Meghan Afonkin
Owner
Meghan has been around the ballroom industry since the day she was born. Her parents, Scott and Amy Anderson owned 3 dance studios and competed as professionals as she was growing up. Meghan trained at a competitive level in jazz, tap, lyrical, and ballet at the Dance Shoppe (now Summit Dance Shoppe) in Plymouth, MN. After finishing college with a degree in Public Relations, Meghan decided to go back into the ballroom industry as a teacher.
Meghan has been teaching for over 10 years and has been recognized nationally as a top female teacher. She met her husband – Igor Afonkin in 2016 on a professional dance tryout. Meghan and Igor competed in the American Smooth division and moved up the ranks quickly. In 2019 Meghan and Igor won a national title at the U.S. Championships.
After dealing with many health issues that forced Meghan to take a break from dancing, she was able to see clearly what dance does for her life and her SOUL. Dance is not only her therapy, but it has made her healthier and stronger both physically and mentally. She is dedicated to helping transform the lives of the SOUL Ballrooms community by sharing her knowledge, expertise, and guidance.
Igor Afonkin
Owner
Igor Afonkin started his ballroom dance training in Voronezh, Russia where he received his bachelor’s degree in dance education. Igor brought his skills and expertise to the United States in 2007. Igor was hired as a dance teacher at a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Chicago.
Igor was trained in the ballroom dance business under the Fred Astaire model. Igor quickly became a newcomer specialist. Igor went on to successfully run his independent dance business in Chicago for seven years. During that time, he became a top teacher in the United States and moved up the rankings as a professional competitor.
He moved to MN in 2016 where he began dancing with his wife Meghan Afonkin. They quickly won numerous titles around the country and won a national championship in 2019. Igor became the top teacher in MN at numerous events and produce many amateur champions under his training.
Scott Anderson
Dance Director
Scott began his career in the ballroom dance industry at Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Albuquerque, NM in 1983. He has students that compete with him in all the major NDCA dance competitions where they have received over 25 United States titles over the last 35 years. He has also won many Top Teacher awards at these events.
Scott is a National Examiner for the Dance Vision Organization. Scott and his wife, Amy, owned and operated Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Bloomington, Minnetonka, and Inver Grove Heights for 13 years. While with the Fred Astaire Organization, they were the Fred Astaire Professional American Smooth Champions. Scott primarily works in Minneapolis/St. Paul area, but also travels to studios as a coach all over the country. Scott is a certified National Adjudicator with the Terpsichore & Dance Vision Organizations as well as a member of the NDCA in good standing.
As professional dancers, Scott and Amy were the United States Rising Star Smooth Champions & Open Finalists. They have performed in shows from Epcot Center to the NFL Superbowl Halftime Show. The Andersons organize the Twin Cities Open Ballroom Championships in Minneapolis. The Twin Cities Open is a proud member of the Dancers Cup Tour, as well as the World Pro/Am Series of events, and the National Dance Council of America.
In 1998-99, Scott and Amy produced WORLDANCE which coincided with the Twin Cities Open. WORLDANCE featured the professional open competition held in the state-of-the-art Target Center arena. Over 7,000 spectators came to WORLDANCE both years, as it also was a benefit for Fraser Community Services – a Twin Cities-based non-profit organization aiding children and families with special needs.
In keeping with the idea of “giving back” & raising money and awareness for certain charities – the Andersons produced “Fiesta for Francesca” in 2002. Over $25,000 was raised for the Francesca Genereux Foundation. In 2009, they continued their fundraising efforts in conjunction with the Dancers Cup Tour – the Twin Cities Open raised over $5,000 for the Minnesota Chapter of the Susan G. Komen organization for Breast Cancer awareness.