Dancing with the Stars of the 'Burg
2022 Teams & Biographies
Kevin Chandler
Nielsen Builders
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: I listen to everything, but for dancing it's Michael Jackson, 80's and rock 'n roll.
Q: What is your favorite dance style?
A: Swing
Q: Where are you from? Where did you go to college?
A: I'm from Harrisonburg, VA and I went to Bridgewater College.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: I am a Project Engineer for Nielsen and third year coach/manager of the RCBL's Clover Hill Bucks.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: I have played baseball my entire life. I was a pitcher at Harrisonburg High School, Bridgewater College and Clover Hill (for 16 years). This summer is my third year as head coach and manager of the Clover Hill Bucks. I attended HRCDCC as a kid, over 30 years ago, and I have been to every single DWTS of the Burg show since it started in 2010.
Q: If there was one thing that we could focus on about you as we promote DWTS, what would that one thing be?
A: I am an alumni of the daycare center.
Q: Why did you decide to participate in DWTS?
A: DWTS of the Burg was my mom's brainchild more than twelve years ago, it was always going to happen.
Q: Anything else you want us to know?
A: Vote for Team Chandler!
Caroline Clymer
USA Dance
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: I enjoy many songs from many genres, but the short list of music that I enjoy would be: jazz, classical, oldies, opera, musicals, and alternative/indie.
Q: What is your favorite dance style and when did you start dancing?
A: My favorite dance styles are Lindy Hop and salsa, though I enjoy learning and dancing to just about anything. I first started social dancing in 2011, and quickly became very passionate about swing dancing. It wasn’t until 2018 that I began learning other dance styles, and then the world shut down in 2020, so I am very eager to get back to dancing again.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I grew up here in the Shenandoah Valley, though I’ve recently returned after being away for about 11 years.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: I am currently studying to become an SLP while working as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant at the Speech and Language Center. One highlight of my last year was being able to support Team Strength and Honor as a volunteer for World Team's “Face of America” event; a 107-mile bike ride from Arlington, VA to Gettysburg, PA, for both able-bodied and adaptive athletes.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: After earning my degree in music and a post-grad certificate in TESOL, I lived in Germany and Cambodia for 6 years. When I returned to the USA a few years ago, I discovered the intersection of my passions in Speech-Language Pathology. I love social partner dancing, spending time outdoors, traveling to explore new places, pursuing growth, slowing down to be fully present with kids and puppies or in a good conversation with the people I love, creating and appreciating all kinds of performing and visual arts, and finding delicious allergy-friendly foods to eat.
Chelsea Church
WHSV-TV3
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: I love all types of music, but find myself mostly listening to pop or more upbeat songs!
Q: What is your favorite dance style?
A: Hip hop/jazz are my favorite dance styles and what I have the most experience doing.
Q: Where are you from? Where did you go to college?
A: I’m from Staunton and graduated from JMU in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Media Art and Design.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: I am a producer and anchor for WHSV’s evening shows.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: I danced for a few years at the Valley Dance Theater in Staunton. I took ballet, tap, hip hop and jazz classes. After that, I joined a hip hop team at what was Spirit 365 dancing competitively. Throughout high school I cheered competitively for my school in Staunton.
Q: If there was one thing that we could focus on about you as we promote DWTS, what would that one thing be?
A: I’ve been working at WHSV for 3 years, and our motto has been “Working Hard For You.” I think this Dancing With The Stars fundraiser is another opportunity for me to show how we are working hard for our community and how our community is working hard for each other!”
Q: Why did you decide to participate in DWTS?
A: I decided to participate in Dancing with the Stars of the ‘Burg because it has become especially evident over the past couple of years how important child care really is. Growing up in the area, I’ve been able to see the great work the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Child Day Care Center has done for families in the valley. And I love to dance!
Nick Gardner
USA Dance
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: My favorite music is a little bit of everything! I mostly listen to swing, wind band, rock, and baroque music. Just about anything is fair game though!
Q: What is your favorite dance style and when did you start dancing?
A: My favorite style of dance is Lindy Hop! I was first introduced to social partner dancing in 2011, but didn’t start taking lessons at Dancing With Karen until 2014.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I was born in Charlottesville and have been in Harrisonburg ever since.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: I teach Band at Eastern Mennonite School! I am also on the board of our local chapter of USA Dance, serve in my church’s music ministry, and play oboe in the Valley Wind Ensemble.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: Here are some fun facts about me: I am an Eagle Scout, I was born 11 weeks premature, and my favorite tv show is Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Isaac Goode
Harrisonburg SmileMakers
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: I love ALL forms of music! - Crooners, Christian, Christmas, 70s
Q: What is your favorite dance style?
A: Not sure
Q: Where are you from? Where did you go to college?
A: I am from Huddlestone VA. I went to VA Tech for a Bachelor's Degree of BioChemistry, then attended VCU School of Dentistry.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: I am a Dentist. Other community services I am involved in are Kings Way, Give Back A Smile, & Wigs for Kids (that's why my hair is so long - I am growing it out to donate!)
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: I grew up on a dairy farm; love to travel, warm weather, cycling, & running. I am trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Q: If there was one thing that we could focus on about you as we promote DWTS, what would that one thing be?
A: Cosmetic Dentistry
Q: Why did you decide to participate in DWTS?
A: I decided to participate in DWTS because I love to give back to the community.
Denise Dean Shifflett
USA Dance
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: I am all over the map…DMB to Frank Sinatra to Kenny Chesney
Q: What is your favorite dance style and when did you start dancing?
A: Hustle and East Coast Swing; in my early teens. Jazz, and Tap
Q: Where are you from?
A: Harrisonburg, VA
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: Rare Disease Account Manager
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: I hung out with Darius Rucker and his band after their show in College. I follow the philosophy of “Blue Mind”. The surprising science that shows that being near, in, on or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected and better at what you do.
Mary Pavlovskaya
F&M Bank
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: I enjoy all genres of music, don’t have a favorite
Q: What is your favorite dance style?
A: Tango
Q: Where are you from? Where did you go to college?
A: Bridgewater, VA. Graduated from James Madison University, currently enrolled in JMUs MBA program.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: Business Deposit Service Officer at F&M Bank. I serve as the Chair-Elect for the United Way of Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro, a Board Member for Blue Ridge Community College’s Education Foundation, and a Board Member for the American Frontier Culture Foundation. Additionally, I participate in the Voice of Business Committee for the Greater Augusta Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Grant Selection Committee for The Community Foundation of Central Blue Ridge.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: I was born in Harrisonburg but my family immigrated to the United States from Ukraine in 1993.
Q: Why did you decide to participate in DWTS?
A: I’ve always wanted to take proper dance lessons, and DWTS gave me that opportunity while contributing to a great cause!
Don Barstow
USA Dance
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: Hard Rock mostly, Christian, motown, classic rock
Q: What is your favorite dance style and when did you start dancing?
A: Argentine Tango. I started dancing when I met my wife and we starting dating, 21 years ago!
Q: Where are you from?
A: Born in a small town called Gowanda, NY, south of Buffalo. When going into the 4th grade, my family moved to Scottsville, N.Y, a suburb of Rochester. We then moved to Harrisonburg in 1981, where I've remained in the area since.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: Technical Analyst on the Academics side at UVA. I'm an active member of the VFW and Living Waters Freedom Initiative, a veteran to veteran peer support group.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: Served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1988 - 1993 as a Field Artillery Mechanic or ArtyMech as I was called. Am a Desert Storm Veteran. I graduated from JMU in 1993. In my freshman year at JMU, I was in the Marching Royal Dukes in the drum line, which was a great experience! I ran the Dayton Muddler and did the Queen City Ruck March for the first times in 2021 at the age of 55! I make up funny songs to sing to our toy poodle, Jazmin. When I have time, I like to solve cryptoquotes. Love being outdoors doing yard work, going to a friend's cabin, hunting and enjoy watching NASCAR.
Arlene McCain
McCain Whole Health Care
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: I enjoy a wide variety of music.
Q: What is your favorite dance style?
A: I also enjoy a wide variety of dance styles. Dancing is so fun!
Q: Where are you from? Where did you go to college?
A: I grew up in Virginia Beach. I attended Georgetown University for college, then went to Eastern Virginia Medical School for medical school and residency. I did additional graduate training in Integrative Health Coaching at the University of Minnesota.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: I am a family physician focused on deeply relational, person-centered care. I teach and mentor healthcare students, and am involved with my community at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: I love words and my word for this year is "Create." I created the first direct primary care practice in the central Shenandoah Valley in 2018. This year, I published "Embrace Grace: New Medicine for a Wounded World." I also started a podcast with Dr. Jason Asistores called "Physicians, Heal."
Q: If there was one thing that we could focus on about you as we promote DWTS, what would that one thing be?
A: I believe that when we heal and integrate ourselves individually at the mind-heart-body-spirit levels, our capacity to transform and heal the world is tremendous. Love changes everything.
Q: Why did you decide to participate in DWTS?
A: My three primary reasons for participating in DWTS are: 1) this is an important fundraiser that supports our community's children and families, 2) this is an incredible event that invites the larger community to come together for a common cause, inspires hope, and promotes unity, and 3) I am really excited to learn how to dance yet equally scared to do it in public. So when I'm equally scared and excited, I tend to say, "Yes, I'm all in!"
Greg Riddle
USA Dance
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: 1940's Swing & 1950's Rock & Roll
Q: What is your favorite dance style?
A: Swing & Viennese Waltz
Q: Where are you from? Where did you go to college?
A: Though I have moved three times in my lifetime the three times were all within the Town of Bridgewater! So I must like the little town. To keep the Bridgewater theme going I also graduated with a BA in Mathematics from Bridgewater College.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: Retired Market Leader/Branch Manager of the Bridgewater branch of Truist - Formerly Known As BB&T. I am also the Treasurer of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of USA Dance.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: I like old stuff. I have three wind-up phonographs in working order which includes my Grandmother's which she used to play on occasion for me growing up. I also have a passion for antique cars and have refurbished a 1964 Lincoln Continental. I find antique cars to be a form of time travel. When I am out driving the Lincoln on a back road in Rockingham County, and pass another oncoming antique car from the same time period, for just a split second it is 1964 again! I have also recently had a pump organ from 1896 refurbished and am actively taking lessons on "You Tube" to learn the right way to pump and play it. Lastly, I have played the piano for the Briery Branch Church of the Brethren choir for 27 years and in addition fill in at the New Life Church in Mount Solon.
Tammy May
Rockingham County Public Schools
Principal at Lacey Spring Elementary School
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: Contemporary Christian and Oldies
Q: What is your favorite dance style?
A: Salsa, Jig
Q: Where are you from? Where did you go to college?
A: I am from Harrisonburg, VA. I graduated from Harrisonburg High School, James Madison University, and Liberty University for my Ed.D.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: As an elementary school principal, I am blessed and grateful for the opportunities I have to work with students, staff, families, and the local community. I have been involved in the United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce BOLD Program, Walk for Hope, Sing Me High Music Festival, and Relay for Life.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: Besides working as the leader of my elementary school, I enjoy running, biking, hiking, and long distance walking. My husband and I enjoy international travel, camping, and outdoor music festivals. We have a dozen cats (some indoor and some outside), and we live in the country where cattle roam our land.
Q: If there was one thing that we could focus on about you as we promote DWTS, what would that one thing be?
A: My love for working with children and watching them grow academically, emotionally, and socially is at the forefront of what I do each day. Planning and implementing special programs to help achieve the aforementioned is critical to me.
Q: Why did you decide to participate in DWTS?
A: Participating in DWTS is a win-win for me. I am greatly looking forward to helping the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Daycare to achieve all funding for the operation of their program while at the same time, enjoy my time learning and sharing a dance that will be enjoyable for others to watch.
Adriel Byrd
USA Dance
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: Hip Hop
Q: What is your favorite dance style?
A: Argentine Tango
Q: Where are you from?
A: I'm from Portsmouth, VA. I graduated from Virginia Tech.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: My occupation is Patent Classifier.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: After 8 years of being asked a fun fact, I still can't think of anything. I love to talk but not about myself.
Robin Crespo
Valley Fitness/Goal Oriented Training
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: Country, but like most...
Q: What is your favorite dance style?
A: We will see shortly!
Q: Where are you from? Where did you go to college?
A: New Jersey. Came to JMU (Double Duke) and never left.
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: Fitness Professional. Church volunteer projects. Former Soccer Coach.
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: GiGi of 3 beautiful Granddaughters. Former National Powerlifting Competitor. Met Arnold Schwarzenegger at a Fitness Conference. Held the International, National, and State Record for Bench Press with 100% RAW Powerlifting Federation. I had 3 near death experiences before the age of 21.
Q: If there was one thing that we could focus on about you as we promote DWTS, what would that one thing be?
A: My lifelong devotion to helping people achieve their optimal health through fitness and balanced living. 33 years and counting!!!
Q: Why did you decide to participate in DWTS?
A: Great cause. I have seen the show and I am impressed with the professionalism and magnitude of event. Former dancers are friends and clients. Darcy is awesome!
Q: Anything else you want us to know?
A: Hips don't lie! Just ask Shakira.
Kevin Castle
USA Dance
Q: What is your favorite music?
A: Anything Country Western
Q: What is your favorite dance style and when did you start dancing?
A: Too many to list! 2006
Q: Where are you from?
A: Jacksonville, FL
Q: What is your occupation? Any other community service you are involved in?
A: Cyber Security
Q: Any fun facts about you?
A: I have circumnavigated the globe before in 21 days.