Gerry’s Ballroom and Latin Dance studies began in Toronto Canada where he trained under the direction of Barney Cruikshank, British Ballroom Champion and his daughter Mary – Latin aficionado. Gerry danced in Kingston and Toronto for the Polish White Eagle Dancers in Ontario, and traveled through Poland for intense training. While studying and obtaining his Associate Exam, he taught 6 nights a week for Peel Board, Oakville Parks and Rec., Toronto Schools, where, on any given day – he would have 30 couples in a school gym, going the proper way around the floor – dancing a foxtrot or a waltz.
He has taught ballroom and latin classes for 40+ years, at parties, for corporate events and many many couples their first wedding dance. The smiles always abound as Gerry prides himself in getting a couple together and even looking into each other’s eyes. For 18 years, he taught at their school Reverence Academy of Dance where they had Friday date night 8 week sessions. This is couple therapy at it’s best. Gerry loves even more, to teach the families of wedding couples so that at this most special event, and everyone has the best time.
Gerry’s technical expertise working in IT made him the best sound and lighting artistic director for biannual performances at Reverence. He put ‘Murphy’ in his place with his fast thinking and calm demeanor to provide a seamless experience for dancers as well as the audience. In DJing wedding and parties the smiles and exuberance abound with his emcee direction and music choices. You can trust his judgement with this one example: A couple decided they wanted to pick their own music for their wedding against his better judgement. As the evening progressed and the dance floor was empty, the bride approached almost crying and asked us to end the evening. Gerry offered up an idea to them to try something. As he switched to our tried and true music choices, BAM the dance floor lit up and the party started! People danced through the evening and Bride and Groom were beyond ecstatic! Gerry saved the evening and the wedding! You want someone with this calm and clever thinking to be there for your event and this is Gerry.
He loves to ride his road bike all year long, any distance and just about anywhere. He also likes football and hockey, go Leafs! Vera, his partner on the bike, on the floor and in life, is also an amazing ballroom and latin instructor. He says just try a session – you’ll like it. Gerry has retired from “regular work” allowing more time for riding and teaching dance. Gerry has run 10 marathons including 2 Boston Marathons, and rode “Ride the Rockies” in 2001 and 2021, 2022 and several Copper Triangle rides. Whether its dancing on the pedals of his bike or dancing on the dance floor with Vera to music he is always ready to teach.
