Our Staff
Karen L. Gates (Owner)
Karen has had a passion for dance since she was 5yrs. Old taking Jazz, Tap and Ballet lessons. She continued dancing throughout her school years until the present. Karen met her husband, Bob, when she was taking Disco Dance Lessons as he was her instructor. From there they married and went onto competing with the Fred Astaire Dance Organization where they took many 1st place awards. She has worked at the Ohio Regional Office of Fred Astaire Dance Studios for over 5 yrs. as an Executive Assistant to the Ohio Franchisor, Guy A. Schiavone.
Karen is excited to have the opportunity to open up her Fred Astaire Dance Studio right here in the Chagrin Area. She is looking forward to extending her love of dance to the residence of Chagrin Falls and the surrounding areas.
Bob D. Gates (Manager / Instructor)
Bob started Ballroom Dancing in 1977 as a student and then worked up to a Ballroom Dance Instructor. While teaching Disco at a local establishment in 1979, he met his wife, Karen. They soon married enjoying dance together ever since.
Bob and Karen have been dancing for over 30 yrs. and have competed several times in The Regional Fred Astaire Competitions, winning various 1st place awards. For Bob, dance is a great way to relax, enjoying the social benefits and dancing with his wife and children.
Ethan Konig (Instructor)
Ethan Konig never would have been seen on a dance floor in his younger days, but from a strong push from his grandmother, he was introduced into the ballroom experience. He contained his path through competing in small competitions and choreographing showcase dances. His loved grew and then enrolled in the Ballroom Teachers Academy where he studied and tested to become a nationally certified Instructor.
Although he had to move from his home studio to go to the University of Toledo he never stopped dancing and teaching. With his love for international ballroom, theater arts as well as cabaret dance, he has set distinguished goals not only for himself but as well as for his students!
Shari Smith-Shemitz (Instructor)
Shari's love of Dance began at the age of 7 when began taking Tap, Jazz and Ballet with the Neylon Dance Studio. At age 9, she decided her passion was leaning toward Ballet. She then studied at The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby under the direction of Jan and Ray Smith. She attended the University of Akron with a Major in Performing Arts and Ballet from 1977-1981. Unfortunately, the shelf life of a Ballerina is short- lived and with life changes, she discovered the wonderful world of Ballroom! Taught, trained and certified through Fred Astaire Dance Studios since 1992 and DiVida since 2007, Shari has competed in numerous competitions throughout the country with her students and as a professional. She would love to share her passion, love of dance, and the wonderful world of ballroom with you! Please come and join our Fred Astaire family for fun, friendship, and plenty of dancing!!!
Bethany Grace (Instructor)
Bethany has been performing and competing in dance since the age of 3yrs. She has been trained in all styles from Modern to Hip Hop. After attending college to minor in dance, she took a year off before a friend introduced her to Ballroom Dancing with The Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Warren, Ohio in 2008 -- she has been hooked ever since.
Bethany has competed in Ohio Regional and National Competitions with Fred Astaire . She has taken Top Female Amateur at 4 back to back Fred Astaire Regional Competitions and in 2010 she attended the Astaire World Champions in San Juan, Puerto Rico where she took 2nd place out of all the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in the Country in the lady's Closed Rhythm Division.
Her love for dance has brought her to switch careers to continue her passion as a Ballroom Dance Instructor, of course with the Wonderful Fred Astaire Franchise that got her started.
Ryan Schultz
Ryan is the newest addition to our Fred Astaire Studio. Ryan started dancing a little over 3 years ago, and once he started he never came off the floor. “Dance was something he was always interested in and thought about for a longtime, one day he decided to just try it, and was instantly hooked.”
His interests lean towards American Rhythm. Latin and Swing dances, such as Bachata, Salsa, and the East & West Coast Swings. The Argentine Tango also holds special interest for him. “It has a look, a feel, a passion all of its own. From the embrace to the movements, it is a very romantic dance.”
Ryan thinks of the floor as a canvas, and dancers as the brush, painting a masterpiece every time they touch the floor. He also enjoys choreographingroutines and theater arts.
Fred Astaire is pleased to have him as a new addition to our team and we look forward to seeing him continue to grow as an instructor and competitive dancer.