saac Altman is a veteran dance instructor, coach, and organizer based in Miami, Florida. He founded International Dance Studio in Miami in 1987, and the studio remains under the direction of Isaac and Laura Castro Altman today. With more than five decades of experience in dance, Isaac is known for his work in both salsa and ballroom, and for the role he has played in shaping Miami’s competitive and studio dance scene.
Alongside his wife and longtime dance partner Laura Castro Altman, Isaac built a reputation as both a competitor and teacher. Studio and press materials credit the couple as World Salsa Champions, including the IDO World Salsa title in 2000. Over the years, they have also coached a number of high-level dancers, with the studio citing world champions in junior Latin, merengue, salsa, snowdance, and tango among the students they have trained.
Isaac is also one of the more influential figures in the development of organized salsa competition in the United States. He and Laura founded the World Salsa Federation, and competition materials trace the launch of the World Salsa Championship to Miami in 2002. International Dance Studio also credits Isaac and Laura with helping bring Ballroom and Salsa into the AAU Junior Olympic Games, where Isaac later held a leadership role tied to DanceSport, Salsa, and Swing.
As an instructor, Isaac has described his own salsa as a blend of Cuban, L.A., and New York influences, with a strong emphasis on sabor, freedom of movement, and musical expression. That broad approach fits the larger identity of International Dance Studio, where he and Laura teach not only salsa, but a wide range of partner dances including ballroom, Latin, bachata, swing, tango, and more.
Today, Isaac continues to teach through International Dance Studio while remaining active through the World Salsa Federation. His career has spanned teaching, coaching, judging, competition development, youth dance programs, and media work, making him one of the more established names connected to Miami salsa and DanceSport.