THE INSTRUCTORS:

Davina Gaddin Instructor	Emmanuel Sowah Instructor	Catherine Taylor Instructor

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What is your name? Davina Gaddin When did you start dancing Salsa? In 2004

What inspired you to start dancing / teaching?
While on a trip abroad, I stumbled into a quaint little salsa club called the Mooza. It was love at first sight as I was engulfed by the energy that was created from a room full of salsa addicts. After spending many enjoyable evenings familiarising myself with salsa ,I had to reluctantly return home to Pretoria. It didn`t take long for the salsa bug to bite and hence the birth of SALSA SPIRIT SA.

When did you start teaching Salsa?
I have been teaching since 2005.

What inspires you to keep dancing?
I would have to agree with Dan - The music and the people.
The music is capable of magically revitalising the soul with passion and lightness.
As for the people - I have been fortunate to meet and teach so many diverse and amazing people.
They have made an enormous impact on my life.

What Salsa Style do you teach?
Cuban and LA Styles.

Is salsa your only/main profession? If not, details?
I am a mom to 4 VERY, VERY energetic children. So when I`m not dancing ,
I`m schlepping kids to and fro.

Do you have any salsa role models?
Dan and Ann Roman. John Morrison from Que Pasa Cape Town. As well as the numerous dancers that have left me moved by their natural ability to salsa.

What was the funniest/most embarrassing salsa moment?
Crashing my head into someone`s nethers upon the ascent from a rather peculiar dip!!! VERY Embarrassing...

Do you have any words of wisdom for the salsa dancers out there?
Never let anyone intimidate you on the dance floor. Everyone started from scratch. So make sure you enjoy yourself, enjoy dancing with your partner, have a smile on your face and just let the music take you to that place in your dreams!!!

What is your claim to fame?
Not exactly sure. Maybe the `swing da bum` line dance. LOVE it!!!
This is something you`ve gotta try!!!

What else would you like students to know about you?
I make a great cheese cake!!!

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What is your name? Emmanuel Sowah When did you start dancing Salsa? In 2003

Why/How did you start dancing?
I love dancing and always love learning any new form of dance. That was what led me to the Aviation Social Centre Salsa Dance Club back home in Ghana, where I come from.

When did you start teaching/performing Salsa?
In October 2004

What inspires you to keep dancing?
Good music, getting to know people and the rewarding feeling of knowing that I am able to impart my dancing knowledge onto my students. My greatest reward comes from the students complimenting me on being a good teacher, which I hope and think I am.

What Salsa Style do you teach?
Cuban and LA style, but mostly LA style

Is salsa your only/main profession? If not, details?
I wouldn't say Salsa is a profession- to me it's a love and passion, which I do apart from my profession as a microsoft based system administrator and computer technician

Do you have any salsa role models?
Yeah, Edgar Mendaz of LA salsa

What has been your best salsa event you’ve ever attended? Why?
The night of the salseros back home in Ghana

What was the funniest/most embarrassing salsa moment?
I think the night of the salsaros when my trousers got torn during the competition, which I eventually won. And also the first time in my dancing career, when I had to seek permission from the boyfriend of a lady I asked for a dance in SA.

Do you have any words of wisdom for the salsa dancers out there?
In whatever situation u find yourself, try as much as possible to make the best out of it and never let anyone look down on you. Never ever feel inferior in the midst of good dancers. Also always feel the music,put yourself in the music before dancing.

What else would you like students to know about you?
I don’t take my work lightly and I love my mum very much.

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What is your name? Catherine Taylor (Second name is Maria...dont often like telling people that!) When did you start dancing Salsa? In 2005

When did you start dancing Salsa? I started dancing in 2005

What inspired you to start dancing / teaching?
I have always wanted to dance, the older I got the more the desire grew, along with the thought "but I am too old to learn now!". Eventually I took the bull by the horns and started anyway. I am so glad that I did.

When did you start teaching Salsa?
About 3 weeks ago!

What inspires you to keep dancing?
The feeling is an inspiration that I cannot describe. Dancing makes you forget all about life's problems and stresses. ITs all about you and the music. I really enjoy it and hope that I never stop.

Is salsa your only/main profession? If not, details?
I do marketing and fundraising for a non-profit organisation called St. Joseph's Care and Support Trust.
I love my job!

Do you have any salsa role models?
My salsa role model has to be Davina. She started Salsa Spirit from scratch and fought to keep it alive. It is now a great success. Not only is she an amazing woman, but a great dancer!

Do you have any words of wisdom for the salsa dancers out there?
words of wisdom....just let go and have fun.

What is your claim to fame?
Well, my amazing voice! I once appeared in the lead role of a school musical when I was 8 years old Seriously, my compassion for people is the only claim to fame that I have, and that I will ever want.
 
What else would you like students to know about you?
Come and joing Salsa Spirit and I will get to know you, then you can find out all you want.

IT`S ALL ABOUT GOOD ENERGY!!!!

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