Fred Astaire West Palm Beach

Doreen Scheinpflug - Studio Owner/Manager and Professional Dance Instructor

Where are you from?
Dresden, Germany

When did you start dancing and why?
I started dancing when I was 6 years old and it has been my main focus and hobby ever since. I competed in the 10-Dance International style overseas and also currently represent the United States in the American Smooth Open. I started joining Fred Astaire Dance Studios October 2006 and taught first in CT, before I had the opportunity to open the West Palm Beach location in May 2008.

Favorite dances: Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba
Professional Awards: Ohio Star Ball Rising Star Semifinalist 2009, FADS Regional Champion and FADS National Finalist, Astaire Vice-World Champion in San Juan, PR 2010

What are you most passionate about?
Dancing and working with people What do you enjoy about dancing/teaching? Training students and professionals and I enjoy to see other people succeed and achieve their goals in dancing. Put a smile on your face

Andreas Luetzner - Studio Owner/Dance Director and Professional Dance Instructor.

Just recently placed 2nd at the Fred Astaire World Championship in International Standard and Rising Stars American Smooth.

Professional Awards: Fred Astaire US National Finalist, South Florida and New England Regional Champion in American as well as International Style.

"Music and Rhythm is the greatest invention for me. That's why I`m a fascinated Ballroom Dancer." Andreas got trained and taught in Germany and joined the Fred Astaire Dance Studios three years ago.

Jacqueline Rodriguez - Professional Dance Instructor

Where are you from?
Brooklyn, NY, raised in Argentina and Costa Rica.

When did you start dancing and why?
I started at the age of 5 in Argentina dancing Flamenco, Ballet and Latin dances. I moved to Costa Rica at the age of 7 and joined a dance school for kids. My parents decided to move to Florida and there I knew that my passion for dancing was growing even bigger. I started dancing at Fred Astaire Dance Studios and got the opportunity to start teaching and competing at the FADS West Palm Beach.

Favorite dances: Rhythm dances
Professional Awards: FADS Regional Novice, Mixed-Novice and Rhythm Champion FADS National Novice Finalist and Rhythm Semifinalist

What are you most passionate about?
Dance What do you enjoy about dancing/teaching? I love to express myself with every beat of the music, it just makes me feel alive.

Paula Principe

Where are you from?
I’m of Italian descent, born in Queens, NY but raised at the Jersey Shore. I moved to Florida in the Fall of 2010 to live in paradise and be part of the greatest team ever at Fred Astaire West Palm Beach.

When did you start dancing and why?
I’ve been in love with dance since I was a little girl. I used to record music videos to learn their choreography. I fell in love with the world of dance when I saw the movie “Havanna Nights”.

Favorite dances: rumba, tango, salsa, merengue, bachata
Professional Awards: National Mixed-Novice Champion, Regional Mixed-Novice Champion, Regional Novice Champion, National Novice Finalist

What are you most passionate about?
Other than dancing, I am passionate about art and fashion.

What do you enjoy about dancing/teaching?
I never had a job that I enjoyed so much. Nothing makes me happier than getting to dance all day as well as share my passion with the students. I love to put a smile on their faces and it makes me feel great knowing I am a part of a fun and relaxing part of their day.

Lukas Klotzsche

Where are you from?
Dresden, Germany

When did you start dancing and why?
I started dancing when I was 6 years old and it has been my main focus and hobby ever since. I competed in the 10-Dance International style overseas and also currently competing in the American Style Closed Smooth. I joined the Fred Astaire Dance Studios in July 2009 and taught first in CT and in July 2011 I joined the West Palm Beach location.

Favorite dances: Waltz, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Rumba.
Professional Awards: Placed 2nd at the New England Regional Champion in American Style.

What are you most passionate about?
Dancing and working with people What do you enjoy about dancing/teaching? Love to perform in front of other people and to share my knowledge with other people to make them succeed!

Clifton Sepulveda

Where are you from?
Nashville, TN

When did you start dancing and why?
I wish I could say I’ve been dancing all my life, but that wouldn’t be true. I didn’t really dance until my early 20’s. My father is Puerto Rican, he showed my brother and I some basic moves in Salsa so we could dance a little bit on our family trips to PR. Sports consumed much of my childhood, which I believe have helped me to become the dancer I am today. One day I got invited to a dance studio to see if I would be interested and almost 10 years later I’m still here and loving it!

Favorite dances: Bolero, Tango, Foxtrot, Cha Cha.
Professional Awards: National Mixed-Novice Champion, Regional Mixed-Novice Champion.

What are you most passionate about?
Enriching the lives of others.

What do you enjoy about dancing/teaching?
I enjoy the physicality and emotion involved with dancing. The movements and the music together just make life richer. Getting to share this richness through teaching is a great reward.

Elvis Mejia

Where are you from?
La Romana, Dominican Republic.

When did you start dancing and why?
My first memory of dancing is when I was five years old at a birthday party, in my home town. Dancing is a huge compenent of our culture and we nearly start at birth. When I moved to Philadelphia, I was introduced to ballroom and since then I have transferred the dancing from my country into a unique ballroom style, which is prominent in my latin dances.I have performed at various ballroom competitions in Philadelphia and New Jersey area.

Favorite dances: salsa, bachata, west coast swing, and tango.
Professional Awards: Regional Novice Champion, National Novice Finalist, National Mixed-Novice Semi-Finalist.

In addition to dancing, I enjoy traveling, fishing, and painting. I enjoy dancing because of the feeling,sensations and energy that is generated on the dance floor. Teaching is self-rewarding because I can see the growth of my students from beginning to end. Teaching never ceases to surprise me, everday is different, new dances, new steps, new challenges, and new successes. I look forward to helping my students and building confidence that lasts a lifetime.

Michelle Lardiere
Office Manager and the voice on the phone :-)