Dance the way you are

After 15 years of being in the Latin dance community in Saskatoon as a bisexual, Cree, and 2-Spirit dancer, Jayli is passionate about developing spaces for queer and/or Indigenous people to find and express themselves in social dance. Jayli understands dance, and particular salsa (her true love), as a vehicle for connection and intimacy between two dancers. Her determination to fight for fundamentally inclusive spaces in the dance world is motivated by the belief that anyone should get the chance to experience connection without judgment.

LJ is a queer, non-binary, settler-Canadian from Treaty 6 Territory. LJ has been social dancing since 2011, both leading and following. LJ’s heart belongs to salsa, but they will happily dance to whatever style of music is playing. LJ is passionate about a de-colonial and gender-free approach to dance and about queering dance spaces in any way they can. They are very excited to learn with queer and trans dancers and to celebrate dance as our bodies’ birthright.

Danny Ramirez is a queer, disabled, child of immigrants, Latine dancer. Over the last twenty-five years, they have trained in jazz, hip hop, and various latin dance styles and began their focus on bachata 15 years ago. In 2017 they founded and directed La Tormenta Dance Company based in Berkeley/Oakland which included various weekly bachata classes, training and performance teams in bachata and Latin fusion, private lessons, over 50 social dancing events, and quineañera/wedding services. In 2021 they took a break from dance after going back to school and last month they graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Women and Gender Studies with a minor in Human Sexuality at San Francisco State University. Taking a break and going back to school has allowed them to re-emerge into the dance scene with a vision of the world they want to foster within the dance scene. They aim to create a dance space that is inclusive and accessible for queer folk, people with disabilities and the working class, because dance has a healing and joyful power that should be accessible to anyone who desires to express themselves through music and movement.

juanito xochipilli conoro is a queer, nonbinary, displaced Indigenous activist from the ancestral lands of the Guachichil people. Their lifelong journey in dance began with ballet folklórico in 1992, later expanding to socially dancing cumbia, quebradita, and training in salsa since 2003. Falling in love with bachata in 2006, juanito began breaking traditional norms of lead and follow, creating inclusive and liberatory dance spaces. In 2014, they co-hosted online bachata classes through Duo Bachatero, emphasizing freedom of expression and dismantling barriers rooted in dance etiquette. Though they’ve trained, competed, and performed with San Diego-based teams, their heart remains on the social dance floor. For juanito, dance is more than movement—it’s a form of advocacy and empowerment. Their passion lies in cultivating spaces where any body, regardless of identity or ability, can fully express themselves without fear. Guided by their ancestors’ wisdom and the values of community care, juanito uses their privileges to create an inclusive dance culture rooted in joy, authenticity, and connection.

Massiel love for music can be traced back to her childhood. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, she was constantly surrounded by family and friends who used music to bring people together and spread joy. Massiel has taken the stage at numerous festivals across southern California, and dancing, particularly bachata, remains a vital connection to her heritage. She’s an avid social dancer who can both lead and follow. Her playful style is influenced by traditional bachata and focuses on connection and solid fundamentals. She’s excited to share her passion for social dance with her community, creating a welcoming space where people can connect with themselves, the music, and each other.

Ava first discovered the magic of bachata at after stumbling upon a social in Mexico, where she experienced the joy of partner dancing and the powerful connection it creates. Captivated by the dynamic rhythm and emotional depth of the music, she immediately fell in love with how bachata allows dancers to express themselves. This transformative experience fueled her passion for the dance, and she has since trained with top artists in Seattle, Spain, and beyond—bringing that same energy, inspiration, and connection to her students every day. With a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, Ava creates a space where dancers of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences can feel seen, heard, and supported through the healing power of dance. She sees it as a powerful way to connect, make new friends, and share joy through movement. She’s dedicated to helping each individual tap into their unique rhythm and flow, using dance as the ultimate form of self-expression.

Jamie (she/they) is a switch bachata dancer whose journey began with a deep love for Latinx music. Their passion for dance grew quickly after learning from incredible instructors in both the U.S. and Spain. Dance has not only been a hobby of Jamie's, but also a powerful therapeutic outlet for her. They strive to create a welcoming space where everyone can build self-confidence and express themselves authentically. She wants to share the magic that bachata has brought her through connection with the music, with one's dance partner, and with oneself. Believing that dance should be accessible to all, Jamie hopes to foster an inclusive space where students of all abilities, ages, body types, and genders feel supported on their unique dance journeys.

Yasmeen has always been pulled to music and dance as ways to build community, connect to the body, and find joy in movement. She enjoys expressing a range of themselves through Afro-Latin dance styles, and strongly believes that there is room for everyone to show up as they are and connect to dance in a way that is meaningful to them. They hope to foster spaces where students can trust themselves, trust their peers, and feel supported in their growth and learning. Yasmeen has trained in Colombia, Cuba, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and the United States in several styles of salsa and bachata and is always eager to offer accessible and friendly classes for new dancers!

Kate is a switch Salsa dancer and has taught movement for over 10 years. Kate is committed to dance as a spiritual practice of self-liberation and expression. Kate believes all bodies can dance regardless of gender, ability, age, shape or size and that dance is a signpost for individuals to connect to their own body and authenticity. Partner dance, as a language, spans past physical and geographical borders; it is the language of connection and play, respect, touch and expression, and above all, the best way they have found to heal, grow, build community, tap into unbridled joy and dismantle the patriarchy.