testimonials

Nina from Baila Vancouver is the best!!! Very patient and easy to learn from!

, I’m glad I found your dancing school. I really enjoyed my first lesson in Salsa. I like your style of teaching when you’re mentioning Mambo…Curacha
Thank you and more power to your Dancing School
Benny

“Great zest for life, enjoys people and dance and makes learning fun. One of the best salsa instructors I know. Highly recommend Nina…”
— Bill Burns on Jul 19, 2011

Great acrtlie, thank you again for writing.

Posts like this brighten up my day. Thanks for tankig the time.

Nina taught a fantastic introductory salsa class at University Hill Secondary School last week. Her experience working with younger learns really showed as she successfully organized over 50 kids and had them all dancing and enjoying themselves (they all came in very shy) in no time. The dance class with Nina will definitely be a highlight of the Spanish course for my students. An excellent experience and an excellent memory for all of us!

“The wedding was awesome and Brett and Jen did their dance beautifully. The dip at end was worth every dime. Thanks again, I was so delighted with the results of just one class for Brett and Jen”
C. Helfrich ( The Mom :))

“Her passion for latin dance, music, and culture is terrific! I’m glad you’re my Salsa Dance instructor, your classes are great. Everyone should learn this ... it’s so life-affirming!”

I have heard from a number of CCS staff that they really enjoyed your dance lesson – I have been told that you are an amazing teacher who is not only passionate about the dance you are teaching but also engaging and incredibly fun! Everyone was really happy with how fun it was - everyone has such great things to say about you here!

Thank you again for doing this Nina

I just wanted to say that you were a terrific teacher. I had taken a number of intro classes before with other instructors and never really got it. For me, the real difference was that you actually danced with the guys, rather than playing the role of a guy most of the time. This way we learned the moves and how to lead. In addition, you have a great understanding of the key body language and signals necessary to lead well. For me, these little pointers made it possible to actually dance. Also, I think that things really worked with you because you taught the women how to follow and the importance of following. Your teaching made our wedding dance so much fun & you would have been proud!
Maybe the best quote goes to my dad who asked Katie right after the dance ” What did you do to him?”
Thanks again,
Andre (& Katie)

I would definitely recommend Baila Vancouver Dance School. Salsa is such a great release from life’s daily stresses, and Nina creates a fun and relaxed atmosphere in which to learn. So whether you already love dancing or feel like you have two left feet, you’ll have a blast learning to dance with Nina!!! Honestly, just go for it - you won’t regret it!

Nina is very patient and her teaching is so much of fun! I never feel myself have talent to dance but attending Nina’s class changed my thought. Her class is fun & cheerful! I love Salsa:)

An AMAZING first experience with salsa dancing! Nina and her partner were fun, friendly and very easy to learn from. They were very encouraging and positive, and I left feeling like I wanted to dance the night away in Cuba (even though I’d never danced a step of salsa before!). I definitely recommend them for anyone, beginners included.

Nina is hands down the BEST salsa instructor in the city. I had a blast at her lessons. I’m a total beginner and I was hesitant about coming out to dance, but Nina made it easy and comfortable. By the end of the night I knew the basic steps and felt pretty confident. She obviously loves and has passion for what she does, which makes her a local favourite. Not everyone is a good teacher, but this is where Nina shines. Keep it up!

I had never learned any type of dance before and had been very shy to try any class as I had no rhythm and no partner. Nina is a great instructor. She makes lessons so fun and easy to follow. She teaches how to find rhythm and break down dance move step by step so that it is easy to follow and remember. It is great way to have exercise, have fun, and learn to dance! Now, I am completely addicted to her lesson!

Nina is wonderful teacher and lady. She really knows how to break down the steps so that it is easy to learn. She also makes the class fun and enjoyable. Attending her sessions is one of the highlights of my week.
Alvin, Vancouver

I’ve been dancing with Nina for 4 years now, I started with Salsa and in the past year and a half have been learning Argentine Tango as well. I still remember how nervous I was before my first Salsa class and now I feel so down if I go a week without dancing. Nina’s classes are perfect for a student of any level, she really breaks down the movement for beginners, while emphasizing technique for more experienced students, all the while maintaining a fun and social environment. Both leads and follows are given equal attention, and no partner necessary she makes sure everybody gets lots of experience with frequent partner exchanges in an orderly fashion. If you’re thinking of taking up dancing or even if you are experienced but looking for a new setting I encourage you to take a class with Nina.
Natalie

I have been a student of Baila Vancouver for almost two years. In that time I’ve meet some really great people and have a lot of fun learning to dance Salsa and the Argentine Tango. Nina’s teaching style makes it fun and easy to learn.

I just did 1 hr of tango lessons with Nina and it felt like i learned 12 hrs because all the stuff I learned!

We have a great time every class, Her lessons move at our pace; she able to perceive and explain both our strengths and weaknesses. Nina makes learning salsa fun. She accommodates our erratic schedule without complaint. Most importantly, Nina has taught us how to hear music and move with it.

Thanks for great lesson!
great first salsa experience!

On my journey of life I sail on a vast ocean of trials, tribulations, routines & best of all victories.  But in the center of the week, there is a deserted island called Baila’s Tango class that helps me forget about it all and lets me live.
I don’t know what it is about Nina’s Tango class…but when I leave, I feel alive again.

I enjoy every single time that I’m out in one of Nina’s classes. It’s not easy to find an environment where one can learn challenging things in a class that is both relaxing and fun, which Nina provides on daily basis. I also value a lot all the individual feedback that students get in her classes and that she’s constantly thinking of new ideas to make the learning experience more efficient and enjoyable… Thanks Nina!

From Tango to Salsa, it feels like any latin dance you can think of and Nina will teach you. From teens to Golden Age - she will find a way to make it useful fun.  Sometimes it feels like she knows better how *your* body moves and so you are up for a discovery about your dancing abilities! Now I am sure we feel comfortable on dance floors. And refill of positive energy and inspiration comes complimentary with every lesson!

Thank you Nina!

I’ve already had many compliments at the clubs, girls asking me to dance three to five times on the same night and a mother offering me to become her daughter’s regular dance partner. All this on my fourth week. She has taught me well, this Nina. She has taught me very well.

Thank you so much for you class, Nina ! You really are an AMAZING teacher. I forgot how great you are ! It’s been years since i danced but just spending an hour with you and your awesome teaching techniques brought it all back. Thank you so, so much.

I’m leaving for Toronto and unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to get out to salsa to say goodbye.  Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that you are a very gifted teacher and Vancouver is blessed to have someone like you here!  I loved the classes and will definitely miss attending. You have inspired me to keep up my lessons in Toronto.

Nina is an awesome instructor with a heart of gold. Her salsa classes are enjoyable and I learn something new in every session. She provides valuable insight into how to become a better lead and make dancing fun.

I’m a 15 year old Little Sister.  My Big Sister asked me to participate in salsa lessons. At first I said no. She asked why.  I explained that I had tried hip hop classes before and found that they moved too fast and I couldn’t follow the steps. I had pretty much written off dancing (except for high school dances, where you do not really need to know how to dance at all), but my Big Sister convinced me to give the first salsa lesson a try.

Salsa is different than I thought it would be, it is a bit slower than hip hop and graceful and there is a lot more to it then it seems. I went to the first class and picked it up really fast, I can follow the steps and salsa is FUN to dance.  Nina’s instructions are clear and simple to follow. When the first class was over as soon as me and my Big Sister were outside I asked her if we could come again.

The neat thing about this class is that Nina teaches some people before the Big Sisters get there and then the people that were just taught how to dance the new steps must then teach the Big and Little Sisters those same moves. The technique that Nina uses is good: the student teachers learn how to do the thing more easily than if it was just Nina teaching and they went home and practiced. I have been to every class and I am really enjoying it. I am only having troubles with one thing and that is my spot turn. I hope that I can do this class again.

I’m Deanna’s Big Sister (see below) - we were matched by name :)

I’ve always agreed with the phrase “The fastest way to learn something is to teach it”, so Nina’s new spin on the beginners salsa classes has been a great experience.

What was also gratifying was the change in Deanna’s attitude onre of reluctance before the first class to anitcipation for the next.  Nina’s an excellent teacher who is great at encouraging and cajoling her students to success!

Are You a guy experiencing midlife crisis?  Don’t blow your money on an expensive car- take some lessons with NINA and You’ll feel like a New Man!

This woman is not just an eye pleaser- she is a VERY SKILLED DANCE INSTRUCTOR.

To spice it all up, she brings all that Argentinian heat to our corner of the world and makes YOU feel it!  Great attention to detail, time spent with every student & words of encouragement make it a SUPER PLEASANT LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

I took BACHATANGO lessons with Nina. It blends the passion of Bachata with the class of Tango in the seamless flow, which makes it an AMAZING dance.
Women seem to love it, so the guy can learn how to pleasure many women SAFELY!
Thank You Nina!

Les Grecki

Nina came into our school and taught us the tango and we seemed to learn fairly fast! The steps are easy to follow when taught and we had fun also. Thanks Nina!

Nina’s tango classes were amazing! She carefully, and slowly went over each technique, making it extremely easy to follow along.  Also, she spent time with each student helping to improve our dancing. The class flowed & everything was natural, rather than technical. Because it was so easy to follow along and I feel as if I actually learned something and wasn’t faking it the whole time, I would recommend Nina’s classes to anyone. 

I’m a dancer.  The music starts…my body moves.  The only thing is I have no idea what I was doing.  Nina has given me the fundamentals I needed to look more elegant, feminine and sexy in my dancing and to relax enough to actually follow.  (Sorry salsa men I am still working on it.)
   

- I LIKE THE BACHATANGO BECAUSE IT ALLOWS ME TO IMPROVE MY LEADING         SKILLS WICH ARE REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN YOU ARE DANCING ANY KIND OF BALLROOM DANCE -

Grabbing your dancing partner’s hands and looking into each other’s eyes full of passion to finally end up into a tight hug and start moving your body to the sensual rhythm of the music, it is the image that immediately comes to my mind when talking about Bachatango. By definition the Tango and the Bachata are two of the most sensual dances practiced by millions of people worldwide, but if you mix both styles what you obtain is romanticism pure.  I started taking the Bachatango class at the Baila Vancouver Dance School some weeks ago and it has been a wonderful experience, but I was really suprised when Nina told us that she is the first dancing instructor ever, introducing the Bachatango in Vancouver. I definitely recommend all the people out there that are willing to try some new and exciting ways of dance to come and join us, what you are going to find here is a friendly atmosphere to learn created by one of the best dancing instructors in Vancouver, what else can you ask?

I started taking lessons with Nina less than 6 months ago and now I am hooked. Nina’s classes are fun and very effective. She makes time for every single student and pays great attenton to details. I recommend repeating each level a few times and taking private lessons with Nina to improve upon what you learn in the group classes. It is really worth it.”

thank you for your awesome dance instruction!
I know that I’ve only gone to a couple of classes so far, but I really enjoy your teaching style.
You are such a sweet chica bonita, and you really have a gift for making people feel comfortable about their dancing.

I love Nina’s’ Tango Classes because she incorporates the nuances of authentic Argentine Tango in her lessons, by teaching dance partners to be aware of the kinetic synergy between them.  Nina’s personal attention to each student has helped me improve my technique, refine my style and increase my confidence as a tanguera!

Nina’s passion for Salsa is infectious!  Her classes are fun and the dance combinations easy to learn and remember.  Because Nina begins with a strong foundation of steps, the gradual progression to more complex choreography comes quickly. I like that she teaches many levels of Salsa, this way it’s easy to be part of a community of dancers.

I have been to a number of different salsa studio’s in Vancouver and Nina’s is by far my favourite. Both the class atmosphere and the level of personal attention are fantastic. Nina fosters a friendly and fun enviroment in class and really focuses on each student to ensure that he/she develops proper dancing form. I have recomended her to many of my close friends and would reccomend her to anyone interested in salsa dancing. 

Ladies Styling Classes

Nina created a really fun, safe and friendly environment. She is very warm and open and friendly.  Nina is awesome at explaining things breaking them down into small pieces/moves and explaining how to do it.  Also, she is really respectful of where people are at/their process—She never seemed annoyed or frustrated when it took a long time for us to learn things. Thanks a million Nina!  you’re class was a really great experience.  I learned a lot, had fun and felt very encouraged about continuing to dance salsa.  See you on the dance floor!”

Nina is able to improve your dancing technique while making you feel good about yourself at the same time.….it is obvious she loves to teach and it is obvious she loves to dance…”

We started taking beginner Salsa classes from Nina in March just to try something new and we had a blast!  Right from the start we felt comfortable in the group classes and met a lot of great people.  Nina is a great teacher, offering different perspectives and ways of learning and remembering the steps so that when you leave her classes you can practice on your own.  You can always ask her questions and she is always willing to help; whether you are a lead or a follow.  We also took a private lesson with her and she did a great job answering our questions and helping us reach our goals for each session.  We’d recommend Nina in a heartbeat!  - Camilo & Julie (Vancouver)

Nina could teach a robot to dance. She’s a pleasure to watch and learn from, and it makes all the difference in the world because class becomes fun and something you look forward to each week. She lays the groundwork for future steps and combinations instead of making you learn set routines that would seem dull and limited. Nina shows you how the steps flow into newer steps, on which you will soon build, and it all begins to make sense. You quickly lose your fear and shyness of dancing as she helps you discover the dancer within.

The Open Hold Bachata course allowed me to do more than the basic steps on the dance floor in only three classes. Thank you Nina!

today was my first class with NINA, and WOW… i love the learning style, intuitive and natural. I have done other courses before where its very technical, with lots of things to remember. With NINA its all from the foundation of balance and weight transfer, from that foundation, the techniques and movements flow naturally. i am no longer asking   “which foot is next” I am very happy to be doing the private and group with NINA.

Pierre Marchildon

“I can’t tonight, I have to go to tango,” seems to come out of my mouth a lot in the past few months. And this “having” to go does not come from obligation but from a real desire and excitement to be in class- to learn, to progress and have fun. 

That’s what Nina’s tango classes are for me- a place to grow but also to enjoy myself. No matter what kind of day I’m having, I always look forward to the class.  It takes me away from any stresses in life and gets me to focus on the moment.

Nina teaches strong fundamentals (technique, posture, connection and attention to details) while still emphasizing and bringing out the passion and emotion behind the dance within her students.

I was out tango dancing one night in the U.S and an instructor complimented me on my ability to follow the tricks that he threw at me.  He asked me where I learned to dance. I told him about Nina, and his response was, “She’s done a great job.”

I couldn’t agree more. Thank you Nina for allowing me to feel that connection. I have had the pleasure of enjoying dances with people I have never danced with before because you have taught me to really feel the lead and the music, rather than just to memorize steps.

I have been realizing more and more that tango is not just about a connection to your partner, but also a connection with yourself.  That is not something that is easy to teach.  But Nina is constantly taking workshops (various dance types, business and personal growth), reading books, and learning from the people around her to increase her knowledge and growth as a teacher, but also to better connect with herself. And by sharing these findings and inspiration with her students, she reminds us to continue to connect to our own selves to develop as dancers and individuals. Now that’s the sign of a great teacher! 

There are just not enough ‘thanks’ available, so, for my salsa teacher:

http://www.packetinsider.com/blog/nature/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/an-apple-a-day-trenton-farm-market-8-1-09.jpg

I’m a busy professional with a background in athletics and a dominant left brain (analytical versus creative).  Nina is able to flexibly accommodate my schedule and in class give me analogies that make sense to me; provide me cues and associations in the form of sounds, words, feeling and rhythm that allow me to both learn easily and retain what I’ve learned resulting in progress that’s been extremely satisfying and fun.  Nina is the Yoda of salsa!