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| Samantha, self-described as an "Afro-Latina of Caribbean descent," is half Costa Rican and half Panamanian. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, one would think that Samantha would have begun dancing salsa & mambo while living in the heart of Latino culture for 18 years-- especially because her family had continuously tried to encourage her to appreciate her culture. At the time, though, Samantha was more interested in the sounds of R & B, hip hop, and house/freestyle music. Samantha has always had a passion for the art of dance, however. She has been trained in ballet, tap, jazz, street jazz & theater dance (she also studied gymnastics, was a cheerleader for four years and competed with her high school's dance team for two years). Sadly, Samantha did not begin dancing salsa until after graduating college. |
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In July of 1999, Samantha went to South Beach with her then-boyfriend. One night, they went into Mango's, and it was as if someone had injected salsa into her veins because Samantha instantly fell IN LOVE with the music and felt it running through her veins. When they returned to Maryland (where she lived at the time), they rented "Dance With Me" (yes, the Vanessa Williams movie), and again-- Samantha instantly realized that "THIS" was what she wanted to do-- "to dance like Vanessa Williams!" ha ha ha! Of course, at the time, Samantha had no clue what "on 1" or "on 2" was (or "on 3"... Or any other counts that beginners dance on). She just knew that she wanted to DANCE! In August, of 1999, Samantha decided to go to an after-work salsa event and immediately became hooked! After breaking up with the afore-mentioned boyfriend (who, by the way, could not stand Samantha going out salsa dancing), Samantha went out dancing every night of the week for MONTHS! Luckily, there was a different club to go to, every night of the week in DC at the time... Five months later, Samantha joined the DC Salseros/Latin Vibez Dance Company and officially began her dance career! |
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| Samantha attributes
initially learning how to dance salsa (she began "on 1") to
(a) her own determination, (b) "dancing with really good guys"
and (c) working with her first dance partner, Dee Scott (now known as
PsyonMurcio). She also took one class where she learned how to 'suzie
q' and 'flare'! LOL. In May of 2001, Samantha moved back to New York, where she began to thoroughly enjoy the richness of NYC Mambo ("on 2"). Two months later, she began working with Milton and James Cobo of the "CoboBrothers," who helped refine Samantha's technique and styling. She continued dancing with the CoboBrothers Dance Company, traveling frequently to teach and perform at various salsa events across the United States and internationally until November of 2005. She has performed and taught in London, Manchester (U.K.), Skegness (U.K.), Paris, Marseilles (France), Murcia (Spain), Sydney (Australia), Rostov-on-don (Russia), Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico, Toronto, and Montreal, as well as throughout the United States. In October 2007, Samantha will be performing on a SALSA CRUISE with Mambo 101 Dance Company. For booking information (and to enjoy a 4-day salsa cruise to the Bahamas), visit www.salsacruise.com. Samantha
is currently available for private lessons and workshops. |
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