About the Team

Ksenia Yanchenkova – President 

Ksenia has two degrees in International Relations and International Business Management. She speaks six languages including Polish, Chinese and Turkish. While completing her degrees in Dublin, she undertook the role of Project Manager in a Start-up and International Manufacturing Company.

After finishing College she was headhunted by an American International Fund based in Dublin. During her six years there, she became involved in DFI and worked very hard to get it off the ground and to help it grow over the years. With her partner/ husband Marcin, Ksenia returned to dancing after a ten year break.

In 2017 they were successful in achieving their dream of a World Championship Title! Ksenia, together with Marcin opened the Viva School of Dance and now they are the proud owners of the Dublin North DanceSport Centre with 400 sq meters of dance floor between four studios. In November 2022 Ksenia was elected President of D.F.I. She is a versatile, strong and dynamic member of this organisation.

Nicole Kelly – Honorary member

I am the Principal teacher and director of Xquisite Dance in Ireland, for the past 10 years. Xquisite Dance is one of Ireland’s leading dance studios, training dancers in Ballroom, Latin – American, Hip Hop and Stage. The studio is located on the Longmile Road, Dublin 12. Xquisite is home of numerous Irish & International champion dancers. I am qualified professional teacher in Ballroom, Latin American, Sequence, Commercial & Stage.

I started dancing as a competitive ballroom & latin dancer winning many title. I am trained in ballet, contemporary & jazz in Dublin & London. I am also a founding member & director of DanceSport Federation of Ireland. I have recently been elected as a Honorary member of the board (former President) of DanceSport Federation of Ireland and am head of the Dance Development department.

Marcin Szymutko

Marcin is Chair of The Media and Digital Marketing of DanceSport Federation of Ireland.

He currently represents Ireland in World & European Latin Championships (Professional Division). Marcin is director of Viva Dance, one of Dublin’s leading dance schools.

Claire Garrigan

Claire is a member of the DFI Dance Development Commission. She has many years of experience in different styles of dancing. She is now co-owner of GC School of Dance since 2013. It is one of Dublin’s top DanceSport centres, with students competing nationally and internationally. Claire is a highly qualified professional teacher and adjudicator, with qualifications from United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers (UKA).

Sergiu Tihon 

Head of dance development department