Known as The First Lady of Salsa, she was the first woman inducted into the Salsa Hall Of Fame, May 2019. She is one of the foremost instructors on the west coast, as well as one of the pioneers of the L.A. salsa style. Her training began at an early age in jazz, ballet & tap and continued into her adult years with musical theater and a ballroom dancing. Latin dance became her focus and she has been teaching salsa, cha-cha-cha & bachata in Los Angeles for the past 34 years as well as performing and choreographing for television & stage. She’s the recipient of numerous awards in the salsa community, the creator of the Latin workout program, Cardio Salsatm, a featured performer in the movies: The Mambo Kings, Out To Sea and Dance With Me, producer of 7 Latin music cds and has performed and shared the stage with Tito Puente, Celia Cruz & Spanish Harlem Orchestra, to name a few. Known for her elegant styling, she continues to teach, perform, coach & judge at various salsa competitions & events around the world. She has been a faculty member at Santa Monica College for 20 years and has also taught at Loyola Marymount University & Cal State LA & currently teaches at By Your Side Dance in Culver City.
ph: (323)387-0420
LAURA CANELLIAS
