Meet your teachers
Rebecca
Rebecca immersed herself in the world of salsa in 2001 while living in Tokyo, taking lessons with Cuban instructors and embracing different salsa styles on the social dance floor. She returned to Dunedin in 2003, bringing her experience and joy for the dance with her, and began teaching classes to share what she had learned. Rebecca has been involved in the competitive salsa scene since 2007, initially as a competitor and then as a coach, choreographer and internationally certified judge.
Rebecca’s true passion is mentoring dancers to help them move in a way that suits their unique body type, while also building their confidence and self-expression on the dance floor. Rebecca is a friendly and energetic teacher who brings her infectious love of salsa to every class.
Ōtepoti | Dunedin
Ingrid
Ingrid’s love for Latin dance started with the music, which had her hooked from the moment a friend took her to a free salsa class in Christchurch. Ingrid then travelled extensively through Cuba and Latin America, immersing herself in the culture and dance of the region. She has been with Vuelta Dance since its very beginning in 2012 – as a performer, competitor, costume guru, and teacher.
Ingrid is passionate about her dancers learning more about Afro-Cuban dance and the cultural roots of salsa as a vital step in their dance journey. She loves seeing students find their confidence and unique style on the dance floor. Ingrid loves dance as a way to connect people: bringing together dancers to form a team or community, meeting friends from across the country at festivals, or finding new friends anywhere in the world where salsa music is playing!
Ōtepoti | Dunedin
Vicky
Vicky came to Vuelta Dance with a background in competitive dance and cheerleading and immediately fell in love with Latin dance. Vicky was an enthusiastic, talented and committed member of the original Dunedin ladies’ salsa shines team in 2012. She brought these strengths, along with an uncanny ability to instantly remember new footwork patterns, with her when joining the Vuelta Dance teaching team in 2017.
Vicky is passionate about performance, as she loves how the training process encourages her to work harder and makes progress visible. Vicky is known for the variety of styles she brings to her classes, her heavenly arm styling, and for allowing students to find their own style preferences by trying something new.
Ōtepoti | Dunedin
Lucy
Lucy is a dynamic and captivating dancer with a strong background in performing arts. Her journey into the world of dance began at the age of 15 when she discovered her passion for dancing and musical theatre. Whilst completing her Bachelor of Performing Arts, she stumbled upon salsa and fell in love with it! Lucy then completed an Advanced Diploma in Commercial Dance, then trained in Melbourne under the tutelage of the world-renowned dancer Sharon Pakir at Spin City Dance. Lucy joined the Vuelta Dance team in 2015. Her exceptional talent and dedication have earned her multiple titles and placings in Australasian and world competitions. She brings her exceptional talent for choreography and costume design to Vuelta Dance, teaching in Christchurch and performing with the Dunedin-based competitive team.
Lucy is deeply passionate about expanding her students' body awareness and teaching advanced performance techniques. She adapts her teaching style to suit the experience of each dancer to ignite their enthusiasm for, and understanding of dance technique.
Ōtautahi | Christchurch
