About Us

Dance is the expression of the soul through pure movements, lines of the body, and shapes used as a form of social expression and interaction. Dance embodies emotion and tells a story. It combines the technical exactness of the action and the sublimeness of the feeling that the form brings up within itself.

Partnership Dance is one of them. It is the art of connecting, feeling and experiencing non-verbal communication between two people as they move, interact, express themselves as one concept.

Daza Dance Ballroom Academy offers the universally accepted American Style (Smooth and Rhythm) and International Style (Standard and Latin) as well as many other popular dances such as Swing, Salsa, Argentine Tango and more. Each dance has its own value and characteristics. No one dance is better than the other; it all depends on personal goals and preferences. Daza Dance Ballroom Academy allows students to focus on their specific goals, but at the same time, accept their instructor’s advice when it comes to selecting the fastest and most efficient way to learn. Studying different dances and styles simultaneously accelerates the process and generates better dancers because they can be interrelated one with the other.

Teaching is imparting knowledge. It is about inspiring and opening minds to the process of learning in a manner that is relevant, meaningful, and memorable. It is about caring and conveying that care to the students. Teaching is about listening, questioning, being responsive and remembering that each student is different. It is about developing student’s talents and establishing teacher’s leadership through different forms of positive attention. Good teaching is as much about passion as it is about reason.

Daza Dance Teaching Technique utilizes the combination of three planned modes of instruction, which are Group Classes, Private Sessions and Dance Parties in addition to the already well-known criteria multi level achievement system (DVIDA). The combination of these techniques establishes skills and develops concepts, building one upon the other. It combines the benefits of various ways of teaching with the influence of the environment on the final result. Group Classes, Private Sessions and Dance Parties have been studied in detail in order to obtain a balance between quality, price, and enjoyment. The Dance Studio is a place that, at some point in the learning process becomes that ”Special Spot” between work and home; a place where everybody feels welcome and accumulates emotional ownership; combine to create an efficient and effective teaching system.

Daza Dance Ballroom Academy pledges to provide a very well planned and organized Group Class System in which every class is balanced with the same number of men and women in order to achieve better results. Group Classes are taught by one instructor and his/her assistant to be able to demonstrate dance steps. When the lead instructor needs to concentrate on a specific group of people in the class, the assistant will continue to work with the rest of the group. The results acquired from Group Classes are fundamental to the learning process. Group Class Programs run from four to eight weeks, and will be pre-planned and pre-registered before the class begins. When a student enrolls, he/she will be exposed to the same amount of information as the rest of the group. In addition, the fitness aspect of Dance is included as well by offering a variety of classes such as, Yoga, Pilates, Latin Workout, etc; that help to gain balance, flexibility, build stamina, and add more fun to the process.

Private Sessions are, in fact, an excellent way to learn how to dance, because they supply individualized information that is more related to each student’s needs. Instructors can expand knowledge in a personalized way to the students when they gain the opportunity to interact one on one privately with them. Private Lessons offer better results in a shorter amount of time than Group Classes. The instructor follows an individually designed goal oriented program in order to keep track of the progress.

The Dance Party is the practical application of skills achieved, but it can also be a reward for the hard work. It is the opportunity to meet people with the same goals and expectations. Teachers gather with the student body and perform their best for them. The Dance Party is the best time to practice and go through the routines in every dance.

Each way of learning describes and possesses its own characteristics and value. It is up to the student to decide what works for them based on their personalities and beliefs. Daza Dance Ballroom Academy strives for quality and satisfaction and its significance and mission is delivered to the student body through the teachers. They are important assets and the representation of the philosophy.

With any kind of dancing, there are stress-reduction and cardiovascular benefits, physical exercise, and even further benefits of feeling connected. Taking dance lessons is a very interesting and rewarding experience at many different levels. There are the obvious benefits to studying dance – it’s a great form of exercise, an enormous amount of fun, and it is a wonderful confidence-builder for anyone at any age. It is a creative and expressive outlet as well. It gives one a greater sense of poise and confidence in expressing themselves through movement. There is growing evidence that stimulating one’s mind can ward off Alzheimer disease and other dementia, as the physical exercise can keep the body fit.

By: Antonio Daza

Antonio Daza inherited the passion and talent for dance from his parents, who he says, “were the soul of celebrations” in the small Venezuelan town where he grew up. As a boy, he dreamed of one day dancing with other professionals, like the ones seen on television and in his hometown.

That dream never faded. He moved to Atlanta and began taking dance lessons at one of the nation’s top dance studios. The instructors immediately recognized his exceptional talent and asked Antonio to become an instructor. His new career as a professional and competitive dancer had begun. “I can teach anyone at any age to dance,” he says. “My students are very important to me. I give them all my heart and confidence, and I am committed 110 percent to their goals.” True to his word, Antonio has earned numerous awards as an instructor, including several for “top teacher” in local, regional, and national competitions.

Elizabeth discovered a latent passion for dance after a successful career in investment counseling. After only three months, she took part in her first dance competition with her Latin American instructor, Antonio Daza. As partners, Elizabeth and Antonio successfully danced their way through regional and national ballroom dance competitions in Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Memphis, New Orleans, Orlando and San Antonio.

Barbara always loved dancing throughout her life. 

Reality came into play approximately five (5) years ago after undergoing major surgery which changed her lifestyle dramatically.  Knowing that she had to change her lifelong habits with exercise - she was also introduced to Ballroom Dance through her daughter-- that's all she wrote!  Her mind, body and soul became totally consumed with her love for dance - and hasn't stopped yet.  She discovered after she started dancing that her late Grandfather from Spain was a Tango Dance Instructor.  (Her favorite dance - the Argentine Tango).. Barbara continues to dance socially as well as on a competitive level locally and throughout the United States.

Barbara's business career was in Management for many years as a Customer Service Manager, Recruiter and also Sales.  After her discovery into the Ballroom Dance World, her dream was to become involved in the dance community in some manner.  She is now the Studio General Manager with Daza Dance Ballroom Academy --  and her dreams and visions continue on. 

"Thank you Liz and Antonio for making my dreams come true!"

At the early age of ten, Melbin de la Cruz realized that dance would be more than just a hobby in his life. This newfound passion for dance inspired Melbin to enroll as a student of Ballet, Jazz and Tap dance at City Ballet in Calhoun, Georgia. The experience proved to be of great benefit during his five years of professional training.

“For me, dancing is a way to feel free and enjoy life. It’s a way of letting everything else go.”

Now a member of Daza Dance Academy, Melbin teaches Ballroom and Latin dance classes. His passion for dance and energetic personality brings a beautiful and peaceful aura to Daza.

“I love being an instructor at Daza! My coworkers are amazing and incredible people. It is such a fun and welcoming environment and the students are willing to do whatever it takes to learn to dance.”

Amber Reich began her love affair with dance at age 10. After joining one of North Carolina’s top dancing schools, she quickly realized that dancing was her life’s dream and nothing could stop her from reaching the top. Amber began teaching dance at age 16 and over the years competed, performed and traveled across the county living out her dream.

In 2007 she moved to Atlanta to teach at one of the dance schools and later joined the Daza Team.  “What I love most about Daza is the team they have put together. I have never been around a better work environment. I also appreciate the effort put forth by Antonio and Liz, as well as the rest of the management team, to help me achieve my dreams.”

Amber teaches Ballroom and Latin dance lessons at Daza with a specialty in wedding dance lessons. “It is exciting to watch a couple’s relationship grow as they learn to dance.”

Originally from New York City, Buddy has performed on Broadway in A Chorus Line, Can Can! and Barnum. Honey performed off Broadway and was with American Ballroom Theatre. Together they have danced, sung and acted on stages throughout the USA, in films & on TV. Most recently, they were Atlanta finalists in the hit TV show America’s Got Talent!

Honey Larsen and Buddy Stotts have won 1st place Professional Dance titles including:

• The US Open Swing Dance Championships
• Virginia State “Swing Fling” Championships
• Hustle USA Dance Championships
• American Swing Dance Championships

The duo met at Stepping Out Dance Studios where they taught & performed side by side with Nick Kosovich & Louie Van Amstel from Dancing with the Stars.  Their teaching highlights include the Lincoln Center Midsummer Nights’ Swing, Sony Records/Julio Inglesias’ Tango CD release, and teaching celebrities including Peter Jennings, Jeff Probst and Matthew Modine. They specialize in Argentine Tango, Hustle, West Coast Swing and International Standard.

Buddy and Honey are happy to bring their expertise and energetic personalities to Daza!

Martin Reinbold was born in Lithuania and started dancing at the age of 6 and Liene Reinbold was born in Latvia and started dancing at the age of 4. They both have been finalists on national and international championships and many ranking competitions. They have danced together as a team for more than 12 years. In 2005 they became Dance Sport Professionals, Adjudicators, Coaches and owners of the Dance Studio Duets in Riga, Latvia which has been awarded for its student’s achievements in National Competitions and Championships several times. Martin achieved  a Bachelor’s Cum Laude Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science, (Sports Teacher and Dance Coach Qualification); Master’s Degree with Honors in Sport Science and Qualification in Sports Psychology. Liene Reinbolde achieved a Bachelor’s Degree in Educology (Sports Teacher and Dance Coach Qualification); Master’s degree in Education Management

Some of Martin and Liene's achievements as professional dancers are:

• The 2009 Carolina Classic Professional RS Standard 1st place
• The 2007 WDC World Professional Standard Championship – 35th place
• The 2006 WDC European Professional Standard Championship – 18th place
• The 2006 International Championships Professional RS Standard – top 30
• The 2006 German Open Professional Rising Star Standard – 12th place
• The 2005 International Championships Professional Rising Star Standard - 15th place
• The 2004 Blackpool Dance Festival Amateur Standard – top 49
• The 2003 IDSF East European Amateur Standard Championship – 6th place

Robert is an award winning Instructor and Competitor who began his Ballroom career in 1990. And soon was discovered by a well renowned coach who convinced him to relocate to NYC to continue Working with some of Dancesports greatest talents like Louie van Amstell, Rhude Vermay, Tony Merideth, Vibeka Toft, Allan Tornsburg, and Shirley Ballas and many more.

Robert has also taught at some of Countries most premier Ballroom studios. He holds multiple degrees in Dance education and certifications from NDCA, ISTD, DCOA and UMASS. A well rounded and versatile dancer Trained In All Styles Including American Smooth / rhythm, International standard/ Latin competitive and social.

Always pushing for higher levels of education in dance to ensure he is providing the best and most current teaching and training techniques to date.

Competitive highlights

• 1998 East Coast Regional RS Latin Champion
• 1998 Ohio Star Ball Rising Star Rhythm Finalist
• 2000 Tri state challenge RS Latin finalist
• 2001 Emerald ball RS Latin finalist
• 2001 Manhattan Championships RS Latin Finalist
• 2002 San Francisco open Professional Latin finalist
• 2003 Open Professional show Dance champion California Open
• 2005 Japan Invitational RS Latin Semi finalist

Robert Has also choreographed and collaborated with many music and Film stars. Such as Vanessa Williams, Al Pachino, Enrique Iglesias, Carlos Santana, Deblah Morgan, Tito Puente, Richard Gear, and Jennifer Lopez as well as landing many roles in Commercials, TV, Film and Music Videos.

“In all my years of teaching and travels I have never seen such a warm and inviting studio” I am thrilled to be a part of the Daza studio family. The staff and Management are first class.  Robert Frank

AnneMarie has an extensive dance background spanning decades! She has trained with local and international instructors who are renowned champions in their fields.

With Ballet, Latin and Ballroom training, she is able to express graceful, feminine strength through the exotic movements of Bellydance. AnneMarie has been involved with teaching and performing Bellydance in the metro Atlanta area over the last seven years.

She is passionate about sharing the beauty of Modern Bellydance through interactive, gentle instruction using an exciting blend of upbeat, Middle-Eastern and Latin dance music.

Josh is a Professional Atlanta-based Ballroom and Latin dance instructor, national competitor, and performer. He provides coaching for competitive and social dancers, including singles and couples; he also performs and teaches at private events and parties. He has helped hundreds of people bring joy into their lives through dancing.

Teaching dance is Josh’s passion because it allows him to work with people and help them enrich their lives through dancing. He strives to be the best dancer and teacher he can be for every one of his students! Josh has been privately trained and mentored by numerous national and world champion Ballroom and Latin dancers.

Josh is a registered Professional member of the National Dance Council of America (NDCA), and holds a Highly Commended Associate degree in Modern Ballroom with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD).

Nyla Blacknell found dance when she was only seven years old. She attended a Performing Arts school where her talent was recognized by her Improvision Instructor and throughout the years, has studied modern, jazz, hip-hop ballet and ballroom.

During her formal ballroom training she was partnered with Antonio Daza and they instantly became close friends. It was an easy decision for Nyla to become part of the Daza family when Antonio decided to open his own studio.

Nyla’s infectious passion for dance, energetic personality and excellence in instruction is unmatched, and her students always want to learn more. “I try to connect with my students from the very first lesson. It’s important for each student to realize that all dancers have to start somewhere.”