Bravissimo!

Learning from Andrea Marta

By Christine Trask

This fall, instead of preparing my six-acre, three-level, country home of thirty years for the cold snowy winter in Minnesota, I am enjoying the sunny, warm weather of Florida in my new one-level home where I no longer have to do yard work.

Except for my family pictures and favorite artwork, I sold everything and made the leap of faith to make the move four months ago. I felt settled and restless all at the same time. There was a void in my life. Missing my Minnesota dance friends, I needed to connect with fun, energetic people who had the same passion I do: dance.

Checking the internet on my phone, I came up with a list of dance studios to explore. After the second week of searching in the month of September, I walked into Arthur Murray and sensed right away that it was going to be my home away from home.

Andrea Marta, a young, talented Italian, was introduced to me as my new instructor. At five years old in Due Leoni, Rome, Andrea started ballroom dancing at his Uncle Maurizio's dance studio and had a successful career in youth amateur. Coming from a family of dance performers, his parents made it to the senior gold level finals in the Italian Championship, and his older brother still lives in Rome and teaches dance.

Andrea's past awards include first place, Italian Championships, 1998 and 2012; finalist, Italian Championships, 2008; first place, South European Championships, 2013; and semifinalist and finalist in WDSF (international division) in Spain, France, Thailand, and Italy. In Cyprus, a country close to Greece, Andrea taught dance for a teacher at the Olga Dance Academy in 2013 and performed in a Christmas show at Hotel Intercontinental.

Andrea met Anastasia Kazmina, franchise owner of Arthur Murray in Naples, Florida, during a competition. In 2014 at age twenty-four, Andrea came to the United States to work for Anastasia and also be her professional partner.

On my first day of class, I noticed Andrea's astonishingly perfect frame and his natural talent for creating and teaching innovative dance moves. I went to the open dance events on Wednesday and found the fun, energetic dance family that I was missing.

Naples Star Ball was coming up in the month of October, and of course I decided to participate in the competition. Five other female friends also decided to compete. There was little time for me to prepare for the competition, so I took private lessons twice a week. With sport tape wrapped around my knees and tired, swollen feet, Andrea began teaching me a routine for the silver open and full foxtrot, Viennese waltz, and waltz.

"You know this, Chris, so just do it," Andrea said.

After the fifth lesson, Andrea and I danced effortlessly

"Bravissima!" Andrea shouted, lifting me into the air. It was pure joy! I felt ready for the competition.

On competition day, all six of us women celebrated our achievements together. I thought it important to interview the women and find out why they think Andrea is such an excellent teacher in general and, specifically, for preparing them for the competition.

Deb Mackerwicz: When I was at my lowest point physically, having been away from dance for many years, it was difficult for me to even walk into the studio for the first time. Slowly and gently, Andrea lifted me up mentally to realize that I was still a dancer and that, yes, of course I could compete with just six weeks of lessons! The encouragement and support he gave me was crucial at that vulnerable point in my life. I am sure he doesn't even realize how much more he did for me than teach dance. He helped me believe in myself again.

Connie Fetterman: Andrea, as a teacher and competitor, can tell you what to expect and what the judges look for. He patiently tells you not just what you're doing wrong but how it should be and the difference it makes in your body line or entry into the following step. "Vie," he would say, meaning, "Go!" When you get it right, he compliments you by saying, "Bravissima!" As a first-time competitor, I was shocked when they announced that I came in first in all five standard open silver dances and first in the two dance challenges. I lived my Cinderella dream.

Shirley Cen: Andrea is the best teacher and greatest professional dancer that I know. He knows my weaknesses and strengths in ballroom dance. He encouraged me to participate in the competition. With his strict training and great sense of humor, he helped me correct my weaknesses to bring out the best in me. Feeling no pressure and enjoying the dance during the competition, I was surprised when I won first place in the closed bronze ballroom multi-dancing challenge.

Nicole Perrotta: I have danced off and on for the past fifteen years. I've never really had the confidence to think I was able to do anything with my dancing except to have fun. I even had one instructor at a different studio tell me that I should not continue to learn international-style ballroom (my favorite style of dance) and that I should learn smooth because it would be easier for me. When I met Andrea, I noticed he was able to teach me in a way that I was able to understand. In a few short weeks, I saw my dancing improve, and I decided to challenge myself and enter the competition.

Leiza Kennedy: Andrea prepared me both mentally and technically so I could perform five dances across several competitive brackets. His charm and sense of humor helped make the challenging process of learning to dance fun. I felt secure under his expert partnering throughout each dance. Winning first and third place in two of the competition brackets, I have a wonderful dance experience to remember and to build upon.

Bravissimo, Andrea Marta. Thank you for being such a great teacher. We all look forward to the next Naples Star Ball on October 16, 2016, at the Hilton Naples.

A special thanks to Eva Gomez, patron of the arts, and to Deb Mackerwicz, editor.

Buone feste, meaning happy holidays, from the team at Arthur Murray in Naples, Roman Gomez, Anastasia Kazmina, and Andrea Marta.