Ricardo Morales

I grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst. My dance journey began unexpectedly while I was playing basketball on campus. A friend invited me to join a Spanish language group to help improve my Spanish, but when I showed up, I discovered the group was actually practicing Bachata.

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Curious and eager to step outside my comfort zone, I decided to give it a try. Before I knew it, I had been signed up to perform at the end-of-semester showcase. That experience sparked a passion for dance that continued to grow, leading me to join additional dance groups and expand my skills across multiple styles.

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Since beginning my dance journey in 2011, I have developed expertise in Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Hip Hop choreography, and Line Dancing. To deepen my craft, I regularly attend Bachata, Salsa, and Kizomba congresses, where dancers from around the world gather to train and share new techniques.

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I draw inspiration from renowned artists including Jorge Burgos (Ataca), Felicien Royo, Albir Rojas, Jojo Gomez, and the celebrated duo Alex and Desiree. Today, I bring my passion, energy, and creativity to every class and performance, helping others discover the joy and confidence that dance can bring.

Paola Garcia

 I grew up in Toluca, Mexico, where music and dance were always a natural part of everyday life. From a very young age, my mom encouraged me to explore different activities, and dance quickly became one of my greatest passions. Over the years, I trained in a wide variety of styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, heels, hip-hop, bachata, merengue, salsa, cumbia, belly dance, folklórico, mambo, cha-cha-cha, and Hawaiian dance.

Because I was exposed to dance at such an early age, I started performing when I was very young in many different settings and events. During my training, I had the opportunity to perform in productions including The Lion King during my jazz training and Swan Lake while studying ballet. I also participated in a parade performance during middle school. One of my most memorable experiences came during college, when I competed at a World Dance Congress performing bachata and salsa.

Some of my earliest dance memories come from childhood moments with my cousins. We would spend hours creating our own choreographies, organizing sleepovers, and pretending we were on tour performing concerts around the world. Those playful experiences helped nurture my creativity and deepened my love for performing.

Growing up in Mexican culture also played a huge role in shaping my relationship with dance. Music and dancing were always present during family gatherings, celebrations, and even everyday moments at home. Some of my favorite memories include listening to music while cleaning the house and taking spontaneous dance breaks with a broom in hand. Those moments taught me that dance should feel joyful, natural, and accessible to everyone.

Bachata holds a particularly special place in my heart. When I dance bachata, I feel like I enter a meditative state where I feel calm, confident, and deeply connected to the music. My goal as an instructor is to help others experience that same sense of freedom, confidence, and happiness through dance.

One of my biggest inspirations comes from the incredible bachata dancers Daniel Sánchez & Desiree from Spain. The first time I saw them dance, it felt like they were from another world. Their movements, their connection, and the way they transmit energy to their audience and students is truly inspiring. I have followed their work for years, watched them perform live, and even had the opportunity to take a class with them at a dance congress, an experience that left a lasting impact on me.

Dance has always made me feel safe, happy, and fulfilled, and I plan to continue dancing for the rest of my life. My hope is to share that passion with as many people as possible and help others discover the joy, confidence, and connection that dance can bring.