About Us

About Us:

The Sol Ballroom Dance Center and Ballroom Dance Teachers Academy Instructors are highly trained in both social and competitive level dancing in all styles and levels of dance. Nationally certified with a wealth of knowledge to share, we are committed to high quality dance instruction. AND, we are committed to making it fun and easy!

Hannah Cole
Owner - Master Instructor (All Styles & Levels) - Director, Ballroom Dance Teachers Academy - Regional Examiner, Dance Vision Inc.
Hannah won her first dance competition aged 7, free-styling to “She wore an itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-yellow-polka-dot Bikini" at a talent show in Northern California. Drawn to musical theatre throughout high school, Hannah first experienced partner dance while studying in Costa Rica in 1993. She was certain she had struck gold and became determined to share it with the World.

Hannah has since contributed to the ballroom profession as a teacher, coach, dance director, studio consultant, trainer of teachers, performer, competitor, choreographer, director, and producer. She has worked, competed, and performed throughout the US and abroad. Among other achievements, she was a 2004 Ohio Star Ball Rising Star Smooth finalist, and has won countless Top Teacher awards competing in all styles and levels. Her technical precision, innovative teaching techniques and genuine love of people have made her a most requested instructor and coach.

In 2012, Hannah was recruited to Las Cruces, New Mexico to establish and direct the New Mexico State University DanceSport concentration. Amongst her many accomplishments during her time at NMSU, she brought home 47 National and National Collegiate DanceSport championship titles, raised more than $200,000 net profit to support the program, created, directed, and produced nine performance productions, contributed to nearly 60 community service projects, and successfully placed every graduate into professional careers. In 2015, Hannah was honored with Congressional Recognition for her achievements with the DanceSport Company and her positive representation of the Southern New Mexico region. Completing her time at NMSU in 2017, Hannah now enjoys studio life once again where she continues to bring the joy of dance to the lives of all people, and lives by the vision Uniting the World through Dance.™

Hannah took the position of Director of The Ballroom Dance Teachers College in 2018 as it found its home at Sol Ballroom. After more than 25 years in existence, the program became recognized as the most highly qualified ballroom dance teacher education program in the world. Licensed and bonded by the NM Department of Higher Education, the Ballroom Dance Teachers Academy leads the way in partner dance teacher education.

Hannah enjoyed her role as Director of the USA Dance College Network (2013-2019). She chaired the National Collegiate DanceSport Championships (2015-2018), and was a founder (2018) and resides a Director on the USA Dance Las Cruces Chapter board. She is co-author of the 2015 DVIDA Silver American Rhythm certification manual, a successful trainer for professional certifications, a Pro-DVIDA regional examiner (since 2006) and holds professional certifications in American style Rhythm and Smooth, and International style Standard and Latin with DIVDA, ISTD and Terpsichore. Hannah holds Bachelors degrees in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and a Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico State University. Her area of research involved the relationship between emotions, stress and performance. Her personal interests lie in partner dance as a means for personal transformation and connection. She knows that learning to dance is much more than just the steps... it is about becoming who we want to be.

Her vision for it all... "Uniting the World through Dance!" And she has enabled thousands since 1993, one dancer at a time. Hannah makes learning to dance easy and fun!

Julie Thompson
Instructor
Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country, Nightclub
Originally from North Carolina, Julie arrived at Sol Ballroom in 2019 with a desire to bring dance back into her life (having danced years for 10 years before in other arenas.) At Sol, Julie began in the ballet classes, did one performance.... and then... COVID happened. She came back in full force as a highly competitive amateur dancer in 2021. With great training Julie won numerous competitions at the Pro/Am level, enhanced Sol performances and most of all... she had a great time. With a desire to learn more, Julie joined Sol Ballroom's acclaimed, state licensed Ballroom Dance Teachers Academy. As her understanding grew, so did her desire to help others enjoy the same ability. Julie soon found herself with the gift of the professional ballroom life. In change for her previous career as a high level accountant, she did it. Julie has only been teaching since 2023, yet her acquired knowledge from BDTA, her profound desire to help others and her commitment to perfection and integrity in the sport has led Julie to become a truly great teacher of dance.

Julie's talents have been further recognized by Dance Vision through her 'High Honors' level achievements with Professional Certifications:

Associate Rhythm - Dance Vision, Inc. - 2023
Associate Smooth - Dance Vision, Inc. - 2024

Alexander "Alex" Donaghe
Instructor
Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country, Nightclub
Alex grew up in southeastern New Mexico. He started his college career in Colorado but was quickly drawn home to NMSU - finishing his BA in Exercise Science with minors in Dance and Business Administration. Alex first found dancing at NMSU as he searched for ways to improve his abilities as an Aggie Football player. He immediately fell in love with dance and quickly became a pivotal member of the NMSU Dancesport team. During this time, Alex enjoyed competitions at the national level winning numerous accolades, he entertained the Las Cruces and El Paso community through his high energy performances, and he found opportunity in all teaching endeavors. Alex loves teaching everyone from the wedding couple to the avid competitor. He has a natural gift and desire to share his knowledge and passion with others. Alex splits his professional time between his love of dancing and his commitment to personal training - being voted runner-up in the 2022 Best Personal Trainer in Las Cruces. Alex is committed to training the whole dancer and is beyond excited to be a part of the Sol Dance family. (PS. He also models...)

Sara Youngblood
Ballet, Contemporary, Flamenco, Jazz, Posture, Dance Education
Sara is a native of Seattle, Washington. She studied ballet with John and Helen Wilkins at Olympic Ballet Theatre. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a concentration in Theater from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR in 2005 before relocating to Goettingen, Germany to teach dance. Returning to the US in 2008 to settle in Las Cruces, Sara earned a second Bachelor of Arts in Dance, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from New Mexico State University. At NMSU she studied modern dance with Debra Knapp and Classical Spanish dance with Lucilene de Geus and ballet with Ann Gavit and Kiri Avelar. She has performed in New York and El Paso with Another River Interdisciplinary Ensemble and Tumbleweed collective. Sara is a member of the teaching faculty of Communication and Performing Arts at El Paso Community College, and is honored to be a part of the faculty at Sol Ballroom.

Joseph Gonzales
Senior Adjunct Instructor
Joseph found dancing while at UNM studying biology. The rhythms of the Flamenco were just too much to keep him away. After numerous years performing Flamenco, Joseph moved to California and found Ballroom Dancing as he worked with Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Dance has been a part of Joseph's life for more than 20 years. It is his passion, his joy, his way of life. And he loves sharing it with others. He is an accomplished Country Western competitor and even spent some time with Theater Arts. Mostly, you will love his attention to detail and the joy he brings to every dance lesson. Unfortunately, after numerous years at Sol Ballroom, he was called to move back to Albuquerque for personal reasons. And, he will be back on a semi-regular basis. You will love him.

Diane Jarmolow
Master Trainer, Exam Coach, National Dance Vision Examiner, Founder Ballroom Dance Teachers College
Diane is an innovator in the field of ballroom dancing whose passion is providing the resources people need to become outstanding professionals and dance studio owners. She founded the Ballroom Dance Teachers College in 1992 which she transferred to Sol Ballroom in 2018. Diane is the author of Teach Like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide for Ballroom Dance Instructors, a book for both new and experienced dance teachers. She co-created (with Kasia Kozak) the Move Like a Champion training, book and DVD for all ballroom dancers to help them better understand how their bodies work so they can “operate” their own bodies to produce beautiful movement. She is also the creator of the remarkable Salesfree Sales Workshops and Audio Program. She has been teaching ballroom dancing since 1978, and has trained hundreds of teachers, including U.S. and International dance champions. She is the founder and former owner/director of the renowned Metronome Ballroom, San Francisco’s “Best Place to Learn to Dance.” She is a DVIDA® National Examiner, and created the original, rigorous, innovative system of professional certification exams which has set a new standard for professional excellence in the industry. Diane is a multiple winner of the “Top Teacher” award at national competitions, a member of the DVIDA® Artistic Advisory Board, a DVIDA® National Examiner, and a DVIDA® Certifying Expert. She has multiple professional certifications with USISTD and U.S. Terpsichore Association. Diane was Hannah’s first “Ballroom Boss,” and they are delighted to still be working together.

Brenda Dunagan Lamon
Trainer & Exam Coach - Ballroom Dance Teachers Academy
Brenda, a New Mexico Native, has been teaching ballroom, Latin, swing, and country-western dance for 27 years. She holds a Fellowship diploma and professional gold medals with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, and has performed in all 50 U.S. states and 11 foreign countries. When she is not dancing, she also performs as a professional stage magician under the state name Ms. Direction, and belongs to the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Her hobbies include rescuing and raising exotic animals and freelance journalism. Her greatest passion is sharing music, movement, and magic with others, and she believes that dance increases one’s capacity for joy and fulfillment through every stage of life.

Sol Ballroom Dance Center
200 S Solano Dr Ste 1, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88001
(575) 288-1113