Ballroom Dance Instructors
Deborah Fields Perez
Deborah is the Founder of By Your Side Dance Studio and one of the most sought after dancers and choreographers in the United States. Due to her love for choreography, she also serves as the best Wedding Dance Instructor in Los Angeles. Deborah teaches American Rhythm, American Smooth, International Standard, Salsa, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop and Tap Dancing.
Deborah has over twenty years of experience as a dance instructor and competitor competing in National Dance Championships across the country. Her titles include: United States Rising Star Theater Arts Champion, Dixie Invitational American Style Theater Arts Champion, South Eastern Theater Arts Dance Champion, Fred Astaire Dixie Invitational Theater Arts Champion, World Champion Dance Cheerleader – Notre Dame University. Deborah was certified by Arthur Murray Studios and Fred Astaire Dance Studios with high honors. She trained with dance greats such as Patrick and Wendy Johnson, Chester Whitmore, Rufus Dustin, Ron Montez, Rick Valenzuela, Terry Leone, Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. As a sideline special skill, Deborah also has a background in theatrical weaponry and has trained many of Hollywood’s stuntmen for movie scenes!
Deborah is a member of the National Dance Council of America, USA Dance, Inc. as an Athlete: Professional, a coveted member of the International Dance Council – CID and listed on the International List of Who’s Who in Dancing. Deborah has appeared and choreographed in numerous television, films, music videos & stage productions. Her latest television appearance was on “The Bachelor” as a dance instructor. Deborah now dances professionally with Craig Morris and owns the By Your Side Dance Studio as well as By Your Side Productions performance dance company.
Guillermo Ceballos
Guillermo has been dancing for about 20 years and has been at By Your Side Dance Studio for approximately 10 years. He teaches all styles of partner dancing: International and American styles of Ballroom, Social Dances (such as Salsa, Hustles, West Coast Swing and more). He started his competitive career back in 2005 and won the US National Salsa Championship in his first competition. Since then, he was ranked top 5 in the US in American Smooth in 2009. Since joining By Your Side, he has been performing and competing with Deborah Perez and together were part of the inaugural American Style competitions at the Blackpool Dance Festival in 2017. He is passionate about dance and imparting the love of dance to his students. He has competed with his students across the country and was even the US ProAm Cabaret Vice Champion in 2022. From wedding couples, hobbyists, or amateur competitors, Guillermo can help you reach your dancing goals.
Rene Perez
Rene has 15 years of experience teaching dance at By Your Side Dance Studio in Los Angeles. He is a competitive ballroom dancer specializing in American Smooth and Rhythm. Rene has won the Open Amateur American Rhythm and Open Amateur American Smooth titles. He is a great instructor and his sense of humor makes his students feel comfortable and at ease.
Laura Canellias
Laura Canellias – also known as the “First Lady of Salsa” is one of the foremost salsa instructors on the west coast as well as one of the pioneers of the L.A. Salsa style. Originally from Texas, her dance training began at a young age with ballet, jazz and tap and later included musical theater and ballroom dancing. Since moving to Los Angeles 37 years ago, her reputation and teaching skills in the world of salsa have placed her in high demand taking her around the globe teaching, coaching and adjudicating as well as performing and choreographing locally for television, film & stage. As a featured performer, she has danced her way into movies such as: The Mambo Kings, Out To Sea and Dance With Me. She is the recipient of numerous awards and most recently was the first woman inducted into the Salsa Hall of Fame at the Los Angeles Salsa Festival in 2019 and again at the World Salsa Festival in 2022. Other highlights of her career include performances with Tito Puente and Celia Cruz as well as The Spanish Harlem Orchestra at the 2003 Montreal Jazz Festival. She was the creator of the Latin workout program, Cardio Salsa™ in 1995 and is still teaching it to this day. She has been an adjunct dance faculty member of Santa Monica College for over 20 years and continues to teach classes at By Your Side Dance Studio in Culver City and Marina Del Rey, as well as various dance festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Shay Dixon
Shay Dixon is a very diverse professional dancer, instructor, and choreographer from Florida. He has become well known through-out the dance industry for his style, strong technique, and charisma on the dance floor. His love for music and dance has led to substantial success on and off the competition floor.
His 15 years of dance training spans from Latin, Ballroom, Hustle, Salsa and WC Swing to Ballet, Hip hop, Contemporary & Theater Arts. Over the past few years, under the leadership of Ralph Ramirez & Billy Farajo, Shay has captured six professional championship titles in Hustle & Salsa. He placed top 6 in the World Exhibition Cabaret at USDC, and won the World Hustle Championship title in 2009 at IHSC. In 2010, Shay was chosen by Maria Torres (acclaimed choreographer from SYTYCD & numerous Broadway shows) to be featured in her dance company. Since then, he has been a featured performer in numerous shows across the country.
Sandor & Parissa
Sandor, originally from Buenos Aires Argentina, is a Tango Master for over three decades. He was a principal dancer in the Broadway/London hit show Forever Tango, nominated for the Tony Award “Best Choreography”. Parissa has coached several celebrities, including Antonio Banderas for the movie Take the Lead. Sandor & Parissa have been featured performing on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and they have choreographed many of the Argentine Tangos on the show.
Lina Oberderfer
Lina has been competing professionally in ballroom since the age of five, and has won many awards over the years. She currently holds a Specialist Diploma from the Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education: Sport & Health in Ballroom dancing, and has extensive experience teaching children and helping them prepare for ballroom dance competitions and performances.
Felipe Telona Jr.
Felipe Telona Jr. began his journey to become a professional ballroom dance teacher in New Jersey where after only three months with his first ballroom dance partner he placed Fifth in the U.S. American Rhythm division. He is now a Championship Ballroom Dancing Judge and also qualifies as a National Judge belonging to an elite group of Ballroom Dance Competition judges in the United States.
• 10 Time World American Rhythm Finalist
• 4 Time Vice-Champion in American Rhythm
• 2 Time World Mambo Champion
• World Salsa Champion
• 1999 Blackpool Latin Formation Team Champion
• Assistant Choreographer on “So You Think You Can Dance”
• Assistant Choreographer for Celine Dion Music Video
• Choreographer for an American Express Industrial Film
• 2008 World Tour Featured Dance Artist on America’s Ballroom Challenge – Seen on PBS
• Featured Performer for the Gracie Allen Awards
• Featured Performer for the “Dancers for Life Tribute” at the New York City Center on Broadway
• Featured in “Dance Legends on Broadway”
Chrissy Papetti
Chrissy Papetti is an LA-based tap dancer, Occupational Therapist, and Self-Mastery Coach. A NJ native, she trained with tap masters Mike Minery and Anthony Morigerato, earning regional dance titles and placing 4th as the only USA finalist at the 2008 World Tap Championships.
Chrissy holds a BFA in Dance and Movement Science from the University of Michigan, where she performed with the Michigan Dance Team at university sporting events and placed in the Top 10 at UDA National Championship collegiate competitions. Her dance career includes teaching, choreographing, and performing worldwide, with highlights such as dancing with T-Pain, Sammy Adams, and on the sidelines at Dallas Cowboys’ stadium. Most recently, she appeared in Club Jeté performances choreographed by Ki’Leigh Williams and Ryan Maw, as well as in Johnnie Hobbs’ tap music video “Tee Time (Remix).”
A debilitating injury once threatened to end her dance career, but after a full physical and mental recovery, Chrissy now treasures every opportunity to teach and tap that much more. Beyond dance, she empowers others to overcome mental and emotional barriers, serving 5 years on the Advisory Board for Sidelined USA, a non-profit supporting injured performing artists. Named a “Top Mindset Coach in 2020” by Yahoo Finance, Chrissy has coached hundreds globally and is featured in 25+ podcasts and publications, including Halle Berry’s re-spin, Thrive Global, and Authority Magazine.