irina Trebunskaya - Organizer and Founder of Dance It UP
Irina is the co-owner of You Can Dance Studio with her daughter, pro DWTS dancer Anna Trebunskaya and was also her childhood dance instructor. Irina has a rich dance background as a competitor, instructor and manager of dance institutions. She was a Russian professional champion finalist and a U.S. Pro/Am champion.
After a successful tenure as head instructor in Chelyabinsk (a well-known Russian home for world champions), Irina opened and ran a dance studio in New York City. Her heart and passion is reflected in her teaching, instructor selection and teacher/student mentoring. She has gone on to become a certified master of dance in all four styles: International Standard & Latin, American Rhythm & Smooth.
Herb McGurk - Organizer - Finance and Planning
Herb is a real estate broker at Coldwell Banker, Beverly Hills. He specializes in representing the sale and purchase of luxury homes and investment properties. He has worked in the film business as a post-production supervisor for the Disney Company as well as independent studios. He has co-produced and directed the independent film, “Willoughby,” a film about a man being shot and struggles with his will to survive.
Herb took up ballroom dancing and is currenlty president of USA Dance Los Angeles County. He also serves as district director for District 6 of USA Dance which covers California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii.
Oksana Kalinuka - Organizer
Director Of Development - Dance It UP
Originally from the small Baltic country, Latvia, Oksana Kalinuka grew up in Riga, the Latvian capital. She attended the Moscow Industrial University, graduating with a Masters in Economics and Management, in 2000. Kalinuka began taking ballroom dance lessons at the young age of 8, and fell in love with everything about it: The music, the movement, the expression. As she grew up, her dancing slowly evolved, from a fun pastime she would enjoy after school, to opening a dance school in Orange County. In 2006, OC Dancing Ballroom Studio opened its doors to the children, adults, and families of Newport Beach, and expanded its facilities in 2019 to the city of Irvine. However, Oksana is not your average business woman, but rather a dance coach to many in Orange County. Oksana's knowledge, dedication, and true passion, resonated into her career as an Instructor, Coach, Businesswoman, and competitive ballroom certified Judge, as well. Oksana Kalinuka is a genuine person, with an inexplicable gift that only she carries. To not just teach dance, but to share the same passion she has for ballroom with others, transcending to any and everyone she meets.
Geri Chaudhri - Organizer - Webmaster
Geri Chaudhri is a retired software engineer and an avid dancer. She has competed at the bronze and silver levels in both the American Smooth and International style of dancing. Geri has been an integral part of Dance It UP since its inception in 2016 and in addition to being the secretary, she functions in the role of webmaster. On the weekends, you may see her out on the road with her cycling club or hiking some of the beautiful trails in Southern California.
Thank You to our Sponsors!
