In October 2008, friends Wioletta Wyszynski and Jaroslaw Radzimierski teamed up to open Viva Ballroom Dance Fitness on Business Route 1 in Lawrenceville. Originally from Poland, Radzimierski began dancing International Ballroom and American Latin when he was 10 years old. He competed at the highest level in Poland, and, until three years ago, competed professionally in the United States. He moved here when he was 25 years old.
Radzimierski met Wyszynski, who hails from a different part of Poland, through mutual friends in 2001. Wyszynski wanted to open a dance studio to “inspire the young generation to work hard and shine through dance.” When she was 14 years old, Wyszynski moved to the United States with her family. Her favorite styles of dance are Viennese Waltz, Kizomba and Bachata.
Prior to opening Viva Ballroom, Wyszynski was an accountant. She still uses her Kean University accounting degree to take care of the financial end of the business, while Radzimierski uses his professional dance experiences to guide the dancers and Viva’s team of around 20 coaches. “Mr. J,” as the students call Radzimierski, also trains the older students to become teachers and mentors to the younger students.
In addition to Ballroom and Latin dancing, the studio offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and hip hop, plus Bachata, Kizomba, Salsa on 1, and Salsa on 2 social dances. Viva also hosts adult fitness classes: boot camp, total body work out, yoga, and Zumba.
Wyszynski and Radzimierski believe theirs is the only studio within a 45-minute-drive’s radius where children can learn ballroom dancing. Students travel up to an hour to take classes at the studio for a variety of reasons, from building familial cultural ties to Europe to learning what they see on “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance?” Others “come to our shows and say they want their children to be like our kids,” Wyszynski said.
Wyszynski’s enthusiasm for the benefits of children learning ballroom dancing is palpable. “They are so intelligent, so proper, their posture is beautiful,” she said. “They are much better in school because they learn discipline. What this sport brings makes them more successful than other students, the way they work with a partner and carry themselves. They wear suits and gowns. They learn discipline, respect, and have consistency in achieving their goals. They are very outgoing because they are performing constantly. School presentations become easier because of their constant exposure to audiences.”
Students range from age 4 to “infinity—whoever wants to dance,” Radzimierski said. Their oldest student is an almost 90-year old they teach through their work with the East Windsor and West Windsor senior centers. Wyszynski and Radzimierski are proud of their work through a state program to teach special needs students.
“We have very good success in this area. One of our students was able to perform in our annual talent show in front of 350 people. People in the audience were crying,” Wyszynski said.
Wyszynski’s three children are all dancers. Her daughter, Magdelena, teaches at the studio. Her oldest son, Mateusz, competitively dances with partner Megan Accetta, who at age 13, began dancing and, through much hard work, made it to the highest level in only two years. Her 16-year old son, Michael, dances competitively with 15-year old Leyla Markman.
Over the past five years, Viva Ballroom students have qualified to compete at the national level, both at the NDCA in Utah and USA Dance, which alternates between coasts. Their dancers consistently do well at this level. Two years ago they proudly took home six gold medals and last year, students won several silver medals. For the first time, they will take two students to the international level next year.
Classes begin in September. New students are also welcome in October. The first class is free. Adults can take an unlimited number of classes a month for $60.
VIVA Ballroom Dance Fitness, 1891 Brunswick Avenue, Lawrence. Phone: (609) 577-5312. E-mail: info@vivadancestudio.net.
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