Roger Romero & Arismel Naya

Roger was born in Spain and raised in a city near Barcelona, where his ballroom journey began at age seven. His parents danced socially, and their teacher encouraged Roger to enter competitions, beginning a journey that would eventually become his profession. At 12, he experienced a major turning point when he watched an international competition featuring professional couples from across Europe. Seeing the level of artistry and performance inspired him to pursue ballroom seriously, and from that moment, Roger knew he wanted to become a professional dancer. Alongside his dance career, he developed another passion in the field of movement and earned a degree in physical therapy. Today, Roger brings that understanding of the human body into his dancing, combining technical knowledge with his dedication to performance and competition. 

Arismel was born in Cuba and relocated to Spain at age three, growing up in a city near Barcelona. Her journey into ballroom began at seven while she was taking gymnastics. One day, she passed a local dance studio and saw children practicing ballroom dancing inside. Captivated by what she saw, Arismel immediately told her mother that she wanted to dance. Unlike many young dancers who discover their professional ambitions later, she grew up knowing that becoming a professional dancer was her dream. She dedicated herself to training and worked consistently to make that dream a reality. Alongside her dance career, Arismel pursued higher education and earned a degree in chemical engineering. Her combination of discipline, academic achievement, and lifelong commitment to dance continues to shape her approach both on and off the dance floor. 

Roger and Arismel essentially grew up together, training at different studios and competing against one another with different partners. Their partnership began in the summer of 2012, when both had recently ended their previous partnerships and decided to dance together for a Spanish ballroom show tour. What began as a summer opportunity soon became a lasting professional partnership. Today, they train in multiple styles but are best known for competing in American Rhythm. They are based in Palm Harbor in the Tampa Bay Area, where they opened their new Fred Astaire Dance Studio in March 2026. Their partnership is defined by a desire to understand and honor the origins of each dance while bringing their own personality and style to the floor. They aim to keep learning, have fun, and enjoy every moment together while pursuing their highest potential.