LEARN TO DANCE

At You Can Dance Dallas, you'll find friendly instructors with many years of experience teaching students, from basic skills to competitive level artistry.  Whether you are a first time dancer, or preparing for a competition, we can help you reach your dance goals.

We invite you to "meet" our team of professional instructors. With an understanding of their dance background and specialties, you can confidently select a instructor that's best for you. Friendly and knowledgeable, each of our talented instructors is well-qualified to guide you along on your dance journey.

Drop-in classes are offered throughout the week. Classes are a fun and affordable way to learn in a friendly group setting. Check our schedule for dances, levels and times.  

Most of our instructors also offer private and semi-private lessons by appointment. Contact the studio for more information.

Studio Owner & Instructor

Lori started country dancing when the classic 1980s dance movie Urban Cowboy came out.  Around 1988, she crossed over into West Coast Swing, and won her first Newcomer & Novice division competitions at Dallas Dance in 1989.  Lori went on to win multiple city, state & regional champion titles. Her crowning achievements include placing 5th (in 1992) & 2nd (in 2009) at The Open Swing Dance Championships.

Lori also holds multiple Country Dance World Championship titles. She continues to compete, dancing pro am with her students and pro/pro with her partner.  She is a proud member of Dallas Dance Hall of Fame.

Before opening You Can Dance Dallas in 2015, Lori maintained a home studio for many years. She has also taught in many night clubs in the DFW area.  As a full-time Dance Instructor with over 30 years of teaching experience, Lori loves giving students of all levels and genres the gift of dance, providing a welcoming space for dancers of all levels to achieve their dance goals. 

Israel Peña is an International Latin Ballroom competitor and dance teacher. 

Originally from Detroit and raised in Texas, Israel discovered his passion for dance while teaching salsa at the University of North Texas. He has competed nationally and internationally, including at the prestigious Blackpool Dance Festival.

Israel has taught students across all ballroom styles. Israel has also led master classes at multiple universities and schools in the DFW area, and worked with Dancing Classrooms. His continued growth as a dancer and teacher is inspired by world-renowned coaches like Martin Lamb and Shirley Ballas. 

Israel has been teaching ballroom dancing at YCDD since 2017. Join one of his group classes in various styles of ballroom on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Private lessons are also available by appointment.

Lisa has been teaching in the dance industry for over 25 years. She has been  a head instructor, program curriculum developer and choreographer for NCA Danz, NCA collegiate program, and USA dance. She is a former captain of the NCA national  award winning Navarro college Showstoppers dance team,  former 5 year veteran of the Dallas Mavericks Dancers, she has danced professionally in numerous shows, and infomercials, including Mary Kay, Beauty Control, and Juice Plus.

Her love for dance branched out into ballroom about 13 years ago. She taught for the nationally renowned  program called Dancing Classrooms, which is featured in the films, “Mad Hot Ballroom” and “Take the Lead”.

She and her partner, Israel Peña developed and directed the ballroom dance program at Power House of Dance Dallas and Frisco for the past 9 years. Along with there program at the studio, they have taught numerous workshops, master classes, dance intensives, and given seminars to elementary, middle schools, high schools, and universities, including Booker T Washington HS, University of North Texas, TWU, and UTD.

She and Israel also compete professionally in the international Latin division and have competed all over the country and abroad. Their highlight to date was competing in London and at the Blackpool Dance Festival. She continues to train and study with award winning and world renown coaches, from all over the world, such as Shirley Ballas and Martin Lamb.

Liviu started his journey into the world of dancesport at the age of 5 in his home country of Romania. His career allowed him to travel, dance and teach in France, Italy, Denmark, South Korea and finally, USA. Liviu was a national champion in his home country and represented at the 2010 European Formation Championships. 

He brings his passion for ballroom dancing and experience of over 20 years of teaching to each lesson.

Jennifer started her career in performance dancing with ballet at the age of 5. Her dance took her into competitive ballroom dancing in the American style where she competed professionally with spectacular results. From Nashville to New York, Germany and Italy, her dancing career allowed her to dance with the best dancers in the dancesport world.

She brings her experience, grace and presence into each of her lessons.

As a dedicated dance instructor with 15 years of experience, Ernesto offers personalized lessons that cater to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced dancers. Ernesto is committed to creating a supportive and inspiring environment, where every student feels valued and encouraged to express themselves. With a diverse range of styles, including latin, american, international, and dance fitness dance styles, he tailors each session to meet your individual goals, ensuring a fun and engaging experience, to unlock your full potential on the dance floor!

Watching his mother perform and compete locally in LA as a child, ignited David’s passion for dance. He started out breakdancing on LA street corners at just five years old, often outshining seasoned performers. After college, he would upgrade from a part-time dancer to a full-fledged performer featured on popular Latin and American TV shows.

His journey eventually led him to Texas, where he observed the difference between the local dance scene and the vibrant atmosphere of LA. Determined to bring more styles of Latin dances to Texas, David embarked on a mission to introduce LA-style salsa to Texas. This endeavor not only earned him accolades as an award-winning dance instructor but also marked the beginning of his enduring legacy.

Natalja Sawal is an accomplished performer, musician, dancer and instructor with a growing recognition in the national ballroom world. Natalja has performed in showcase and competition dances throughout the USA and Europe, winning countless competitions in ballroom, salsa and country western dance. She also won “Best Teacher” award at the Southwestern Invitation Dance Competition, Dallas Dance Festival and numerous other competitions. Natalja is available for private lessons in all genres of ballroom, latin and country dances, and teaches select group classes prior to our Saturday social dances. 

Nasrin Barmaki and Mark Hernandez are highly skilled Argentine Tango dancers, choreographers, and educators based in Dallas, Texas. With over 17 years of teaching experience, they have earned a stellar reputation for their expertise and unwavering passion for this captivating art form.

They have garnered international recognition, leading to performances in numerous countries and cities worldwide, including Buenos Aires, Paris, Warsaw, Tokyo, Osaka, Dubai, Prague, and Barcelona, enchanting audiences with a captivating blend of love, romance, and elegance.

Nasrin and Mark’s professional experience extends beyond teaching and performing Tango. They have had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed musical institutions such as the Dallas Symphony, Chamber Music International, and the Fort Worth Symphony. Their talent has been showcased in various Tango shows, including the captivating productions of “Nostalgia,” “Pasion de Tango,” and “TangoAmor,” where their exceptional choreography brings these performances to life. 

Nasrin and Mark have shared their expertise in Argentine Tango at prestigious institutions such as UT Southwestern Medical University, The University of Texas at Dallas, and Southern Methodist University. Their dedication to teaching extends to nurturing the next generation of Tango enthusiasts and spreading their passion for this captivating dance form. You can find them teaching at YCDD on Sundays. Check the schedule for classes and times.

Josh has been dancing competitively for over 30 years and sharing his passion as a teaching professional for more than two decades. He trains both social and competitive dancers, helping each student achieve their personal goals on and off the dance floor.

Versatile in every style, Josh’s expertise spans Country Western, Swing, Hustle, Salsa, Theater Arts, and Ballroom. From his early days as a junior competitor to advancing to the Master’s level, he has traveled the world teaching, performing, and competing. Along the way, he has earned more than 150 Grand Champion titles, multiple Theater Arts awards, and most recently, the prestigious UCWDC Showcase Master’s World Champion title.

Josh’s students regularly earn top placements on the podium, a reflection of his dedication to coaching, choreography, and mentorship. He thrives on blending dance with travel, embracing new adventures, and creating lifelong memories with his students and dance family. Whether choreographing line dance, couples routines, Pro-Am, or showcase performances, Josh brings music to life with artistry, creativity, and heart. To book a lesson, you can contact Josh directly at: 713-203-6935.