Instructors

Instructors (Staff/Teachers):

-Jim Lowell
-Patricia Laakso
-LaDonna Campbell
-John Roath-Algera
-Darlene Siciliano
-Terry Taylor
-Mike Kinnan
-Iris Reinhold
-Steve Bremer
-Richard Council

Jim Lowell
Jim has made ballroom dancing his lifetime career. Jim is fully qualified to teach all levels of American, Latin and International dancing styles through Gold Star level. He is a member of the Imperial Society for teachers of Dancing of London, he is also a former master judge and certified examiner. Jim founded the Downtown Dance Studio in 1990.

Jim says: " I believe that dancing in the absolute best hobby a couple can share... no tennis net or card table... nothing, just the two of you in each others arms. Beat that with red and blue tees."

Patricia Laakso

Patricia has over 30 years experience as a professional ballroom teacher, competitor, and choreographer. Pat teaches all levels of international and American style dances, plus specialty dances; Salsa, Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, and Two Step. Pat is a member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing of London and has been teaching at the Downtown Dance Studio for 20 years. Pat is also known for her formation teams that have performed throughout Central Florida.

Pat says: "There is no greater satisfaction for a dance teacher then looking out over a room full of people dancing well and having the time of their lives, and knowing that you gave them the intoxicating gift to dance."

LaDonna Campbell

LaDonna is an instructor, coach, competitor and performer. Ladonna has been teaching professionally at Downtown Dance Studio since 2002, teaching all levels of dance from beginner to competitor. She specializes in all forms and levels of ballroom and social dancing, including Salsa West Coast Swing, Two-Step, and Hustle. LaDonna earned her professional teacher's certification through Dance Vision International Dance Association or DVIDA in both Rhythm and Smooth and received High Honors on both examinations. Her mission is to create a fun and non-competitive environment where students feel comfortable enough to try new things.

Quote: " Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein

John Roath-Algera
John started dancing 13 years ago on a "mystery date" with his wife Kathleen. After taking lessons and performing for about 9 years, John expressed a desire to teach ballroom dancing. John studied under Pat Laakso and Jim Lowell using DVIDA American Style Syllabus to become a dance instructor. He has been teaching at Downtown Dance Studio for 6 years now. Additionally, John developed a passionate desire for Argentine Tango. He started studying under Pat and for the last 5 years has studied extensively under the tetulege of Colette Hebert and Richard Council. John offers instructions in Argentine and American Social dancing.

Quote: " We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once."

Darlene Siciliano

Darlene has been a ballroom dancer and performer for 18 years and has studied International and American style dances, and Country Western. She completed teaching training the DVIDA American Style Syllabus. A retired college professor of education, Darlene now offers instructions in all the ballroom dances as well as Salsa and Country Western. Areas of particular interest include working with the youth, wedding parties, and choreographing routines for performances. She also worked with the Brevard County School System offering ballroom dancing for 4th and 5th graders.

Quote: " Dance to the rhythm of your heart."

Terry Taylor
Terry Taylor has been dancing for 17 years and has competed as an amateur in many ballroom and UCWDC events. Terry has been married for 14 years to her dance partner, Bruce Taylor, and they have two daughters who share their love for dance. Terry completed her teacher training in the DVIDA American Smooth and Rhythm certification program and begun her career as a professional dance teacher. Terry is an enthusiastic and caring instructor and all her students love their lessons with her. Terry teaches exciting group classes and is available for private lessons in social dancing and Country Two-Step.

Mike Kinnan

Mike has been dancing for 9 years, studying under Pat Laakso and Jim Lowell. He has completed his teacher training in the DVIDA American Smooth and Rhythm program and has been teaching private and group classes for two years.  Mike has participated in numerous Downtown Dance Studio routines presented throughout Florida. Mike is a member of the USA Dance Association and is a Dance Host on USA Dance Cruises.

Iris Reinhold

Iris Reinhold has been dancing and sharing her joy of dance with the world for the past 25 years. Iris holds a Junior Associate of Dance Degree in American Style Ballroom Smooth & Rhythm. She is certified as a dance instructor by DVIDA (examiner Diane Jarmolow). While living in Germany, she studied International Ballroom Dancing (both Standard and Latin). She also has experience in many other different styles of dancing, including Argentine Tango, Salsa, Lindy Hop, Country Western, Line, Contra, Folk, Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap. She cares very much about her students’ development on their individual dance journeys and strives to learn and grow on her own path of dancing.

"When the music speaks to you and makes you dance, that is all that matters, regardless what type of dancing you choose. While dancing with a partner, you can even share this feeling as a couple, which doubles the joy and offers you a very special way of connecting with people on a social or relationship level." - Iris Reinhold

Steve Bremer

Steve Bremer is a 32 year resident of Titusville, Florida, having spent much of that time working in the space industry. Steve and his wife, Kathy, have been dancing for 15 years and enjoying it more every year. Steve trained with Jim Lowell and is an advanced dancer in all the ballroom dances. In 2008 Steve decided to take the DIVIDA training course with Pat Laakso to become a dance instructor. Steve was certified by DIVIDA “with honors” in November 2010. Steve teaches all the ballroom dances plus Argentine Tango and Salsa. Steve loves dancing, but he loves teaching even more.



Richard Council

Richard Council began dancing tango with Colette Hebert in 2001 and has since taught and performed on stage and television throughout the United States and abroad.  In 2003 they won the US IDO Argentine Tango Championships. In 2005 they were finalists in the Tango Salon category and semi-finalists in the Stage Performance category of the World Championships held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. While in Buenos Aires they performed on the televsion show "Susana Jimenez".  In 2006 they performed in Tokyo, Japan at the Tango Libertad festival.  He has been an invited instructor at the Portland Tango festivals a number of times and performed with Hebert in the short film "The Heart of Tango". He has also had the pleasure to share the stage with members of Tango X 2, Forever Tango, Tango Fire, Tango Argentino and more.

Richard now tours and gives workshops in many cities around the country.  He is appreciated for his elegant style of tango and the clear and precise methodology of his teaching. Richard continues to sharpen his skills as a dancer and teacher so that he might educate and enrich others in the art of Argentine Tango.