Before she ran Dancing Westchester, Desirée Smith owned another studio in her home of South Africa. There, she was a professional ballroom champion in her province. She practiced her footwork and tutored others for more than 10 years before making the move to America, where her passion for movement hardly waned. She now teaches students of all ages and ambitions—be they competitive or strictly casual—how to cut across the floor with poise.

Desirée is versed in multiple styles, including international ballroom and Latin American dance, from Argentine tango to salsa. During private lessons, she schools singles and couples on their form with personalized notes. These focused sessions allow her to hone in on areas of improvement, whether it's timing, twirls, or difficulty differentiating your partner from your shadow. For spouses-to-be and even entire wedding parties, the Dancing Westchester team can choreograph crowd-pleasing routines for receptions. Alternatively, group lessons take a more social approach, as pupils are encouraged to switch partners often to rehearse their leading and following skills, and to socialize with their fellow classmates.