ABOUT US

Founded in 1987 by Isaac Altman, International Dance Studio is backed with 20 years of industry experience.

International Dance Studio provides top-notch dance instruction by top notch instructors who have experience with beginners through professionals along with great customer support - a combination that can't be beat!

Through our commitment, experience, and expertise International Dance Studio has established a business relationship with our customers that will last a lifetime!

Call International Dance Studio at (305) 271-0606 today!

Although Laura and are known for Salsa, we have been award winning DanceSport competitors and teach other styles of dance as well, including Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Waltz, Bolero, Tango, Paso Doble, Swing, Merengue, Bachata, Jive Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Disco, and much, much, more!  We are proud to coach several World Champions, including the World Junior Latin Champions, the World Merengue Champions, the World Junior Salsa Champions, the World Junior Showdance Champions, and the World Tango Champions to name a few.

Laura and I would like to welcome you to our website home on the Net!  As you will see surfing around, we have gone through many physical appearance changes.  These are due to our ever changing roles that we play in musical videos, competitions, TV shows, film, and time.  Our love for dance is only surpassed by our love for each other.  We thank you for visiting a part of our life.

Our Executive Directors

LAURA ALTMAN, CFO       

ISAAC ALTMAN, CEO        

LAURA AND ISAAC'S PROFILE

Isaac Altman started his professional career in DanceSport in 1972. Isaac has won many top awards both in dance and choreography. The North American DanceSport champion, Bobby Medeiros, coached Isaac. Mr. Medeiros later become the #1 coach in the world in Latin dance and continued training Isaac in the highest standards of DanceSport. Isaac started the International Dance Studio in Miami in 1987. Since its inception, many top named professionals in DanceSport have trained at his studio. One such couple is the former United States Latin Champions, Tony Meredith and Melanie Lapatin, who starred in the movie Dance With Me. Isaac, along with his wife Laura, have helped choreograph dance routines for many Latin Stars including Johnny Ventura and Camilo Sesto. In 1985 Isaac performed a dance show with the late, great, Tito Puente and his Orchestra. Chosen as one of the principal dancers with his wife Laura, he had the privilege to help choreograph and dance at the 1999 Super Bowl along side Stevie Wonder and Gloria Estefan. In this new millennium, Isaac and Laura have been the most recognizable Latin dance team on Spanish television with over 200 appearances on the major networks Telemundo, Univision and America Te Ve. Most recently they won the prestigious title Salseros Mas Caliente for winning the Salsa contest on Univisions popular program Caliente. On November 4, 2000, Isaac and Laura became World Salsa Champions after placing first at the prestigious I.D.O. World Salsa Championships in Miami. Isaac and Laura continue to compete and coach all over the world, and are sought out by many International couples for coaching and choreography.

Laura Castro Altman, a native from Barranquilla, Colombia, started dancing Ballet and Folklore at the age of 8 at Gloria Pena Dance Academy. Gloria Pena is one the best and most recognized choreographers and teachers in Colombia. At the age of 14 she started dancing professionally with the Ballet Folklorico Profesional Gloria Pena, and traveled all over Colombia and South America. In 1987 she went to Cuba to study with the Cuban Ballet, taking classes in Afro Cuban dances, Modern and Ballet and then going back to Colombia to start her teaching career, working with kids of all ages. In 1991 she moved to Miami and met Isaac Altman and started working and training in DanceSport at International Dance Studio.

* 2000 UNDEFEATED WORLD SALSA CHAMPIONS

* ISAAC AND LAURA ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING SALSA AND DANCESPORT AS AN EVENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 60 YEAR HISTORY OF THE JUNIOR OLYMPICS. ISAAC IS THE AAU NATIONAL DIRECTOR FOR SALSA AND DANCESPORT.

* ISAAC IS THE CEO OF THE WORLD SALSA FEDERATION (WWW.WORLDSALSAFEDERATION.COM) THE LARGEST FEDERATION OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD. THIS FEDERATION STANDARDIZED SALSA FOR COMPETITION WORLDWIDE AND CERTIFIES TEACHERS ALL OVER THE WORLD. IN 2002, THE WSF QUALIFIED 33 COUNTRIES TO COMPETE FOR 4 WORLD TITLES THAT WAS HELD IN FLORIDA.

*CHOREOGRAPHERS AND PRINCIPAL DANCERS FOR THE 1999 SUPERBOWL THAT INCLUDED ARTISTS LIKE GLORIA ESTEFAN AND STEVIE WONDER

*ISAAC AND LAURA ARE THE MOST WATCHED DANCERS IN LATIN TV WITH OVER 300 APPEARANCES.

*ISAAC AND LAURA HAVE PRODUCED AND COACHED THE WORLD MERENGUE AND ARGENTINE TANGO CHAMPIONS

*ISAAC AND LAURA RUN A SUCESSFUL DANCE STUDIO IN MIAMI THAT TEACH OVER 200 KIDS PER WEEK AS WELL AS ADULTS. (WWW.INTERNATIONALDANCESTUDIO.COM

Star Scoop

ISAAC AND LAURA ROCK THE 2003 CHICAGO SALSA CONGRESS WITH A STANDING OVATION PERFORMANCE!

We were able to see your performance at the Chicago congress. It was simply spectacular. Hope to see you down here in PR next Jul-Aug.
Isabel Vazquez

Hi, I love the way you dance and I would really love to get a video but, do you have a web site where I could view a little bit of a video before buying?
Giorgina Villegas

Hi Isaac and Laura, Greetings from Kansas City! We just wanted to thank you for your wonderful private instruction on Sunday at the Chicago Salsa Congress. We really enjoyed learning the leg sweep and seeing the sombrero dips. Since we have returned to KC we've liked watching our newly acquired 2002 World Salsa Championships video. It was great seeing you perform live and how you combined ballroom cleanliness and technique with authentic latin body rhythm and sabor. Again, congratulations on a phenomenal performance!Estamos muy agradecidos!Gracias de nuevo,
Katia and JosueLatin Rhythm Dance Co.www.kcsalsa.com

Hi Isaac,I watched your performance in Chicago, SIMPLY you guys were great, spectacular, I didn't know how muchtalent you have. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! I hope you can go to San Juan next summer. I haven't engage in your organization (WSF) yet, as soon as I can ($$$) me and wife will be part of WSF.Take care, and Que viva la salsa!!!!!!!!!
Jose Lozada

HEADLINES: COLOMBIA SOUTH AMERICA

El Heraldo, Barranquilla, Colombia 11-25-00

COLOMBIA,CAMPEON MUNDIAL DE SALSA:

En representacion de Colombia, la pareja integrada por los esposos Isaac Altman y la barranquillera Laura Castro Medina ganaron a comienzos de este mes el Campeonato Mundial de Salsa en la modalidad de danza deportiva o baile de salon, organizado por la Organizacion Internacional de Danza-IDO- con sede en Alemania. Treinta parejas de diferentes nacionalidades se hicieron presentes en esta final celebrada en el Hotel Radisson Deauville de Miami Beach, en la Florida. En esta competencia, los otros finalistas fueron los representantes de Italia, Suiza, Puerto Rico, campeon en el 99, Esta dos Unidos y Belgica. Aunque es la primera vez que Isaac Altman y Laura Castro compiten en este certamen mundial, ya estuvieron vinculados al mismo el ano pasado en calidad de entrenadores de Johnny y Juliette De Alba, barranquillera que integra el Ballet de Gloria Pena, quienes ganaron en esa ocasion el campeonato mundial en la modalidad de merengue. Sin embargo, en vista de que este ano la preja que debia representar a Colombia no pudo viajar el evento, los esposos Altman Castro decidieron competir a nombre de nuestro pais. "Nos alegra mucho en el corazon saber que nuestro pais es reconocido mundialmente procosas buenas", dijo Laura Castro, quien se alista para venir el proximo ano a su tierra natal, para asistir a la conmemoracion de las Budas de Oro de la Academia de Gloria Pena.

CELEBRITY PROFILE:

Dancing USA
February/March 2001


By Sarah Beckley

Miami's Most Wanted Salseros

Last November, Miami played host to the International Dance Organization's World Championships. Among the couples representing over 30 different countries were the standout dancers Isaac Altman and his wife, Laura Castro Altman. The pair was literally impossible to miss in the crowd by the striking combination of his white gold mane and her over-the-top, radiant red-wigged visage. This unique couple won the day by achieving a goal they never thought to reach: IDO World Salsa Champions 2000.  From two very different worlds, the Altman's have joined forces to develop the future of DanceSport in America. The Altman's are growing America's home team with an eye to the eventual inclusion of DanceSport as a medal event in the Olympic games. In an interview with Isaac Altman, Dancing USA was able to glean a little history into the interesting journey that brought these two to the top of the class.  The story of this amazing couple begins five years ago, when Laura Castro came to the US from Colombia, South America where she had taught ballet and jazz since she was a teen. She answered an advertisement by a local studio for dance instructors, which turned out to be Isaac Altman's International Dance Studio, Inc. She spoke no English, he spoke no Spanish; she had only taught children, he'd only taught adults. It did not appear to be an auspicious beginning. Despite the obstacles, Isaac found that Laura's natural talent and years of training were an asset to the studio and took her on board.  Altman had already retired from professional dancing back in 1983, but Castro asked that he train her to dance professionally. He agreed, with the understanding that they would find her a partner. No acceptable partners turned up, and the Texas Challenge of 1995 loomed large. Castro requested, just this once, that Altman partner her at the competition. He agreed, but after the first dance had second thoughts. He couldn't breathe.
"I told her I would tell the judges I broke something, " he remembers. Laura's calm demeanor saved the moment and she cajoled Altman into staying on the floor. To his amazement, he finished the competition standing upright. Most people, according to Altman, would have been angry or disappointed by their showing at that competition. But Laura was so elated just to be competing that Altman resolved to become fit enough to compete regularly as her partner. He went back to the studio, and in a storm of training comparable to the monumental Rocky, he lost 30 pounds and got back in shape. They have been competing together ever since.  Altman is still conscious of his age, however, and he checks out the other men after each dance. "I'm the oldest pro competitor in the US, maybe the world. I always watch who else is out of breath besides me at the end of a dance," he tells us. Altman's guide to fitness seems to be working, as he is not just keeping up with the youngsters, but beating them regularly.  Altman had not planned on teaching children, but when Castro joined the studio, he decided to start a pilot children's program to take advantage of her previous experience. He created a syllabus and offered the neighborhood children a free class that he watched Laura teach. It went so well that they eventually made the transition to teach almost exclusively children, and did so successfully without advertising. Now almost 90% of their classes are for children and they still don't advertise.  Altman didn't expect to fall in love, either, and was not amenable to the idea of being romantically attached to a dance partner. He had a strict rule against it, but had broken it once to marry his first wife (former partner Susan Altman). He thought he had learned his lesson. "I wasn't interested in having a relationship. I know better than to mix the two," says Altman. But once again, Castro's natural charm won him over. One year into their professional partnership their relationship changed, but they didn't marry until April of 1998. It appears that he made a wise decision as they, the studio, and the students are all thriving.  When asked about how he keeps the marriage and the studio running smoothly, Altman tells us that compatibility is the key. Castro had attended a Jewish school growing up in Colombia so she is very familiar with the Jewish faith and its rituals, although still Catholic. To Altman, a son of Nazi concentration camp survivors, this was very important. Also important is the ability to compensate for each other's likes and dislikes. Neither of them cooks, and it is gratifying that they can eat out without anyone's toes getting stepped on. Plus, he says, "Marrying a younger woman will keep you in the best shape of your life," and it definitely requires a substantial amount of energy to work as hard as they work, as well as they do. Once they started teaching children, there was no turning back. The Altman's consider their students family and if a parent has to pull a child from class because they can't afford it, the Altman's won't hear of it. If the child loves dancing, they can continue their lessons and the Altman's will accept payment
when the parents can contribute. They have also donated $15,000 of their own money to student scholarships. "It isn't business, it's a blessing. It's a blessing to be able to do that for the children," is how they feel about taking on the costs themselves. Altman originally took on the task of teaching the 4 to 6 year olds the fundamentals of dance, but the trouble began early. As Altman puts it, "they were too cute. I would play with them more than dance. Now I can't even go in the room with them, they run across the floor and stop the class if they see me," he recalls. Altman is now putting the teen-aged students through their paces instead. Between the competitions, appearances, teaching, and managing a studio, it would appear that Altman's plate was completely full, but he somehow squeezes in time to write for Dance Beat and Dance Week, Miami and Washington D.C. based dance publications. He writes a column about junior DanceSport and champions the youthful dancers' causes in the press, and recently questioned apparent inconsistencies in the U .S. Junior Championship residency requirements. When the Altman's aren't competing, running the studio, or teaching classes, they are appearing on television. At the end of last year, they made 25 television appearances within a 90 day period. "We are on Latin TV more than any couple in the United States," declares Altman. The show Caliente! named them Salseros Mas Calliente 2000, which means the hottest Salsa dancers of 2000. Even more exciting was their moment in the sun at 1998's Superbowl where they were not only principal dancers at the halftime show, but choreographed Gloria Estefan's routine for the event as well.
These appearances have made them famous in their community as they are recognized when they travel, and sometimes stopped on the street. Altman attributes his success in Latin dancing to his ability to "dance" Latin. "They've never seen a gringo that can dance that good," he says. "It is the inflection, he continues. Altman feels that the look of his dancing is comparable to the sound of a native speaker, which is a rare talent. But the Altman's never forget the children, even in the heady world of entertainment, they are still thinking about the kids and putting them first. They take different students with them to perform at every television appearance, so the children get the thrill and joy of performing on television a once in a lifetime experience for most, if not all, of them.  Despite getting calls and requests from all over the world, this busy pair manages to balance their time between the studio and the events. The Altman's maintain their busy competing schedule, but make sure that they are available for their students. The family atmosphere at the studio is cultivated by their devotion to the kids. According to Altman, children need to see the same faces, week in and week out, and they make sure to compete on the weekends, when it won't interfere with teaching.  In the world of DanceSport, it is refreshing to see such a pair of professionals dedicated to the promotion of the industry, literally from the bottom up. They truly feel that the best way to support dance is to encourage children and provide them with a safe, happy, and productive outlet to learn and grow, Their students are never far from the Altman's, whether they are touring, teaching, or appearing at special events they include the children in everything they can to broaden their horizons and develop their talent, The choice to teach children, in Altman's mind, was an easy one. With the Olympics looming large as an opportunity for DanceSport to become a mainstream activity, Altman knows that there needs to a solid base of talent for the future US Olympic DanceSport Team to choose from, and he intends to be at the forefront of the charge to the Olympics.  He plans on building that home team with his partner in life and in dance for a long time to come.  If you are interested in classes or contributing to classes for children, contact the Altman's at: International Dance Studio, Inc, 8080 S.W. 81st Drive, Miami FL 33143. (305) 271-0606, ialtman@msn.com.

From Houston Texas - December 23, 2003

Dear Isaac and Laura,

My name is Terri Kay and I am Rick Post's student and dance partner here in Houston.  (We danced that "Salsa number" in our Showcase this past Saturday.)   I had every intention of sending you a holiday card a couple
weeks back saying hello, introducing myself and thanking you both for all your help in the choreography of our Salsa routine; however, now - since we have finally performed the routine for an audience and received a surprising overwhelming response of compliments - I can't allow one more day to pass without telling you both...from the bottom of my heart...thank
you, thank you, thank you!!

It's been a long time since I was in the "limelight" such as this and, I tell ya, it was unbelievably surreal.  I felt like I kid again at 21 years of age.  It was great!  (Of course, I couldn't do it without my partner in crime...Rick.)   Needless to say, this letter was long overdue.  I've studied your tapes countless hours, and a dance lesson doesn't go by without Rick mentioning one of your names.  Funny...in a way, I feel like I know you both.

Although I tell Rick from time to time that I feel such disappointment I started so "late in the game" (because of my age), he reminds me of how old you were, Isaac, when you and Laura won the championship.  Very impressive!!  I will continue my dancing and strive to become better.  I look forward to meeting you some day in person.   I send the two of you
my best wishes for a very happy holiday this season.

love,
terri