Meet the Founders of Briora Ballroom: Slava and Jessica Stefanov
The Founders of Briora Ballroom
Every dance studio has a story. Briora Ballroom’s story begins with a shared love of dance, a passion for teaching, and a belief that dancing has the power to enrich lives.
Jessica McMorrow Stefanov and Slava Stefanov founded Briora Ballroom in Redmond, Washington in 2012. As husband-and-wife dance partners, they spent years balancing the demands of studio ownership with the pursuit of excellence on the competitive dance floor. Together, they built Briora with a simple vision: to create a place where people of all ages and experience levels could discover the joy, confidence, connection, and beauty that dancing brings.
Today, that vision remains at the heart of everything we do.
At a Glance
Founded in 2012, Briora Ballroom is a premier dance studio located in Redmond, Washington and founded by Slava Stefanov and Jessica McMorrow Stefanov.
Together, they bring more than 50 years of combined dance experience and a background as national and world-level professional competitors. Their specialties include Ballroom Dance, Social Dance, and Argentine Tango, and they have been dance partners since 2010.
A Tradition of Excellence
While growing Briora Ballroom, Slava and Jessica established themselves among the leading Professional American Smooth competitors in the United States.
Among their most notable achievements:
World Professional Rising Star Smooth Finalists at Embassy Ball (2016)
World Professional Open Smooth Championship Semifinalists (2014 and 2015)
US National Professional Rising Star Smooth Finalists (2015)
Rising Star Professional Smooth Vice Champions at Emerald Ball (2016)
These accomplishments reflect years of dedication to artistry, partnership, musicality, and technical excellence. More importantly, they inform the thoughtful, personalized instruction that students receive at Briora every day.
Bringing the Best of Dance to Every Student
At Briora, competitive credentials are not an end in themselves. They are part of a larger commitment to helping every student feel successful, whether they are taking their very first lesson, preparing for a wedding, returning to a longtime passion, or pursuing ambitious competitive goals.
The principles that guided Slava and Jessica’s own journey continue to shape the Briora experience:
Beautiful movement and posture
Strong partner connection
Musicality and expression
Confidence and grace
Lifelong learning and personal growth
Most importantly, they believe that dancing should be enjoyable. Progress matters, but so do laughter, friendship, and the simple pleasure of moving to music.
More Than a Dance Studio
Over the years, Briora has become more than a place to take lessons. It has become a community.
Students gather for classes, social dances, showcases, and special events. Friendships are formed. Confidence grows. Wedding couples create lasting memories. New dancers discover abilities they never knew they had.
For many students, Briora becomes one of the most joyful parts of their week.
That sense of warmth and belonging is no accident. It reflects the values that inspired Slava and Jessica to open the studio in the first place: a belief that dance should be welcoming, enriching, and accessible to everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Briora Ballroom?
Briora Ballroom was founded by professional dancers Jessica McMorrow Stefanov and Slava Stefanov and has proudly served the Redmond community since 2012.
Were the founders professional competitors?
Yes. Slava and Jessica competed professionally in American Smooth and achieved finalist and semifinalist placements at national and world-level championships.
Is Briora Ballroom only for competitive dancers?
Not at all. Most Briora students dance for enjoyment, personal enrichment, fitness, social connection, or special occasions such as weddings. Beginners are always welcome.
What dance styles are taught at Briora?
Briora offers ballroom dance lessons, social dance classes, Argentine Tango instruction, wedding dance lessons, and competitive coaching.
Ballroom Dance Lessons in Redmond and the Greater Seattle Area
Briora Ballroom proudly welcomes students from Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Sammamish, Woodinville, Bothell, Seattle, and throughout the Eastside.
Whether you dream of gliding across the dance floor, feeling more comfortable at social events, preparing for a special occasion, or simply trying something new, our goal is to help you feel at home from your very first step.
No partner and no previous experience are required.
Begin Your Own Dance Journey
More than a decade after opening Briora Ballroom, Slava and Jessica remain dedicated to the vision that first inspired them: creating a place where people can experience the joy of dancing, build meaningful connections, and grow in confidence through movement.
We would be honored to welcome you into our community and help you discover what dance can bring to your life.