Meet our Instructors

We don't just teach Steps - We teach you how to Dance 

Luann D'Agostino (co-owner)
Luann has been dancing since childhood with 15 years of classical ballet, tap, and jazz and many years of community theater work.  She started her Ballroom career in 1989 as a student, competitor, and then instructor with the Arthur Murray Organization in Wilmington.  Leaving Arthur Murray Dance Studios (then Candlelight Dance Studio) in 2006, she and Nicole opened the original Take The Lead in Wilmington (Pike Creek).  Now at the new Hockessin Studio, Luann continues to teach primarily Social Ballroom and Latin Dances sharing her continued passion for dance with all of her students.
 
Nicole McCausland (co-owner)
Nicole also started her Ballroom career training and teaching with the Arthur Murray Organization in Wilmington.  Leaving Arthur Murray Dance Studios (then Candlelight Dance Studio) in 2005, she and Luann opened the original Take The Lead in Wilmington (Pike Creek).  Now at the new Hockessin Studio, Nicole teaches Social Ballroom and Latin Dances, and is always ready to offer her special choreography to our many brides and grooms wanting to add a little flash to their big day.
 
Rene Ostarek and Bronislava Vrtalova        
Rene and Bronislava have been dancing together for 18 years. They began their careers in the Czech Republic at the tender ages of 8 and 10 respectively. In 1992, they partnered and competed as amateurs in both the International Latin and Standard styles winning titles in Latin, formation team match, and polka divisions.  Turning professional in 1997, they soon became seven time Czech National Champions representing the Czech Republic at World and European Championships. In 2002, they immigrated to the United States and began teaching in Philadelphia. Now in Delaware, they teach both International and American styles. Rene and Brona now proudly represent the US in all World Competitions.
 
Justin David
Justin grew up in Delaware and excelled early on in music and martial arts. It was while attending the University of Delaware that he discovered Ballroom and Latin dancing and was able to merge his passions for music and athleticism. He is a member of the University of Delaware Ballroom Dance Team and currently serves the team as assistant coach. He taught the team for several years, also instructing at Crystal Dancesport before coming to Take The Lead. Justin has competed at the collegiate and amateur levels throughout the country for many years and currently focusing on American-style smooth dances in competitions.  Justin and his competitive partner Marianna Melnikova are current US National Amateur American Smooth Vice Champions & Amateur American Smooth World Masters Champions.
 
Bill Sapp
Bill is a full time Professional Ballroom Instructor with 32 years experience.
Bill was born and raised in Delaware where he began his career in ballroom dancing.    During his career, Bill opened a dance studio in Boca Raton, Florida where he lived for 7 years,  before returning to Delaware. Bill has competed throughout the United States and Europe and has won numerous Top Teacher, Top Studio and Top Student awards.
Bill teaches both competitive and Social Ballroom Dancing to all Ages and Levels from Newcomers thru Advanced. 
 

Joe Figueroa

A professional dancer since his teens, Joe Figueroa has pushed the boundaries of the dance world with his exciting and innovative style of freestyle salsa. Joe began his career as a professional dancer for MTV Studios. In 2000, this accomplished artist and choreographer transitioned his passion and talent to the art of salsa dancing and quickly became a prominent figure on Philadelphia's burgeoning salsa scene with his unique body movement and choreography. 
 
Teresa and Juan Carlos Figueroa
Teresa and Juan Carlos have been passionate practitioners of Argentine Tango Salon for more than a decade, and have studied with some world renowned masters in Buenos Aires and the US. Their unique style is characterized by their intimate heart-to-heart dialogue through music. Although they both possess a commanding and rigorous mastering of the technique of the dance - expressed as impeccable timing, craft, elegance and wit - it is their connected spirituality which makes them so inspiring. They are known and highly respected for their commitment to help their students to learn foundational aspects of the dance, facilitating Tango to become a language that is accessible to all!
 
Tony Scheppler

Born in Brooklyn NY, Tony moved to Ohio in 1970 with his family where he became professional ballroom dancer, instructor and competitor, teacher and coach. Tony specializes in American Style, particularly American Smooth, and Theater Arts. Since that time, Tony lived in New Jersey and has traveled the world winning several championships. Tony had a featured role in the hit films Mona Lisa Smile and Disney’s Classic Enchanted and spent time coaching Julia Roberts.  Tony has won many titles over the years in American Smooth, American Rhythm and Theater Arts. In 2005, he earned a world ranking in Theater Arts after placing third in the World Theatre Arts Dance Championship in Blackpool, England. He ranked in the top 12 in the U.S. in Open American Smooth in 2007 and ranked in Open World. Tony visits weekly from his new Studio in Ohio and is available for coaching.
 
Monica Bocanegra
Monica trained, competed and taught with the Brown University Ballroom Dance Team before teaching at Kendall Dance Studio in Miami Florida.  Monica came to Take the Lead in 2006.  She teaches both Social and Competitive Ballroom and Latin Dances as well as bringing “Miami Style” Salsa to the Wilmington area.  Monica teaches Rueda (or Casino Style) Salsa classes found only in Delaware at Take the Lead and is fluent in Spanish for our Spanish speaking students that find it more comfortable to learn in their primary language.

On occasion, other Guest, Visiting, or Specialty Instructors can be found teaching or performing at Take The Lead.
Be sure to watch our Group Class listing and Event Schedule for details.