That particular date is burned in my memory because the lovely Princess Diana left this earth on that day. The band was playing when I walked in and I was IMMEDIATELY locked into the music. I heard the juicy story being told with the harmonies, layers of percussion and screaming horns. I didn't know the translation of the lyrics but the dialogue between the instruments was enough to get my heart p
ounding and energy coming out of my ears! I knew the basic steps, so I hit the dance floor and didn't leave until the lights came on and they kicked us out. I was officially ADDICTED and ready to geek out on Salsa. Since then I've been enjoying my hobby attending Salsa Congresses, Salsa Workshops and Latin Dance Festivals as work and life allowed. In 2012 I was lamenting not being able to attend a particular Salsa event, and thought "wouldn't it be GREAT if I could get my Salsa fix in Durango?" Durango has a bar with a Salsa night, but sometimes those late nights can be rough! Many of my friends shared my sentiment, and the light bulb went off. My background is in event planning, marketing and music performance, so I decided I would create the Salsa Scene I had envisioned. And it would start way earlier than midnight. Enter Black Belt Salsa and Edie the Salsa Freak. Edie is a highly desired, world-class instructor and performer known and respected throughout the world. As I researched my new venture as a Salsa Instructor, I came across Black Belt Salsa. Lo and behold, Edie was in the process of rolling out a progressive training system that is designed to create amazing instructors who then create amazing dancers. I've been training extensively with Edie and am super jazzed to share this easy-to-learn method of dance instruction! You will be able to hit the dance floor CONFIDENTLY after your FIRST lesson! The BBS system provides a solid foundation in technique and then builds styling, musicality and the improvisation that makes the dance yours. Check out salserablanca.com for more detailed information on the courses and my master instructor, Edie Williams. My goal is to create a Salsa scene in Durango with exciting events, great music and people of all ages and backgrounds who want to get energized and try a skill you will have forever. I offer group classes and private lessons for singles or couples. You do not need to be a "dancer" to try Black Belt Salsa. P.S. Who the heck is Blanca? When I started Salsa dancing, my last name was White, and many of my dance partners couldn't remember the name Erin. So an instructor in Denver named me "Blanca" because of my skin color, hair color, and the biggest reason: he couldn't say Erin. So Salsera Blanca is it! Thanks Luis, wherever you are!
