Teacher

When Vanessa first started Salsa dancing in Vancouver in 2007 she was no stranger to dance. She started off with Jazz dance, but ventured into partner dancing in 1999 with Swing. Before long Vanessa was a favourite follow on the dance floor, and was soon teaching, choreographing and performing Lindyhop.

With her strong knowledge and understanding of dance and lead and follow technique, Vanessa excelled as a latin dancer, quickly learning LA style Salsa, Cuban Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha, Bachata, Merengue, Reggaeton, Kizomba, and Cumbia. She immediately became an active member in the Vancouver salsa community, helping to plan, promote and host events.

Turning down an offer to train with three time ESPN World Salsa Champion Abel Pena in LA, Vanessa instead moved to the UK to be near family. Since moving to Bristol in 2009, she has been a regular salsa teacher for Salsa Montuno and has also assisted international teachers Mauricio Reyes and Robert Charlemange. She helped run the Salsa Montuno performance team, including choreographing routines and performing across the country.

Vanessa is also a member of CUBAnía performance group, exemplifying her diverse dance ability as she has taken to the stage to perform Reggaeton, Orishas and Cuban Salsa at various events in the UK and also Canada and the US. Vanessa's love for dancing means she is regularly out social dancing at events in the UK and Canada, so be sure to ask her for a dance, as a follow or a lead!