The Paramount Ballroom

Alec Lazo -
Owner

Alec Lazo is a unique Ballroom Dance-Sport professional whose career has spanned over thirty years of performing, coaching, and instructing competitive Dance-Sport. His first competitive highpoint came when he became the US Rising Star Latin Champion in 1990 and continued through 20+ years on the Dance-Sport circuit, establishing himself as a top level exponent of professional Dance-Sport. In addition, Alec competed in the American Smooth and Rhythm divisions of the US Championships and became the US Nine-Dance Champion.

Alec has captured several titles in many Dance-Sport styles and has appeared numerous times in television and theater in various capacities. He travels across the United States judging competitions, lecturing, coaching, consulting, and performing. Alec has also successfully transitioned into the world of broadcast media as a spokesperson, guest host, and artist. He hosted several national PBS specials including “WXEL Presents,” “Tango: The Spirit of Argentina,” and “Fiesta at the Philharmonic.”

Alec is happy to be back where his career started: on the beautiful island of Palm Beach as the owner and managing director of the grand and majestic Paramount Ballroom. Alec’s passion for teaching youth led him to found the Palm Beach Atlantic University Ballroom Dance Club, where he teaches college students how to dance like the stars and gives them the opportunity to engage in real Dance-Sport competition. He hopes to one day teach for the university and start a collegiate team. Alec is a Fellow NADTA in American Style Rhythm and Smooth and Licentiate ISTD in Latin.

Titles:
U.S. International Rising Star Latin Champion, U.S. Nine-Dance Champion, U.S. Grand Finalist, U.S. Rhythm Finalist, Seven U.S. Latin Top Ten Finishes, Ohio Star Ball Latin Rising Star Champion, Texas Challenge Rising Star Grand Champion, Heritage Classic Rising Star Latin Champion, Sunshine State Rhythm and Smooth Champion, Grand National Rhythm and Smooth Champion, Northwest Star Ball Rhythm and Smooth Champion, Northwest Star Ball Nine-Dance Champion, Southern States Open Rhythm Champion, Top Teacher: Dance Heat U.S.A. 2009, etc.

Credentials:

Fellow: North American Dance Teachers Association,

Licentiate: Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing,

Dual Master Examiner: World Professional Dance Teachers Association,

Examiner: International Dancers Association (DIVDA),

Registered Adjudicator N.D.C.A.: A+B+C+,

Registered Championship Adjudicator,

Associate of Arts: Palm Beach Community College,

Licensed Mortgage Broker,

Licensed Real Estate Associate,

Licensed Real Estate Associate, Associate of Arts: Palm Beach Community College, etc.

Benjamin Castellano - Instructor

Benjamin is an advanced dance instructor and trainer of teachers. He and his wife Stephanie compete professionally in the American Rhythm style. Benjamin started dancing in 1998 and became the IDO World Swing Dance Champion in November of 2000. In that same year Ben started his ballroom career and was mentored by US Nine-Dance Champion Alec Lazo. Since then Ben has become a successful competitor in the Pro and Pro/Am categories, as well as winning many national awards. Benjamin is also a life long student of the martial arts and has been teaching since he was fourteen. Benjamin loves to teach people how to move and control their body and give them the confidence that goes with it. Paramount Ballroom is proud to offer him in our lineup of teachers. Benjamin is certified and a member of the NDCA.

Titles:
Sunshine State Open Rhythm Champion, Yankee Classic Rising Star Rhythm Champion, Grand Nationals, Millennium, Florida State and Wisconsin Open Rhythm Finalist, Semi-finalist of the United States Rising Star Rhythm, Pro/Am Silver Medalist in Argentina at the World Pro/Am Ladies A Championships, United States Dance-Sport Championships Finalist in Ladies A Rhythm, and Ohio Star Ball Nine-Dance Rising Star Finalist.

Jacqueline Cusa - Instructor

Jacqueline Cusa fell in love with dance when she started taking Argentine Tango lessons at Florida International University two years ago. Shortly after, she began working with a top ballroom professional who introduced her to the world of ballroom. She won first place at the Grand Nationals in Miami in all four dances she competed in.

Jacqueline then moved back home to pursue her dream of working and competing in the dance industry. Since then, she has graduated from the Ballroom Dance Teacher's College and specializes in beginners and wedding couples. She is absolutely passionate about what she does, and firmly believes you can be too!

She has won first place in Goldcoast Ballroom American Rhythm Full Bronze, and the St. Petersburg Classic Intermediate-Bronze competitions, as well as at the Majestic Dance-Sport Competition in Delray Beach, Florida.

Alexander Lazo - Instructor

Alexander Lazo is a native to South Florida and part of a dancing dynasty. He has been a part of the ballroom dance world since early childhood by virtue of his parents. In 2009, Alexander graduated from the Paramount Dance Teacher’s College and began his professional teaching career. He specializes in beginners, wedding couples, and collegiate Dance-Sport instruction.

He has won first place in Goldcoast Ballroom American Rhythm Full Bronze, and the St. Petersburg Classic Intermediate-Bronze competitions, as well as at the Majestic Dance-Sport Competition in Delray Beach, Florida.

Elizabeth
DeMarco - Receptionist

Elizabeth has studied ballet, jazz, and tap at Palm Beach Atlantic and Steps Broadway Dance. While she is passionate about theatre she has always loved and had a desire to learn ballroom dancing. She has been dancing at Paramount for the last several months, loved every minute of it, and can’t wait to learn more. She competed with the Palm Beach Atlantic Ballroom Dance Team at the St. Petersburg Classic and placed first in Intermediate Bronze Swing, Rumba, and Hustle.

Jeremiah Dias - Webmaster/
Videographer

Jeremiah Dias is our webmaster/videographer and is partially responsible for keeping our internet resources up to date. Jeremiah is a professional filmmaker with plenteous experience in the world of entertainment, media, and electronics.

Jeremiah has worked on various sets in film/video and concert events, doing camerawork, acting, comedy, improv, dance, audio, lighting, switching, and gaffing. He has shot live concert videos and promos for music artists such as Tenth Avenue North, Shaun Groves, and Bryan Reynolds Band. He is also a certified AVID editor who has won numerous honors for his series of YouTube sketches.

As a student of the Paramount Ballroom, he has learned to dance at the level of Intermediate Bronze and has won awards at several competitions including first in swing, hustle, and waltz at the St. Petersburg Classic.