After many years in entertainment and the performing arts, Kris is bringing his experience and passion for teaching to Marble City Ballroom.

Kris has trained extensively in Ballroom and Latin dance, working with esteemed coaches and judges such as Ilya Reyzin, Gary Pierce, Tony Dovolani, and brothers Max and Val Chmerkovsky of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. He has taught and choreographed regionally and for national companies such as Dance With Me and Fred Astaire Dance Studios.

Kris thought his promising career had ended in 2013 when an underlying heart condition resulted in cardiomyopathy and what he thought was going to be a permanent disability. Kris wasn’t ready to give up, so he spent the next year fighting to regain his health and return to the dance floor. He had found a home at Dance Tonight in Knoxville, but unfortunately it shut down permanently during Covid.

In 2021, Kris started Marble City Ballroom and today Marble City Ballroom is opening their very own studio in West Knoxville.

Professional Certification and Memberships:

• BFA Music Theatre, Elon University

• Special concentration in Ballet, UNCSA

• Certified DVIDA instructor and a member of the National Dance Council of America.

• Proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and Screen Actor’s Guild.