2025 Adjudicator Biographies

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Director of the Silva Dance Academy, whose performing achievements are only matched by his success in teaching with the highest teaching credentials.

His professional record includes City of Bradford UK Finalist, Eastern U.S. Champion, Southeastern States Ballroom Champion, and Finalists throughout the U.S. - United States Championships Miami, Ohio Star Ball, Heritage Classic N.C. etc.

Mark holds credentials as an Adjudicator, Scrutineer, and Chairman with many organizations - including USA Dance, WDSF, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (AIDA), N.A.D.T.A, amongst other Societies throughout the USA and abroad. He has taught and lectured at many venues in the U.S. and England, including teaching and assisting in numerous Professional Congresses for Professionals in the U.S.

A former professional ballet dancer, a certified fitness instructor, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from Butler University, Jordan College of Music. She has won many prestigious awards in the United States including 3rd, 2nd, and 1st places as Top Teacher in the US Top Teacher Championships, as well as 1st place as the Top Female Teacher in the NADOA Challenge of Champions.

She is a well-known DanceSport coach and a national Adjudicator who is certified and licensed by the World DanceSport Federation. (WDSF)

Also, a former Vice-President of USA Dance Chapter 3012 (Delaware Valley/Philadelphia region), and is also the past Secretary of the United States Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. She is currently on the USA Dance Invigilation Committee.

Sandra was awarded the Community Service Award by the National Dance Council of America in 2008 for her work in developing, supporting and promoting Wheelchair DanceSport. She is also the author of the copyrighted technique manual Wheel Ease, written to describe in full the feet, wheels, wheelwork, connection and lead for wheelchair partner dancing. She is an original founding member and artistic director of the American Dance Wheels Foundation.

Sandra has appeared on the TLC production, "Dancer with the Tiny Legs", and on "Dancing On Wheels".

Sandra's dance students include national 10 Dance finalists, national Amateur Latin runners-up, as well as champions of Pro-Am 'A' Latin and champions of Pro-Am 'A' Rhythm at the US Open DanceSport Championships.

She has also coached several successful dance school owners and successful professional candidates for the USISTD certification.

Her son, Brian Fortuna, was a Professional dancer on "Dancing with the Stars" hit TV show, a popular UK dancer and choreographer, and a star of West End's 2009 production of "Burn the Floor".

• Danced professionally with Philadelphia Opera Ballet and Jordan Ballet
• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
• 1973-1981 - Danced professionally in American Style Rhythm, Theater Arts
• 1987: 3rd place US Top Teacher Championships
• 1988: 2nd place US Top Teacher Championships
• 1989: 1st place US Top Teacher Championships
• 1993: Top Female Teacher of NADOA Challenge of Champions
• Grand International Latin Finalist at the North American Championships
• Grand International Latin Finalist Imperial Championships
• Grand International Latin Finalist Imperial Star Championships
• Grand International Latin Finalist East Coast Championships
• Grand International Latin Finalist Mid US Championships
• Grand International Latin Finalist Virginia State Championships
• Top at the US Open DanceSport Championships Pro-Am 'A' International Latin category
• Member of the DEA in Modern, Latin, American Style and Theater Arts
• Licentiate in the ISTD
• Quintuple Fellow National Dance Teachers Association of America
• Quintuple Fellow United States Terpsichore Association
• Coach to first wheelchair couple to represent the USA at the European IPC Championships
• Choreographer to first wheelchair couple to represent the UK at the European IPC Championships
• Coach to Professional Dancers on "Dancing with the Stars" and "Strictly Come Dancing"
• Choreographer of the BBC production "Dancing On Wheels"
• Choreographer of the TLC production "Dancer With the Tiny Legs"
• Original Founder of American Dance Wheels
• Successful trainer for professional certifications of the United States Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
• Author of "Wheel Ease"
• Licensed and Certified by the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF)
• USA Dance Invigilation Committee, Member