Meet our 2026 Instructors & DJ's

Michael Kiehm started teaching dance when he was only 17 years old. Fulfilling his dream, in 1982 Michael opened the Starlight Dance Studio in San Diego. Since its inception, Starlight Dance Studio has grown six times its original size with more than 30 talented instructors and more than 300 students. In 2017, Michael sold the Starlight and relocated to

Charlotte, NC. Michael regularly competes, performs, coaches, judges, and hosts dance events throughout the country on top of his very busy teaching schedule. Some of his most notable accomplishments include:

• US Open Swing Dance Champion

• Member of the National Swing Dance Hall of Fame

• “Rising Stars” International Latin Champion

• Several Pro-Am Ballroom & Latin Championship titles

• Grand Master and founder of the Global PDIA Instructor Certification Programs

• Founder of the Global PDIA Judges Certification Program

An internationally acclaimed dance instructor and choreographer, Jo Thompson Szymanski has made quite an impact on dance floors worldwide. Having taught line and couple’s dance for 42 years, Jo holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Dance. She was voted International Line Dance Instructor of the Year for five years in a row at the UK Crystal Boot Line Dance Awards and was honored with being of the first two people to be inducted into the Line Dance Hall of Fame. Jo, a former Miss Texas and top ten finalist at Miss America, hosted her own instructional television show, Dance Line on The Nashville Network (TNN).     In addition to line dancing, Jo’s teaching and dancing experience spans the fields of Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Country, Swing, Salsa, Ballroom, Square Dancing, Round Dancing, Clogging, and Latin. 

Brian Barakaukas took his first dance steps in Louisville Kentucky. He has now been dancing professionally for over 25 years. Through competitive ballroom, country & swing dancing, he has danced in over 23 countries around the world as a competitor, performer, judge and teacher.  He's a 5-time world champion and 2017 inductee to UCWDC Hall of Fame for his contribution to the dance world. His journey has come full circle. In 2005 his dream of a fantastic studio in Louisville came true.

Growing up with a mother who was a professional dancer, Megan was destined to be a dancer. She started ballroom dancing in 2004 and has been with Dance Louisville since they opened. With a background in competitive ice skating and ballet, Megan has had an impressive amateur competitive dance career traveling all over the United States competing with great success in all four styles of Ballroom & Latin as well as Country, Bachata, Line Dance and West Coast Swing. Megan began her professional career with a bang by winning the 2015 UCWDC ProPro Female World Championship! And finishing 2nd place at the UCWDC world championships in 2017 as one of the best country dancers in the world. 

Jill is a DJ, Dance Instructor and Choreographer is from Youngstown, Ohio and started country dancing in 1989. Dancing Line and 2 Step in a local country bar.

She dabbled in teaching line and partners a bit before having to go off to further her degree in 1993, and in 1997 graduated from Case Western Reserve School of Dentistry with a DDS degree.

With dance shoes on one end and drill and forceps on the other, she added to that with some Martial Arts training in which she received her black belt in 2012.

Jill got familiar with the UCWDC dancing circuit around the year 2000 and has since branched out djing and teaching at line dance events. She received the Dancer of the Year award in 2009 at the Las Vegas Line Dance Explosion. She has also been voted Favorite DJ for the Windy City Line Dance Event for several years as well as nominated for the Crystal Boot Awards favorite DJ category.

She also dabbled in choreography having dances danced all over the world. She was a UCWDC Worlds Champion in Choreography in 2019. In all her line dance years, she has also collaborated with some of the best choreographers on the circuit. 

Her website, www.djdrjill.com is where you can check out her choreography and videos. 

Farrell Woods started Djing in 1999 for Albuquerque Swing and country dance club. He moved to Denver in 2001 and shortly after became head Dj for Rocky Mountain swing dance club. At about the same time he started Djing at the Stampede bar in the Denver area for 12 years.  He was the first person to go completely digital in 2001.  Not only has he been Djing for Rocky Mountain Swing Dance club for 24 years, but he was also President of the club in 2009 & 2010.He Dj’d for Swing time in the Rockies for 8 years. He has Dj’d and emceed about 500 weddings over the years. All totaled he has  Dj’d around 1800 events during his career. He loves helping the crowd have a great evening by playing the music that connects the best with them!s