Instructors

At LBD, we understand that each individual has different reasons that bring him or her into our studio to dance. We promise to work hard to find the best student/teacher fit to make your experience fun, professional and rewarding.

Sammy

Sammy has been dancing since he was 7 years old, growing up in a family deeply rooted in the ballroom world—both of his parents were professional competitors and own studios (yes, his dad is Sam, the owner of LBD). While he competes in Latin, he’s especially strong in American Rhythm and Smooth. With 3-4 years teaching experience, Sammy brings both passion and precision to the floor. Outside of dance, he enjoys playing the guitar, diving into health and nutrition, and challenging his mind with chess or any game that tests his mental fortitude.

Shannon

If you’re a total non-dancer, dancefloor avoider, or convinced you have two left feet, Shannon is the instructor for you. With over 25 years of experience in the Seattle area, she combines top-tier instruction with humor and heart, making every student feel confident and welcome. Shannon is certified in 26 dances and qualified in 50, with a deep background in ballroom, Latin, and swing. She has judged DanceSport competitions since 2002, coached champion competitors, and is an award-winning choreographer known for crafting unforgettable wedding dances. She also works as a talent agent, casting dancers for stage, screen, and live events.

Whether you're dancing for fun or preparing for the spotlight, Shannon brings expertise, encouragement, and just the right amount of laughter to every lesson.

Sarosh

Sarosh has been dancing and teaching Ballroom since 1992. He has competed in numerous prestigious competitions both in the US and abroad, winning several of the competitions in Amateur, as well as Rising Star and Open Professional Standard Championships. He has trained many students into becoming great competitors, who have won Pro/Am competitions in the US and Canada.

Za

Za Thomaier started his dance journey in college. Since then he has trained and competed in a multitude of dances. He has been trained by some of the top trainers, such as Benji Schwimmer, Ry’El Velandia, and Alexandria Hawkins. Za believes that competitive and social are linked and both compliment each other. His desire is to bring the joy of dancing to those who would accept it. As it was brought to him so many years ago.

Reba

Reba started her ballroom dance journey in her teens. She completely submerged herself into her passion for Latin dancing, and pursued the competitive world of dancing, as well as performing and teaching over the past 20 years. She has also been extremely active in Fitness, as well as mixed martial arts, and gymnastics. She is passionate about being physical and challenging your body/mind through dancing. She enjoys sharing her love of dance with others, while inspiring them to continue to find happiness with the exhilarating finesse of ballroom dancing, whether it be competitively or socially.

Madison

Madison began her dance journey with ballet as a young child, later shifting to martial arts, where she earned her black belt, and team sports. As a young adult, a gift of ballroom dance lessons sparked a deep love for rhythm and swing dancing; Ironically at Sam’s previous studio before he opened LBD! After taking time away, she worked as a caregiver, where she rediscovered the power of music and dance to connect with others—especially her residents. That experience ultimately led her to LBD, training under Sam. For Madison, dance is more than movement, its a universal language that speaks when words fall short, and her greatest joy is helping others find that connection through dance.

LaMar

LaMar began his dance journey in 2021 when he stepped in as a partner for his sister at LBD. What started as a helping hand quickly turned into a passion. Since then, he’s become a dedicated part of the studio, training closely under Sam’s instruction and developing a strong connection to the art of dance. LaMar is especially passionate about musicality and the expressive side of performance. In his classes, he encourages students to move with intention, explore creativity, and grow both technically and artistically.