The Team
Who We Are
Stefan Ilies
Founder & CEO
Stefan started dancing at the age of 7 in his hometown of Chisinau, Moldova and has never stopped. He holds multiple competition titles; winning National Championships in Latin and Standard dance styles in Moldova, Romania (where he moved to continue his education), and the USA. Coming to America and opening Let's Dance Miami was a lifetime dream, that came true in November 2019. His entertaining personality and passion for dancing make teaching his students the best job in the world.
Dan Luca
Advanced Student Department
Dan was born in Pitesti, a small town in Romania, known for hosting the oldest Ballroom Dance Championship in the country. He got involved in this discipline at an early age and turned it into a lifestyle. Although he has a Master Degree in Automotive Engineering, he followed his passion and performed for ten years on Cruise Ships and Luxury Resorts all around the world. Meeting people from different cultures and learning new dance styles pushed him to become not just an entertaining performer but a fun and creative teacher. He is very excited to teach in Miami, helping people to have fun while becoming better and stronger on the dance floor.
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Bianca Popa
Dance Director & Wedding Dance Specialist
Bianca has been fascinated by ballroom dancing since she was a child, and remembers being mesmerized by the beautiful gowns while watching a Ballroom Competition on TV. She finally started taking classes in Bucharest when she was 17 and soon became passionate about it. While studying for her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, she competed all around Romania and Europe with Dan. They started a dance school together with more than 100 students, both kids and adults. They became National Champions in Standard Formation, Vicechampions in Ballroom Showdance, but soon chose the artistic side of dance. After choreographing and performing with their dance teams in Romania, she started performing on cruise ships all over the world, and decided that if she lived somewhere it would have to have a beach and lots of sun. Miami has both, so now she is very happy to teach at Let’s Dance Miami for students that come from all over the world and share the same passion for dancing like her.
Diogenes Goncalves
New Student & Latin Dance Specialist
Diogenes Gonçalves
Actor, Dancer, and Cultural Producer
With a background in Marketing and Quality Management, Diogenes Gonçalves has built a diverse career in dance, theater, and production. He trained in Ballet at the Andrea Bahlis School and Ballroom Dance at the Carine & Rafael Dance School. Recently, he was hired as an actor and dancer for Turma da Mônica. Active in theater, cinema, and advertising, his key dance performances include "Atma" and "Tropicalistas" by Ciro Barcelos, and choreography for shows like "Crime Cor de Rosa – Musical Comedy," "Lights-Camera and Laughs," and "The Coronation of Cinderella," as well as "Lambar" for OW Company.
In cinema, Diogenes was a choreographer and dancer for the Netflix series "Cangaceiro do Futuro" and appeared in a music video for Cléo Silva produced by Paralaxe Filmes. He has won numerous awards in dance competitions, including 1st place in the Rising Star Solo Salsa Male at the Battle of the Next Generation 2024, 2nd place in both Rising Star Open Salsa Solo Men and Salsa Solo Men at Summit 2024 and 2023, and multiple top spots at the Brazil Latin Open, IDN Dance Festival, and Dance Open Brazil.
Diogenes continues to inspire audiences through his dedication to dance and cultural expression.
Daniela Vacaru
New Student & Wedding Dance Specialist
Daniela Vacaru was born in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. She is a responsible person, full of life, and content with everything life has to offer. From an early age, her parents guided her towards the world of dance, instilling in her a passion for the beauty and expressiveness of movement. Through her exceptional dedication, Daniela became a national champion and an international artist in the field of choreography. She pursued higher education at the Academy of Arts, where she refined her artistic skills and gained solid academic training. Today, she continues to inspire others with her talent and dedication, transforming dance into an art that connects and motivates those around her.
Eugene Stetsenko
New Student & Advance Dance Specialist
I’m a professional dancer and coach specializing in the exciting world of Latin-American dance. Throughout my dance journey, I’ve had the incredible honor of being a finalist at the International Sports Dance Championship in China and a semifinalist at the Vilnius Dance Festival in 2021. I’ve also had the opportunity to take home titles as a winner and finalist at the Ukrainian Open Championship, the Starlight “Grand Prix” Cup, and many other Ukrainian and international competitions. A memorable highlight was reaching the semifinals of “Ukraine’s Got Talent,” which was an unforgettable experience that showcased my love for dance to a wider audience.
With all this experience under my belt, I’m truly passionate about sharing the joy of dance and helping others connect with the energy and artistry of Latin dance. My coaching focuses on guiding you through the fundamentals and advanced techniques, all while keeping the process fun and engaging. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills and confidence on the dance floor, my goal is to inspire and support you in achieving your personal best—not just in dance but in every step of life. Together, we’ll explore the beauty of movement, rhythm, and expression, making every lesson an experience to remember!
