Meet the Team

Juan is the founder and co-principal of JRDA. His vast dance background includes Ballroom, Rockabilly, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Argentine Tango along with many other styles, but since 1996 has studied Salsa and Argentine Tango intensively. Juan has also maintained an interest in other styles, including Bachata, Gafiera and West Coast Swing.

Amanda began dancing at the age of 19 and has immersed herself in the passion ever since. As studio principal and senior dance instructor, her style repertoire covers Argentine Tango, Salsa (Cuban, Millennium “On1” and New York “On 2” styles), Cha Cha, Brazilian Samba and West Coast Swing.

Chenelle started learning jazz, ballet, contortion, acrobatics and tap from the age of four. At 12, she started Ballroom and soon began competing, specialising in Latin. In 10 years of competition, Chenelle competed in many countries (including UK, Italy, Singapore, Belgium and Holland).

Ed became a member of JRDA in 2001. Although he started as a student, he became hooked on Salsa within weeks and soon started to help with running the administration side of the classes.

Zara spent her childhood dancing Jazz Ballet, before starting Salsa at JRDA in 2001. She soon became addicted and started dancing four nights a week. 2002 proved to be a busy year for Zara, as she not only started instructor training, but was teaching by the end of the year and performing in “Latin Legends” at the Burswood Showrooms.

Rae started life as a musician and musical theatre enthusiast. In 2004, as a result of a New Year’s resolution, Rae started Salsa and is still going – even performing at the Perth Latin Festival in 2005 and the 2006 Sydney Salsa Congress.

Ben started attending classes at JRDA in 2003, having come from a strong musical background, playing as a percussionist and multi-instrumentalist for most of his life.

Stewart spent four months at Gilkinsons in early 2000 learning ballroom dancing. When he was introduced to Cuban salsa at the Varga lounge a few months later, he knew this was the dance for him.

Premala has danced since 1985 doing Classical Indian Dancing. She is an acclaimed professional dancer, having travelled and performed in India, Malaysia, Singapore, United States, and parts of Europe. She still performs and teaches Bharatha Natyam and Odissi under Mudhra Dance Company. Premala is now choreographing for a variety of WA based dance schools and sits on the board of Ausdance WA. In 2006, she was the Festival Director for the West Coast Salsa Congress (Australia) and is still involved in organising the Congress, as well their monthly Saturday Salsa Fiesta nights.

Jaime started out in Ballroom dancing at the age of 12 and spent the next 10 years completing her ballroom medals (including her Oscars).

Karl was first introduced to dancing by friends in 2004. This first class in Cuban salsa ignited a love for Salsa that has now led to a full time career at JRDA. After taking up Millennium “On 1” in 2005 (the style that is still his primary addiction), Karl became passionate about developing Salsa in Perth and these days not only teaches and dances at JRDA, but also runs the Administration side of the studio.

Don has been a member of JRDA since late 1999 and began teaching in 2002, whilst completing the Cuban Salsa curriculum as both a student and an instructor.

Phil started his dancing career in 1987, at the young age of six. After dancing jazz/ballet for two years, he moved into Ballroom dancing and completed all of his Ballroom medals before becoming a professional competitor in New Vogue.