Mende Kirk - Standard International, Standard Latin, American Smooth, and American Latin judge certified by the National Dance Council of America. Member of the New York Society of Dance Studios. Available for troubleshooting, professional dance seminars, judging, shows, and coaching.

Eleni - Born and raised in Greece, before coming to New York as a young adult. Eleni is a born artist enjoying anything that sparks her creativity including dance, music, design, photography, cooking, and drawing. As a teenager she studied Greek Folk dance, Belly Dancing and Jazz Dance informally. Eleni graduated business school in NYC, and went on to manage a NYC restaurant, before coming to Mende's. In September of 1999 she began dancing and training at Mende's and has been a full time teacher since late 2001. As well as teaching full time at Mende's she teaches morning classes in day care centers and senior citizen centers in various parts of Queens. Although she enjoys teaching all of her students, she particularly enjoys teaching the Saturday Children's Class because of their enthusiasm for learning and the fun that she has with them. Her accomplishments include performances at the Farmingdale Jewish Center (2003, 2005), Ballroom Dance Teacher's Society (2002), Local 804 Federal Credit Union (2005) and The Haitian Church Charity, in Jamaica Queens (2005). She has also been to many competitions and exhibitions and is humbled by the fact that she has received 2nd and 3rd place in The Yankee Classic in Boston MA, 13 1st places in The Grand National in Florida, and another 1st place in New Jersey. She hopes that she can get her students to experience the same feeling of fulfillment, joy, and excitement that she got from dancing when she first came to Mende's.

Kane - Born and raised in Singapore, and came to the U.S. in 1981. After arriving in the U.S. he worked as a chef, and eventually became the sole proprietor of a take out restaurant. He has always loved music, and was inspired to take dance lessons after a friend's wedding in 1993 when he was dragged onto the dance floor to dance a Cha Cha and didn't know how to do it. The next day, he opened the phone directory and found Mende's and has been a student, teacher, and family member ever since. Kane is one of the many students to find a lasting love at Mende's, not only a love for dancing, but a true love as well - his wife, Tessie. A few years after they were married, Kane sold his high stress take out restaurant and took an office job so that he would have extra time for pursuing his passion- dancing! Kane currently assists Eleni with the Saturday Children's Class. His accomplishments include winning a trophy in a Merengue contest at Altus Jamaica Estate Lion Club (1996), Performances at Touch Dancing in New Jersey (2000), and at the Haitian Charity Church, in Jamaica Queens. [ Read Kane's own words about the studio ]

Brenda - Born in South America and raised in Canada, and New York. As a young girl she studied various types of dance including Ecuadorian Folk, Ballet, and Flamenco. In September of 1999 she became part of the Mende Dance Studio teacher training program and currently teaches part time. Her love for all types of music, dance, and performing has fueled her passion for Ballroom and Latin dance. She is most at home performing in front of an audience and enjoys being an inspiration to other dancers. Her accomplishments include performances at the Farmingdale Jewish Center (2005), The Haitian Church Charity, in Jamaica Queens (1999, 2000, 2002, 2005), Touch Dancing Competition (2000), and The Grand National in Florida (1999). When she is not dancing at Mende's she enjoys watching other performers at Broadway and off Broadway shows, and jazz clubs.

Kristin - Born and raised in Queens only a short distance from the studio, it was inevitable that she would eventually take lessons and teach at Mende Dance Studio. From a very young age dance has been a big part of Kristin's life. Her dance studies have included Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Line Dance. In high school she performed in musicals and eventually became a student a Marymount Manhattan College majoring in set design for theatre, culminating in a main stage production of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Her first job was as a party motivator for a DJ company dancing and encouraging guests to dance. When you meet Kristin this is no surprise, for her enthusiasm for dancing and the joy it brings her is infectious. Kristin began taking lessons at Mende's in 2007, and has been part of the Mende Dance Studio part-time teacher training program since January 2008. Along with teaching and learning at Mende's Kristin currently works at Harlequin Books and will begin work on her Masters Degree in English literature in the fall. Although she is very excited to be helping students discover dance through her teaching, she especially enjoys teaching children and teens on Saturdays because of "...their amazing hearts and wonderful energy. They make dance a new experience every time!" [ Read Kristin's own words about the studio ]

Kyle - Currently part of the Mende Dance Studio part time teacher training program.

Johnnie - Born in South America and raised in NYC, Johnnie began dancing at Mende's in 2001. After taking lessons with Eleni for 3 years, Johnnie became part of the Mende Dance Studio part-time teacher training program. Along with teaching and training part time at Mende's he currently attends Nassau Community College where he is a communications major. His dancing accomplishments include performances at the Farmingdale Jewish Center and the Haitian Church Charity in Jamaica Queens. He finds teaching to be satisfying and loves sharing the joys of dancing with his students.

Aida - After studying fashion art and design, she worked in the industry as a colorist and assistant designer. She currently runs a financial institution. Whatever spare time she has is spent dancing: either taking a group class, teaching a lesson, practicing at a studio party or at a dance club. She has been a student and family member at Mende's for over 10 years and has been a part time dance instructor for 4 years. Her enthusiasm for dancing, teaching, learning, and performing are endless, and her vitality is contagious. [ Read Aida's own words about the studio ]

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