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

Dance Classes:

Dancing is good for the body and mind. Ballroom dancing is one of the best ways to prevent dementia – a scientific fact! Being social increases longevity. And, it’s just plain fun, fun, fun.

Here’s the daily class line-up outline:

See more details under “classes” tab, above.

Mondays, 7-9: International Folk Dancing with Carlos at The Dance Castle, on-going. Free class

7 – 8 p.m.: Beginning Folk Dancing

8-9 p.m.: Intermediate Folk Dancing

Dance experience is not necessary. All ages and levels are welcome! The dances are so much fun and the group loves newbies! For questions, call Carlos at (209) 743-1109.

Tuesdays: Salsa at REVIVE COFFEE with Erika & Tom, on-going

Note: No classes from October 13 – November 17, 2026

6:15: Beginning Salsa

7:15: Intermediate Beginner

8 – 9 p.m.: Salsa Dance Party

more details, below

Wednesdays:

6 Wednesdays, September 9 – October 14, 2026 at The Dance Castle with Ilene

6 – 7 p.m.: Introductory Ballroom. Great for first time dancers and anyone needing to brush-up on the basics! Learn Waltz, Foxtrot and Rumba in six weeks! https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/claimjumpers/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50LzQxND9zaW5nbGU9MQ%3D%3D

7 – 8 p.m.: Beginning East Coast Swing. This is the most popular and useful dance in the area. It’s fun and easy. Dance at the concerts to easy rock, country and big band music! https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/claimjumpers/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50LzQxMz9zaW5nbGU9MQ%3D%3D

These classes are sponsored by Columbia College Community Education. No partner needed. If the above links do not work, go to the Community Ed website and scroll down to the class listing: https://gocolumbia.edu/communityeducation/commed_registration.html

NEW CLASS STARTING OCTOBER 28th!

I’m excited to announce that on October 28th we’ll be starting a West Coast Swing class on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM with instructor Kayla Northington!

Kayla has been a professional dance instructor for 17 years, including 10 years with Arthur Murray and the past 7 years teaching independently. She is looking forward to bringing West Coast Swing to our local dance community and creating a fun, welcoming class where everyone can learn, improve, and most importantly, dance!

Whether you’re new to West Coast Swing or already have some experience, Kayla would love to have you join us.

8 Wednesdays at 6:30 PM

October 28th – December 16th, 2026

$10/person/class

Hope to see you on the dance floor!

Contact Kayla for registration or questions at k.d.northington986@gmail.com

note from Ilene: Kayla taught at The Dance Castle several years ago. I’m so excited that she will be back for this class. Kayla is an amazing instructor and her classes are a blast. Take advantage of this opportunity while Kayla is available!

Thursdays:

tba

For MORE Salsa with Erika & Tom . . .

Salsa Tuesdays at Revive in Downtown Sonora.

6:15 p.m.: Beginning – For people who are new at salsa dancing and are still learning the basic steps. 7:15 p.m.: Intermediate Beginner – For people who know the basic by heart, know the basic patterns and have been doing salsa for a while. (not for brand new beginners)

8 – 9 p.m.: Salsa Dance Party! Stay, dance and socialize!

Revive is located at 81 S. Washington Street, downtown Sonora

NOTE: There will NOT be a barista, please bring water!! Also, bring shoes you can turn in . . . NOT TENNIS SHOES

For questions, please contact Erika and Tom at sonorasalsaclub@gmail.com

Dance Opportunities!

Time to have fun!!!

Kyle is at Yianni’s every first Saturday of the month, EXCEPT in October . . .

Friday, October 2, from 6-8 p.m.: Kyle Dooley at Yianni’s, downtown Sonora. Great music, amazing food and a sweet place to listen to Kyle’s great tunes and squeeze in a little dance.

The Dance Pavilion: Party Time!

Sunday, October 11, 2026, 6-9 p.m.: GALA at The Dance Castle

THEME: Starry, Starry, Night: An Elegant Evening Under the Stars

MUSICIANS: The Rusty Rockers

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE by Sonora Salsa Performance Group

FOOD: Please enlighten the dancers with your favorite side dish, salad or dessert!

DONATION: $20 to help cover the expenses of live music, food and decorations. Add $10 if you prefer to not bring a dish to share.

October JUST DANCE:

Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026 (third Sundays of each month)

Theme: Brunch at the Castle

Time: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Place: The Dance Castle (backyard pavilion), 23496 Gold Springs Drive, Columbia

Music will be played for ballroom, Latin, swing, Country Western and party favorites!

Food: I’m making Quiches, breakfast casseroles and salads; please bring something to share if you can!

Cost: The dance is $5 for seniors (60+), $10 for adults, no charge for under 18 years old.

No pets; guide dogs permitted

Just Dance is a fun place to practice and learn new steps. Ilene & Jim are always available to help and support you. Looking forward to seeing you there!

contact Ilene for more information: wingstodance@yahoo.com

Wednesday, October 21, 2026: 6 p.m.: Rod Harris and the Big Band at The Dance Castle

THEME: Moonlight Serenade

BAND: Rod Harris and the Columbia Big Band

FOOD: Please enlighten the dancers with your favorite side dish, salad or dessert!

DONATION: $10 for the Band Fund. Add $10 if you prefer to not bring a dish to share.

More Dance Events!

What an awesome line-up at Inner Sanctum Cellars in Columbia!

For more information and tickets (some events) go to: https://inner-sanctum-cellars.obtainwine.com/collection/events

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

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:

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