Dancing with the Celebrities 2019 is right around the corner. As the pairs put the finishing touches on their routines before the September 18 show, it’s time to dip into their backgrounds.
Tim and Brianna
Two groups dancing at Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Naperville have grown close during rehearsal, which has helped break the ice in the competition.
“Everybody here is very friendly,” said Tim Pabich, CEO of Magnitech. He and his partner, dance instructor Brianna Miller, are working several different styles into their routine.
“It’s a good environment, you don’t have to worry about making a fool out of yourself and they’re vey cool about it. Brianna here is very patient so I couldn’t ask for a better partner,” added Pabich.
Anita and James
Calamos Wealth Management’s Anita Knotts is partnered up with dance pro James Dutton. Their salsa and Bollywood mash-up has built great chemistry between the two.
“He’s phenomenal,” said Knotts. “He’s patient but the other thing is he makes me laugh and that kind of relaxes you. If this is not your day job, it’s a little intimidating so it’s wonderful to have a partner like him.”
“It’s been so much fun to work with her and get her moving around the floor and it’s for such a cool cause. She’s doing a great job,” added Dutton.
Dan and Taylor
At Celebrity Dance Studio in Downers Grove, you’ll find Dan Zeman practicing with his dance pro partner Taylor Lovstad.
Their tango routine is a callback to the dance Dan and his wife did on their wedding day, which they think gives them an edge.
“It’s been going great. Dan’s been doing a really nice job, he catches on really quick and at this point we’re just doing the last finishing touches,” said Lovstad.
“Taylor’s an excellent teacher and I haven’t fallen and I’ve only kicked her a few times, so it’s going really well,” joked Zeman.
Kristin and Kyle
Also putting on their dancing shoes at Celebrity Dance Studio, Kristin Giannini of White Eagle Golf Club and Kyle Rath are cha cha-ing with a larger than life twist.
“I grew up with the Backstreet Boys, Brittany Spears. I told Kyle Backstreet Boys was the first concert I went to so we just wanted to do a little throwback,” said Giannini.
“If you’ve ever seen the music video for the song “Everybody” by the Backstreet Boys, we’ve got some actual dance moves pulled directly from it,” added Rath.
Raising Money for CNC
All the teams are having fun with their routines, but even more so knowing they’re helping fundraise for the Career and Networking Center, which provides professional resources to the unemployed and underemployed in the community.
“I just love that our studio is able to help out and donate our time to such an awesome event and a good cause,” said Lovstad.
Naperville News 17’s Casey Krajewski reports.
For a preview of the first four contestants and their partners, click here.
