VIDEO: Susan Vallette Prepares For ‘Dancing For the Space Coast’ Set For June 6

By  //  May 31, 2015

ABOVE VIDEO: Dancing For the Space Coast contestant Susan Vallette is a licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor and enjoys teaching high energy Zumba classes at Florida Institute of Technology-Clemente Center and Zumba Gold for the “Shepards Center.

Local Celebrities Ready To Strut Their Stuff For Needy

Dancing For the Space Coast, a unique competition and fundraising event that will benefit three worthy organizations on the Space Coast, will be held at Florida Tech’s Clemente Center on Saturday, June 6.

brevard-public-safety-charity-250-1Dancing For the Space Coast will benefit the Brevard Public Safety Charity, who has earmarked the proceeds this year to be distributed to the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, the Scott Center For Autism and Serene Harbor.

This exciting event will feature 11 Space Coast community and business leaders, including Amy Boyson, Lila Buescher, William Capote, Katie Jacobus, Robert Jordan, Charlie Nash, Jackie Pantello,Rita Pritchett, Susan Vallette, Mason Williams and Milo Zonka.

BRAGGING RIGHTS ON THE LINE

Each celebrity dancer will be matched up with a professional dancer as they compete in a ballroom dance – and for bragging rights as the best dancer in Brevard.

On the evening of June 6, each dance pair will compete in a choreographed ballroom dance that will be scored by a panel of judges.

During the show, couples will earn scores based on several technical skill factors, but the judges’ scores alone don’t decide the dancer’s final score.

Leading up to the actual performance, the dancers will have already scored 60 percent of their points through their fundraising endeavors.

DANCER PROFILE: Susan Vallette

Susan is a licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor and enjoys teaching high energy Zumba classes at Florida Institute of Technology-Clemente Center and Zumba Gold for the “Shepards Center.”

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Susan Vallette

A true Midwest girl, Susan was born and raised in St Louis, Missouri, graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

It was there she met her husband of 29 wonderful and adventurous years, Julio. Their careers brought them to Florida in 1987.

The majority of Susan’s nursing career was spent caring for post-operative patients in the Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Tampa General Hospital and Baptist Hospital in Miami.

After losing their home to the destruction of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, they moved to Melbourne to raise their two boys, Dan and Alex.

Susan loves this place she calls home and has been volunteering in our community for the past 23 years.

She has chaired many fundraisers and events for Brevard County Public Schools, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Garden Club by the Sea, Space Coast Division of the March of Dimes and the Health First Foundation; chairing the 2013 Health First Foundation Benefit Ball.

When Susan is not volunteering, you will find her gardening, cooking or riding motorcycles.

Currently, Susan is a licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor and enjoys teaching high energy Zumba classes at Florida Institute of Technology-Clemente Center and Zumba Gold for the “Shepards Center.”

Her favorite part of being a Zumba Instructor is the opportunity to organize and participate in Zumba fundraising events like “Party in Pink” for breast cancer, Promise in Brevard, March of Dimes “March for Babies” and “Spring Forward for Autism.” Susan believes in sharing your gifts, time and talents to build a stronger, healthier and happier community.

Dancing for the Space Coast shares her passion for this community and she is thrilled to give it a whirl!

Zumba class is Susan’s happy place where she can let her “inner dancer” come out. Let’s hope that transforms to the Ballroom floor!

Just this past March, Susan’s dad passed away. He was always her biggest cheerleader and fan when it came to watching her try something new.

“I will be dancing for my sweet Dad,” said Vallette.

Barry Johnson – Instructor

He started dancing at 7 years of age after watching the Fred Astaire movie “Top Hat”.

Barry Johnson
Barry Johnson

Barry Johnson is originally from Long Island, New York.

He danced tap, jazz, and ballet for the next 11 years.

During that time, he and his family moved to the Kansas City area. Barry began ballroom in June of 1992 at Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Lenexa, Kansas.

With them he completed training through his Silver level. He moved to TC Dance Studio in 1998 where he completed his Gold level dancing.

He also became the studio’s Dance Director and Assistant Supervisor. Barry came to Melbourne to get away from the cold and icy winters of the Midwest in February of 2006.

He then began his Pro-Am competing career. His students have earned Championships in American Smooth, and American Rhythm styles of dance, as well as a multitude of top solo awards ranging from the Bronze to Gold levels.

He is living his dream by teaching, dancing, competing, and being part owner of the ever growing Melbourne Ballroom.

In all, Barry has been dancing in one form or another for 37 years and has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE

Several Dancing For the Space Coast sponsorship levels are available, including the Grease Sponsor for $25,000, the Flashdance Sponsor for $15,000, the Footloose Sponsor for $10,000 and the Saturday Night Fever Sponsor for $5,000.

Tables are available at the following levels: Front Row VIP Dinner Table, $5,000; Second Row VIP Dinner Table, $2,500; Third Row Dinner Table, $1,750; and Fourth Row Dinner Table, $1,250.
Individual seats can be purchased for $150 per person.

Dancing For the Space Coast is sponsored by Harris Corp., Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Space Coast Daily, Florida Institute of Technology and C&R Designs.

For more information, or to make a donation in the name of your favorite dance pair, log on to DancingFortheSpaceCoast.com

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Susan is a licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor and enjoys teaching high energy Zumba classes at Florida Institute of Technology-Clemente Center and Zumba Gold for the “Shepards Center.”