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Lisa Brittnay Scaffidi
The Pewaukee dance studio is owned by Lisa Scaffidi. She grew up in both Muskego and Franklin with her three siblings. Lisa is a light hearted and energetic individual who is inspired by the arts. Lisa started dancing at the age of eighteen for an independent dance studio. She realized she would be in dance for the rest of her life the day she watched her first Ohio Star Ball Championship.
After two and a half years of dancing there, she began her career with Fred Astaire Dance Studios. She taught for six years and coached for another nine years. During this time, she befriended and became dancing partners with Gaetano Noce. Gaetano, one of the Area Franchisors, and Lisa were the reining American Smooth Ballroom National Dancing Champions for Fred Astaire three years in a row. Another milestone for Lisa was coaching a student who became a National Amateur finalist in both the Rhythm and Theater Arts Divisions.
Besides the love of dance, her days are joyfully filled with her two daughters; ages ten and five. When the little ones are not occupying her time, Lisa enjoys cooking and swimming. Lisa is also a thrill seeker enjoying boating and riding Harleys.
Audrey Kuphal
Audrey is our Receptionist.
As a kid, Audrey danced Tap, Jazz and Ballet. She then moved on to Ballroom dancing and fell in love with the sport. Since starting with Fred Astaire, she has taken 2nd and 3rd in her division with her husband, Matt. Although Audrey enjoyed teaching, she has now moved up to the front desk in hopes of furthering her career. She one day wants to own her own studio so she can continue to change people’s lives by sharing her passion and love for dance.
Matt Kuphal
Matt grew up with a huge musical background. He has played 11 instruments including the trumpet, guitar, bass, and string bass. He is a fun, wild and crazy person with a big heart. Growing up in Milwaukee, Matt was always around music, dancing and art.
Currently he competes in the rhythm category which includes cha-cha, rumba, swing, bolero and mambo. Though he competes in rhythm, he is well versed in all dances. Matt’s ultimate goal is to be Fred Astaire National Rhythm champion.
Although he is a competitive dancer, some of his favorite students are just here for social dancing. Matt loves to make dancing fun while giving great foundation.
Overall, Matt is proud of everyone he has trained in all levels of dance, and he would be excited to work with you as his student as well.
Douglas Wallock
Douglas came to Fred Astaire Pewaukee from Minneapolis where he was going to school and managing a store. As a musician who played the Cello for 6 years, he developed a real passion for music. When the opportunity to change his career to one in dancing came up, he jumped at the chance. He has found dance to be a great way to express how he feels for music and now his profession better reflects his personality.
When he’s not in the studio, Douglas likes to read, travel, and lift weights. He is a fun and outgoing person that loves to make others laugh and loves meeting new people.
Nadine Messenger
Growing up in the ballroom, Miss Nadine always knew that ballroom dancing would be her life. Being the daughter of the U.S. Smooth finalists and Rising Star Smooth Champions, Dan and Rebecca Messenger, Nadine started her dancing at an early stage. She has fond memories of watching her parents helping others and expressing themselves on the dance floor. “I remember wanting to be just like them. I live for the ballroom floor. It is my passion and my heart.” Nadine began as an independent student at the age of 4 and had taken the Open Latin and Open Standard Title at Nationals. Since being with Fred Astaire Pewaukee, Nadine has taken second place in a Regional Novice Division with her former partner and recently placed third in a National’s Rhythm Division.
Nadine is a fun charismatic person who lives to smile and meet new people. She loves working with close friends and the new family that she has found in Fred Astaire.
Leinani Gazda
Leinani is a native Hawaiian and was raised on the island of Oahu. With her cultural background, she was influenced by a long line of musicians and hula dancers. Her love for dance began at the age of 6 when she was her grandmother dance hula for the first time.
She moved to Wisconsin in 2002 and found an opportunity to pursue her love for dance at Fred Astaire Pewaukee. Not only did she fulfill her passion to dance, but she met the man of her dreams.
But don’t worry, the Cinderella story doesn’t end there. With love, persistence and hard work, she became the Wisconsin Fred Astaire Smooth Champion and is currently holding this title to this day.
She is a true believer in her product and would love to share the dance experience with others enriching their lives.
Vadim Gazda
Vadim was born in Kharkov, Ukraine. He started ballroom dancing at six years old. He had his first competition at seven years old. In 2000, at the age of fifteen, he won 1st place in Blackpool in the World Championship Standard Division. At sixteen, he won 3 rd place as the World Champion in the Latin Division. Vadim is a five time National Ukraine Champion and three time National Slovenia Champion. Other countries he has competed includes: Singapore, Australia, Cuba, Russia, Croatia, Spain, and Portugal. He misses his mom's cooking the most.
Yvette Bjorklund
Yvette is our Studio Manager. She grew up in Wisconsin and taught ballroom dancing for two and a half years at an independant studio. There she met long time friend Lisa Scaffidi. Yvette is excited to be a part of the team here at Pewaukee Fred Astaire Dance Studios.
Ariel Vitalia
Ariel has lived in Wisconsin her entire life but longs to travel the world. She has been studying every kind of dance imaginable since as long as she can remember. She decided to begin ballroom at the age of 15 when she was looking for something new and exciting and found it to be her favorite style of dance yet. Once she graduated from Arrowhead, she came to Fred Astaire to pursue her dream of being a professional dancer and competing worldwide.
Kristal Burkholz
Kristal is our caring and enthusiastic office manager.
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