RAUNO ILO
Rauno is the co-owner of Starlite Ballroom and the Indianapolis Open Dancesport Competition.
Together with his wife, Kristiina, Rauno has achieved numerous accolades, including:
- 12-time national champions of their home country, Estonia
- Three-time undefeated champions of the Soviet Union 10-Dance competition
- World 10-Dance Grand Finalists and winners of many major championships across Europe
Rauno is a Dual Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and is certified to championship level in all forms of ballroom dance. As a world-class adjudicator, he has represented the USA at prestigious competitions, including the World Professional Ballroom Championships in Blackpool, England.
After moving to America, Rauno and Kristiina quickly rose to prominence as one of the top professional ballroom couples in the country, consistently placing in the top three in major championships across the USA and Canada. They were named the United States Top Professional Ballroom Couple of the Year for three consecutive years.
Since retiring from professional competition, Rauno has remained active in Pro-Am competitions with his students, earning the Top Teacher title at the United States Championships for three consecutive years and winning the World DanceSport Series Overall Top Teacher Award twice. His students have won over 100 national and world titles.
Rauno teaches all styles of ballroom dancing to singles and couples at all levels. He continues to coach and judge at competitions nationwide.
KRISTIINA ILO
Kristiina Ilo is the co-owner of Starlite Ballroom. Alongside her husband, Rauno, Kristiina has achieved numerous competitive successes, including:
- Soviet Union Champions in International Standard and International Latin
- Three-time undefeated Soviet Union 10-Dance Champions
- World 10-Dance Grand Finalists and winners of major championships across Europe
Kristiina is a Dual Fellow of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and holds championship certification in all styles of dance. She also holds a World Class Adjudicator license and is frequently invited to judge prestigious dance competitions in the U.S. and abroad. Notably, she represented the U.S. as a judge for the World Professional Latin Championships in Italy.
After moving to the United States, Kristiina and her dance partner quickly became one of the country’s top professional ballroom couples, winning numerous championships in Standard and Latin and holding the "Top Professional Couple of the Year" title for three consecutive years.
Currently, Kristiina teaches at Starlite and serves as a visiting coach at various studios nationwide. Her students have won multiple competitions, including U.S. Championships.
Kristiina is also the co-owner of the Indianapolis Open DanceSport Competition, held every spring at the Sheraton in downtown Indianapolis. For more information, visit www.IndianapolisOpenDanceSport.com.
MARKUS ILO
Markus began dancing at age ten and has since progressed to the highest level—OPEN—in both International Ballroom and Latin styles. He has trained with top coaches from around the world in the United States and Europe.
In 2022, Markus and his dance partner, Agata, achieved recognition as the top U/21 couple in the USA, winning every major championship they attended, including the:
- Ohio Star Ball
- New York Dance Festival
- North American Championships
- Manhattan Dance Championships
- Heritage Classic Championships
Markus is sponsored by SUPADANCE Dance Shoes, London, one of the world’s leading ballroom dance shoe brands.
He enjoys teaching all levels and styles, both in private and group settings, and has a particular passion for introducing new students to the world of competitive ballroom dancing.
Currently, Markus is actively competing with his Pro/Am students and recently won the 2024 Indianapolis Open DanceSport Competition Overall Top Teacher Award.
JONAS KAZLAUSKAS
Jonas has been dancing for 22 years and has had the honor of representing both Lithuania and England throughout his Youth and Amateur dance career. With extensive experience as a dancer, instructor, and choreographer, Jonas has performed in major dance shows alongside "Strictly Come Dancing" stars and Jack Vettriano in England.
After earning a Performing Arts Dance Degree from Bournemouth University, Jonas moved to America to further his dance career. He eventually settled in Indianapolis and formed a new professional partnership with Kathleen Ilo.
Together, Jonas and Kathleen have achieved numerous titles, including:
- Five consecutive United States Professional 10-Dance titles
- UK Professional 10-Dance titles
- World Professional 10-Dance Champions in 2021 in Kyiv, Ukraine
Additionally, Jonas and Kathleen placed 3rd in the World Professional Showdance Championships in Cervia, Italy.
Jonas has also participated in various charity events with his celebrity students, including “Reason to Dance,” a fundraiser for Riley Hospital for Children, and “Dancing Like Stars” in Anderson, Indiana, winning several mirrorball trophies.
Currently, Jonas focuses on teaching and competing with his students.
KATHLEEN ILO
Kathleen comes from a dance family and has been training and competing from a young age. As an amateur, she quickly advanced through the ranks in International styles, earning United States Champion titles at every level. Her amateur career culminated with three consecutive World Champion titles.
Since turning professional, Kathleen has trained with some of the world’s most renowned ballroom and Latin coaches, competing in nearly every major championship across the United States and Europe.
With her professional partner, Jonas Kazlauskas, Kathleen has achieved:
- Five consecutive United States Professional 10-Dance titles
- Five consecutive United Kingdom Professional 10-Dance titles
- World Professional 10-Dance Championship title in 2021 in Kyiv, Ukraine
Jonas and Kathleen also placed 3rd in the World Professional Showdance Championships in Cervia, Italy.
Kathleen has participated in several fundraisers and charity events over the years, including "Dancing Like Stars" in Anderson, Indiana, and “Reason to Dance” for Riley Children’s Hospital. She and her celebrity students have won multiple mirrorball trophies at these events.
Currently, Kathleen is actively teaching and competing with her students.
SCOTT SHOOK
Scott is a certified, award-winning instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience in the Indianapolis area. He teaches all levels in Rhythm, Smooth, Ballroom, and Latin styles, including Country Western, and actively competes in Pro/Am events with his students.
Scott’s achievements include numerous top teacher awards, such as:
- Top Teacher at the World Dance-O-Rama in Las Vegas
- Voted “Rising Star” dance instructor
- 2nd Place Top Teacher at the Indianapolis Open
He has won three mirror ball trophies in the local "Dancing Like the Stars" contest, as well as first place in the Dance For Hope contest. Additionally, Scott has earned mirror ball trophies at charity events like the “Reason to Dance” fundraiser for Riley Hospital for Children and the “Meals on Wheels” fundraiser.
In Country Western dance, Scott took 1st place in the Pro division at the Gateway Classic competition and placed 5th at the UCWDC World Championship.
Scott and his wife, Yulia, compete in professional American Smooth and International Ballroom. Their accomplishments include multiple top-three finishes across Midwest Rising Star and Open Professional competitions:
- 2nd place in the Open Professional division at the Indiana Challenge
- 2nd place in the Cincinnati Ballroom Classic Rising Star and Open Professional divisions
- 3rd place in the Indianapolis Open Rising Star division
- 1st place in the North American Imperial Star Rising Star Standard division
YULIA SHOOK
Yulia moved from Belarus and met her husband and dance partner, Scott, in Indianapolis. She has been teaching for around 15 years and has competed professionally in Smooth and International Ballroom with Scott for 11 years.
Yulia teaches all four styles: Smooth, Rhythm, Ballroom, and Latin, at all levels.
She is the winner of a Mirror Ball Trophy in the local "Dancing Like the Stars" contest. With her husband, Yulia has placed in the top three numerous times in various Midwest Rising Star and Open Professional competitions. Their achievements include:
- 2nd place in the Open Professional division of the Indiana Challenge
- 2nd place twice in the Cincinnati Classic Rising Star and Open Professional divisions
- 3rd place in the Indianapolis Open Rising Star division
- 1st place in the North American Imperial Star Rising Star Standard division
Together, Yulia and Scott also won 1st place in the Dance For Hope contest in Greenfield.
For the past 8 years, Yulia has served as the official coach for the Indy Dancers, alongside her husband, Scott.
Grace Brown
Grace has been dancing for 12 years. She began as a Smooth and Rhythm dancer, successfully competing in several competitions. Later, as an adult, she formed a partnership with Aleksander Rybakov and continued her dance career in International Ballroom, competing actively across the USA.
Grace has trained with top coaches worldwide and has been a finalist in numerous championship competitions in the USA, including the Heritage Classic Championships and North American Imperial Star Ball Championships.
Currently, Grace teaches both group and private lessons at Starlite Ballroom, specializing in all dance styles. She enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities and has a special passion for working with kids.
Contact Us To Book Your Next Lesson
Dances we teach:
American Rhythm
Cha Cha
Rumba
East Coast Swing
Bolero
Mambo
American Smooth
Waltz
Tango
Foxtrot
Latin
Salsa
Merengue
Cumbia
Bachata
International Ballroom
Waltz
Tango
Foxtrot
Quickstep
Viennese Waltz
International Latin
Cha Cha
Rumba
Samba
Paso Doble
Jive
Social
Hustle
West Coast Swing