Owner, Lance Sexton, grew up in the dance business with both parents professional dance teachers. He brings 25 years of top professional dance experience with him to Melbourne Ballroom.
Lance's background includes extensive training with World and U.S. champions. He is certified as a Master by the former National Director and World Top Instructor of Arthur Murray (see below). Lance competed professionally for 10 years and has won numerous championships and titles during his career. He is one of only a few professionals to win large competitions in all four styles of dancing including:
Mid-United States Open American Professional Rhythm Champion
Mid-United States Rising Star Professional International Latin Champion
Southern States Rising Star Professional Standard Champion
Illinois State Open American Professional Smooth Champion
He currently competes with his students in Pro/Am competitions.
His teacher awards include:
Florida State Top Teacher
Mid-United States Top Teacher
His students have won many championships and top exhibition awards.
Owners, Lance and Lara Sexton
Lance and Lara are registered as Professional Dance Teachers with the
National Dance Council of America (NDCA) and USA Dance, Inc.
Passing on our knowledge of dance is something we never tire of, whether it is to beginners taking their first steps or experienced competitive dancers.
Joe Green is our studio coach. Joe comes every 2-3 months to work with us and our students who wish to receive extra coaching. Joe has 40 years of experience and superior knowledge of ballroom dance theory and technique. He also provides fun and dynamic seminars and workshops during his visits.
He is currently:
Dual Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Ballroom Dance (I.S.T.D.) with honors.
US Championship Adjudicator
Member of National Dance Teachers Organization
His numerous achievements include:
World Top Instructor Arthur Murray
Certified Master Examiner
Dance Director of the Top School Mid United States Dance Championship -3 years undefeated
Grand National Champion
Mid United States Champion
Numerous Top Instructor awards
Qualified World Class Adjudicator for 25 years running
Member and Chairman of Two National Dance Boards
Chairman of I.S.T.D.
Joe Green
Lara Sexton is Co-owner and Manager. Once she discovered the thrill of ballroom dancing and how much fun it is to teach others, Lara set aside her nursing career as an R.N. so that she could also share her love of Ballroom Dancing through teaching. Lara unites her patience and teaching skills learned through many years in medicine with teaching dancing. Lara is certified as a Professional Dance Instructor by Dance Vision International Dance Association. She also serves on the board of directors for USA Dance, Spacecoast Chapter.
Barry Johnson
Barry Johnson, originally from Long Island, New York, started dancing at 7 years of age after watching the Fred Astaire movie "Top Hat". He danced tap, jazz, and ballet for the next 11 years. During that time, he and his family moved to the Kansas City area. Barry began ballroom in June of 1992 at Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Lenexa, Kansas. With them he completed training through his Silver level. He moved to TC Dance Studio in 1998 where he completed his Gold level dancing. He also became the studio's Dance Director and Assistant supervisor. Barry has now come to Melbourne to get away from the cold and icy winters of the Midwest and to add dancing competitively to his repetoire. He looks forward to new students and more excitement here at Melbourne Ballroom.
Lance and Lara Sexton, Owners
Ayonna Andrews
Barry Johnson
Joe Green, Studio Coach
Gary Weidenmoyer
Instructors:
830 N. Wickham Road
Melbourne, Florida 32935
USA
(321) 255-1537
"A day without dancing is a day lost!"
Ayonna Andrews started dancing at a young age, beginning with ballet and jazz. She continued gaining dance experience through activities such as gymnastics and cheerleading. During college she was a performer in modern and contemporary dance at Florida State University's School of Performing Arts. While finishing college she began working for the local Fred Astaire studio teaching ballet and hip hop. Soon after she began training and became a ballroom dance instructor specializing in rhythm styling and technique. Ayonna's aspirations include professional competition in the near future.
Ayonna Andrews
Gary Weidenmoyer
Gary Weidenmoyer has more than 30 years experience in performing, dancing and teaching all types of dance. He has been involved in Ballroom Dancing for 12 years and is enjoying sharing a wide body of knowledge with his students.
Giselle Cahill
Giselle Cahill has been involved with dance and music since she was a small child. In her teens she participated in several dance teams and studied music theory. She began studying ballroom dancing in college and liked it so much she decided to become a professional ballroom dance instructor.
