Lorraine McTague -
The Owner of Lorraine-Michaels Dance Centre for over 20 years (1981)
United States Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (USISTD) certified as a teacher of American Smooth and American Rythm Dances.
London Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) certified for Ballroom Dancing.
Lorraine continues to study with international instructors. On a weekly basis, she takes 2 to 6 hours of advanced level classes from top instructors from Europe, Canada and New York. On a regular basis, she travels to New York City and Montreal to further her training.
She is currently preparing for her "Licenciate Ballroom", the next level of certification through the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD).
She has been teaching for over 20 years.
She teaches: Swing, Ballroom, Latin, Hustle, Tango, Weddings, Aerial lifts and tricks classes.
Cori Irwin -
Hip Hop Coordinator.
Cori teaches the most received Hip Hop classes in the area with her cutting edge moves.
Born and raised in Albany, she began dancing at age five. She studied tap, ballet, modern and even break dancing. In high school she she concentrated more on acting and music, she began flute and piano lessons, and eventually voice. Cori was also an active public speaker and acted in many school plays.
Once out of high school, she continued acting in some independent and feature films. She is also a member of Screen Actors Guild. It wasn't until 1998 when she was living in New York City the she rediscovered her passion for dance. She began studying Hip Hop dance at Manhattan Studio with a professional music video dancer. In 1999 she returned to Albany and continued Hip Hop dancing at Lorraine Michaels. She also picked up ballet again along with modern, African and Belly dancing. When she is not dancing, she attends Sage Evening College with an interior design major. She loves dancing and likes to perform Hip Hop dance whenever possible.
Tony DiSarro -
Kickboxing Coordinator.
Tony is a Black Belt in Kosho-Shori Ryu Kenpo and a certified Japanese Sword Fighting instructor. He has trained in the martial arts for over 15 years. He runs a great work-out that will help you get fit, toned, flexible, and feeling very confident!
Suzanne "Lilya" Rancourt -
Belly Dance Instructor
Suzanne is a certified fitness trainer with over 15 years experience. Her primary dance influence is that of internationally known dancer choreographer Richard Gonzalez teaching from the Jazz, Modern and African-Caribbean styles of Katherine Dunham and Syvilla. Suzanne has studied with the international dance troupe Cutumba! in Santiago, Cuba as well as with other renowned Afro--Caribbean and African dancers. Suzanne's Middle Eastern dance training is in both Cabaret and Folkloric gypsy styles as taught and performed by Elaina, Asamara, and Dallia Carella. Suzanne is "An artist of uncommon diversity" and is influenced by her Native American (Abenaki) heritage and philosophies.