Put in some legwork for a good cause!
Put in some legwork for a good cause!
MEET OUR 2027
DANCE PROS
Adelle Carpenter
Virginia Regional Ballet Academy​
PARTNER: DAVID WOLFE KENT
PARTNER: TAYLOR WALSH
Adelle is a lifetime resident of Williamsburg. She began her dance training at the age of 10 at the Chamber Ballet, graduated from Walsingham Academy and studied dance at Old Dominion University and has participated in numerous productions of The Nutcracker and other classical ballets for Chamber Ballet and other companies.
Adelle attended summer studies at Ballet West and the Joffrey Ballet.
She has competed in international dance competitions in Peru and Moscow and is a member of the Robitshek Dance Ensemble that performed in Heidelberg, Germany. Her full-length ballet roles include Swanhilda in Coppelia and Alice in Alice in Wonderland. In pas de deux, Adelle has danced Le Corsaire, peasant pas de deux from Giselle, the Snow pas de deux with the Old Dominion University Ballet and the grand pas de deux in Chamber Ballet’s 1995 performance of The Nutcracker. She worked one season with Busch Gardens in the Festa Italia show.
Adelle has been teaching dance for over 20 years in Williamsburg and beyond. In 2007, Adelle and Heidi opened the Virginia Regional Ballet Academy and Company.
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Miah Carbonel
A Time to Dance Studio
PARTNER: SEAN SPARKMAN
Born and raised in the Hampton Roads area, Miah began her dance journey at the age of 4. Focusing on ballet and contemporary, she danced through High School, earning recognition and induction into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts. Continuing to grow in her dance education, Miah discovered the world of ballroom dancing and fell in love with it. Training in American smooth and rhythm, Miah began teaching in 2025. She went on to participate in various regional competitions, placing 1st in several divisions and in the top 4 in others, as well as winning multiple awards throughout her career thus far. Miah strives to help each of her students achieve their personal goals, no matter their level, and help them discover the beautiful benefits that dance has to offer. Miah is excited to bring her knowledge, skill, and love of dance to the floor at A Time to Dance Studio.
Linda Hertzler
Hertzler & George
PARTNER: DANNY MUNIZ
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While Linda is making her debut as a dance pro for the 2026 show, she is certainly no stranger to the stage or Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars. A lifelong performer, Linda holds a degree in Theater Arts from Virginia Tech and previously worked as a high school drama teacher in California and a nationwide television host in Minneapolis.
Her journey with this event began over a decade ago, when she was recruited as a star for the 2016 show. Since that performance, dance has taken over her life in the best way possible. She has become an integral part of the organizing committee, serving as the Stage Manager for every production since her debut.
Linda is an accomplished competitive dancer; she brought home gold at the Country World Championship. When she isn't dancing or producing the show, she helps keep Williamsburg beautiful as a co-owner of Hertzler & George Landscape. We are thrilled to have her step out from behind the curtain to shine as our newest Pro!
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Steve Kirvan
7 Cities Ballroom Dance Studio
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PARTNER: CHERYL GHEE
PARTNER: ELIZABETH HONENBERGER
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Steve started teaching for Fred Astaire Dance Studios (FADS) in Durham, NC in 1992. In 2001 he moved to Virginia to teach at the Virginia Beach Fred Astaire. Steve started teaching independently in 2004 to 2008 in several studios in the Hampton Roads area. In September of 2008, Steve opened 7 Cities Ballroom Dance Studio in Williamsburg, VA.
Since Steve’s start in the dance business in 1992 he has competed across the country at a Pro/am and Professional level and still does!
Patricia Lambert
Ocean Breeze Dance Studio
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PARTNER: JACOB BALES
​PARTNER: CHRIS RENJILIAN
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Patricia Lambert is the owner of Ocean Breeze Dance Studios (formerly CB Dance Studios) in Yorktown, working alongside her husband Jarrett and their two young children.
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The studio offers classes and events in west coast swing (their specialty!), country, ballroom, Latin, line dance, hip hop, Zumba, sound spa sessions, and so much more!
A passion for dance and achieving dream goals led Patricia to step into a multi-passionate role as both a dance coach and women’s achievement coach.
In the realm of dance, Patricia believes that dance is for everyone and aims to support affordable access to the physical, mental, emotional, and social benefits of artistic and intentional movement. In 2012, Patricia began her dance teaching journey, beginning with social ballroom, latin, and swing. West Coast Swing has been the focus of her dance education and training since 2014, and her teaching style combines methods of many of her coaches, as well as strategies from her formal teaching background.
As a Women’s Achievement Coach, she supports women in free-spirited dreaming, limitless goals achieving, and balance creating. She is the co-host the "Tidal Women: Mamas Making Waves the Proverbs Way" podcast, an author, an artist, a holistic wellness advocate, and the creator of an annual Achievement Planner designed to keep all of life's organization in one place.
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Patricia competed with stars for five years in DWTS in Montana, and is so excited to be a part of a Williamsburg competition team this year for the second time!
Jay Leary
Cutting Edge Studio
PARTNER: MARINA VATCHENKOVA
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Jay Leary began dancing at age ten with Arizona Youth Ballet, studying ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop for eight years. While pursuing dance education at Grand Canyon University, he performed in a student choreography show that led to an unexpected offer to teach ballroom. He joined Fred Astaire in Arizona, immersed himself in American Rhythm and Smooth, and soon chose to pursue dancing and teaching professionally.
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After joining the U.S. Navy and taking a year away from dance, Jay found his way back to the ballroom in Virginia. He trained in Latin at DanceSport VA before returning to teaching and pro-am competition where his student partnership grew into multiple Top Student and Top Teacher awards. Over the years, he has helped many students earn recognition on the competition floor.
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In 2019, Jay founded Cutting Edge Ballroom. Though small, the studio has earned multiple Top Studio awards and built a close dance family whose students consistently make their presence felt at competitions. He is proud that dancers of different racial and cultural backgrounds, LGBTQ+ dancers, and plus-size dancers have found a place in that family and representation on the competition floor.
Alonzo has also taken part in several years of Hampton Roads Dancing with the Stars, coaching partners who earned Mirror Ball wins. He is excited to join Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars for the first time as a professional partner and to share the joy of ballroom with a new audience.
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Today, Jay balances dance with family life, his studies in finance at William & Mary, and his own fitness goals. He recently returned to professional competition through country dance, placing first in both Pro/Pro Division 1 and Pro/Pro Mixed Role at Dance Fiesta 2026. He is enjoying this new chapter while continuing to teach and compete with the Cutting Edge family.
Louis Mendoza
Studio
PARTNER: TRACEY WRIGHT
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Based out of RVA, Louie Mendoza is a dancer, instructor, and choreographer from Texas with a background of 10 years rooted in Hip Hop, Latin, and Musical Theatre. His passion for bringing life to movement combines flair, musicality, and a heartfelt connection with others. Outside of the classroom, Louie and his partner Taylor have avidly joined the ranks of community leaders within Richmond’s local West Coast Swing scene, training regularly for competition while working with their fellow dancers to cultivate growth in the community. Louie strives to make every performance an unforgettable experience for those on and off the stage, bringing energy, creativity, and a commitment to sharing the joy of dance with everyone he meets.
Louie is thrilled and honored to be part of this year’s DWTS alongside Tracey Wright, be ready for the hip hopper and the showstopper!!
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Cindy Norge
CB Dance Studios
Cynthia M. “Cindy” Norge is a York County, Virginia, native and graduate of York High School. For 30 years, she owned and operated Country Bootleggers Dance Studio/CB Dance Studios in historic Yorktown. Throughout her career, Norge has taught, performed, choreographed and competed in a variety of dance styles. She also worked for Newport News Shipbuilding for 35 years before retiring in 2015.
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Today, Norge is an independent dance instructor who travels throughout Hampton Roads and beyond. She offers group and private dance lessons, provides choreography and partners with local businesses to offer team-building dance experiences.
"I feel I was given a gift to teach others how to dance. Over the years and to present, I love hearing people tell me what a great time they had in my class or teaching them how to dance. I truly love what I do, and it shows when I’m teaching. I love giving back to my community by dancing for great organizations like Williamsburg Dancing with the Stars. Every year, I enjoy meeting my Star and having the opportunity to work with them and build a great friendship."
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Brian Westerlund
Off and Dancing! Inc.
PARTNER: ALANA CARITHERS
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Brian K. Westerlund is the founder of Black Hat Country Dancing and Off And Dancing!, Inc. He is an accomplished dance instructor, coach, choreographer, and judge. A multiple-time UCWDC and ACDA Overall Champion, Brian is also a 12-time UCWDC Worlds finalist and four-time UCWDC Points Champion.
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With years of experience teaching, competing, coaching, Brian brings extensive knowledge and an encouraging spirit to every event. He is passionate about helping dancers develop confidence, technique, and stage presence while sharing the excitement and joy of dance with audiences everywhere.​
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