Dance Fever: Mount P. welcomes Caliente Ballroom

Moultrie News May 6, 2026.
The recently-opened Caliente Ballroom is offering the Mount Pleasant community something it was sorely lacked: a dance school for individuals of all levels in a professional setting.

During the new dance venue's May 5 ribbon-cutting, hosted by the Town of Mount Pleasant and the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce, visitors were treated to a close-up view of the leading-edge facility.

Featuring a dance area large enough to host a wedding party, Caliente's floating wood dance floor makes movement easier on the hips, back and knees for professionals and amateurs alike.

Billed as a ballroom "where passion meets precision," owner, chief instructor and choreographer Artur Malakyan's business venture is the culmination of his dance journey which began at age 6. After relocating from his native Armenia to Charleston 11 years ago, Malakyan established Caliente Ballroom in much smaller settings before opening his 1116 Graddick Road site on March 3.

When asked about his program of dance genres, Malaykan and Managing Director/Property Developer Lynda Byrd listed: ballroom, Latin and standard taught in both smooth American and international style. Prospective clients are also offered the opportunity to practice social dancing, such as salsa, bachata, merengue and swing.

"We will take them from the very first basic steps all the way through, and challenge [them] as much as they want," said Byrd in referencing newcomers who may not have hit the dance floor in decades.

Beginners, she added, can undergo different levels of instruction (bronze, silver and gold) at their own pace.

Experienced dancers, on the other hand, can work their way into achieving competitive status at the bronze, silver and gold levels.

In addition, Malakyan and company often partake in out-of-market dance competitions. Most recently, Malakyan was recognized as one of the top teachers at the Miami Vibe event, while one of his students ranked among the top 20 dancers.

"He can take them from dancing at any level and work with them to their highest performance," Byrd added.

Caliente's monthly socials serve as an opportunity for students to exhibit their skills to the public. Similarly, an annual highly-anticipated showcase on Nov. 14 will treat spectators to view between 22 to 30 choreographed dance performances.

The instructor staff consists of Malakyan and three colleagues (James Jiang, Hidee Jenkins and Olena Corrigan) who have taught adults for the most part, but will soon begin offering classes to youngsters as well.

Beginners exploring the assorted dance styles can sign up for group or individual instruction. Clients looking to polish their moves for an upcoming wedding are also invited to join in on personalized dance sessions.

Visit https://calienteballroom.com/ for more information on Caliente Ballroom's offerings.