About the Presenters

Amy Pylant grew up on a ranch in small-town Texas. Amy played just about every sport offered, but excelled at track and field and soccer. Offered a track scholarship to Baylor University in 1999, Amy turned down the offer to accept a full academic scholarship to UT Austin. Amy double majored in Spanish Linguistics and World Religion and followed up with a Master’s Degree in Spanish Linguistics at University of North Texas. During this time, Amy coached track and field, volleyball and cross country at the varsity level and took over 20 elite athletes to the state level with 2 volleyball state championships, 2 cross-country state championships as well as 17 athletes to the Texas Relays, Nike Cross Country 5K and the Texas State Track meet.
For the past 10 years, Amy has been coaching athletes of all ages the art of running, speed, and agility. As a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine she has a passion for working with all fitness levels and specializes in weight loss and running programming. As one of the original team members of Camp Gladiator, Amy has helped over 1000 people with their fitness, weight loss and adventure goals. Known to some as the “bulldog” at camp for pushing people to their optimum performance, Amy always has an open heart and an open mind to help everyone become a Gladiator. http://www.campgladiatordallas.com

Sports Background & Certifications
NASM Certified Personal Trainer, 
NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist
, NASM Performance Exercise Specialist, 
SCW – Outdoor/Indoor Boot Camp certified, 
3 Time State Qualifier High School Track & Field

Maryann Sawka grew-up south of Pittsburgh, PA, in a small town where she returned to live with her family after working and traveling the country. Her higher education consists of a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from California University of PA and a Master’s of Science in Reading and Literacy for Elementary Grades from Walden University. Her career path includes work as an alumni director, technical writer, software trainer, and a special needs preschool teacher. She is the owner of Charming Manners, a company that teaches clients life skills that enhances their character with style and confidence. Maryann is also a published author with Good Table Manners Made Easy. She and her family has three cats, Milo, Wolfie and Merrick, and one dog, Daisy. http://www.charmingmanners.net

Ashley Parks, CFP® holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning from Southern Methodist University. She has been advising clients since 1999 in her hometown of Dallas, Texas where she resides with her family.
Ashley is actively involved in her community and feels deeply that we are all products of our surroundings. We all have a personal root system that has been developing throughout our lives. Ashley’s career has offered her amazing insight into the personal lives of individuals that she comes in contact with on a daily basis. That insight, along with her own personal journey, spurred her to put her passion on paper. The stories and personal experiences over her career motivated her to write a book geared towards helping families gain not only personal well-‐being, but financial well-‐being. The Saving Seed is Ashley’s gift to others. Her philosophy on life is one of becoming self and becoming greater than our temporal world suggests. “What can we do that will positively impact others and allow us to grow?”
“We must give to others and the world. It is not ours to own and we must leave a positive impression as we pass by on our journey.” http://www.thesavingseed.com

Jill Greenbaum, Ph.D is an innovator in coaching teens and parents during the college search. She uses a strengths-based approach in working with teens to help them understand themselves, meet challenges and problem-solve. This approach reduces distress, encourages self awareness, enhances self esteem, facilitates growth and goal achievement. Teens discover their strengths and use them to find the colleges and universities that are the best matches for them. She has been a teacher, principal, and administrator in special education settings, and earned a doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University. In addition to being a nationally known coach, Jill is also an author, and blogger. For more than 15 years she has lived in Rockland county, New York with my husband, daughter, and beloved dog. http://www.majorinyou.com

Ryan Lewis has been training and competing for more than 13 years in International Latin & Standard, specializing in International Latin for the past 8 years. He has been influenced by coaches Colin James, Louis Van Amstel, & Vibeke Toft. Ryan has had the pleasure to work with many others such as Tone Nyhagen & Corky Ballas.

Ryan began his training in Fayetteville, Arkansas before relocating to Houston, TX, in 2001 to further his dance education. In 2007, he made Dallas his home. Placing in semi-finals and finals of many US competitions, Ryan has always made training & competing a priority. Other achievements include finalist in Holiday Dance Classic, Emerald Star Ball, Ohio Star Ball, & Desert Classic including semi-finalist at the Amateur US Open to the World Championships. He has a passion for both competing as well as teaching students at various levels. 

After years as an Amateur competitor, Ryan turned professional. The decision came when he was blessed to have the opportunity to dance with Natalia Fridmanovich. Ryan and Natalia started dancing together in June 2010 and thus far, has been the most amazing journey he has ever known. He has finally found the one partner who touches his heart and soul with grace, beauty, and elegance. http://www.ryannataliadance.com

Natalia Fridmanovich started dancing at the age of 11 at her father’s dance studio in Russia. Since her first dance steps, she has made dance her life. main inspiration came from past world champions Tone Nyhagen, Vibeke Toft, Louis Van Amstel, Sammy Stopford, Richard Porter, as well as world renowned coaches Jerry Abrate & Katerina Arzenton. Other teachers who have influenced her include Espen Salberg, Carol McRaid, Donnie Burns, & Shirley Ballas.

 After just 1½ years of competitive dance, she became the Eastern Russia Champion in Ballroom & Ten Dance. As a youth, she made the quarter finals in the Italian League Open. Other competitive achievements include Central and Eastern Russian Youth Champion in Ballroom & Latin, quarter-finalist in Blackpool England Youth Latin Division, National Champion in Russian Ballroom Formation, World Champion Ballroom Formation at European Championship, quarter-finalist in the Russian National Latin Amateur Championship, and finalist in the Russian Latin Showdance Championship. Internationally, Natalia became a finalist in competitions in England, Slovenia, Belgium, France, Serbia and United States.

Natalia not only dances, but has studied the history and competitive aspects of ballroom dance. At the age of 20, she continued her training in Italy. After moving to the US a few years ago she has found herself partnered up with Ryan Lewis based here in Dallas. She is excited about her partnership with Ryan and believes that their partnership is one of trust, love, and unity. She has not only found her dance partner but a friend for life. 

Natalia believes that all dreams come if you believe, work for it, and never give up!
 http://www.ryannataliadance.com