About Tony

Tony Pace Portfolio

Dance Instructor & Choreographer - Houston, TX

About Tony

Tony's Background and Education
Tony Pace has been dancing for 37 years in New York, Dallas, and Houston. Tony is a native New Yorker from Garden City, Long Island. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Manhattan College in New York.

Tony taught physical education and was a tennis pro for ten years. His diverse background includes ownership of a night club and management of the Hard Rock Cafés in London and Dallas. For five years he was the undefeated club champion and event and promotion director of Club Papagayo in Dallas.

Tony's Mission is Dance Instruction

Tony is currently teaching hustle in Houston. He brings his love of music, movement and dance to his students emphasizing the opportunities and possibilities in dancing. His choreography is inventive, unique and inspiring. Tony’s personal and professional mission is to provide the opportunity for anyone who has the desire to dance to do so. He has been very successful in accomplishing this mission with his innovative teaching style and visionary thinking which are having a tremendous impact on the growth of the Houston dance community. He has been guest instructor at many dance events across the United States.

Tony's Achievements and Awards

Top Teacher at Hustle USA, New York
Professional Classic Runner-Up at Hustle USA, New York
WHDC Hustlemania Pro-Am Champion, Fresno, California
Pro-Am Classic Showcase Champion at Hustle USA, New York
Texas Classic Hustle Champion, Houston, Texas
Opening Ceremonies and Show Participant, New Orleans Country Mardi Gras
World Hustle Dance Pro - Am Champion, Secaucus, New Jersey
Arizona Dance Classic Awards – Pro-Am Hustle and Showcase
World Hustle Dance Championships – Christopher M. Nardone Award for Outstanding Spirit of Giving
World Hustle Dance Championships - Numerous First Place Awards
ESGR Area 2 Appreciation Award for support of "Helping A Hero"
10th Anniversary Cinco De Mayo Appreciation Award, Houston, Texas

Tony's Dance Events and Productions

Tony Pace is the owner of the Annual Cinco De Mayo Dance Festival (Hustle, Salsa, Swing), which is held in Houston on the first weekend in May. Tony celebrated the 10th anniversary of The Cinco De Mayo Dance Festival in Houston, Texas, in May 2008. Tony has produced the “Ultimate Dance Nights Outs”, a weekly evening of dancing for country, swing, hustle and salsa dancers at the Continental Ballrooms in Houston. He organized "Dancin' in the Streets", 16 weeks of jack and jills in hustle and swing at the Hop in Houston. Texas. Tony has taught dancers at Mi Luna Restaurant in the Woodlands, LifeTime Fitness in Houston, and Walden Yacht Club in Conroe. Tony was the marketing director of Chayns Nightclub where he has been an independent hustle dance instructor for 17 consecutive years.  Recent promotions were the Diamond Diva Contest, and the Stockings and Stilettos Contest. He hosted a monthly social dance party for all Houston area dancers at Chayns Nightclub.  Tony began a new era of hustle dance instruction at Jeff's 77 Bar & Lounge in Houston. He is presently back at Chayns teaching private and group hustle classes and directing promotions for the club. Tony’s goal is to bring the joy of dancing to as many people as possible.

Tony's Charitable Fundraisers
Tony has been an active supporter of the men and women who serve our country in the military.
He has held numerous fundraisers for organizations that help wounded soldiers:

                    "Wounded Warriors"                                                    "Helping A Hero"
                 www.woundedwarriors.org                                 www.helpingahero.org

    Col. John Folsom, Founder of Wounded Warriors               Pat Shirling presents $1,200 to Helping a Hero

Tony believes that it is the soldier who gives us the freedom to dance.