About
My passion for dance is shown in how I teach my students. I don't want my students just to learn steps, I want them to feel excited when they understand what they are doing and why. There's no reason to learn with frustration, so I make sure my students feel comfortable in trying something new and I encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and have fun with dancing.
I love helping my students succeed in their goals. I enjoy watching the growth in confidence that happens as they get more comfortable with dancing. You start to develop a great student teacher relationship with is so rewarding.
Specialties
How often
Student age(s)
Experience level
Number of students
Dance style
Goals and interests
Reviews
Gabriela M.
Emily G.
Mela A.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I do a quick assessment when first meeting with my students and try a warm up exercise to see how much they know. From there I start with the basic fundamentals that they need to know with timing, roles as lead or follow, dance connection and and confidence in executing moves. From that point on, I set a pace that is comfortable for the student and the rest is dance history in the making :).
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Former dance of Melao Dance Company 2004-2007
Former dancer of Mambo Swing DC 2010-2011
Former Dancer of MB Ladies Project 2014-2015
Dance Director and founder of Fusion Urbana Dance Company 2013- Present
Trained with Tango World Champion - Yaisuri Salsamanca -
Trained with Sekou Miller - Alvin and Ailey NYC
Trained with Salsa/Bachata World Champion - Darlin Garcia Philadelphia
Currently Trains 6 times World Champion Eli Torres Philladelphia
Currently trains with Salsa Summit World Champion Jose Maldanado Philadelphia
How did you get started teaching?
It's something that sort of happened after I had been performing for so long. People asked me to teach and at first I wasn't sure it's something that I wanted to do but I fell inlove with dance and I really like helping people. It just made sense!
What types of students have you worked with?
Very beginner, students who were already trained in another genre of dance, dance couples, kids, coorperate events, private events, father and daugher dances for weddings , wedding dances, dance teams, coulples who are on a date nights.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I had a recent father daughter dance emergency. The wedding was in one week and they needed choreographed mash up dance asap. The daughter didn't have any music or song picked out and the father didn't know how to dance at all. I cleared my schedule as much as I could that week and put together a dance with 5 songs that was about 8 mins. I went to the wedding and coordinated the dance with the family and when the time came it was a crowd winner. I never felt so happy because it was such a memorable moment. And NOBODY ever saw the father dance, that was never his thing. :)
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Feel the instructor out, call and ask as many questions as you need to feel comfortable. It's ok to see their work, or ask for references too. If they have a dance page ask to see it, or videos. And it's never bad to try out one lesson.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What their goals are.
Why they want to start taking lessons.
Do they have a time frame and if they have some sort of budget.