Maria Diaz Latin Dance
About
My name is Maria Diaz and I am a professional dancer, choreographer, instructor, and youth educator in Los Angeles and beyond with more than 12 years experience. I offer private, semi-private and group lessons in person and online. Don't just learn steps, learn to dance! No experience or dance partner needed. I specialize in Latin dance styles, like Salsa, Bachata, and Cumbia and as a Pioneer of Colombian-style Salsa (Salsa caleña) on the west coast. With a Bachelors degree in Dance a specialization in Kinesiology from UCLA, I combine a grounded understanding of kinesiology with professional dance practices, ranging from Latin dance, folklore and afro-caribbean to jazz ballet and hip-hop. As a proud graduate of UCLA, I utilize both of my Bachelors degree in Dance and my specialization in Kinesiologys to blend art and science in everything I do. I am a dance instructor at UCLA and at high schools in South Central, working with underserved youth and families to ensure all communities have access to dance.
I have an extensive dance and performing arts background which erformed alongside artists like Don Omar, Zion y Lennox, at major events like Calibash LA and Las Vegas and she has also toured with Mexican artist Pancho Barraza and Colombian Carnaval artist Checo Acosta. Within the salsa world, I have also collaborated with artists like Integration Casanova, Sonora Carruseles, Orchestra Identidad, Wilson "saoco" Manyoma of Fruko y sus Tesos, Rey Reyes, Charlie Cardona, Javier Vasquez, and Christian Fernandez, former lead singer of the Grupo Gale. I was also a co-director of a dance studio in LA and lead various dance companies, including Fuego y Sabor Latino, Son Merekumbé and Son D' Cali. As a native of Bogotá, I am trained in multiple dance forms (including Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, Afro-caribbean dances and Samba).
More on my teaching at https://www.yelp.com/biz/maria-diaz-latin-dance-los-angeles
Seeing my students journey and progress. Also the positive impact that dance has one their lives.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First I ask my students why they are coming in for dance lessons, what their goals are, what they would like to learn in terms of styles of dance and their prior experience if any. Then I take them through a warm up and a series of movement to evaluate their level and way of learning and then start working from there. I show them the basic steps and then start working in partnerwork as they get comfortable dancing on their own.