What is it like dating a dancer? Ray Ray and Annabel were curious about other dancer's experiences so they put out a ten question survey to find out. In this episode they discuss the results. Annabel suggests that for dating to be successful, both dancers have to be extremely confident and secure, not be prone to jealousy, have clearly established expectations and boundaries which are similar enough to each others' so that conflict and hurt are avoided. Ray Ray adds that when feelings are hurt, communicating it in a mature and rational way is also necessary. The original survey is here: http ..read more

Here are some of the challenges and thrills of teaching Salsa to children at a summer Art Camp. You'll hear the highs and lows of our experience and our biggest take-aways. -------------------------------------------------- Timestamps: 00:00 Wedding ceremony highlights 07:05 Kids at Crossroad Family Services Indiana 09:28 Teaching Salsa Shines 10:44 Challenges of teaching 13:49 Staff participation 14:33 Call for Salsa apprentices 15:18 Unify Ballroom Fort Wayne 16:23 Travel difficulties 17:32 Staying on campus 18:35 Annabel’s son on the trip 20:00 Time with Ray’s sister 21:23 Teaching charitab ..read more

Never stop being a student. This has been Bryant Ayala's philosophy as he continues his dance journey from childhood to champion level dancer. Bryant Ayala grew up in a dance family and now teaches, performs, directs and judges. His specialty Salsa style is Mambo On2. He will be in Oklahoma City for the OKC Salsa Bachata Weekender July 21-22 2023. Find out more about it here: www.salsabachataworkshop.com Follow Bryant Ayala: Instagram: @bryant.ayala Facebook: "Bryant Ayala" www.linesdanceacademy.com www.salsabachataworkshop.com Dancers mentioned in this podcast: Marco Ferrigno Eddie Torres A ..read more

Let's geek out with Neuropsychologist Dr. Mark Wexler, also known as Salsa Moshe about the qualities of a healthy dance community and how to avoid creating a toxic dance community. Follow Salsa Moshe: Instagram: @medancer21 Facebook: "Salsa Moshe Mark Wexler" ____________________________ Timestamps: 00:00:00 Intro to guest Salsa Moshe PART 1 00:03:46 TEN CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY DANCE COMMUNITY 00:04:45 #1 it’s growing, welcoming and challenging 00:06:35 #2 it encourages (affordable) lessons 00:08:03 # 3 it gives positive encouragement 00:08:34 #4 it has several instructors or schools 00 ..read more

Bonus juicy tid bits from Edie, The Salsa Freak!! Edie talks about how her Black Belt Salsa curriculum is designed to enhance the alpha masculinity and alpha femininity inside you as a dance partner and how it has the surprising side effect of helping you attract better partners. What are your thoughts? Let us know. Edie will be in Oklahoma City on Memorial Day weekend 2023 for the Black Belt Dance World Summit. Details at the bottom... ____________________________ Timestamps: 00:38 why every man should learn salsa 01:46 training Alpha Male & Alpha Female dancers 02:38 asking a woman to d ..read more

Ray Ray Salsa and Annabel Valencia interview Edie, The Salsa Freak!!, a legend in the Salsa world. Edie talks about how she created a successful apprentice program for her dance studio, which runs and grows her classes even if she's not there. What are your thoughts? Let us know. Edie will be in Oklahoma City on Memorial Day weekend 2023 for the Black Belt Dance World Summit. Details at the bottom... ____________________________ Timestamps: 00:35 emulating a martial arts studio 01:42 Edie’s first apprentices 02:47 creating an online video curriculum 03:55 a win-win program 05:24 apprentices k ..read more

What's the best way to learn how to dance? Ray discusses what it takes to learn any new skill, including dance. Is it innate talent? Is it learned? What limits potential dancers from taking dance lessons?   He references great books like Limitless by Jim Quick, and Peak Secrets From the New Science of Expertise.  He also gives shout outs to Lawrence Garcia, director of Con Clave Dance in Phoenix Arizona, Dulce Rodriguez and many more.   ..read more

Ray Ray Salsa and Annabel Valencia interview Edie, The Salsa Freak!!, a legend in the Salsa world. Here she talks about her Black Belt Salsa system and her thoughts on dancing Salsa On1 versus Salsa On2. What are your thoughts? Let us know. Edie will be in Oklahoma City on Memorial Day weekend 2023 for the Black Belt Dance World Summit. Details at the bottom... ____________________________ Timestamps: Intro to guest Edie, The Salsa Freak!! 02:48 The reason why we call Edie “Sensei” 07:35 Brussels, Belgium is where Ray first heard of “Black Belt Salsa” 08:40 Black Belt Salsa is not pattern/cho ..read more

How do we create a good connection with our dance partner(s)? Cindy Velez addresses this topic, from the angle of her background in Urban Kizomba. You can watch the YouTube video of this conversation here https://youtu.be/ikb24sHqQFM Timestamps: Opening: Intros, Info on KUA Weekender, How Cindy & Ray Ray first met 08:15 What makes a good connection? Is it skill level or is it something else? 09:12 Our mindset going into a dance 11:15 Being present in the dance and getting out of our own way 12:34 Having the attitude of "Et alors", meaning "So what" 13:40 Having grace and forgiveness with o ..read more

Ray and Annabel are back with a review of what happened in 2022 and preview of what to expect in 2023 2022 was full of ups and downs - in January Ray's mom passed away - in March was the memorial service for Ray's mom in Ohio - in September Annabel moved from Lawton to Oklahoma City - Hazel Lopez named Ray co-director of International Dance Studio - in October Ray proposed marriage to Annabel (hear the story in the episode) - in November Annabel opened her photography studio inside International Dance Studio - we launched the Black Belt Dance apprentice program ..read more