Jim Maranto

Overview

Jim Maranto grew up in Oak Forest, Illinois. He graduated with a BABachelor of the Arts Degree from the University of Chicago. In college heHe was on thea National Honor Society,Society wasmember, an Illinois State ScholarScholar, and was on thean all conference football and baseball teamsplayer, earning six collegiate varsity letters.

In 19831983, Jim moved to Arizona where he became a stock broker for four years. During that timetime, he was pursuing an interest in ballroomBallroom dancingDancing as a hobby. With his highly competitive spiritspirit, he won the U.SUnited States National Pro/Am Championships.Championships with his teacher Jenell, his later Professional partner, and wife.

In 19871987, hethe couple turned became a professional Ballroom DancerProfessional and togetheropened withtheir hisown dance partner openedstudio, the Academy of Ballroom Dance in Phoenix. Phoenix.

Jim competed professionallyProfessionally in the International Style Standard and American Smooth divisions for 15 years and was a finalist for 10 years.

Together with his partner Jenell Maranto he trained with the top coaches in the world. They won every major American Smooth and R.S.Rising Star International Style Standard Competition in the United States. The highlight of their career was winning two U.S. Professional American Smooth Championships in 1993 and 1994. They have represented the United States in two World Showdance events and many competitions throughout Europe, Asia and North America.

Over the past 20 years Jim has trained many Pro/Am Champions. He has won numerous top teacher awards and his students consistently finish in the top three in the U.S. As a teacher Jim is one of the best communicators of technique and theory in the business. He has an intense love of his work and displays a natural enthusiasm that is contagious. Jim is a licentiate of the Imperial Society Ballroom Branch. He is the co-author of the DVIDA American Smooth Syllabus and an examiner for DVIDA. He currently travels extensively to compete with his students, to coach, lecture and judge competitions.

Jim & Jenell were 2 time undefeated United States National Professional American Smooth Champions in 1993 & 1994 and top International Standard couple in 1999.

They have held every major North American title and represented the United States worldwide.

For 25 years they have owned and operated the Academy of Ballroom Dance in Phoenix, AZ.

Jim & Jenell travel throughout the country coaching, judging and demonstrating Ballroom Dance.

Accomplishments

• Top International Standard Couple in 1999 with Jenell Maranto
• 2-time Undefeated United States National Professional American Smooth Champion (1993-1994)
• Held every major North American title
• Represented the United States worldwide
• Over 25 years of owning and operating the Academy of Ballroom Dance in Phoenix, AZ

• Represented the United States in two World Showdance
• Won every major American Smooth and R.S. Standard Competition in the United States
• Examiner, specialize in International Style Standard, American Smooth
• He's the co-author of the DVIDA American Smooth Syllabus
• Licentiate of the Imperial Society Ballroom Branch
• Academy of Ballroom Dance in Phoenix, Director
• Member of the National Dance Council of America

Dance Partners

• Jenell Maranto

Entrepreneurship

• Academy of Ballroom Dance in Phoenix, DirectorOwner, Director, Instructor
• Instructor
• Adjudicator
• Choreographer