California Ballroom is founded by Emily McAuliffe. Emily is a Sonoma County native. Born and raised in Glen Ellen, her heart and life are deeply rooted in the local community. She has been teaching Sonoma County residents to dance for over 14 years, having first opened her own studio in 1986. Emily has received dance instruction from some of the country’s best dancers and dancing pairs. Her list of teachers reads like a who’s who of dancing including: Buddy Schwimmer (Dance Hall of Fame), Ron Montez (7 time US Latin Champion) and Lee & Linda Wakefield, professional dance instructors at BYU. Emily’s professional experience includes dancing with the San Francisco Bay Area Formation Team for 7 years.

Emily’s personal experience has brought her own share of fame, as the personal dance instructor for the late Charles Schultz, creator of the world-famous comic strip, Peanuts. Schultz forever immortalized Emily by making her cartoon alter ego the object of Charlie Brown’s affection in a series of his famous comic strips.

About Fodie……. Fodie Baker has an extensive background in all styles of couple dancing including Ballroom, Latin, West Coast Swing & Country. She has show cased her students in International Standard & Latin, American style Smooth & Rhythm, Salsa, Country, Hustle, Night Club Two Step & West Coast Swing. She competed professionally in International Standard & Latin in 1992 and in 1993 she placed 2nd in the World Country Dance Championship.

Fodie has recently become heavily involved with the West Coast Swing community and has judged & competed in several Swing events around the country.

We at California Ballroom are honored to welcome Fodie as one of our newest instructors. We hope everyone will take the opportunity to join us every Tuesday for Night Club Two Step Lesson for Beginners and Intermediate/ Advance Dancers.