
Whether you're dancing for exercise or aspiring to dance professionally, our goal is to make your dance dream a reality! Everyone can dance, but to fully enjoy it and take it to a higher level requires time, dedication, practice and professional guidance. We are here to guide you along that path and to help you achieve your highest potential and form of expression.
125 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Ossining, NY 10562
(914) 432-8502
JOSIE LARICCIA - FLAMENCO & CLASSICAL SPANISH BALLET ('Escuela Bolera') -
Josie is Artistic Director and Founder (2004) of Josie's International School of Dance. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Boston University and an Avocational Degree in Archaology from Norwalk Community College. After college she pursued dance with Diane DuPre of NYC's Joffrey Ballet and became an instructor. She studied Spanish Dance in NYC with Mariquita Flores, Mariano & Mariana Parra and Jose Molina. She currently performs in the Westchester and New York area. She is well versed in many styles of dance, hosts presentations of Flamenco, Argentine Tango & Salsa for public schools and communities either privately or funded through BOCES/Arts Westchester (Artist Roster). She is certified in Pilates, teaches ballet and fitness at the Tarrytown's JCC, is licensed in Kindermusik which she teaches at The Hackley School in Tarrytown where she also runs and directs her summer Creative Arts Camp.

EDWARD QUIROS ("Eddie Q") - SALSA 'on 1 and 2' -
Eddie Q started dancing in 1995 at Sandra Cameron's Dance Studio in NYC and for six years taught all levels of Salsa on 1 and 2, as well as club cha-cha. Eddie brought incredible energy and insight to the dance and music. Eddie then taught for two years at Dance Mosaic (now IFA) in White Plains, Salsa International on 47th Street in NYC, Forest Park Center in Glendale, Queens, and the Student Center at SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn. Eddie is uniquely versed in all styles of Salsa. He brings to Westchester 12 years of his vast classroom experience and his willingness to pass on his mastery of timing and technique. Eddie is of Puerto Rican descent and speaks fluent Spanish. He is also an accomplished jazz guitarist, formed and directed the group Progression with the fusion of elements of be-bop, funk, Latin jazz and R&B. He is the publisher of Salsa and More magazine and has his own website @ www.findyourgroove.net.

NAHARA - BELLY DANCING -
Nahara has studied dance since childhood. Her Middle Eastern dance careers spans 14 years of training with notable instructors including Yousry Sharif (Egypt / NYC), Dr. Mohammed Geddawi (Egypt), Raqia Hassan (Egypt), Faten Salema (Egypt), Henet (Egypt), Aida Nour (Egypt), Mina Mazid (Morocco), Sahra Saeeda (Los Angeles) and Aisha Ali (Los Angeles). In 2001 she lived in Cairo for one month studying middle eastern dance as well as its roots and cultural basis, and gave eight performances on a Cairo five-star stage. Her repertoire of dances include Egyptian raqs sharqi (oriental), Egyptian raqs baladi (folkloric for weddings, haflas and restaurants), Tunisian raqs shaabi and Moroccan Shikhat for stage presentation. To read more about Nahara visit her personal website at www.naharadance.com.

CHRISTINA NEIL - BALLET (ADULT) -
Christina trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and modern dance in Jefferson City, Missouri. She received her BFA and MFA in Ballet at the University of Utah, with emphases in teaching, performing, character dance and scholarly research (biomechanics). During college she toured internationally with the Character Dance Ensemble and then moved to NYC to dance with Eidolon Ballet in Concert under the direction of Melanie Cortier. She currently teaches at Ballet Academy East and other NYC studios and is performing all over the New York area.

DEBORAH MURRAY - BALLET, PRE-BALLET & CREATIVE MOVEMENT -
Deborah trained in the Russian and French tradition with the Glens Falls Ballet, Briansky Saratoga Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Dennis Wayne Dancers, and the Gabrielle Darvash School. She performed professionally with New York City Ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Dennis Wayne Dancers, Bridgeport Ballet, Garden State Ballet and Dance Theatre of Westchester. She has an equally wide range of teaching experience. For 13 years she worked with Westchester Ballet Center in Yorktown. With a patience and caring for children, Deborah brings expert leadership and quality to the introductory ballet program.

LAXMI PARIDA & ROB CLARKE - ARGENTINE TANGO -
Laxmi was introduced to the fascinating world of Argentine Tango in the autumn of 1998 and fell in love with this sensuous, expressive dance and hasn't looked back since. She trained with Mariella Franganillo and other Tango. She has traveled to different corners of the world, Melbourne to Montreal, Shanghai to Mumbai, experiencing the richness of life through tango. She founded Westchester Tango (www.westchestertango.com). "Tango makes the head, the heart and the soul work in harmony" says Parida. Rob started studying in NYC in 1995. Before that he had played in swing bands for 20 years which gave him a keen sense of rhythm ... vital when dancing tango. In 1999 Rob cofounded Hudson Valley Tango, and in 2003 he cofounded Tango Place. Both of these groups continue to bring Tango to the Hudson Valley area. Rob now lives in Pittsburgh, but still takes part in Westchester Tango activities throughout the year.
