“tangible, actionable adjustments while encouraging their vastly different personal styles”
My first experience with Aris was as a dance doll for friends. Watching him tailor the lessons for my two very different friends was inspiring. He focused on very tangible, actionable adjustments while encouraging their vastly different personal styles of both learning and artistry. I immediately booked a lesson for myself. I was so thrilled with the instant feeling of progress after the lesson. He set clear goals and worked to fit the desired results to my body and artistic expression. I have hyper mobile joints, which can make coaching me a bit more challenging, but Aris's personal training experience allowed him to create immediate and safe adjustments for my body. I can't recommend his lessons enough!
“Aris is genuine and cares beyond the lesson”
My private dance lessons with Aris have been indisputably first-rate! He legit understands technique and body movement. Aris is genuine and cares beyond the lesson when it comes to my dance journey. Don't miss out!
“his advice is fine-tuned and made specific for you”
Aris has been an amazing teacher. He has been a huge influence on me over the past 1.5 years, both for dance and in life. I have greatly appreciated his teaching and his ability to explain a concept in many different ways. Additionally his knowledge of the different philosophies of the dance gives him a unique ability to help find what will work best for you. His advice is fine-tuned and made specific for you. I am super happy with the progress I have made and excited for where I am going and I owe a lot of that to Aris. Big Fan!!!
“he's given me the skills to insert more of my own movement dialogue into my dance”
I'm lucky to have been working with Aris for the past couple months. He's given me the skills to insert more of my own movement dialogue into my dance <3 As someone who has done quite a few different dance styles it feels freeing to incorporate them into this medium.
“a caring and compassionate and funny wizard”
Aris somehow always knows what to say when I am lost in dance angst (dangst ™️) to redirect my spiraling toward optimism, productive critique, focus, sometimes humor. While ALSO reminding me that the dance journey is mine and i can’t look for someone to tell me I should keep going. Idk how this combination works he is a wizard. A caring and compassionate and funny wizard.
“he's always willing to have a discussion about the ‘why’”
Take dance lessons with Aris! He is an excellent instructor and human. Whether I need a mindset shift, drills for technique, empowerment for artistic expression, he's there with quality knowledge and a welcoming presence. He's always willing to have a discussion about the "why" behind the movement and his personal experience in the industry. I emphasize quality again because of his observant nature. He notices minute details about my body movement and helps explain/adjust feedback I have received from other instructors. Aris's instruction is digestible and helpful; I find that I can apply it to my dance and practice the concepts outside our lessons. Additionally, Aris is an excellent cheerleader! You can tell he is passionate about his art as well as mine. In the community, he is always up for a dance, a chat, or a quick question. I am fortunate to be able to call him an instructor, a local asset to the Denver community, and a friend.
“a rare few like Aris are also helpful and invested after your lesson”
I’ve now had private lessons with Aris, dollied follower lessons with Aris, and had video review with Aris. He has gone above and beyond with each session. I definitely recommend working with him, particularly as a duo with someone of the opposite role as he has a unique style of teaching in that format I found highly effective.
Being a good instructor is a separate skill from being a good competitor or a good social dancer. A good instructor pushes for your growth during your lesson, a rare few like Aris are also helpful and invested after your lesson.
I’ve taken private lessons from a large variety of instructors, from long established Champions down to newly risen All Stars. I generally only see Aris at large events with large Champions and All Star divisions. Even with all those choices available to me in that setting, he is someone that I seek out for lessons.
“most informative private lessons I've had from a pro”
I just had an insane private lesson with Aris - his metaphors/analogies and way of explaining concepts is enjoyable and clear, and he has such an eye for pointing out details and skills that can help a dancer elevate. One of the highest quality and most informative private lessons I've had from a pro to date.
“feel more stable, controlled, and connected”
Aris is one of my favorite WCS instructors because of the way he provides feedback, his background and passion for west coast, and his dynamic approach to teaching.
His approach is thorough and insightful, providing clear, specific feedback that makes a real, immediate difference. He encourages me by drawing my attention to what I do well, which boosts my confidence, but he also offers practical improvements in a way that feels constructive and motivating.
As a teacher by day, I know how important it is to make your students feel safe enough to make mistakes and Aris does that exceptionally well. He helps me practice each adjustment until I can recognize what doing it right feels like which helps my retention and solo practice.
His background in physical training is a huge advantage—he explains which muscle groups to engage, helping me feel more stable, controlled, and connected in my movements. He’s great at working with dancers of all levels, so you feel comfortable and see remarkable improvements no matter where you’re starting from. I really can’t recommend him enough!
“I would not be the dancer I am today without Aris”
I started learning West Coast Swing in August 2023 and quickly grasped the basics with practice. However, when I wanted to improve and compete, I struggled to make it to finals in the novice category. That's when I began taking private lessons with Aris, and my dancing completely changed. Aris has a unique teaching style that helps dancers understand their body movements precisely. His teaching is clear and tailored to your learning needs.
How do I put this…. I would not be the dancer I am today without Aris. Even living in a country that is 6,000 miles away and having taken more video reviews than in-person privates from Aris, he has completely transformed my dance. From not having made a single novice point to placing in an advanced competition, I am astounded at the level of maturity, wisdom, and care for his students that Aris brings. He meets me where I am and pushes my understanding every time I meet with him or reach out for over-the-phone instruction. If you’re even considering a small review or a private lesson, here’s your sign to just do it. You WILL become a better dancer from that chance.
“find the story you want to tell as an artist and embrace it”
In a word, Aris' instruction is special. Aris has a way of helping you find the story you want to tell as an artist and embrace it. His education with the best of the best figures in WCS is truly extensive, so he is uniquely poised to help you adopt the technique that works best for you. I often take lessons with pros only to be told exactly what he told me! While he is thoughtful and focused on technique, he also creates a safe space for creation and creativity. What I like most about Aris’s instruction is that he adamantly believes there is no one “right way” to do this dance, but that there are so many ways that work. Simply put, Aris is passionate about helping you find “your way”.
Also, his video critiques are straight fire.