We pride ourselves in hiring high quality instructors who know how to provide each student with individualized attention. We know learning a new dance can be intimidating and somewhat overwhelming at first, and do our very best to make this process fun and easy. We are known for covering a great amount of detail and technique in partnering dance, and teach a style that makes you overall a smooth dancer.
For our students, as well as other local dancers, we offer a weekly dance practica on Sundays, where you can practice what you’ve learned in a low-key, un-intimidating atmosphere. We start with low tempo music, and advance to medium pace songs to get you off the ground. Every other month or more, we have "Dance Competition,” where you can enter and a $100 worth of gifts, in addition dueing our summer months, we host "Out Door Salsa Dance Events". Both events are opened to the public.
Salsa instructors
JIM CHOW
Head Salsa Dance Instructor & Owner of Belltown Dance Studio
From a very young age, Jim possessed the rhythm and
love of music which has influenced him throughout his life. For a while, he was known as an exceptional freestyle club dancer. But freestyle days were over when Jim was introduced to Salsa in 1999. Salsa immediately became his biggest passion and primary means for self expression. Although he was strongly influenced by LA style (on 1) and captivated by its flares, drama, and beauty, in early 2004 Jim started adding the flavor and softness of NY style (on 2), to his dancing. This made his style truly unique, and on the dance floor he stands out above the rest.
To Jim, Salsa is more than simple dance moves. It is playful, dramatic, sensual and flirtatious. Within a short period of time he was addicted and dancing at a professional level. Jim has been a successful artist working nationally for 20 years, and this art background has had a definite impact on his dancing and instruction. In his artistic eye, Salsa is very much comparable to an ongoing mastery of Kung Fu. Because of this, Jim is able to correctly express body movement and body language, and is exceptional at sharing accurate cues and direction for better footwork, patterns and styling with his students.
Jim has danced with some of the most well-known national and local dancers. To offer the ladies a better concept of being an outstanding follow, he complements his instruction with talented dance assistants who offer the grace, fun, flirtatiousness, and proper technique of ladies styling.
Since 2002 Jim has been demonstrating his technique to students in dance studios such as Cameo Dance and American Dance Institute, as well as workshops in health clubs, Gold's Gym, 24 hrs Fitness, Columbia Athletic Club, Bally Total fitness, and in a number of private lessons. He has done many presentations at parties, fund raisers, and other events, and has developed a loyal following. Jim gets a great deal of personal gratification from sharing his passion and seeing his students progressively master the art of Salsa. Why dance with just an instructor when you can dance with an artist?
His Keywords: Always follow your passion, forever humble, and always open to learn.
Sarah Gordon Salsa Dance instructor Searching for a means to express herself and improve her self-esteem, Sarah registered for ballroom dance lessons upon graduating from high school at the age of 17. At the time she had no clue what Salsa was. After taking the introductory special and learning the foxtrot, the waltz and various swing dances, she convinced herself to go to her first social dance party. That night Sarah learned that she loved to dance. She had never felt so beautiful and inspired in her entire life, and she never knew that dance could move her so deeply and put her at peace at the same time. At one point in the dance a fellow student, far more advanced in skill level, took her onto the floor for what seemed like an upbeat latin song. He told her it was Salsa, and taught her the basic steps right on the floor.
Shortly after that dance Sarah continued to take more private and group lessons, however mostly in ballroom. She was shocked at how quickly she was able to pick up the difficult syllabus patterns and strict technique that ballroom dancing is well-known for. Over the next year she trained vigourously with the intentions of competing and performing. It wasn't until she discovered that Danceworks studio in Redmond hosted salsa dance nights every wednesday before she fell in love with Salsa. She wanted to improve her latin motion so she gave it a shot one Wednesday night. The music immediately took over her, and the difficulty of attempting multiple spins and solo footwork inspired her to rise to the challenge of conquering Salsa.
From that day on, Sarah continued to train and perform with ballroom dancing but her heart and soul was always in Salsa. She trained extensively with numerous coaches from the Seattle and LA area, using her own ballroom technique to interpret the styling and methods of Salsa.
Sarah started teaching Salsa her sophmore year in college at Western Washington University as part of the Ritmo Latino Salsa Club. There she taught her favorite aspects of Salsa: Ladies Styling and Spin Technique. She continued to guide and inspire Bellingham college students with her classes for the rest of the year. During her Junior and Senior year at the University, Sarah took over the Ritmo Latino Salsa club with a co-president and leaded the performance group as well. She learned how to DJ Salsa music at the dances, and continued to come up with exciting and challenging material to teach for each class. Sarah obtained this material from her past training as well as from her ventures down to Seattle every weekend to keep up her Salsa skills. She used this method to choreograph the routines that Ritmo Latino performed at various venues in the Bellingham area for those two years. She was very proud of her dance team members who, some without any prior experience, were able to perform multiple spins, difficult footwork and express musicality in her routines after just months of her training.
Five years after first learning that basic step, Sarah became a professional Salsa dancer. After graduating from Western she soon started teaching with Jim Chow and fell in love with the studio and it's wonderful students. Sarah has performed a pro-level routine with her former partner and close friend Robert Basteri at important events and venues in the Seattle area including Latin Night at Teatro Zinzanni, the See Sound Lounge and the Seattle Salsa Congress. She looks forward to her next performance project which is to be determined soon and is convinced that she can never get enough Salsa!
BDS Xtreme Dance Team members
Katie Campbell was studying in Mexico when she was exposed to salsa for the first time. Although she had never danced it before, the basic ballroom classes she had taken in college had taught her to follow and she was able to pick up the basics quickly. Add in the experience abroad, infectious rhythms, and expressive Spanish lyrics and she was hooked. Katie rediscovered dance a few years later when she was living in Chicago. She found it was a fun way to be active, get out of the house, and meet new people. She took classes in tango, swing, mambo, and contra dance. Although Katie enjoyed aspects of all the dances, it was the music that always brought her back to salsa. When she moved to Seattle, Katie knew she had to find a place to dance so she could start meeting people and getting involved in the city. One day she walked into Belltown Dance Studio and she hasn't been able to leave since. You can find Katie working the door at most of the events at BDS and sneaking in dances when she gets the chance. She is excited about the team and the opportunity it gives her to challenge herself, push her out of her comfort zone, and improve her dancing.
Angel Eiselstein was born in Bitburg, Germany, raised in Austin, TX, and has lived in the Pacific Northwest for the past 15 years. She currently works at an outpatient surgery center in downtown Seattle. Angel has always been interested in and had a love for dance. She says that it runs in her veins since she’s part Filipino and her uncle used to ballroom dance professionally. Angel was on the dance/drill team in high school and was part of a hip hop group a few years ago. She has always had a special interest for dance, especially Latin dances such as Salsa. Angel is excited about being part of the BDS Dance Team and the opportunity it offers to train and meet new people who also love to dance.
Marc Lorenzo has been salsa dancing off and on for about six months. He started dancing because it sounded like fun and after his first five-week series at BDS, he was hooked. Dancing has been filled with many challenges but Mark has found that the rewards have been even greater. Dance has taken him out of his comfort zone and introduced him to an entirely different world. Mark’s dancing goal is to be comfortable enough to dance with anyone from a beginner all the way to an expert. He says that when a connection occurs on the dance floor all the hard work suddenly becomes worth it. Outside of dancing, Mark enjoy music, playing the guitar, exercising, spending time with friends, working on his house in Queen Anne, and enjoying the city. He looks forward to finding out where salsa takes him and hopes to become skilled enough that his dance partners find his dances memorable.
Kim Rooney was first introduced to Latin dancing at a Spanish club event in college, almost twenty years ago. About twelve years passed before she started taking classes in Chicago in salsa, cha cha, and tango. After two years of attending classes and going to Latin clubs in Chicago, Kim moved to Whistler, BC, where the salsa scene was almost non-existent. Kim started dancing again after moving to Seattle six years ago, taking a class here and there at various locations in Seattle. In June 2009, Kim searched again for a teacher and found Belltown Dance Studio. After Kim had completed two sessions of intermediate classes, Jim Chow announced that his studio was creating a team. Exited about the potential of having a standing partner and serious coaches in Jim Chow and Gemini’s Javier and Holly, Kim joined the group. Kim is a PSIA certified ski instructor, a 200-hour registered yoga instructor, and also has a landscape architecture practice in Seattle.
Michael Bassovets has been dancing salsa since May 2009. He was looking for a new hobby when he saw Jim's studio and remembered that he enjoyed the Latin music he heard when traveling in Cuba and the Dominican Republic. He has enjoyed taking lessons at BDS and when an opportunity presented itself to join the team, was happy to practice and learn more.
Jay Banjeree began dancing salsa two years ago. He has a general love for dance and has found salsa to be especially enjoyable. Jay joined the BDS Dance Team because it helps him learn more about the dance, allows him to work with a motivated group of fellow dancers, and because it is fun!
Frances Tee grew up in Manila, Philippines where she was inspired to start dancing ballet after watching the “Dance of the Hours” from the opera La Gioconda in Walt Disney’s Fantasia. She came to Boston, MA for college and picked up some jazz along the way. She discovered partner dancing through a program to train ballroom instructors and fell in love with the Lindy Hop and Blues.
In 2007 she moved to Seattle, stumbled into salsa dancing at the Belltown Dance Studio only 3 blocks from home and hasn’t stopped. She continues to explore other forms of Latin dance along with casino, rueda, belly dancing and blues and enjoys using all dance to continually improve her connection to music and partner dancing.
When Frances is not dancing, she works as a Program Manager at Amazon, plays volleyball, blows glass and tries to get her non-dancing friends to venture into the wonderful world of dance.
Marina Orobinskaia Her first dance teacher told her three years ago that dancing is all about the gentleman asking, “Darling, could you, please?” and the lady answering, “Yes, my dear, whatever you want.” When she realized that there was no such thing as the lady leading there was quite a shift in Marina’s strong independent brain. Learning that she must follow was a life changing experience for Marina. It was just that simple, yet was a concept that she had never fully understood until that moment. She found that once she stopped worrying about leading she could really show off on the dance floor and she has worked to apply that to salsa since then.
Kirill Petrov, originally from Russia, moved to the US to study. He was first exposed to salsa while attending a university on the border of Georgia and Florida. He met a man from Cuba who really knew how to dance and who taught Kirill some salsa basics. He gave Kirill a CD that he transferred to his iPod and this playlist is still among his favorites. Though always excited about salsa, for a long time Kirill never had time to practice. He moved quite often, living in various parts of California, and finally ended up in Seattle's Belltown. Kirill discovered Jim's studio just a few blocks away from his apartment and his decision to go back to salsa was the easiest he has ever made!
Mario Tayah, originally from Lebanon, came to the US about 5 years ago, living in New York before moving to Seattle. He admits that he never thought he would be interested in salsa dancing. He often passed by Belltown Dance Studio, which is near to where he lives, and thought that the music was nice but didn’t think salsa dancing was something that he would enjoy. Mario’s opinion changed when a friend started dancing salsa a year ago. Mario and his friend had the same opinion about salsa dancing at first, but when his friend reported that somehow he was enjoying the dance classes, Mario decided to give salsa a shot. Salsa turned out to be a very interesting and enjoyable activity and Mario has found himself getting more involved in the dance since he started taking classes six months ago. When he’s not dancing, Mario enjoys working out, skiing, hanging out with friends and clubbing. He looks forward to gaining more experience in salsa dancing and perhaps trying out other forms of dance in the future.
Aleena von Berks - Born and raised in Tacoma, she grew up making home music videos with her friends in the backyard. Now her interest in dance has two-stepped its way to the salsa stage. Why the move to salsa? Simply put, life is full of surprises! Though, what came, perhaps, as more of a surprise was the schooling in nonverbal communication between men and women that she discovered on the dance floor. “Salsa teaches me to be a better woman.”
Her claim to fame? Aleena was a ballgirl for the Seattle Mariners. Yes, she likes to be challenged by those in the big leagues – that, she’ll tell you, is why she joined the BDS Dance Team :)
Afro-Brazilian instructor
Pitta Santos - Contra-Mestre
Contra-Mestre Pitta was born and raised in Salvador, Brazil. Having studied and taught Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian dance in his native Salvador for the past 18 years, Pitta recently landed in the United States. With much enthusiasm, he is eager to share his native Afro-Brazilian culture through Capoeira and dance, two of the most significant artistic expressions of Black Brazilian culture.
Pitta began training Capeoira Regional (pronounced hey-shon-al) under Mestre Washington and at the age of 17 became the Regional Capoeira Champion of Salvador. Pitta studied dance at Universidad Federal do Bahia and Federacao Cultural do Bahia in Salvador. He has performed throughout the state of Bahia with professional Afro-Brazilian dance and Capoeira groups such as Arte Bahia, Joao de Barro, and Axe Bahia.
In 2003 Pitta co-founded the Capoeira group, Bantos Brazil, teaching and performing extensively in theatres and festivals. Bantos Brazil grew successfully, and with partnership and funding from UNESCO, provided Capoeira instruction to over 350 under-privileged youth. Pitta also appeared on several Brazilian local and national television and radio programs speaking about and teaching Capoeira.
In Seattle, with his wife Aileen, Pitta has created the Capoeira group Bantos Capoeira Seattle and Bahia in Motion, offering classes in Afro-Brazilian dance and Capoeira to both adults and children. Pitta's extensive professional training and ability to transmit the vibrant energy of Bahia, Brazil produce fun, creative and invigorating classes. Since his arrival, Pitta has taught workshops at Seattle's Rhythm Fest and BrasilFest and has been invited to take part in various community festivals and projects with The Capoeira Angola Foundation.
More info or questions about Bahia in Motion, feel free to contact Pitta Santos Assistant/Partner: Aileen Santos at ph:206-518-3421 afrobrazil@bahiainmotion.com
Belly Dance instructor
Nadira
Nadira has become one of the most passionate, elegant and dynamic Middle Eastern performers in the United States. Having graced many audiences throughout the U.S., Canada, Turkey, Egypt and other counties abroad, her dance is graceful, seamless and multi-faceted.
As testament to her expanding dance repertoire, she has laid claim to multiple national titles:
- 2007 Belly Dancer USA
- 2006 Belly Dancer of the Year
- 2006 Sisterhood of the Dance
- 2005 Double Crown Belly Dance Performing Artist
- 2005 Emerald Rain Champion
- 2004 Entertainer of the Year
Featured in IAMED’s “Bellydance-O-Rama 2” DVD, filmed in Hollywood, as well as the performance DVD “By Dancers for Dancers, Volume II” (purchase DVDs), Nadira is also appearing in the upcoming PEKO DVD series. She has been a featured performer on Persian television, and has toured Turkey, performing and teaching in Istanbul and Antalya. She recently returned home from a tour in Egypt. Some of her favorite performance venues are those close to home, such as 2001-current Arab Festivals, Folk Life, and Bumbershoot – some of the largest festivals in Seattle, WA.
Nadira has given her time and talent to several functions for the arts, including the Visual Arts Gala for Bumbershoot, Fifteenth Annual Fundraiser and Auction for Fashion Group International and Poncho Gala Auction -- hailed as the largest auction for the arts in the world. She has also performed for members of the world renowned Pacific Northwest Ballet, based in Seattle, and the 21st annual "Seattle Celebrity Waiters Luncheon" for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Beginning her journey as a performer at the early age of six, Nadira has studied many forms of dance -- from classical ballet to hip hop, to jazz. In late 1998, she was introduced to Middle Eastern dance after a car accident thought to have ended her dancing career. Utilizing this new medium of dance as a form of physical therapy, Nadira quickly embraced this style. She incorporated her broad dance and musical background with new technical moves, and her unique style emerged.
One can see how much she truly respects, enjoys and understands Middle Eastern music through her dance. Her ability to capture the crowd with skilled grace and playfulness has earned Nadira the respect of the local Persian and Arabic communities.
Nadira has the ability to intrigue the audience, yet keeps them at ease with her playfulness. She is an outstanding entertainer, and a sought after performer and instructor.
Argentine Tango Instructor
Evan Wallace Argentine Tango Instructor
Evan Wallace has been dancing, teaching, and performing Tango in Seattle since 1996, and travels frequently to Argentina and other Tango communities throughout the world in pursuit of refining his craft. He has taught and performed alongside the world's finest Tango artists, including teaching at international events such as Buenos Aires in Las Vegas and in many other events in Oregon, California, British Columbia, Mexico, and Alaska, and on Tango at Sea Cruises around the world. With Michelle Badion, he has been featured in many cabarets and traveling stage shows such as Tango Nights, Tango Dreams, and Tangoing, where they were the only non-Argentinians in the cast.
Evan is a former physicist, and now a full-time inventor and entrepreneur. He draws heavily on his scientific background to lend a unique analytical perspective to all his classes, emphasizing the fundamental physical principles underlying the dance. Evan’s passion for teaching lies in lies in helping students unlock the endless beauty, sensuality, strength, and passion of the Tango, using insights from a variety of sometimes unexpected sources.
Zumba® fuses hypnotic latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exhilarating hour of caloric-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!
The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms, and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you've got Zumba®!
Mon.
Weekly class 6pm-7pm Instructor Heather Gervais - (Latin Dance World Champion Competitor)
Sat.
New class starts Jan, 9th 9:30am-10:30am Instructor Heather Gervais - (Latin Dance World Champion Competitor)
$12 drop-in class or $8 per class when purchase a punch card of 10. cash or check only please.
*Purchase Mon & Sat. punch card w/Heather now: http://belltowndancestudio.com/_register_
Yoga
Meghan Werner, MPP, CYT
Yoga Instructor
Maghan never intended to make yoga a central part of both her personal and professional life but considers her situation to be incredibly pleasant surprise. She took her first yoga class at the age of 16 but it wasn’t until graduate school and beyond that she began to develop a more serious practice. At one point she traveled almost weekly for her job so, in an attempt to stay sane, she turned her official business trips into an unofficial studio tour; she took a class in every new city and managed to visit over 20 different studios in at least 10 states. She now travels much less frequently but is no less interested in exploring different studios, styles, and teachings. As a result she been influenced by many styles including Ashtanga, Anusara, and Iyengar but focuses primarily on Hatha and Vinyasa yoga.
Meghan completed her first teacher training in early 2006 with Katja Brandis at Studio Serenity in Washington, DC and later completed the 200-hour Yoga Alliance approved training in Costa Rica with Jacqueline Heisel and Jennifer Yarro from Frog Lotus International. She also completed the Pre/Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training with Anne Phyfe Palmer at 8 Limbs Yoga Studio in Seattle, WA. Meghan recognizes that yoga is a dynamic practice and that what you need today might be different than what you needed yesterday; accordingly, she strives to give students multiple options during each class so each individual can appropriately customize the practice and maximize the benefits of each moment on the mat.
ANNOUNCEMENTS!
with Stephanie
Sun. Mar. 21st.
see workshop page Salsa Ladies Styling
Bachata Dance
Competition
Fri. March 26th
See event page
Belltown Dance Studio Salsa Dance Social
Every Wed. 9:35pm-12:30am Salsa Dance Practica
Every Sun
6:30p-9:30pm
Salsa group class
5wks series starts March. 14th, 15th, 16th, 18th.
Argentine Tango
group class 5wks series
starts on March 17th
Belly Dance
group class 5wks series
starts on March 24th Vinyasa Yoga & Yoga Bsic
w/Meghan Werner
Morning, Lunch,
& Happy hr.
See our schedule page
for details
