Nadia Eftedal
Nadia Eftedal Nadia realizes that being a top professional Latin American performer doesn't guarantee that one also becomes a great teacher. She has taken all the necessary dance teachers exams in the US and passed them with honors, but for Nadia, the perfectionist, that isn’t enough.

Since retiring from competitive dancing, she’s continued to study with a variety of experts within the field of dance to increase her teaching skills and widen her views as well as attend dance seminars and workshops of other professional trainers and colleagues.


Clear goals -- Nadia enjoys setting clear goals for each of the two dancers knowing that such goals make the dancers work more effectively.
Responsible teacher -- Nadia finds that giving a lesson is more than a giving a session. She often evaluates herself and her work to see if she is on track with the goals set out.
Responsible dancers -- Nadia believes that the responsibility of the teamwork between dancers and teachers is a two-way street: the more open the communication among the three involved the more agreeable the work is and the faster the progress is.
Exceptional skills -- Nadia - shy as she is on this subject matter - is exceptionally well skilled in the areas of rhythm, dynamical changes, energy management and partnering.

Nadia is certified as a World Class level "A" adjudicator and has represented the United States in many World professional and amateur championships. As of January 2008, Nadia is also an examiner for the US Terpsichore Association, which provides medals for students and judging certification.


Charlotte Jorgensen
CharlotteJorgensen A championship dancer and native of Denmark, Charlotte Jorgensen is fluent in five languages. She holds a Professional Danish Dancers' Association teaching degree and is an Honors Graduate with a teaching and adjudicating license from the World Dance and Dance Sport Council.

Moving to London, England--known as the Mecca of ballroom dancing--in the early Nineties, she rapidly progressed through the Amateur ranks, winning the World Amateur Championship in 1994. In 1997, she began competing professionally with Dancer Andrew Sinkinson, where their talents flourished. Their partnership culminated in great success when they ranked 2nd at the World Championship and at all other Grand Slam Events.
She now resides in Los Angeles and travels to coach, choreograph and judge dance events across the U.S.
A sought-after choreographer, Miramax hired her in 2003 to provide specialist dance coaching to Actor Richard Gere for the movie “Shall We Dance,”. American Ballroom Theater hired her as an adjudicator for their finale in what became known worldwide as “Mad Hot Ballroom” – the documentary about New York's inner city kids and their passion for ballroom dancing. Most recently you would have seen her on ABC televisions summer hit “Dancing with the Stars” where she was partner, choreographer and coach to John O'Hurley. John and Charlotte had a blast together during the extraordinary long rehearsal hours and remain friends to this day.



Sebastian Costa and Amanda Garner
Sebastian Costa and Amanda Garner are an Australian based couple and have danced together for 3 years. In total, Amanda has danced for 18 years and Sebastian for 13 years. Sebastian has instructed dance for 9 years and Amanda for 10. They are both registered with the Australian Dancing Society as dance teachers. They have been employed at Excell Dance Centre for a great part of their teaching career but have also run many workshops for students and teachers of dance, Australia wide. They have instructed social dancers of all ages, from 3 years to senior citizens. They have also successfully trained competitive couples of varying ages and levels. They have even instructed and choreographed for Australia’s Channel 9 television series Canal Road.

Amanda Garner, partnered by previous Sunrise weatherman Grant Denyer, was Australian Channel 7's series 4, Dancing with the Stars Champion.

Former Backyard Blitz Host and currently the Outdoor Room star in the USA, Jamie Durie and Amanda enjoyed fourth place in Australia's Dancing with the Stars. Amanda was even invited to do Dancing with the Stars in Turkey.

Sebastian and Amanda boast many competition titles in Australian Latin American dance. They are currently Australian Professional Latin American finalists. With her previous partner Amanda’s highest achievements include 21st in the World Amateur Latin American Championships, consistent 2nd and 3rd placing in the Australian Amateur Latin American Championships. Sebastian with previous partners boasts many Australian National Finals and was ranked 11th in the Tattersall’s Australian Latin American Championships.

Sebastian and Amanda have performed in Jason Gilkinson’s BURN THE FLOOR stage show China Tour and in the USA, as well at Grosvenor House London, Sportsgirl Fashion Week Melbourne, the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing London, 3 times at the Palladium Crown Casino Melbourne, 3 times at the Lighthouse Foundation's Shall We Dance gala events Melbourne and numerous other private and corporate functions around Australia.

Sebastian and Amanda have trained with various former and current world champions some of which include Johan and Nadia Eftedal, Franco Formica, Juuka Haapalainen and Sirpa Sutari, Allan Tornsberg, Brian Watson, Barbara McColl, Peter Maxwell. Their Australian coaches are Tony Hulme and Maria Nagalo who have trained them for 11 years. Sebastian and Amanda have a true passion, respect and appreciation of Ballroom dancing and always endeavor to share these with their audiences and peers.

Rene Castaneda
Rene Castaneda has been dancing for over 16 years. Growing up in the multicultural city of San Francisco, Rene began dancing at the age of 12 following in his father’s dancing shoes.

At The New York Dance School in Germany, Rene dove into all styles of dance. He studied in jazz, modern, ballet, and hip hop while still continuing his education in his specialty, International Latin.
His well rounded dance training has made him into an unforgettable performer and a undeniably great teacher. His passion and natural talent lead him to dance in music videos and national commercials for Carlos Santana, Michelle Branch and Macy's. Most Recently Rene performed and toured with Burn The Floor's "FLOOR PLAY" and was stationed in Busch Gardens, Tampa Florida performing in the jaw dropping "Let's Dance.

Rene is now currently dancing with Bill Hopkin's Rockin' Orchestra, traveling and dancing across the globe. Rene Castaneda resides in Hollywood, California teaching at Nadia Eftedal's Rhythm Room where he enjoys working with dancers of all ages and levels and sharing their passion for dance.


14261 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423-2714 // TEL: 818.501.7498 // Email
Design by Anteater Web Design