Ross Pearce’s connection to performance began with music. He started piano lessons as a child and continued developing his musicality through musical theatre and show choir. Those early experiences taught him to hear rhythm, understand performance, and connect movement with music—skills that would later shape both his dancing and his teaching.

His interest in performance led him to study dance at Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University) and Brigham Young University. There, he developed a broad technical foundation in ballroom, ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Ballroom became the place where his love of music, movement, partnership, and performance came together.

Over more than three decades, Ross has experienced ballroom dance from nearly every side of the floor—as a student, professional competitor, performer, instructor, coach, and national-level adjudicator. He has taught dancers ranging from complete beginners to advanced competitors in American Smooth, American Rhythm, International Standard, International Latin, Country Western, and Cabaret and Theatre Arts.

Ross founded The Phoenix Ballroom Academy to create a dedicated place where dancers could receive knowledgeable, individualized instruction and continue growing as their goals changed. Today, he works with children, teens, adults, wedding couples, social dancers, and competitive students. His teaching combines strong technical foundations with musicality, personal attention, and a genuine commitment to helping every dancer make meaningful progress.