Chris Thompson
Owner
With over 45 years of teaching experience, Chris Thompson has been a studio owner, teacher, manager, judge, professional trainer and competitive coach. He holds prestigious credentials with NDCA, USISTD, USA Dance and NADTA. He is a regular adjudicator at many Dancesport competitions, and recently held a seat on the National Committee of the USISTD.
Chris began dancing when he was ten years old, first with cotillion dancing and etiquette classes for four years, and by age 11 was assisting the instructors with the younger classes. He was trained in competitive dancing during his teens. His very first job out of college was teaching social dance and hustle at Dance Factory in Arlington. Relocating to New Jersey, Chris taught at Fred Astaire Dance studios and Dancemakers International, managing and teaching at both.
In 1990, Chris opened his own successful studio, "Classic Ballroom", which he operated for 13 years. He also owned a successful Ballet Studio during this period. Relocating, once again to the DC area in 2003, Chris taught and managed at Dance Factory in Arlington. He spent eight happy and productive years there before following his passion, opening "Elegant Dancing" with his long-time friend and associate, Una Lee.
Chris is proud to be associated with the USISTD. He has been instrumental in the development and promotion of the medal test system, and has written numerous articles for Topline Magazine. He recently served on The National Committee for the USISTD, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of quality teaching in the US.
Not a lot of video of Chris dancing has survived the intervening years between his professional start and today. But, of all things, his brief foray into country dancing with partner, Cyndi Dorber, is well documented. View an old video of Chris dancing country two-step and swing from 1994.
