This is TEAM BOCA!
Here is an introduction to our amazing team at the
Boca Raton Fred Astaire Dance Studio. We hope you enjoy
learning how incredible our group of instructors are!
| Mr. Jean-Marc Casanave - Owner Jean-Marc was born into the dance industry, as his grandfather was the original business partner with Mr. Fred Astaire himself. His dance career has taken him through many different aspects of this amazing industry. He started out as a dance instructor in Birmingham, AL. From there, Jean-Marc has been a supervisor, award winning manager, studio owner, national competition coordinator, emcee, and now calls Boca Raton home once again as a studio owner. His studios have always been ranked as some of the top dance studios in the United States. Jean-Marc breathes the dance industry. He still teaches, coaches and participates in many national dance competitions around the United States. Jean-Marc loves that dancing is a true sport and an art! He wants everyone to experience the joy that dancing can bring to their life! | |
| Mr. A.J. Molter Dance Director - Manager - IT Director A.J. was born in Virginia but spent most of his youth in Michigan and in the Chicago area. His dance background includes Ballet, Jazz and Modern. He joined the ballroom world and the Fred Astaire Dance Studios family at the Pensacola Studio over 10 years ago. He is honored to have been able to study under many great coaches including Marylynn Benitez (United States Champion, World Finalist) Bruno Collins & Luann Pulliam (US Champions and World Champions). A.J. moved to Boca Raton in 2003 and loves it. He has received numerous teaching awards and has been ranked among the top 10 teachers for Fred Astaire Dance Studios. He has been a regional finalist many times and is also a Fred Astaire National Champion. Over the years, A.J. has been a Freddy Award recipient many times, one of the highest honors in the Fred Astaire system. "I love showing people how wonderful dancing is and what a difference it can make in their lives." | |
| Mrs. Pam Casanave - Owner Pam is one of the dynamo female dance instructors in the dance industry. Her dance backgrounds began with Ballet as a young child, and then dance team in high school and college. She started with the Fred Astaire organization in 1984 and knew she found her dance home! As a dance instructor, she was a top female instructor and top female professional dancer with Wes Crocker and Don Kelley. Pam began managing dance studios in 1989 and every year following was a top manager in all the dance schools in which she worked (Memphis, Little Rock, Knoxville, Durham, and Greensboro). Pam continues to teach, coach and perform. She wants all of her students to enjoy the passion and excitement she feels when dancing! “I enjoy dancing and putting on a pretty dress and having people watch me and clap - and the occasional 'standing O' isn't bad either.” | |
| Mr. Richard Councel Richard was born in Fort Lauderdale and has the claim of being an original Floridian. He was introduced to the Boca Raton studio as a student. Immediately he was approached to begin teaching. Richard achieved success in the American Smooth and International Standard categories at the regional and national levels. He then turned his attention to Argentine Tango style competition. Very quickly he earned the United States title and was also a World Finalist in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Richard now travels around the world coaching and teaching Argentine Tango. "I enjoy teaching because it opens a world that I love to others. They can experience new creative outlets and expressions. The greatest reward is seeing the success of someone who really wants it." | |
| Mr. Patrick Alonsagay Patrick originally hails from Manila, Philippines. He came into this world dancing. His parents were successful tango dance champions. Patrick started his professional dance career at the age of four on a national T.V. program. He started his American dance training in 1999 at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Indianapolis, IN under the direction of the United States finalist Kyndsey Rutherford and United States Champions Dan Rutherford and Nicole Carol. Patrick has a background in Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop as well. "I like to be with people who have the same passion as mine, DANCE. I want to pass on the same great joy of dancing!" | |
| Mr. Greg Kranz Greg, actually Grigoli, was taken to his first dance studio in Georgia (formerly U.S.S.R.) at the age of 7. He danced in Georgia until the age of 12 when he then moved to Russia to further his dance training. Greg achieved high success in International Standard and Latin. He then took his passion of dance to Germany. where he earned the classification of Vice-National Master in 10 Dance Category. He has also won many championships, as well as being named to Team Germany. Greg also brings with him a high standard of Salsa and Argentine Tango. He is excited to be in the United States in order to pass along his great knowledge of dancing. "I am honored to have the opportunity to work at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Boca Raton, with all its talented instructors and students, and to pass on all that I have learned!" | |





















