Michael Pyles– Owner /  Instructor

Michael has over 30 years of dancing experience as a professional dance instructor, performer, and ballroom dance studio owner.  Michael competed professionally for eight years.  In 2007, he competed in the Reno “Dancing with the Stars” gala event and won the coveted first place “mirror ball” trophy.

Michael’s expertise is in American Ballroom and Latin Dancing.  Michael has owned Starlite Dance Center since 2007.

Charley Smith– Instructor

Charley has enjoyed and participated in many aspects of ballroom dancing.  Initially she was attracted to ballroom dancing as a great way to increase her social activities.  She soon found she wanted to share the benefits (fitness, social contact, and pure joy) that ballroom dancing has brought her. She has used this desire through instruction of group and private classes, and by gaining a thorough understanding of the DVIDA Syllabus.  Charley has studied with Diane Jarmolow, the foremost teacher’s teacher in the United States and the founder of the Ballroom Dance Teachers College.  Charley has promoted, choreographed and staged a number of dance performances in the area, and one of her favorite activities is to take dance to the community.

 "AJay"– Instructor

Ajay began his musical career as a child when he developed his skills as a drummer of many different musical styles. He was introduced to dancing in 1993 and was immediately hooked on dancing. Ajay became very proficient at all the ballroom and Latin techniques and was constantly asked to teach from friends. Since then he has studied with some of the great instructors from the SF Bay area, New York, New Jersey, Miami, Havana Cuba, and Buenos Aires Argentina. Ajay has taught in several Ballroom studios in California, Reno and Tucson, Arizona and at the University of Arizona in Tucson for their Ritmos Latinos Salsa Club. He specializes in the Latin dances including the Argentine Tango but also teaches most of the Ballroom dances.

 Carole Musso-Office Manager

Carole has loved dancing since she was 12 years old when she took her first ballroom dance class.  As an adult, she periodically took dance lessons and would dance every chance she had.  In 2007, Carole began private ballroom lessons at Starlite, danced weekly, participated in showcases, and subsequently began working in the studio and managing the front office.  She loves welcoming and socializing with all the dancers.