Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios

Jacqueline Sanchez
Jacqueline Sanchez began her career at Fred Astaire Dance Studios in 1994. Jacqueline is a two-time consecutive regional Smooth Champion and has earned numerous merits and honors, including two coveted Gold Top Teacher "Freddy" Awards and two Silver "Freddy" Awards. In 2004, Jacqueline earned the outstanding honor of Manager of the Year, leading her studio to receive the Top Studio Award for the South Central Region. Jacqueline is currently the co-owner of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, located in Hoover, AL.

Fabian Sanchez
Fabian Sanchez is a seasoned competitor of the professional ballroom world. He began dancing and competing in 1992, and quickly earned various national and world titles. Fabian's professional achievements include, United States Rising Star Champion, four-time Fred Astaire National Champion, and United States Open American Rhythm Finalist. Fabian also placed third in the World Mambo Championships. In addition to his prestigious competitive titles, Fabian is professional coach, acclaimed choreographer, and Fred Astaire Dance Studios National Dance Board member. His students have received regional and national first place titles and Top Female Student awards. Fabian and his wife, Jacqueline, are the owners of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Hoover, AL.

Christopher Busbin
Christopher Busbin has been a professional ballroom dance instructor since 2002. His accomplishments as an instructor include a Regional "Freddy" Award nomination as well as a National Certification by the Fred Astaire National Dance Board. As a competitive ballroom dancer, he has danced Pro-Am with his students both regionally and nationally. His students receive First Place Awards and are Top Student Finalists at both the regional and national levels. As a professional competitor, Chris was a finalist in the South Central Dance Championships and a Magic City Invitational Champion.

Erica Kooymans
Erica Kooymans began her professional dancing career in 2002 as a member of Athens, Georgia premier jazz dance company, Dancefix. Her interests traveled into ballroom dancing the ensuing year as she became a member of the University of Georgia's Ballroom Performance Group. Erica began dancing with Fred Astaire Dance Studios in 2004. As a professional competitor, she has placed as a finalist in the Novice and Mixed Novice categories at the Carolina Challenge and Cross Country Dancesport Championships. Most recently, she competed in the South Central Dancesport Championship, earning a championship title in the Novice category.

Michael Hosale
Michael Hosale joined FADS in 1991. Since the beginning of his career, Michael has been recognized as a top instructor both within and outside of the Fred Astaire Organization. As an instructor, he consistently breaks records through his exceptional performance in the South Central Region, and is a recipient of five Gold "Freddy" Awards. As a professional competitor, Michael has been considered a top dancer in his region; as a Pro-Am competitor, he has been honored with such awards as Top Male Instructor throughout his career. Michael's students have received regional and national competitive merits, such as Top Female Student and Highest Average Score for female competitors. Michael has participated in the Ohio Star Ball, United States Ballroom Championships, and the world-renowned Blackpool Competition, and continues to earn the reputation of a top competitor within the Fred Astaire Organization.

Amberly Nichols
Amberly Nichols began her career as a professional dancer and choreographer in 1995; her professional work spans ballroom dance, ballet, tap, modern, jazz, hip-hop, and professional theatre. Amberly has worked with dance companies throughout the United States, including Lineage Dance and the Jazz Tap Ensemble. She has film and stage credits with the Los Angeles Dodgers, latin recording artist Michalenea, and Christina Aquilera. Amberly was also a choreographer for the 2001 Miss Alabama Pageant. Amberly joined the Fred Astaire Organization in 2003, earning a championship title at the Magic City Invitational in 2004. Her students have received high honors and regional merits, including a Most Entries for Male Student award and various highly commended and honors
awards. In addition to her affiliation with Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Amberly is a guest instructor and choreographer for the Alabama School of Fine Arts..