Meet Our Family

With gifts of rhythm and musicality, Wayne has quickly excelled and created a name for himself in the dance scene over the last few years. Having trained in Salsa since 2008 in Toronto and now teaching since 2013 in Vancouver, he has become one of the leading teachers in the city, known for his strong foundational knowledge and his own groovy flavour. His choreographies have garnered international praise and his Baza teaching style always results in students asking for more, both locally and internationally. As he gains more and more exposure, look for Wayne to make more waves in the dance scene!

"Dancing has always been a part of my life. Like many young girls, I started with ballet, modern and Jazz, and eventually received my teaching license. I also developed a liking to other styles like ballroom and hip-hop, and I'll never forget when I saw a cha cha cha dance for the first time!

I live a life that makes me completely happy through teaching dance. I'm excited because both Wayne and I have the same level of passion to share and inspire. That's why bazadance is here."

If you haven't met Abi, you will when you come in! She's usually greeting you at reception with a friendly smile and uplifting energy. She heads our community engagement initiatives, from planning outings to liaising with community partners. Aside from that, she is a salsa superstar in the making - she trains on our Baza Soul Salsa Team as well!

With a degree in Contemporary Dance, and over 10 years of experience performing internationally as a solo artist and for Latin American icons, she's got the talent to match her energy. Watch out!

"Beyond body movement, I believe that dancing is the best way to connect with ourselves and other human souls. Dance makes us free and happy. I want my students to believe in dance as a way to share energy and connect."

As a dancer and instructor from Florianopolis, Brazil, Sandro has studied and trained in dance for over eight years. He is proficient in many partner dance forms and has participated in various congresses and competitions. Sandro started his Tango training in Brazil, but developed his knowledge of and passion for the dance while living in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In addition, Sandro trained in Brazilian Zouk during his time in Brazil. He developed his own methodology for teaching zouk classes; his focus is on circular, flowing movements. He is working to spread the love for Zouk in Vancouver and all of Canada.

Born in Calgary, Alberta Anna graduated in 2016 from the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University with a BFA in Dance. Growing up, she trained in multiple styles at an extensive arts program in her high school and for 10 years as a competitive dancer in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, pointe and hip hop. She currently is the Assistant Producer at The Dance Centre and assistant to Ralph Escamillan, a Vancouver contemporary and vogueing artist. She is a dance teacher and fitness instructor throughout the city of Vancouver. Her performance repertoire includes working with Crystal Pite, Gioconda Barbuto, Rob Kitsos, Gail Lotenberg, Amber Funk Barton, and most recently as Baroque dancer with Catherine Lee of the Historical Performance Ensemble.

Tracie is a diverse, passionate, enthusiastic, and dedicated dance artist, instructor and choreographer. She started her dance training at an early age in Traditional Chinese Folkloric Dance in her hometown of Winnipeg, MB. With over 20 years of experience in the performing arts, Tracie’s teaching and performance experience spans a wide range of dance styles, from Cabaret to Salsa to Brazilian Samba to Kizomba. Known for her energy and passion for every class she teaches, Tracie is dedicated to continuing to be the best dance professional she can be, sharing her knowledge and love of dance and music with all those around her. Based out of Vancouver, BC since 2014, she currently teaches Dominican Bachata and Kizomba with her partner Cesar Salazar. With her 10 years plus teaching Zumba, she now teaches this amazing latin fitness class with Baza. Come #getinspired with Tracie!

Get fit, get funky, and learn some street dance movements with Ty and Shay!

They host a beginner hip-hop fitness dance class consisting of street dance movements fused into a cardio workout! Choreographed songs will consist of 5-8 moves which combine the latest hip hop dance trends with aerobic movements. Their students LOVE them!

Samantha A.K.A "La Negrita” was born & raised in Vancouver. With her family’s origin being from the small Caribbean Island of Grenada, music and dance were a part of her everyday life. At the age of 4 she started training in Ballet, Tap, Acro and Jazz. And as a youth she moved on to train with one of Vancouver’s most unique Contemporary Dance Companies Arts Umbrella in their Youth Dance Program. This foundational training allowed her to excel in such disciplines as Salsa and Bachata Cha Cha Cha and the Latin folkloric dances, while training with the World Dance Co.'s professional dance team. She performed with them at various shows and events and went to Miami's World Latin Cup in December 2013 where they competed and won first place in the Rueda De Casino category. In early 2013 she fell in love with Kizomba and began training. She quickly excelled and began teaching shortly after. She continues to train as she believes this is what keeps her on top of her craft and enables her to give her best to her students. Samantha has a love for dance and music and this love goes very deep. It allows her to express what’s in her heart and soul and because of this, dance for her is not just dance. It's life.

If you have seen a tall white guy and a little brown girl grinning from ear to ear on the kizomba dance floor, you've probably just seen Nathan and Narmana. After training underneath their mentors Cesar Salazar and Tracie Yee as performance team members and instructors they have begun teaching at Baza Dance and are thrilled to share their joy and delight for partner dancing with you.

Dance changed their lives. Let it change yours.