Meet our dance teachers and staff

The Dance Elite Dance Club team

Instructors at Dance Elite Dance Club have more than 85 years of combined dance experience, and all are certified at various levels of the Dance Vision International Dance Association (DVIDA) syllabus. Even more important, our positive and patient instructors are committed to teaching you at your own pace and helping you achieve your personal dance goals.

Abe Catalan, Owner

Born in the Philippines and raised in Jacksonville, Fla., Abe Catalan began his ballroom dance career with Arthur Murray studios in 1978. Following years of training and professional competition, Mr. Catalan launched Dance International, Inc., a ballroom dance studio focused on teaching social dance. In 1997, the company relocated from Jacksonville's St. Nicholas neighborhood to Orange Park, Fla. and was renamed Dance Elite Dance Club to more accurately reflect the level of quality instruction and service experienced at Mr. Catalan's dance studios. In 2004, Dance Elite Dance Club opened its second location in the historic community of Avondale, and last year, longtime Jacksonville ballroom dance studio Universal Ballroom merged with Dance Elite to expand dance instruction services. Dance Elite Dance Club now offers a range of social and competitive ballroom dance classes and lessons from its convenient Avondale location.

Dance Elite Dance Club staff