About Us
Harry Benson is a fellow with the N.A.D.T.A and registered with the NDCA. His early exposure to Mime, Stage Combat, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, and Tap dance provided an excellent foundation for Ballroom Dance. During three years' employment at a national chain school he completed several professional examinations, instructed students in social, theatre arts and competitive ballroom dance and worked as Dance Director and Supervisor.
Harry has competed extensively in Pro-Am competition as well as Professional Smooth, and collaborated in writing the I Love To Dance Studio's Trophy Curriculum. Co-Directing a national health club's social dance program for over a decade, and encountering many learning styles, refined his ability to present group and private lessons enabling him to help thousands of students reach their dancing goals.
"A great lesson inspires developing personal-style, technique and partnership so dancing expresses the joy that makes you want to dance."
Harry Benson has been dancing since 1974 and teaching since 1982; he formed Formal Effects, LLC which has been the owner of Cheek To Cheek Ballroom Dance Studio since July 2007.
Cheek To Cheek Ballroom Dance Studio was opened in 2003 by Heidi Smith Miranda. Heidi is a former amateur Midwest Ballroom Dance Champion. Her competitive dance career spanned ten years in which time she and her partner were ranked among the top ten amateur couples in the United States. She began teaching in 1999 and continues to teach, when her schedule permits, at Cheek To Cheek.