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Dance showed up in my life when I most needed a friend: An interview with Inspiracion Latina’s student Gabriela Daroczi

1/27/2016

Gabriela was born in Romania. Since her family background is Hungarian/Romanian, she learned Hungarian and Romanian folk dances when she was 7 years old. After moving to Canada, she learnt a variety of Latin dances such as salsa, merengue, cha cha, bachata and Brazilian samba. Currently, she is taking afro Peruvian dance classes which are new for her.

She is married and has an adorable son called Stefan who also enjoys dancing. Gabriela brings him sometimes to the Dance Cardio classes and he is our official selfie photographer :)

In a short interview, Gabriela speaks about the meaning of dancing in her life.

Queen Latina: As a dance student, what inspires you?
Gabriela: Seeing performances of other dancers. Dedicated teachers who are so passionate about what they are doing and know how to transmit that to their students. Music!

Queen Latina: What does dance mean to you?
Gabriela: Dance for me is a feel good state. I hear a song I like, I want to dance :-)

Queen Latina: How does dance influence your life?
Gabriela: Dance showed up in my life when I most needed a friend! I got hocked to the Latin dances and I met so many people and made many good friends.

Queen Latina: How was your family’s view about dancing?
Gabriela: We all love music and dance in my family

Stay tuned for more interviews to our dancers and students!

By Queen Latina

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Dance Is Like The Air We Breathe: An Interview with Inspiracion Latina’s student Cassandra

3/27/2014

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Cassandra was born in Etobicoke, Ontario. She started learning Samba in 2009 at the age of 26. She had no background in dance, but loved the music and wanted to perform. After learning Samba, she started learning Axe, Afro Peruvian and Salsa. Also, she enrolled in our Samba Performance classes which allowed her to perform in front of big audiences. Of course, the audience was blown away by her beautiful smile and her exotic looks.

She is a go getter who perseveres and practices by repeatedly going over the routine until she feels comfortable. As her teacher, I am very proud of her accomplishments.

She works within the healthcare industry as a kinesiologist and of course enjoys healthy living. Part of healthy living for her is having a work/life balance which is why she makes time for dancing.

In a short interview, Cassandra speaks about the meaning of dancing in her life.

Queen Latina: What is your family background?
Cassandra: My parents are both from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. This is a group of islands in the Caribbean close to Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

Queen Latina: Did your family introduce you to any form of dance?
Cassandra: No. Dancing was definitely a sole pursuit.

Queen Latina: How was your family's views about dancing?
Cassandra: I grew up in a family with conservative views on dancing. Personally, I love dancing and feel it's as natural as breathing. Dancing is an expression of the soul and our creativity.

Queen Latina: As a dance student what inspires you?
Cassandra: As a dance student I find inspiration in following the rhythms of the music. There is a liveliness to Brazilian Samba music which I love. I remember the first time I heard such music and I instantly fell in love with the music. I find once I get into the music it is easy to dance.

Queen Latina: What does dance mean to you?
Cassandra: Dance is like water or like the air we breathe. It's necessary and part of the flow of life. I discovered dance as an adult but it felt so natural to me. There is definitely a connection between how the body moves and how the spirit feels. Dance is something I can do when I'm happy or even if I am not feeling my greatest.

Queen Latina: How does dance influence your life?
Cassandra: I am fortunate that I dance out of pure enjoyment of it.

Stay tuned for more interviews to our dancers and students!

Queen Latina

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Meeting the Inspiracion Latina Dancers: Kate

3/8/2014

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Let me introduce you to another of our talented dancers who is a very kind and spiritual human being. She promotes animal welfare and enjoys being in touch with nature as an example she volunteers at a community garden club in Thornhill. Her name is Kate Vino.

Kate was born in Ukraine, but lived in several parts of the world before finally immigrating to Canada with her family. She started dancing at the age of 10 with Ballet as her starting point. Parallel to taking Ballet classes, Kate also began to enjoy Jazz and Pop dance. As a teenager, Hip Hop was very popular and she had to try that as well.

In her early 20's Kate decided she needed a change in beat, so she began learning Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and Brazilian dances. She joined Inspiracion Latina Dance Company in 2013 where she continues to work on her technique in a variety of dance styles while performing at various events around Toronto and the GTA.

In a short interview, Kate speaks about her passion for dance.

Queen Latina: As a dancer what inspires you?
Kate: I am inspired by the world's diverse cultures. I love travelling and getting to know new places and people, their unique traditions, languages, their music and dance. I've always been particularly drawn to Latin American culture, and that is where I found my inspiration for dancing.

Queen Latina: What does dance mean to you?
Kate: Dancing, for me, means many things. It is its own unique language that offers a way to connect to our ancestors and spiritual selves. Through dancing, I learned the meaning of being a human being. Dancing allows me to strengthen my confidence and face my fears; it also reminds me how to embrace my imperfections.

Queen Latina: How does dance influence your life?
Kate: Dancing definitely helps me stay fit, and connect with like- minded people who are passionate about similar things. Simply put, dancing helps me “come out of my shell.” It pushes me outside of my comfort zone. I carry on a similar attitude in my day to day life when I face challenges. Interestingly enough, when I am performing, I see a different side of me. And I kind of like it :D

Queen Latina: How was your family’s view about dancing?
Kate: Everyone in my family enjoys dancing as a hobby. We like to see musicals and other dance shows like ballet and Cirque de Soleil.

Queen Latina: Do you think living in Toronto influence you as a dancer? How?
Kate: Toronto is so diverse and multicultural, which opens the door to try many different styles of dance. If I was living in a different part of the world, I am not sure I would be dancing or performing Latin and Brazilian styles.

Stay tuned for more interviews to our dancers and students!

Queen Latina

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Meeting the Inspiracion Latina Dancers: Daphne

2/14/2014

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It is such a blessing to work with not only talented, but also committed and responsible dancers who are part of the Inspiracion Latina Dance Company. I would like to introduce each of them individually through our blog. First we will start with our lovely Daphne Delefes.

Daphne was born into a Greek family in Nova Scotia. She started learning jazz and ballet at the age of 4. Later, she learned modern dance, Bellydance, Samba and other types of Latin dances which opened doors to perform with Arabesque, Tropicaliente and Egyptian Dance Company in Toronto. Currently, she is one of the lead dancers in Inspiracion Latina Dance Company.

She is the mother of an adorable angel called Benjamin who brought out such tenderness in all the Inspiracion Latina family... A huge AWW! can be heard each time mom and baby arrived for rehearsals. Ben is nine months old now and his mom went back to dancing and performing as soon as he was two months old. She was so fit from that time that it was hard to tell she was a new mom.
Of course, Ben inherited her good looks and genes and has already started his modeling career… eventually; he will be dancing with us in our Inspiracion Latina Kids Team :)

In a short interview, Daphne speaks about the importance of dancing in her life.

Queen Latina: As a dancer and performer, what inspires you?
Daphne: The music inspired me the most, but beside it I get inspired by watching other dancers and learning from them. I have always enjoyed being part of a company, learning choreographies and performing them together with the other dancers.

Queen Latina: What does dance mean to you?
Daphne: It's part of who I am. It's saved me during very hard times in my life... Dance is athletic because of the exercises and physical activity involved. It means creativity...friendship… camaraderie...inspirational. I have had so many fun and crazy dance adventures!

Queen Latina: Do you think living in Toronto influence you as a dancer? How?
Daphne: Yes. Because of its multiculturalism, there are so many opportunities to learn and perform in Toronto!

Queen Latina: How does dance influence your life?
Daphne: Because I have always danced, it's such an important part of who I am. In the journey of my life I have followed the path of dancing, which has not always been easy, but absolutely, worthwhile. Dancing inspires and uplifts me.

Stay tuned for more interviews to our dancers and students!

Queen Latina

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Salsa For Smiles 2013

9/30/2013

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We, Inspiracion Latina Dance Company, are so excited on helping to raise money for the "Salsa for Smiles" Event organized by Transforming Faces at Lula Lounge on October the 9th. All the proceeds go towards providing Comprehensive Cleft Care. This event will have the presence of Clave Kings Band and DJ Jimmy Suave who will be in charge of the music and we will provide the dance lessons and entertainment. Also, there will be amazing prizes including tickets to the Raptors and Argos games, a trip to Montreal and much more. Don't miss it!!!
Please click on the following link to order your tickets in advance: http://www.transformingfaces.org/connect/events/salsa-for-smiles-2013/

Queen Latina

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Dance showed up in my life when I most needed a friend: An interview with Inspiracion Latina’s student Gabriela Daroczi

Dance Is Like The Air We Breathe: An Interview with Inspiracion Latina’s student Cassandra

Meeting the Inspiracion Latina Dancers: Kate

Meeting the Inspiracion Latina Dancers: Daphne

Salsa For Smiles 2013

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