Head Instructor, Intermediate

Rodrigue Edouard

Rodrigue is a professional dance instructor and competitor with over 20 years of experience.  He began his career in dance as a private instructor in Port Au Prince, Haiti and is currently the owner of Star Ballroom Dance Studio in North Miami Beach.  Rodrigue has also been featured on national and local television programs for his work in the community and has received recognition as a world class competitor.  He is currently a member of the National Dance Teachers Association and the National Dance Council of America.

Favorite Dance: Cha Cha and Mambo

Secretary

Markeem Middleton                                                                  c/o '10

Markeem is a Junior at UM majoring in Marketing.  Originally from East Orange, NJ but raised in Arlington, TX, Markeem came to Miami to learn and expand his horizons.  He has a passion for entertainment and strives to do anything that he can within the field, including acting, dancing, and music.  In addition to Miami Ballroom, Markeem is also involved with other campus organizations such as SalsaCraze and Swing U.

Favorite Dance: Rumba

Email: markeem@miamiballroom.org

Vice President/Treasurer

John Barger                                                                              c/o '10

John is a Freshman at UM with a double major in Latin American Studies and Theatre Arts and a minor in Foreign Languages.  Dancing since his youth, John is an active member of St. Petersburg Little Theatre, the oldest community theatre in Florida.  In high school, he started two honors societies, holding executive positions in each, and was a member of 14 other student organizations and societies.  In his spare time, you can find John gardening, dancing, swimming, or traveling.

Favorite Dance: Waltz

Email: john@miamiballroom.org

Treasurer

Ryan McMinds

c/o '12

Ryan is a Freshman Foote Fellow at UM studying Marine Science, Biology, and History.  Hailing from a small town in Oregon, Ryan is also an Eagle Scout and loves everything to do with the outdoors, from backpacking to SCUBA diving.  Ryan promised himself that when he decided to study at Miami that he would learn to dance, and he's glad he followed through!

 

 

Favorite Dance: Cha Cha

Email: ryan@miamiballroom.org

Vice President/Treasurer

John Barger                                                                              c/o '10

John is a Freshman at UM with a double major in Latin American Studies and Theatre Arts and a minor in Foreign Languages.  Dancing since his youth, John is an active member of St. Petersburg Little Theatre, the oldest community theatre in Florida.  In high school, he started two honors societies, holding executive positions in each, and was a member of 14 other student organizations and societies.  In his spare time, you can find John gardening, dancing, swimming, or traveling.

Favorite Dance: Waltz

Email: john@miamiballroom.org

Honorary Instructor

Goetz (Gus) Braun                                                                      

Now retired from ballroom dancing, Gus was the first Head Instructor of Miami Ballroom.  Gus has over 30 years of experience in choreography, competition, and instruction.  A certified dance instructor, Gus is accredited in both Germany and the United States.  We will always be grateful for Gus's knowledge and expertise of ballroom dancing that Miami Ballroom was founded on.

 

 

 

Favorite Dance: Slow Foxtrot

Head Instructor, Beginners

Francois Jacques

Francois is a professional dance instructor, adjudicator, and researcher.  He has over 25 years of ballroom dance experience and is the owner of the New Millennium Ballroom in Hallandale Beach.  Francois is currently a member of the International Dance Council (a UNESCO organization), the National Dance Council of America, the National Dance Teachers of America, the American Athletic Union, and the National Dance Council of Haiti.  Francois also continues to attend international dance symposiums to share his research and work on the integration of dance in the school system.

Favorite Dance: Foxtrot and Rumba

Co-Vice President

Javier Farinas

c/o '11

Javier is a Sophomore at UM pursuing a Bachelors of Arts in Music, with a minor in Chemistry and Microbiology, with hopes to become a pediatric surgeon.  He has been ballroom dancing for one semester and enjoys learning new dances and meeting new people.  Javier is also currently a Resident Assistant in Pearson Residential College, Secretary of RA Council, and an active member of Rho Rho Rho. Javier enjoys cooking, reading, dancing, and learning new things.

 

 

Favorite Dance: Tango

Email: javier@miamiballroom.org

Vice President/Treasurer

John Barger                                                                              c/o '10

John is a Freshman at UM with a double major in Latin American Studies and Theatre Arts and a minor in Foreign Languages.  Dancing since his youth, John is an active member of St. Petersburg Little Theatre, the oldest community theatre in Florida.  In high school, he started two honors societies, holding executive positions in each, and was a member of 14 other student organizations and societies.  In his spare time, you can find John gardening, dancing, swimming, or traveling.

Favorite Dance: Waltz

Email: john@miamiballroom.org

Co-Vice President

Alysha Puducheri                                                                      c/o '11

Alysha is a Sophomore at UM studying International Finance and
Marketing who is very excited about getting involved on campus through Miami Ballroom!  She has been ballroom dancing for about six months and is also a member of Salsa Craze.  Having lived both in the US and India, Alysha loves learning about different cultures and learning new languages.  She also enjoys travel, reading, going to the movies, and spending time with friends and family.

 

Favorite Dance: Cha Cha

Email: alysha@miamiballroom.org

Vice President/Treasurer

John Barger                                                                              c/o '10

John is a Freshman at UM with a double major in Latin American Studies and Theatre Arts and a minor in Foreign Languages.  Dancing since his youth, John is an active member of St. Petersburg Little Theatre, the oldest community theatre in Florida.  In high school, he started two honors societies, holding executive positions in each, and was a member of 14 other student organizations and societies.  In his spare time, you can find John gardening, dancing, swimming, or traveling.

Favorite Dance: Waltz

Email: john@miamiballroom.org

Founder & President/Webmistress

Alex Suarez-Mondshein                                                            c/o '09

Alex is a Senior Foote Fellow at UM studying Sociology, Business Administration, and Art.  Ballroom dancing for almost four years years, she founded Miami Ballroom in the Spring of '06.  After graduation, Alex plans to move to Washington D.C. and pursue a career in public policy.  Alex also volunteers at the Academic Resource Center and loves to bake, paint, run, and read.

 

Favorite Dance: Mambo

Email: alex@miamiballroom.org

 

 

Publicity Chair

 

 

 

 

 

This position is currently vacant!  Please email info@miamiballroom.org for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

Competition Team Captain

Xiang Jin

Graduate Student

Xiang is a third year graduate student at UM pursuing his Ph.D in Physics.  In his hometown in China, he didn't get the chance to learn to dance, which is why he is so excited to be a part of Miami Ballroom.  In addition to his one year with the club, Xiang is also a member of the UM Running Club and Salsa Craze.  Xiang believes dancing and running are the best ways to get his mind off of physics and mathematics!

 

 

Favorite Dance: Tango and Mambo

Email: xiang@miamiballroom.org