Marie Rants has been dancing professionally since 1996. She holds a BA in Dance from Old Dominion University and studied MA in Communication at Johns Hopkins University. In addition, she is part of the Adjunct Dance Faculty at ODU.
Marie began dancing Ballroom at a very young age. By age 15, having performed for numerous events, she was asked to choreograph a Swing medley for honored guest Mayor Meyera Obendorf. This began her serious career to professional dancing. In college, she choreographed and staged several Modern dance productions for University Dance Theatre, as well as performed in astounding pieces, such as Still Waters, by Todd Rosenlieb. Other professional works include choreographing the opening number for international pop artist Martin Niviera in 1998, USA Dance New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, 2003-2015, and performances in Hampton Roads’ Dancing With Our Stars, 2009- 2021.
Marie believes that by having classical training in Ballet and Modern dance, she has been able to become not only a better Ballroom dancer, but a more proficient teacher. She has been coached by top champions- Bill Sparks, Tony Meredith (So You Think You Can Dance), Forrest Vance, Irina Sarukhanyan, Rosendo Fumero, and Kathryn Shaefer. Marie specializes in the American Rhythm & Smooth Ballroom disciplines.
Jessica Clark began her dance career in 2002 and is a Certified Latin & Ballroom Instructor. In the 2007 Virginia State Championships, she lead her student to the highest level in his category and was recognized as one of the Top Teachers. She is a competitive Pro-Am dancer, but her specialty and love of teaching is with new students, wedding choreography, and social dancing. Ms. Clark has produced works for multiple Hampton Roads’ showcases, including Rants Ballroom Company’s annual Summer Soiree. Off the dance floor, she is recognized as an elite, certified make-up artist.
Timothy Sovine, a BFA graduate from Old Dominion University, has been dancing socially and competitively since 2013. Past works include performances and choreography for USA Dance, Dancing with the Hampton Roads Celebrity Stars, University Dance Theatre, and Rants Ballroom Company. He is a 2-time Champion in the HR Dancing with the Stars. Mr. Sovine specializes in the American Rhythm & Smooth disciplines of ballroom dance and is our Wedding Dance Specialist.
Brent specializes in Wedding dance preparation, Social Dance instruction and competitive Ballroom dancing and Latin Dancing.
Brent has been awarded top dance instructorr at the Virginia State Ballroom Championships for the past three years as well as Top Teacher awards at The Heritage Classic, Philadelphia Dancesport Festival and Randy Ferguson’s Dance Houston. 
Brent is also the leader of the Shall We Dance Competition Team and an award winning pro instructor at Hampton Roads Dancing with the stars. Brent has been involved with the Performing Arts for over 30 years and a Professional Ballroom Dance Instructor in the Hampton Roads area since 1995.
Chuck Wills has been in the dance world as a working professional for over thirty years.
After winning several local dance contests as a teenager with his classically trained sister Charlene, Chuck was recruited to train and eventually begin his teaching career with both Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray dance studios. Chuck started his career in Tidewater, but soon moved to Orlando, Florida where he trained and taught for 10 years. He also has taught in Colorado Springs, Corpus Christi, and Beverly Hills.
Chuck’s special niche is training couples to social dance. He enjoys being a part of the enhancement dancing offers to relationships, as well the quality time participating in such a fun, intimate, and exhilarating activity. In addition to teaching couples, Chuck also enjoys training his students/partners for special performances hroughout the year. His knowledge and love for music, dance, and people, as well as his outgoing personality, provides a natural transition for his second business- Emceeing and DeeJaying, mostly at weddings, but also at holiday parties and other social affairs.
Chuck is enthusiastically taking new students.
Brett Landon Long has been teaching social dancing since 1976. He is certified through 2 organizaions he chose to specialize in Lead/Follow connection in the partner dances.
His strong dances are Hustle, West Coast Swing, Rumba, Salsa, American Cha Cha, Hustle, Two Step and Slow Dance (Wedding).
Personal Favorite dances are Salon Argentine Tango, International Foxtrot and International Rumba.
When not teaching Brett likes to make instructional dance videos and dance related web pages.
One of his goals is to find a female partner with lots of free time, a sense of humor and a strong dance background (Ballet/Tap/Jazz/Gymnastics).