Welcome

Dora Baroti founded Studio Viva! in January of 2006. Her idea was simple: to bring creative and health-oriented movement to all — accomplished dancers, anyone interested in learning how to dance, those who are looking to improve their balance and posture, as well as those who are pressed for time, or limited in movement.

Dora Baroti, Founder, Owner and Director of Studio Viva!, has an extensive background in a variety of dances and other movement disciplines. Dora's experience encompasses decades of training in Ballet (28 years); Jazz (6 years); Ballroom with Laszlo Oze, a Master of International Style; Swing (Lindy Hop, Boogie Woogie, East Coast Swing, Charleston, West Coast Swing, Hustle); Acrobatic elements: lifts, drops, air steps; Latin dances (Salsa, Merengue, Cha-cha, Bachata, and several ethnic dances.)

Dora's experience includes competitions in swing, salsa and acrobatic rock' n' roll, performances, group and solo choreography for schools, theaters or private parties; teaching classes (in private and group settings), as well as teaching workshops. Please see her Bio for more detail.

Dora developed her trademark program, Flexercize, in 2003. She taught Flexercize classes in Chicago studios, with wonderful results. The original program was an overall stretching program developed for dancers, but the interest quickly spread to non-dancers, and the modified program for all was developed. Today, Dora is bringing Flexercize programs to those who benefit from them most — people in corporate offices, schools and to seniors.

Kenny Scruggs - Instructor
Kenny started dancing in college and quickly decided that he wanted to learn more. He trained at Studio Viva's teaching program extensively and upon completion he was asked to join our teaching staff in 2008. Kenny has been an integral part of our salsa and ballroom instruction team, and recently started teaching bachata and swing as well. Having performed in our semi-pro team, Viva Dance Force, Kenny is also an accomplished dancer. He is available for group and private instruction, wedding dance choreography, and more.

Roulsan Maksyutov - Instructor
Born in Uzbekistan, Rouslan’s musical talent revealed itself when he stared playing the  piano at age 6.  While majoring in music theory at University, he and his family had the opportunity to move to the United States.  During this time, he discovered not only new forms of music, but also an affinity for dance.  Starting with Salsa, Mambo and Bachata, he soon was exploring the full realm of ballroom dance and quickly moved through the levels to pass his Grand Master’s exams in both American Rhythm and Smooth.  Rouslan has studied with many renown coaches, dancers and choreographers such as: Eddi Apolonov, Corky Ballas, Mark Ballas, Marylynn Benitez, Jim Carter, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Ginette Cournoyer, Chuck Danza, Linda Dean, Tony Dovolani, Jean Marc Genereux, Nadia Goulina, Ilya Ifraimov, JT Thomas and more.  In the last half decade, Rouslan has taught students of all ages, levels and abilities and has competed with many of them at local, regional and national Pro/Am competitions.  Never one to stop expanding his horizons, Rouslan also speaks English, Russian, Italian and Spanish.