Troy Dance Studio

Troy Dance Studio has been serving dancers in Michigan since 1992, built on nearly 40 years of teaching experience by its owner and creative director, Elaine Marrero. Elaine is a World Champion in Latin Dancing, a trusted judge, and a gifted choreographer who has won multiple dance competitions. She moved the studio from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Detroit, seeing the opportunity to bring warm and sexy Latin rhythms and culture to the region. The studio is known for bringing people together across cultural and ethnic backgrounds through dance.

The studio teaches an unusually wide range of styles. Latin and Caribbean styles include Salsa, Mambo, Cumbia, Bachata, Merengue, Plena, Latin House, Reggaeton, and Freestyle Latin. International Standard styles are Waltz, Tango, FoxTrot, Viennese Waltz, and Quickstep. Smooth American Style covers Waltz, Tango, FoxTrot, Viennese Waltz, and Quickstep. Rhythm American Style includes Paso Doble, Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Mambo, Bolero, Hustle, Swing, Lindy Hop, Shag, West Coast Swing, and East Coast Swing. Afro Rhythms classes teach Kizomba, Seba, Konpa, Zouk, and AfroBeats. Other classes cover Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Heels, Fitness, Dance Cardio, Break Dance, Pop Lock, and Hip Hop.

Group classes run on a drop-in basis at $15 per 55-minute class, with workshops at $25. Beginner Level classes always welcome first-time students. The studio employs a team of professional instructors: Art and Donald teach Ballroom; Cristian teaches Salsa and Bachata; Dayleen teaches Ballet, Salsa, Bachata, Reggaeton, and Heels; Duane teaches Rueda de Casino and Timba; James teaches Argentine Tango; Juancho teaches Afro Cuban and Colombian Salsa; Mila teaches Ballroom; and Suzy teaches Ballroom. Elaine remains the creative director, dancer, and owner.

The studio hosts a robust social calendar. Every Friday, Dancer's Night Out features a 9am Salsa Class by Elaine followed by a DJ social (9pm–1am) with DJ Cisco playing Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue, and more ($15 class + social, $10 social only). The second Saturday of each month hosts Motor City Salseros & Bachateros Social with a Denim Party theme, featuring a 9pm Salsa class by Elaine and dancing until 1am ($15 class & party, $10 party only). First Fridays feature Ballroom Fabulous, with an 8pm Ballroom class by Suzy Brecht and a 9–11pm dance party with DJ Suzy ($15 class + dancing, $10 dancing only). The first Saturday of each month hosts Metro Community Milonga, an Argentine Tango lesson with Amanda & Donato at 8pm followed by a milonga until midnight ($30 lesson + milonga, $15 lesson only, $20 milonga only). Regular events also include Sunday Bachata Bash (two dance rooms—Bachata with Salsa, plus Kizomba & Zouk) and Practica del Norte, Argentine Tango práctica on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 2–5pm ($15). Seasonal showcase events include a Community Showcase in July, Halloween Community Showcase in October, Latin Nutcracker in December, and ESO Global Experience: Bachata, a multi-day international dance festival in May 2027 featuring renowned instructors and immersive workshops.

Reviewers praise the studio's great atmosphere, the quality of classes and parties, and the friendliness of Elaine and her team. One reviewer described feeling welcomed despite being new to tango, and another noted the studio as one of the best in Oakland County for quality and variety. The studio is well-laid-out with multiple rooms for simultaneous events.

Come 5–10 minutes early to sign in and pay. All group classes are 55 minutes long and drop-in. Beginner Level classes welcome first-time students. The studio also hosts regular social dances and parties several times a week, ranging from intimate practicas to large all-night socials with DJs.

The studio is led by owner and World Champion Elaine Marrero, supported by a professional team including Art, Cristian, Dayleen, Donald, Duane, James, Juancho, Mila, and Suzy, each specializing in different styles from Ballroom to Latin, Tango, and Afro Rhythms.

Beginner Level classes always welcome first-time students, and the studio is described as welcoming to newcomers.