Hi!

My name is AB - they/them

I am a queer, neurodivergent, chronically ill, non-binary dance enthusiast and teacher living and dancing in Portland, OR.

I started this business with the hope of creating a safer space specifically for us neurodivergent folks in a world that can feel very challenging to exist in.

My goal is to cultivate an environment of people who value consent, respect, and communication on the dance floor.

As a white person teaching Latin dance styles, I acknowledge that I don’t have the personal cultural understanding that other salsa teachers do. I think it’s important to support local teachers who connect to these dances as a part of their culture and lineage.

Here are some local PDX studios/groups that are owned by or employ local latinx dance teachers

on instagram:

@queerbailepdx

@cumbiacorazon

www.linesdanceacademy.com

www.danceviscount.com

contact me if you want to be added to this list or collaborate!

community expectations

Ask for consent before touching anyone

Ask for consent before giving advice or feedback

Respect your dance partner’s autonomy & personal space

Listen to and respect verbal and non-verbal boundaries & body

language

zero tolerance for racism, homophobia, transphobia, or any other kind of hate speech or action.

2SLGBTQIA+ friendly

Please stay home if you are sick

anyone unable or unwilling to respect fellow dancers will be asked to leave

i’ve been teaching dance for 2 years, and dancing for most of my life.

I remember always being obsessed with dancing & movement. i dabbled in hip hop and gymnastics as a kid thanks to the step up movies. lol

I was a cheerleader most of my highschool career- i love matching movement to sound. cheering and dancing to the live music of the highschool band was special.

so when i was introduced to salsa music and dance along with baile folklorico by my friend Monica Ortega in 2021, i felt that joy again that i only feel when im dancing. i love the way it makes me think

- in my opinion, each role requires a different part of my brain. with leading, i have to be very sure of myself in order to clearly guide someone through a song. I also have to be prepared to make a bunch of decisions (before you get into your flow) it takes a lot of mental energy to make decisions. with following, i have to be on alert, i’m ready for anything. I am also sure of myself and my abilities to listen to the lead’s suggestions and choose how i want to work with it. It’s a conversation.

I love dancing when it feels like a collaboration and like we’re playing and making art together with our bodies and the music.

during my 20s, i moved around a lot and i tried to dance everywhere i went. Denver, Flagstaff, Mexico City, and now here in Portland Oregon for the last 2 years at various venues & studios.

I studied ballroom for some time and i really enjoy the structure it entails.

Contact us