Jhondarr Lopez & Ashley Mattingly
Jhondarr Lopez grew up in Minot, North Dakota, in a home filled with music and creativity. Raised by his mother, he developed an early love for performance through singing, acting, and the many musical influences that surrounded him. During his junior year of high school, Jhondarr was scouted to train in the Vaganova Method of classical Russian ballet at Rinat Mouzafarov’s Institute of Dance & Ballet Theatre, where he studied rigorously. At 21, he moved to Houston, Texas, to pursue a professional career in the performing arts. His path eventually led him to Fred Astaire Dance Studios, where partnership training and teaching opened the door to ballroom dancing. What began as another form of performance quickly became his passion. Today, Jhondarr is a Studio Owner, Lead Teacher, and Studio Dance Director at Fred Astaire Dance Studios River Oaks, where he teaches, coaches, choreographs, and mentors dancers.
Ashley Mattingly was introduced to ballroom dancing at the age of nine through her father, six-time USDC Champion and Fred Astaire National Dance Council Member Jan Mattingly. After watching ballroom dancers perform for the first time, Ashley immediately knew that dancing was what she wanted to pursue. She trained with leading coaches throughout the United States and traveled extensively for competitions, camps, and coaching, earning Junior and Youth Latin titles at major competitions across the country. At 14, Ashley began homeschooling to dedicate more time to her training and competitive schedule, graduating high school at 16 while beginning college courses. After attending her first Fred Astaire National event, she fell in love with the organization’s community and teaching culture. Ashley began teaching soon afterward and has since become one of Fred Astaire’s leading professionals, earning seven Top Female Freddy Awards in 2024. She currently serves as Assistant Manager at her studio and mentors the next generation of dance professionals.
Jhondarr and Ashley began their partnership five years ago after a partnering tryout. During their first year together, they focused exclusively on the fundamentals of American Style Rhythm, eventually earning the Fred Astaire National Professional Closed Rhythm title. That foundation became the starting point for a partnership built around musicality, technique, and a shared love of classic ballroom partnering. They later expanded into show-style dancing before moving into the Rising Star and Open Professional American Rhythm divisions. Jhondarr’s creative approach and Ashley’s precise Latin technique have supported the development of their distinctive partnership that continues to evolve. Their commitment to constant improvement has become one of their defining qualities. They train extensively, travel throughout the country for competitions and coaching, and approach each season with the goal of becoming stronger dancers and partners.
2026 — Emerald Ball — Rising Star American Rhythm — Finalists
2026 — Fred Astaire World Championships — Open Professional American Rhythm — Finalists
2026 — Fred Astaire Texas Region — Open Professional American Rhythm — Champions