Instructors

Josie LaRiccia is Artistic Director and Founder (2004) of Josie's International School of Dance. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Boston University, an Avocational Degree in Archaeology from Norwalk Community College and a Certification in Historic Preservation from SUNY Westchester Community College. She studied Ballet with Diane DuPre of NYC's Joffrey Ballet and worked as an assistant Ballet instructor. Leaning towards character dance she studied Flamenco in NYC with Mariquita Flores, Mariano & Mariana Parra and Jose Molina, and Escuela Bolera (Classical Spanish Dance) with Daniel DeCordoba, Mariano Parra & Jerane Michel.  She is well versed in many styles of dance, hosting presentations of Flamenco, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Middle Eastern Belly Dance and currently performs in the Westchester and New York area.  She also holds certifications in Pilates and Kindermusik and was an adjunct dance teacher at SUNY Purchase College in Rye, New York.

Edward Quiros ("Eddie Q") started dancing in 1995 at Sandra Cameron's Dance Studio in NYC and became an instructor in 1997.  For six years, he taught all levels of Salsa on 1 and 2 and club cha-cha.  Eddie brought incredible energy and insight to Salsa and it's music. Since 2003 he taught at Dance Mosaic (a/k/a IFA) in White Plains, Salsa International (47th Street in NYC), Forest Park Center in Glendale, Queens, the Student  Center at SUNY Downstate (Brooklyn), YWCA White Plains, Rhythm & Soul Dance Studio (Levittown), Island RAQs Dance Studio and Studio E Dance School.  Eddie is uniquely versed in all styles of Salsa.  He brings to his students at Josie's International School of Dance over 17 years of vast classroom experience.  His eagerness to pass on his mastery of timing and technique is matched by his passion for the dance. 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, and he is the publisher of Salsa and More magazine.

Maria Lavandier is a native of the Dominican Republic.  Since she was a young girl, dancing has always been her passion.  Her dance experience ranges from teaching the basics of Bachata,  Cumbia and Merengue to choreographing routines for partner, solo line dances and exercise workouts.   She has performed and won awards for Merengue and Bachata in the Dominican Republic and at various latin dance club competitions in the New York tri-state area.  Maria also has an extensive background in Middle Eastern dance.  Maria brings great joy and energy to her classes, instilling self-confidence and a positive attitude.

Laxmi Parida 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 traveled to different corners of the world, Melbourne to Montreal, Shanghai to Mumbai, experiencing the richness of life through tango.  The founder of Westchester Tango states that "Tango makes the head, the heart and the soul work in harmony.”

Ramzi El-Edlibi (Guest Artist) is a dancer as well as a drummer!   He studied Middle Eastern Dance with Caracalla, Flamenco with Jose Granero, Classical Ballet with Dukodovsky, Jazz with Luigi, Ballroom with Pierre de Leine, and Tango with Carlos Gavito!   He currently directs and runs his  “Dances Around The World” program offering assemblies and workshops to the community, especially young audiences in school assemblies.  His program teaches the public how dance plays a vital role in our lives, while he takes you on a profound journey to exotic places around the world!

Bina Bora has been dancing and performing since the age of 5.  She trained at the Westchester Dance Academy for over 13 years and studied Middle Eastern Dance in New York City with many prominent teachers including Nourhan Sharif, Anahid Sofian, Dalia Carella and Azmara.  She also studied theatre with Howard Meyers Acting School and appeared in various theatrical productions including Requim in the Meantime, Money Talks and Adams Exit.  Bina has performed Middle Eastern Dance for many celebrities including Beyonce and John Leguizamo.  She is of Indian descent and has studied and performs classical dances of India.  Bina has also choreographed for stage and film productions including My Angel Angelica, Sang Harsh and Mad as the Mist and Snow.  She has been featured on local and national television on Good Day New York, Something To Talk About, The Morning Show and The Late Show with David Letterman.