Meet Vadim Gazda

Vadim Gazda was born in Ukraine. As a young boy of 6, his gymnastics class was cancelled. When he and his father were leaving the building they passed by a dance class and his father suggested that he try it. This began his lifetime of dance. He left Ukraine at the age of 15 and moved to Slovenia where he spent the next six years with a dance partner and her family sponsors. In 2008 he was invited to teach in the U.S. where he started with Fred Astaire in Pewaukee. In 2019 he opened his very own dance studio in Oconomowoc, Living Ballroom Dance.  His wife also works with Vadim at the studio.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.

My wife of 15 years is originally from Hawaii. We have two children: a 12 year old son and a 7 (soon to be 8) year old daughter. They both attend St. Matthews in Oconomowoc. The rest of  my family is back in the western part of Ukraine near the Poland border.

Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?

Working with dance partners since I was 15 years old, dance has always been a passion for me. While attending college in Slovenia, I was involved in sports, life guarding and other activities. I won the World Championships for Ballroom Dancing a couple of times. This competition includes the top two couples from each country. Additionally, I also won the most prestigious ballroom dance competition, the Blackpool Dance Festival in England, which has more competitors than the World Championship and lasts about 8 days. I’m blessed to get to do what I love to do, and don’t feel like I work.

We are looking for more dance instructors to join our team, and would also like to move into a larger studio. More teachers, more students, more space. Dance competitions are going on all year long. It’s always exciting to travel and compete, and I travel to competitions about once per month. At the end of June, we will be having an in-studio performance for our Summer Show. All are invited to attend.

One needs to have good social skills and a willingness and ability to learn and try new things. Dancing is not hard to learn, however, being able to talk and dance and interact with the students is a skill. Many of the students come to fill a hole in their lives and I function as a listener, counselor, and friend. It is not always about the dance steps.

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?

I enjoy the Cornerstone Sports Pub and Eatery, Lago Su Bella, and I think our favorite is Fiesta Cancun.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?

Due to the nature of my business, I am meeting interesting people all the time, I cannot pick just one. I work with doctors, human resources professionals, “Important People” in the community, along with children, high schoolers and seniors. My oldest student is 78 years young. Once a month on Fridays we host social parties where people can come to dance, practice their techniques and have fun. I play music for 1.5 hours and provide “liquid confidence,” assorted beverages, and snacks. Everyone is invited whether or not you are a student.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?

Big Bang Theory. Helps me to laugh and turn the brain off.

Q: What advice would you give to people?

Work smart and work hard to achieve success in life.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you’ve been?

Slovania. It is a small country that has Alps and the Mediterranean Sea. It is small and beautiful, full of natural wonders.

Q: If you could choose anyone; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?

Michael Jackson. As an artist he was always unique and stayed ahead of trends by starting them. He had a different way of thinking, which attracts me.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?

I love Oconomowoc and it’s small city feel. The people are nice and supportive. The schools are great and I love the way my kids are taken care of. From music to sports, there are lots of activities in the area that are family focused. I feel safe.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

I would like a bigger space for dance, more teachers and more students. On my bucket list is to move into more of a management role and not full time teaching/dancing.

Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

I speak four languages: Russian, Ukranian, English and Slovenian.

Q: What are your favorite books?

Books about world history and geographical history. The Egyptian Pyramids fascinate me, and I also enjoy the history of maps.

Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would travel back to the Ukraine to try and help the communities there in any way I can. However, I am not able to return right now.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?

My wife and kids.

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?

Quiet, Serene, Beautiful.