Mr. Jean-Marc Casanave - Manager

          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, MC, 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 with 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!

Mrs. Pam Casanave - Manager

          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 she worked in (Memphis, Little Rock, Knoxville, Durham, and Greensboro).  Pam continues to teach, coach and perform. Pam 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. A.J. Molter - Dance Director

          A.J. was born in Virginia but spent most of his youth in Michigan and in the Chicago areas. 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. A.J. as received numerous teaching awards and has been ranked in the top 10 teachers for Fred Astaire Dance Studios. A.J. 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."

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, Richard earned the United States title and also was a World Finalist in Buenos Aries, 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."

Ms. Nicole Wesenberg

          Nicole joins us from the great state of Iowa. She began her dance training early in high school with competitive cheerleading. While at college, she began her ballroom dance career, studying under the United States Champion Ed Simon. She earned her degree in psychology but her heart belonged to ballroom dancing. Nicole moved here to Florida and is so happy she did. She feels she is one of the lucky few who get to enjoy a career she absolutely loves. "My students are a huge portion of what makes my job fulfilling.  As they improve, i am thrilled to see them grow. I enjoy watching others learn and never tire of growing in my own 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 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 is 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!"

Mr. Patrick Alonsagay

          Patrick originally hails from Manila, Philippines. Patrick came into this world dancing. His parents were successful tango dance champions. Patrick started his professional dance career at the age of 4 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 United states Finalist Kyndsey Rutherford and United States Champions Dan Rutherford and Nicole Carol. Patrick has 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!"

Ms. Ericka Briscoe

          Ericka was raised in Houston, TX and found her love of dance at the age of 7. She continued dancing various styles throughout high school and college. Working as a NASD registered representative at a local equities trading firm, Ms. Ericka missed the artistic expression of dance. She moved to Boca Raton and almost immediately found ballroom dancing. She began her training at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. At the very beginning of Ms. Ericka's professional dance career, she earned a Florida State regional competitive title. She has not looked back and enjoys teaching now more then ever. "I enjoy the Boca Raton studio so much. The studio is a second home to many of the students, and I love helping them experience the joy that ballroom dancing has brought to me."