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Jim Gray and Michele Hagglund are Oregon’s premier teaching duo. Their
dedication to training, and extensive competition experience guarantee that you
are learning from the best!
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Since age five, Michele has been dancing, performing, and competing in
many dance styles. Her vast experience encompasses both Latin and Standard
ballroom dance as well as ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and contemporary
styles of dance. Michele actively receives coaching from the world's top
coaches, and is thrilled to compete across the U.S with partner Jim Gray.
While attending Biola University in Los Angeles, Michele made her
teaching debut. She taught tap, jazz and ballet for a non-profit community
outreach program. After returning to Oregon, she coached cheerleading
at Westside Christian High school, her alma-mater. Driven to expand
her dancing experience, Michele turned to ballroom dancing, and instantly
fell in love. Ballroom dancing has become the joy of her life, a joy
that she loves to share with others, by teaching everyone from beginners
to competitors. She has and continues to train with ballroom legends
such as Charlotte Jorgensen, Corky Ballas, Ieva Pauksena, Katusha Demidova,
Paul Richardson and Olga Rodionova, Hazel Newberry, and Craig Shaw.
| Ad
featuring Michele and Jim |
Chinese
Times (2008):
(click image
for larger view) |
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Jim’s love of dance also began in his childhood. Introduced to square
dancing by his father, he soon added round dancing and then ballroom dancing
to his repertoire. First a social ballroom dancer, Jim decided to turn
to competitive ballroom in order to master a higher level of technique
and skill. His decision paid off. He and a previous partner rose to a 2nd
place ranking in the US in amateur International Standard before he turned
professional. Along the way, he placed first nationwide in bronze, silver,
gold, novice and prechampionship levels at the US National Championships.
Together with Michele, Jim is having fun mastering new skills in both
International Latin and Standard as they travel for lessons and competition
across the US. He has trained with many amazing teachers, including Jonathon
Wilkins, Katusha Demidova, Ieva Pauksena, Augusto Schiavo, Kenny and Marion
Welsch, Christopher Hawkins, and Michael and Vicky Barr.
Jim’s expansive experience is an invaluable asset to his teaching
career, which began in Portland several years ago. He enjoys the challenge
of teaching dancers at all skill levels and loves passing his knowledge
and skills on to others.
| Articles
featuring Jim Gray: |
Chinese
Times (2006):
(click image for larger view) |
Premier
Magazine (2003):
(click image
for larger view) |
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UpTown's Amateur Instructors
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Corky Ballas, the two-time world champion, seven-time US
champion. |
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Paul Richardson & Olga Rodionova, World, United Kingdom, Asian Open
& International Championships Professional Latin Finalists |
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Kristina Pchenitchnykh, World Mambo Champion, and World Semi-finalist
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Victor Fung and Anna Mikhed. |
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Craig Shaw, North of England Champion, North American Champion, Blackpool
Finalist, UK Open Rising Star Finalist |
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