Louis van Amstel
Artistic Director
Louis van Amstel is a Dutch-American ballroom dance champion, choreographer, and is the official Dance Ambassador for the Special Olympics. Van Amstel gained international fame as a professional dancer on the U.S. reality show Dancing with the Stars, where he partnered with notable celebrities for 11 seasons.
Louis is, not only a former Dutch Latin champion, but also a 10-dance champion, winner of three world Latin dance championships, and United States National Champion.
He is popularly known for his choreography on TV shows and dance productions. Van Amstel founded the dance fitness program, LaBlast Fitness, and continues to influence the dance community by developing and coaching aspiring young couples in the world of Dancesport.
Rebecca Sweet
Managing Director
Rebecca Sweet is an American professional ballroom dancer and dance industry executive. As a professional Latin-American dancer, she competed internationally, placing in the finals of Rising Star events and Open International finals in the U.S., Canada, Italy, and Greece.
She is a frequent guest artist at community-driven events for foundations, nonprofits, and corporations such as the Playhouse Square Foundation, the Cleveland Museum of Art, University Hospitals, and Nestlé. She runs the innovative partner dance studio, Viva Dance, in Cleveland, Ohio, filling the need for accessible and affordable dance instruction. Sweet consults young entrepreneurs in the Arts around the country and abroad.
Kathy Pierce
Business Development Director
Kathy Pierce, former President and CEO of the multi-million-dollar contracting firm, Designer Walls, Inc. that specialized in turnkey hotel renovations and interior construction services. DW, Inc. grew under her leadership and her innovative labor sequencing system, facilitating nationwide projects with Marriott, Hilton, and InterContinental Hotels, and educational institutions throughout Ohio. Recognized for her passion and expertise in business, Kathy and her team have received numerous awards, including The Ohio Governor’s Award for Women’s Excellence in Enterprise in the Construction Category. Kathy is dedicated to humanitarian work, spearheading an annual Adopt-A-Family campaign supporting refugee and low-income children in Northeast Ohio. She is also an active leader and volunteer with organizations such as Youth Opportunities Unlimited and US Together, while serving as a consultant and advisor to small businesses and community initiatives.
DIRECTION
Teaching Artists
Rosa Cruz
Teaching Artist
Rosa Cruz is a dance instructor and cultural ambassador. Born in Puerto Rico, Rosa's passion for dance was ignited at a young age, surrounded by the rhythmic beats and vibrant culture of her homeland. Her early studies in dance were deeply rooted in the traditional and contemporary styles of Puerto Rico, providing her with a rich foundation in movement and expression.
In 2004, Rosa joined the Cleveland City Breakers where she began her b-girl journey. As a breakdancer, she battled and performed across the United States, Puerto Rico and Europe. Rosa pursued her formal education in dance at Cleveland State University, where she expanded her repertoire to include a variety of dance forms and disciplines.
From 2006 to 2012, Rosa danced professionally with the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team. She also performed for different artists in Puerto Rico and in Cleveland including Tony Tun Tun and Victor Manuel. These experiences allowed her to perform at a high-profile level, showcasing her talent to large audiences and further developing her performance skills.
Following her successful career with the Cavaliers, Rosa founded the Latin Dance Studio, a vibrant and inclusive space dedicated to teaching Latin and Urban dances. Under her guidance, children aged 3 to 17 are introduced to the world of dance in a nurturing and inspiring environment.
In addition to her work at the Latin Dance Studio, Rosa Cruz is also a dedicated educator at Lincoln West High School, where she teaches world languages to students from ninth through twelfth grade. Her dual roles as a dance instructor and language teacher underscore her commitment to cultural exchange and education, allowing her to weave the threads of dance and language into a cohesive teaching philosophy.
Kenielys Lugo Ruiz
Teaching Artist
Kayla Jenkins
Teaching Artist
Kayla Jenkins, a Cleveland native, has been immersed in dance since the age of five. She began her journey in praise dance with a local group, The Ruth Girls, where her love for movement first took root. That passion soon expanded, leading her to audition for and be accepted into the Cleveland School of the Arts. During her time there, Kayla trained extensively in ballet, modern, tap, contemporary, jazz, African, and hip hop, experiences that shaped her into a versatile and expressive artist.
Throughout high school, Kayla performed widely, joining summer intensives, dance companies, and performance teams. She had the opportunity to appear at the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) conference and perform at venues both within Ohio and beyond. Her training and natural artistry fuel her dynamic stage presence, where every rhythm brings her performance to life.
Kayla’s professional path has continued to grow with her passion. She began teaching at 18, became a competitive dance coach by 20, and at 23 discovered a new chapter in ballroom dance. Today, she teaches ballroom as well as other styles, sharing her love of movement with students of all ages.
For Kayla, dance has always been more than performance, it is a lifelong passion and a way to bring people together. Teaching allows her to pass on that joy, inspiring her students while uniting communities through the art of dance.