DANCE STUDIO
Instructors
Gert Roslender
The owner of Aurelia Dance Studio, Mr. Gert Roslender, started dancing at the age of nine in Estonia. Since then, he has won many ballroom titles in International Ballroom and Latin. Even after finishing university as a civil engineer, he never lost his passion for ballroom dancing. He continued competing and opened his own dance studio. In 1998 Mr. Roslender started competing and coaching in the United States. He is certified by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD), North American Dance Teachers Association (NADTA) and the National Dance Council of America (NDCA). Gert has achieved a very high level of success as a professional dancer and instructor. He is United States Professional Rising Star Ballroom Champion and Professional Open Ballroom Grand Finalists. He is also co-organizing the Riverfront DanceSport Festival. Gert is a top ranked pro-am competitor nationally and regionally, having the opportunity to instruct and partner many students to United States and World Championship titles. He not only enjoys working with competition level students, but he also enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of dance with students at all levels, from young children to those who want to have fun and improve their skill as social dancers. Gert can help you discover your dance goals and make them a reality.
Kirsti Roslender
Kirsti was always detined to be a dancer. At the age of 4 she started with ballet and step dance classes and continued with gymnastics until she was 10. She started teaching childrens classes during high school and recognized an immediate passion for teaching. She earned a masters degree in cultural studies, choreography and dance instruction. Kirsti, with her life partner Gert, represented Estonia five times in European and World Championships before moving to the United States in 1998. There, they continued their professional career, becoming United States Rising Star Champions and Open Standard Grand Finalists. Kirsti is certified by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and the National Dance Council of America (NDCA), placing her in an elite category of ballroom dance instructors worldwide who have attained these designations. Whether it is the basics of social dance choreography, a wedding dance, or performing in studio showcases, she would love to teach you. Kirsti believes that dancing is fun and great exercise and that anyone can learn this beautiful form of expression for a lifetime of enjoyment.
Jonah Schneider
Jonah began his dance career in 1996 as an amateur social dancer and quickly became interested in competition. By 1997 he competed for the first time as an amateur and later decided to become an instructor and began teaching in 2001 and became a Professional in 2004. He trained diligently with world class coaches and trainers as well as completing professional instructor exams.
Some of Jonah’s accomplishments: World Professional Open American Rhythm Finalist, World Professional American Rhythm Rising Star Champion, U.S. Professional American Rising Star Vice-Champion, Fred Astaire Professional Open American Rhythm Vice-Champion, and Multiple time Fred Astaire Professional Open American Rhythm Finalist.
Over the years he has won several top teacher awards throughout the U.S. while partnering many students in pro/am divisions achieving U.S. and World titles. A memorable experience was dancing on the main stage with the Dancing with the Stars cast and celebrities in the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade.
Jonah enjoys working with all types of students from beginners through advanced levels, dancing Pro/Am events with competitive students, social, or wedding preparation. Helping people believe in themselves, accomplish their personal goals, and developing a strategy for success and exceeding their own expectations is Jonah’s goal all while making it easy and enjoyable.
Adam Trogdlen
Adam began teaching in 2007 and is now proudly teaching at Aurelia Dance Studio in Westfield. He specializes in teaching beginner dancers and West Coast Swing. In his dancing career, he has had the opportunity to train and dance with top professionals in all dances across the country. He has had the honor to teach professional athletes including NBA All Stars and IndyCar drivers. Adam has competed numerous times in both the Hamilton County Meals on Wheels’ Dancing with Our Stars and also the Paramount Theatre’s Dancing Like the Stars charity events. He relishes any opportunity to use his dance knowledge and training for such great community causes.
A few years ago, a student introduced Adam to a dance that he remembered from his earlier dancing days. After many fruitless searches for more information, and much convincing Adam, started working with the student to create a syllabus for the Lauderdale Hustle so that it could be taught more easily. Since then, numerous group classes have been taught in the Indy area in addition to a team trophy for Judge's Choice at the 2022 Dancing Like the Stars event and BOTH the Judge's Choice and People's Choice trophies at the 2021 Dancing with Our Stars event.