Ariella Rush
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ariella Maree Rush (born June 9, 1956, as Ariella Maree Stoehr) is a professional ballroom dancer noted for dazzling and complex dance routines with her dance partner, Keith Knox, from 1976 through 1981. Rush and Knox were best known for their sizzling tango, cha-cha and mambo routines, as well as, high-energy swing dancing. They made appearances all over the United States; including Disney World in Orlando, Florida; Universal Studios, Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Over Texas, the Roseland Ballroom in New York City and the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rush and Knox competed in professional ballroom dancing, and were named the 1979 Southeast Rising Star Champions at the National Dance Championships held at the Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta, GA. This win qualified them to compete in the most prestigious of all international dance competitions, Blackpool Dance Festival; however, an injury forced Rush's early retirement.
She is also credited under other aliases, including Maree Champion, Maree Conner and Maree Colwell.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Rush grew up in Marietta, Georgia and started dance lessons and piano lessons at the age of five. She actively participated in talent shows throughout her childhood, appearing as a very young guest numerous times on Freddie Miller's television broadcasts, Stars of Tomorrow and Dance Party. She later became a model and professional dancer, and taught ballroom dancing at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, in addition to performing and competing.
[edit] Later Years
After retiring from dancing and modeling, Ariella Rush produced programming for television broadcast in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee from 1994 to 2000. She is most known for her creation, direction, and production of a weekly adventure series called The Highroad South which began in 1998, and aired in the Alltel cable system until December, 2000. Reruns of The Highroad continued, by popular demand, for two years after Rush shut down production for personal reasons.
Today, Rush promotes musicians and bands and is involved in music video choreography. She is also a published author and photographer, but has yet to return to television production.
[edit] Personal Life
Rush has two children: a daughter, Helena, and a son, Jeffrey.
Former Significant Others: Rick J. Champion, Steve Conner, Gerry T. Colwell.
[edit] References
- The Atlanta Daily Journal Constitution
- The Marietta Daily Journal
- Fred Astaire Dance Studios
- State of Georgia Vital Records
- Cherokee County Sentinel Publications, North Carolina
- VH1.com
- Alltel
- Guns N' Roses Today
- Standard Group, Inc., Cornelia, Georgia
- New Rush Entertainment, Los Angeles, California
