Andras Ballroom Academy

If you happen to walk through the doors of Andras Ballroom Academy, it won’t be long until you’re itching to learn how to cha-cha. Co-owners and founders Andras Urniezius and Viara Vranksa met while dancing in Toronto, and decided to open their own studio in 2011 in Richmond Hill, an area where the lack of dance studios is evident. More than anything, what makes Andras Ballroom Academy unique is the two people behind it.

Born in Lithuania, Andras has been dancing since the age of four, and has performed at opera and ballet theatres in his home country and in Moscow. His initial training in classical ballet led him to become involved in ballroom and cabaret style dancing. Similarly, Viara, born in Bulgaria, began dancing at the age of four and has performed on stage, at concerts and at other functions from a very young age. She moved to Canada in 2001, where she was inspired to share her love of dance and music with others.