DANCE . . . . . is a beautiful form of art to which each artist can feel and interpret the magic of the moment. I love to feel music and I am so grateful for all those who brought dance into my life, especially Paul and Elsie Miller. Some people say that I was born to dance, but I think I was born to share dancing with you.

Jim and I dance. We have been dancing together for over twenty years. I started dancing 30 years ago with such great inspirations from line dancer Rayma Garcia, choreographers Cam and Lori Wong, and dancers extraordinaire Carlos and Karen Canto. I went on to study ballroom, latin and swing dancing from ISTD professional Paul Miller and his wife, Elsie. I taught Ballroom and Swing dance classes at Columbia College with Paul Miller for five years, then another fifteen years with Jim. We continue to teach through the Community Education program at Columbia College, in addition to our private home studio.

We opened our own home studio, The Dance Castle, in September 2010 at the request of our students and friends. Our mission is to share our love, provide low-cost lessons and have a place to dance. The lesson donations are used to help finance the Dance Galas and overhead. Everything gets invested back into dancing. We do have a day job as Owners-Biologists for our company, Foothill Sierra Pest Control. Our evenings are filled with teaching and dancing in our community.

Love and Dance,

Ilene and Jim

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The Dance Pavilion

Our “outdoor dance studio and events area!”

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Check out all the photos on our facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Dance-Castle-Jim-Ilene-Tassano/103779559679869

My daughters manage my facebook page. I’m totally fb-phobic, so please continue to email me directly or through this website. Oh . . . I’m told to ask friends to “like” us on facebook . . . .

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Dance Classes: 2021

So awesome to get moving and shaking again!

Safety Format: Classes may be held indoors or outdoors at the instructor’s discretion. Every student will be responsible for their own comfort level, including optional mask wearing, distancing and staying with your same partner. Hand Sanitizer, bathrooms, and masks available. Please do not attend if you are ill or have a fever.

for more information, click on the tab under the header photo!

WELCOME MICHAEL MARANGIO!

I am so excited to present our newest dance instructor, Michael Marangio, specializing in all the 1920’s and 30’s Swing Classics, such as East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Shim Sham, St. Louis Shag, Balboa and Charleston!

Michael’s Classes will resume in 2022. Happy Holidays!

Inspiring videos for our next flash mob! (the second video takes great creative liberties with the basic steps (fun!):

Wednesday Classes with Kayla

Starting December 8, on-going:

6 p.m.: Beginning West Coast Swing

7 p.m.: Beginning Salsa

COST: $10/person/class

Registration may be done at first class

Thursday Classes with Kayla

December 9, 6 p.m.: Tango

December 9, 7 p.m.: Cha Cha

December 16, 6 p.m.: Country Western 2-Step

December 16, 7 p.m.: East Coast Swing

December 23, 6 p.m.: Tango

December 23, 7 p.m.: Cha Cha

December 30, 6 p.m.: Country Western 2-Step

December 30, 7 p.m.: East Coast Swing

January 6, 6 p.m.: Tango

January 6, 7 p.m.: Cha Cha

January 13, 6 p.m.: Country Western 2-Step

January 13, 7 p.m.: East Coast Swing

January 20, 6 p.m.: Tango

January 20, 7 p.m.: Cha Cha

January 27, 6 p.m.: Country Wester 2-Step

January 27, 7 p.m.: East Coast Swing

COST: $10 per person, per class

Folk Dancing will continue in 2022

Dates to be announced. Folk Dancing has been traditionally on the first, third and fifth Fridays with Carlos. We’re going to play it week-by-week, depending on Carlos’ availability. Dancers and non-dancers of all ages will have fun learning these beautiful international dances. No partner is needed. We are loving the music, the dancing, and the wonderful time together with other dancers. Join us! There is no charge to be with this fun group!

NEW YEAR’S DINNER & DANCE!

“Let’s Ring in 2022” at the Sonora Elk’s Lodge

Friday, December 31, 2021

5 p.m.: Doors open

6 p.m.: Dinner served (prime rib, salmon or vegetarian)

7 – 11 p.m.: Dance to the music of “The Rusty Rockers”

9 p.m.: Champagne Toast

Prizes and Cash Raffle

$55 per person (due December 27th)

Make checks payable to Sonora Elks Lodge #1587.

Mail check with all your guests and entree choices to 100 Elk Drive, Sonora, CA 95370

Any questions, contact Linda Maddox at 532-4638

Note: Tables hold 8. Please arrange who you want to sit with and make a note on your check with entree selection.

See you out dancing!

Big hugs from Jim & Ilene

just to share . . . .

2016 was a BLAST and full of dance!

Congratulations to the West Coast Swing Flash Mob group under the direction of Stephanie Merfeld and Jim Clapp:

We had an amazing time performing all over the county for the International West Coast Swing Flash Mob Day! Dancers: Jim Duffy with Ilene Tassano, Kyle McDonald with Colleen McHenry, Mark Wright with Lisa Reza, Quentin Jongejan with April Foster and Jim Tassano with Bonnie Brunk.

The Thriller/Zombie class entertained the living in October. Big thanks to Heather Nordstrom for the classes! (see photo below)

Dance Fitness Instructor, Susan Forbes, has been amazing at instrumenting our Witchy Dances in October. The “Dance Castle Witches” had their All Hallow’s Faire Debut on October 22nd as a pre-show for the Tinder Fire Dancers:

The Fire-Dancers were amazing:

I was honored to work with this talented group of young men and women:

Teresa’s Quinceanera, choreographed September, 2014:

The Dance Castle

Welcome to the Dance Castle, Ilene’s dance website!