and finding a place to do wedding dance lessons. So many places are so expensive or are unclear about their pricing structure. Danznik was upfront about everything and had the perfect package. Over 4 lessons we learned a full 2 minute dance. Our instructor catered the dance to our abilities and adjusted over time as she saw how we moved together. I would highly recommend for anyone looking to have a choreographed first dance!

We cannot recommend Tatiana Keegan enough! One of us had zero dance experience, and the other hadn’t danced since high school over 10 years ago—and neither of us had ever tried ballroom before. After 10 lessons with Tatiana, we went from nervous and clueless to completely confident. She choreographed a first dance that was perfectly “us,” easy to learn, and looked amazing on the big day. Her energy is infectious, her teaching style is fun and clear, and every lesson felt like hanging out with a friend who also happens to be a brilliant instructor. We absolutely killed our first dance, and it’s one of our favorite memories from the wedding—all thanks to Tatiana.

We cannot recommend Tatiana Keegan enough! One of us had zero dance experience, and the other hadn’t danced since high school over 10 years ago—and neither of us had ever tried ballroom before. After 10 lessons with Tatiana, we went from nervous and clueless to completely confident. She choreographed a first dance that was perfectly “us,” easy to learn, and looked amazing on the big day. Her energy is infectious, her teaching style is fun and clear, and every lesson felt like hanging out with a friend who also happens to be a brilliant instructor. We absolutely killed our first dance, and it’s one of our favorite memories from the wedding—all thanks to Tatiana.

I highly recommend this studio. The atmosphere is lively, and everybody is very kind. The instructors are patient, thorough, and knowledgeable. I have been to several dance studios in Manhattan and I enjoy this one the most.

Anton was a great instructor for our wedding first dance!

I've been going to Danznik for the past 6 months to learn west coast swing and I love it. The teachers are all incredible (shout out Jes Ann for her Wednesday night classes!). They host amazing socials both on several days throughout the week, along with a couple bigger once a month socials. Highly recommended checking out House of West (especially on the first Wednesday of the month for J&J night) and Flow Fridays!

Today’s Beginner Argentine Tango class with Anton Domansky was excellent, and I look forward to returning next week!

I started dancing WCS about 7 months ago, learning from Joe & Jes Ann. They are both great dancers and teachers in their unique ways. I have kept coming back and taking their lessons and group classes. The condition of the floor is very good. The space is sufficient for social parties. The staff is always friendly and resourceful. Best of all is the people I met here. Dancing is pure joy. You see smiles all the time.

I've been going to Danznik as a beginner for west coast swing for almost 2 years. They have lots of classes and dance socials to get you accustomed to the dance community. And everyone is very welcoming as I've made some great friends during this time. Jes Ann's classes provide a great intro to WCS and continued learning as well!

We took wedding dance lessons with Anton and he is genuinely the best! He was able to choreograph based on our music and include any moved I have seen and liked. I am so happy with how our first dance turned out and would recommend this studio to every couple!

Elegant ambiance, pleasant people and dancers. Outstanding quality of music, also water and snacks were provided. It's a go. 100%.

Great teachers and staff, nice space, fun place to learn to dance.

Danznik Studios in Midtown! Our friends got married earlier this year and DAAAAZZLED us with their first dance. Initially we were just gonna box step and twirl, then call it a day for our first dance but that sold us to get lessons. 1.5 months later, our instructor Ruslan has us twirling around, doing 3 different lifts, and fun steps. We. Look. Incredible. Can't wait to shock our family with our sudden metamorphosis into ballroom dancers. Ruslan is also so friendly, super easygoing (will tailor the dance if you want it more chill or more fabulous), we truly look forward to our sessions. Worth the money!

My husband and I took classes with Stephanie before our wedding. We weren't looking for anything fancy; we just wanted to learn how to dance well together. Stephanie knocked it out of the park - we had the best time and know we know how to dance together forever :)

Danznik Studios is one of Manhattan's top-notch ballroom dancing studios. From the friendliness of the owners and front-desk staff to the thoughtful design and functionality of the studio space, even plenty of bathrooms, every visit feels like I'm at home. My partner and I attend their West Coast Swing social dances every week.