Love led Roman Chagay to step into the world of ballroom dance and a career that would leave its imprint on two continents. Chagay’s 5-year-old sister passed away before she could take an instructor up on an offer of free ballroom dance lessons. So her brother took lessons in her stead.
“I think part of that is that I wanted to do it for my mom,” says the native of Kazakhstan. “I loved it, and I think so far we have made great things happen in the ballroom dance world.”
Chagay danced professionally for 12 years, then became an adjudicator for the Kazakhstan Ballroom Dance Federation and head coach for that nation’s Dance Sport Federation.
While in Uzbekistan to scout new professional opportunities, he met his wife-to-be, Liya, also a ballroom dancer. He confesses: “I was in love from the first time I saw her.” After competing for a few years, the couple established a ballroom dance studio in Uzbekistan.
“Then we moved back to Kazakhstan and continued our journey,” says Chagay, who with his wife opened another studio that birthed champions. In 2018, the family—including the couple’s gymnast daughter—came to Central Florida, where they established a ballroom dance school called Vita Dance.
But by 2024, Chagay’s vision expanded. To make dance instruction more accessible, he established Vita Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides free lessons for those with special developmental or physical needs. Retirees, those who have lost a spouse and those without access to the arts could also benefit.
The mission: To promote inclusivity, diversity and well-being through the transformative power of dance. “My mom always wanted to help everyone,” says Chagay. “A few years ago, she passed away. Every time I do something good, I think about her.”
On Saturday, May 30, the foundation will present its debutantes at its second National Gala for the Arts, a dinner that will feature performances by world-class dance champions alongside inclusive performances by wheelchair and dancers with disabilities. There’ll also be an awards ceremony.
The event, a benefit, will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, 10100 Dream Tree Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista. For tickets or information about the gala or the foundation, visit vitafoundation.info
