Staff Biographies
Shelley Brackhan Fritz
Ms. Fritz, owner of The DelRay Ballroom, has taught dance and competed professionally since 1984, opened her first studio, Brackhan Dance Directive, in 1994, and expanded to The DelRay Ballroom in 2001. She has received numerous teaching and performing awards, including Top Teacher in both the Midwest and Northwest Regions, 1st Place in the Fred Astaire Midwest Regional Championships. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance with an emphasis in Education from the University of Nebraska. With her wide range of dance knowledge she has performed and competed nationally. Since opening her own facility, she has also taught the joy and love of dance to children and teens in both her ballroom and the public schools. She is most happy, however, having a ballroom where she can encourage dance to flourish in the Lincoln community.
Dawn-Marie Lonowski
Dawn-Marie Lonowski has been dancing and performing for family since childhood. She moved on to formal dance lessons and had her first competition just five months in. Since joining The DelRay, she used her creativity to craft our themed dances. Her biggest passion is for showcases, with the goal of expressing the music through movement. Dawn-Marie's goal is to compete nationally, and encourage dancing amongst the youth as a social outlet.
Nick Hernandez
Nick Hernandez started dancing when his father took him to lessons with the Kansas City Swing Dance Club. He continued learning from country dance halls around Kansas City in high school, class at Benedictine College, and then joining the Nebraska dance community at Pla Mor Ballroom. He is interested in the community building aspects of dancing, and even serves as president of the Havelock Neighborhood Association. Nick seeks to help people understand and develop their strengths.