Interview with Salsa Steph

What is your favourite course to teach?

I'd have to say the Burlesque Salsa Performance Group. Women come in feeling excited yet nervous to delve into themselves, and re-shape their perspective in terms of how they feel about themselves. In only 14 weeks they undergo a slow but definite transformation.

As a teacher it's my best reward to witness this journey, to witness the new gleam in their eyes as they are preparing to do their first show. The cycle is perpetuated when other women see the show and are inspired by these confident vixens,and their body language. The women explore different aspects of themselves and pull out a created alter-ego. Their friends don't even recognize them on stage! Plus because I am right there with them I learn so much as well. What a great job I have!

Do you dance other forms besides Latin dance?

Yes, I took ballet and jazz very seriously as a child/teenager. I tried out for the National Ballet and didn't make it (Thank GOD!) At the time I was devastated and stopped dancing ballet, then my jazz school burned down so I did some break dance, musical comedy, and then from 15-18 nothing. At 18, I discovered salsa and ballroom, plus folkloric dances. Then I was an assistant teacher in the Latin ballroom dances, and took Modern-Martha Grahame Technique as well as hip-hop.

I was in a hip hop group, a Lambada group making money at 18 and performing in big clubs. Being underage, this was my ticket! Whew...I remember the first time I saw salsa. I was stunned by what I saw.

I've tried tap, flamenco. Oh i also used to dance tango in shows and Brazilian samba at the 2 Brazilian Balls back in the day, as well as in the MAC Fashion Cares.

Believe it or not, I love music more than dance.

What is your relationship to music?

I took piano for 7 years, viola for 5, tried guitar and congas. Music is simply my kinda language. Apparently others don't necessarily hear what I hear. That always freaks me out. That's what pushed me to write a script on timing for social dancers. I edited it for about 7 years! Now the DVD is out.

When was that released?

In March 08. I had filmed it in 2005, but it was so low budget, I decided to wait. It was worth it!

It's interesting how you carved out your own job for yourself.

It's very very cool. It helps when you know what kind of person you are, ie disciplined, can't take authority, work well by myself and in teams. I'm just a self-employed kinda gal, who wants to become a business owner. I'm not afraid of working hard, of being unconventional and defying the status-quo. I like to define and shape things, to create. I'm great at ideas, however it's been a real challenge for me to implement them. I dread the mundane...

The next step is to integrate more with the different industries out there, because salsa is not really considered a trained dance, and you end up feeling quite isolated. With the new annual Chocolate Salsa Pleasure Party however, I am starting to build important relationships and sponsors so I feel more integrated in Toronto society.

Ah yes! The Chocolate Party was a lot of fun. You must have had fun dreaming that up!

I certainly did. Next year's Asian Sensation will be even better! I have the next 3 parties lined up...Did the Winter Salsa Carnival for 2 years and now I'm going with my vision. I have an excellent team. They are so wonderful, you have no idea. It's nice to have people believe in you. So that's what it feels like...ask and ye shall receive!