10/02/2026
Introducing another coach duo!!
Gidget Manucci Ashley and Bonnie Prater - Coaching Ashley and Kyle Humphrys
Gidget Manucci Ashley & Bonnie Prater both team up to collaborate as coaches for Ashley and Kyle Humphrys.
When Gidget is not outdoors on an excursion or singing in a foreign language, you can find her definitely dancing with JOY. She has explored many forms of artistic expression from Flamenco to African dance. And currently she is embracing Pole Flow, Tap, Silks, Jazz, and Lyra.
Bonnie has been a significant contributor to Gidget’s journey into the ballroom world. She has been to many showcases, in the country; and even convinced her significant other to join her, on a ballroom cruise.
This is not Gidget’s first time sharing a partnership for DWTCS. She joined former ballroom dancers, Akia Wood & Wendy Weimer, as they supported Tracy and Doug Chadwick. A talented and successful couple, in 2018 with a ‘feel good’, yet challenging East Coast Swing.
In 2019, Gidget had the opportunity of coaching Minda Stiles and Itchung Cheung, in a sizzling and groovy West Coast Swing. Their chemistry on stage was undeniable.
Gidget is honored to be able to participate for the third time. This experience is a heartfelt event, in Newport, Oregon. She is grateful to be back, after all these years.
In the words of Sara Cunningham…”Volunteering may feel like one small act, but to the person who feels seen and supported, it can make all the difference.”
Bonnie Prater has been a Ballroom/Swing/Latin dance enthusiast for most of her life and a dance teacher for the last 30+ years in Newport. She enjoys seeing people swear they have two left feet become confident social dancers. She recently retired from teaching at the Senior Center, but continues to teach the dance lesson before the monthly Lincoln Pops dance and will be teaching some evening
classes this winter. Bonnie has coached two prior DWTCS teams prior to COVID and is excited to have teamed up with Gidget Manucci Ashley to coach the Humphries this year, a great couple with a lot of patience, persistence and talent.
