Meet the Team

Stephanie Montejano

Studio Owner & Lead Instructor

For Stephanie, dance has always been about far more than learning steps. It is about connection, confidence, communication, and the joy that comes from discovering what you are capable of on the dance floor.

With 17 years of ballroom dance experience, Stephanie received much of her foundational training from her dance and life partner, Tristan—a Fred Astaire-trained ballroom professional, studio manager, and Rising Star Champion. Through years of dancing, teaching, and building a life together, Tristan shared with Stephanie not only his knowledge of ballroom technique, but his understanding of partnership, musicality, and the art of helping another person become a dancer.

Stephanie went on to develop a teaching style distinctly her own. Today, she is a celebrated group-class instructor with more than 100 Top Notch Reviews from students, known for making dance approachable, encouraging, and genuinely fun.

Her work has also been nationally recognized and awarded for the development of adaptive dance curriculum for veterans living with disabilities. That experience further shaped one of the hallmarks of Stephanie’s teaching: meeting students where they are and adapting dance to the individual rather than expecting the individual to adapt to dance.

Her instruction encompasses Ballroom and Latin dance, social dancing, wedding dances, special-event choreography, and adaptive dance instruction. She especially loves introducing beginners to partner dancing and watching the moment when someone who walked in saying, “I can’t dance,” realizes that they absolutely can.

The name Tristan’s Dance Studio carries a deeply personal legacy. After a courageous fight with cancer, Tristan passed away, leaving behind his dance and life partner, Stephanie, and a lifetime of knowledge, memories, and love for the art they shared.

Stephanie chose to carry his name forward through the studio they dreamed of—not simply by preserving what Tristan taught her, but by continuing to build upon it. Tristan’s Dance Studio represents both a legacy and a new chapter: a place where excellent instruction is paired with warmth, laughter, community, and the belief that dancing can enrich every season of life.

For Stephanie, every person who walks through the studio doors becomes another part of that continuing story.

Turning Dreams Into Dances.

Spiro Marko

Lead Studio Coach & 3x Greek Champion

With a career spanning decades and continents, Spiro Marko brings an extraordinary depth of competitive, professional, and coaching experience to Tristan’s Dance Studio.

A three-time Greek Champion, Spiro is an internationally trained 10-Dance expert, giving him extensive experience across both the Standard and Latin disciplines of competitive ballroom dancing. His expertise extends into American Style Ballroom, where he works as an experienced coach, helping dancers develop stronger technique, partnership, musicality, and performance quality.

Before coming to the United States, Spiro owned and operated his own dance studio in Greece, building his reputation as both a dancer and instructor. He later made a successful professional debut in the United States, where his career expanded into training and coaching both professional and amateur dancers.

Spiro’s experience goes well beyond competition. As a professional host, he understands how to create energy in a room, connect with people, and make dancing feel as social and enjoyable as it is technically rewarding. That combination of championship-level knowledge and an engaging personality makes him equally at home coaching serious dancers, working with fellow professionals, or helping social students become more comfortable and confident on the dance floor.

At Tristan’s Dance Studio, Spiro serves as a Lead Studio Coach, bringing an international perspective and a wealth of experience to our teaching team. Whether a student wants to refine their technique, strengthen their partnership, prepare for performance or competition, or simply become a better social dancer, Spiro brings the knowledge of a champion and the perspective of a lifelong dance professional to every lesson.

International experience. Championship credentials. A lifetime dedicated to dance.

Marcus Viana

Lead Male Instructor

With 20 years of dance and performance experience, Marcus Viana brings an exciting international perspective, exceptional versatility, and a lifelong passion for dance to Tristan’s Dance Studio.

Originally from Brazil, Marcus built his career as both a performer and competitive dancer, with accomplishments that include appearing as a professional on Brazil’s Dancing with the Stars and being awarded the prestigious title of Brazil’s Top Rising Star. His experience spans the stage, competitive dance floor, and teaching studio, giving his students the benefit of an instructor who understands both the artistry and technical discipline behind great dancing.

Marcus is also an accomplished competitive coach. His students regularly earn first-place finishes in competition, reflecting his ability to develop dancers while bringing out their individual strengths, confidence, and performance quality.

Deeply rooted in the dances of his native Brazil, Marcus specializes in Brazilian Zouk, Samba, and other Brazilian dance styles, while also bringing extensive experience in Argentine Tango, Salsa, Bachata, and Ballroom dancing. His broad background allows students to explore everything from the connection and fluidity of Zouk to the passion of Argentine Tango, the energy of Salsa and Bachata, and the elegance and technique of Ballroom.

As an instructor, Marcus combines technical knowledge, musicality, performance experience, and authentic cultural understanding. Whether working with a social dancer taking their first steps or an experienced student looking to elevate their technique and performance, his goal is to challenge each dancer while helping them become more confident, expressive, and connected on the dance floor.

At Tristan’s Dance Studio, Marcus offers students the opportunity to learn from a professional whose career has taken him from Brazil’s national spotlight to the dance floor here in Central Florida—bringing a little of Brazil with him every time he teaches.💃🕺