UBC Dance Club Instructors

The UBC Dance Club provide a full year of lessons (16 weeks) in which you will learn International-Style Ballroom and Latin dancing. Jive, Cha Cha, Rumba, Waltz, and Quickstep as well as many other dances will be taught by some of BC’s most accomplished and able instructors. Our outstanding faculty includes Kyryl Dudchenko, Murray Schellenberg, Joel Marasigan (from Joel and Clara) and Zillion Wong. Any of our instructors can be contacted through the UBC Dance Club at (604) 822-3248 or by e-mail at info@ubcdanceclub.com.

Kyryl Dudchenko

(Newcomer and Advanced Latin)
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.

Murray Schellenberg

(Newcomer and Bronze)

Murray started dancing at the University of Alberta Dance Club. He taught and trained in Edmonton and Japan, where he switched from American to International Style Ballroom dancing. He then trained in Montreal and turned professional there in 1991.

Murray taught in the University of Victoria Dance Club for 8 years before he moved to Vancouver. He has been teaching for the UBC Dance Club since 2000.

He is currently working on his PhD (not in dance) so is a full time UBC student, as well.We are thrilled to welcome Murray back to our great teaching group. We are sure you’ll find Murray entertaining and full of energy—there is never a dull moment in his class

Joel Marasigan (from Joel and Clara)

(Advanced Standard)
Joel is both a graduate of UBC as well as the UBC Dance Club. Since graduating from UBC, Joel with his partner (now wife) Clara decided to pursue their dancing dreams full time. For more than 10 years, their pursuit of great ballroom dancing brought them around the world.

During their competitive careers, they became the highest ranked BC Standard couple in Canada over the past 30 years, were Team Canada Members to the World Championships and 4-Times undefeated BC Amateur
Champions. They have danced on numerous Television shows and were specially selected to dance in the Hollywood movie, “Shall We Dance?” starring Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez.

Being part of the only Canadian couple ever to live and train in both England and Italy (the two epicenters of ballroom dancing), Joel is delighted to be back home in Vancouver to be able to share the knowledge and experiences he has accumulated over the years. Having moved forward and become co-founder of his own dance company (JC Dance Co), Joel is delighted to still be a part of the UBC Dance Club. He still remembers the excitement of being part of the club (both as a student and as the club’s president) and 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.

Nestor de la Zerda

(Salsa)
Nestor de la Zerda has been the Inspiration, Innovator and Force behind salsa dancing in Vancouver for the past 15 years. He was the creator of the first salsa dance team in vancouver 12 years ago and now performs with his team in every major performance hall in the Lower Mainland. He was also the creator of the first Vancouver World Salsa Congress since 2000. Nestor has 15 years experience teaching and performing locally and internationally, and is the ex-instructor of the BC. champions and ex-instructor of the 2nd place champions in the world salsa competition in Miami Florida november 2003. He has vast experience as a instructor and choreographer for movies and TV shows, and has organized numerous local salsa competitions and numerous tours and cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico. Finally, Nestor is the instructor and choreographer for La perfecta combinacion.