By Andrea Martone
A little Gatsby glamour. A burst of Latin rhythm. A dash of disco fever. Sarasota’s Fusion Dance Collective is bringing a lively mix of movement, music and theatrical flair to Gulf Coast celebrations – and giving audiences plenty of reasons to smile.
Founded in 2025, the collective features two women and two men, ages 19 to 27, whose training spans Latin and ballroom dance, professional ballet, jazz and contemporary styles. All compete nationally and hold dance titles, and their coaching includes work with members of “Dancing with the Stars.” For business developer and manager Karolyn Kelly, the appeal goes beyond fancy footwork. “I love watching people feel good about watching our shows,” Kelly says. She sees dance as a way to change an event’s mood, inspire guests and bring added energy to charitable gatherings.
The collective’s appearances have included Clearwater Aquarium’s “Hot Havana Latin Night,” a Motor Enclave gala benefiting pediatric cancer, Selby Gardens and The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota. For Sarasota’s Circus Arts Conservatory, the dancers created a waltz around a circus act. A “SpeakEasy” event at Lakewood Ranch Country Club offered another opportunity to bring a themed celebration to life.
That versatility is central to Fusion’s approach. Golf and country clubs, gala organizers and other hosts can select entertainment ranging from Vegas- and New York City-style productions to Latin dance, disco and Rockettes-inspired numbers. Holiday shows incorporate ballet, while Great Gatsby themes invite a little vintage sparkle like “Grease.” Other shows they performed on the Gulf Coast include: “Old Hollywood Glamour Nights,”(think Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire); Smooth Waltz; Disney and Broadway Themes; and Dancing Through The Decades.
Karolyn brings her own entertainment background to the company, with 20 years of production experience that included being a TV producer at WWOR-TV Channel 9, NYC, then CNBC, ABC, Disney, MTV, HGTV, Food Network, a long stint with Paramount Pictures in NY and Hollywood, moved on to Warner Brothers Chicago, before being recruited to HSN (Home Shopping Network) in Tampa. In St. Petersburg, she served as executive producer with Celebrity Cooking and Beauty Segments, working with celebrities, and entertainment news. Coming from a theatrical, music-loving family, Karolyn describes Fusion’s appeal simply: “the feel good stuff.”
For a region rich in arts and entertainment, Fusion Dance Collective adds another way to turn a gathering into a show – and a show into a shared moment of joy.
For booking information, contact Karolyn Kelly at 312-420-6654.
Instagram: @Fusion.Dance.Collective
About the artists:
Ava Maria Ipjian
- Former Sarasota Cuban Ballet Company Dancer
- Mixed Amateur Ladies Latin Champion
- UF graduate
- Pre-Med … starting the journey into medical school
- Competitive National Latin & Ballroom Dancer
Bridget Ipjian
- USF Dance Studies Major
- Competitive National Latin & Ballroom Dancer
- Trained in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, and Contemporary
- Skilled in Choreography!
Adrian Kaiser
- Competitive National Ballroom Dancer
- Pro-Am National 9 Dance Champion
- National Rising Star Rhythm and Smooth Champion
- National Pro-Am Mambo Champion
- *2025 Blackpool pro-am Rhythm & Smooth Champion
Cezar Filho
- Latin Social Dance Instructor