Masters of Ceremony & Sound
Liana Bonavita
Master of Ceremony
Liana Bonavita returns to the dance floor this year with a new mission. After winning the Mirror Ball with partner Johnny Martinez and raising more than $12,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the pair bring a unique perspective and excitement to the event as this year’s emcees.
Liana is no stranger to the mic. As the former Sports Director of News10 ABC, she spent more than a decade anchoring sportscasts and continues to emcee several events annually.
Liana’s day job is as a financial advisor with the Anderson Financial Group at Northwestern Mutual, but she’s thrilled to channel Julianne Hough and cheer on this amazing group of dancers! Don’t be surprised if she can’t contain herself when the beat drops.
Johnny Martinez
Master of Ceremony
We’re honored to welcome back Johnny Martinez for his third year of involvement with Dancing with the Capital Region Stars! Last year, Johnny and Liana Bonavita lit up the stage and took home 1st place as the Crowd Favorite winners, and we’re thrilled to have them return this year as our dynamic emcee duo.
Johnny is the co-director of Tango Fusion Dance Company, which he leads alongside his wife, Dianne Lachtrupp. Together, they bring decades of experience and infectious energy to the Capital Region dance community. Before relocating to Saratoga Springs, Johnny and Dianne co-owned Stepping Out Studios in New York City, one of Manhattan’s premier dance studios, offering over 80 weekly group classes and employing a team of 30 instructors.
Johnny holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pratt Institute, but his true passion led him to a performance career in concert dance and musical theatre. His impressive credits include national and European tours of West Side Story, Damn Yankees, and Fiddler on the Roof. He was a member of the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre and served as associate choreographer for the Anabella Gonzalez Dance Theatre.
From Broadway stages to Capital Region ballrooms, Johnny brings heart, humor, and world-class artistry to everything he does - and we couldn’t be more excited to have him back on our stage.
Johnny holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pratt Institute, but his true passion led him to a performance career in concert dance and musical theatre. His impressive credits include national and European tours of West Side Story, Damn Yankees, and Fiddler on the Roof. He was a member of the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre and served as associate choreographer for the Anabella Gonzalez Dance Theatre.
From Broadway stages to Capital Region ballrooms, Johnny brings heart, humor, and world-class artistry to everything he does - and we couldn’t be more excited to have him back on our stage.
DJ Trumastr
Master of Beats
DJ Trumastr is an international touring DJ based out of Albany, New York.
Infused with a rich knowledge of music, this creative innovator spins infectious blends that transcend both cultural and generational boundaries.
Although mostly inspired by the classic sounds of Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop, R&B and Soul, DJ Trumastr’s skill on the decks knows no limit.
A master of versatility, this DJ/producer can rock any party from small private events to the big stage.
