Meet your instructors
The people who'll get you moving. Warm, patient and a little obsessed with rhythm.
Co-directors
Christian and Vikki run Sonora and teach across the program — the heart of the studio.
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Christian
@chrisanabBorn and raised in Cali, Colombia — the salsa capital of the world — I've lived and breathed Latin dance since childhood. For me, salsa isn't just a dance, it's joy and energy, and I've built my life around sharing that feeling with others. I've performed and competed in salsa and bachata across Canada, and hold a Latin dance teaching certification from professional champion Diego Vazquez of Mexico City. As co-owner of Sonora Latin Dance, I'm committed to keeping my students motivated and growing, which is why I regularly attend workshops internationally and across Canada, bringing the newest styles and moves back to my students. What I love most is watching people grow. In my lessons, I care about your progress, with classes that are technical and detail-oriented, but always fun.
Request a Private with Christian →
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Vikki
@vikkiborshchovaMy dance journey started with 12 years of ballet, which became a big part of my life and gave me a strong foundation in technique, musicality, and body awareness. About eight years ago, I discovered Latin dance and first fell in love with Bachata. Soon after, I found Salsa, and I completely fell in love with the music, movement, connection, and energy that come with it. One of my favourite things about dancing is seeing that little moment when something finally clicks for someone. I really enjoy helping people feel more comfortable in their movement, understand their body better, and become more confident on the dance floor. I also love working on the little details that can make dancing feel more natural and connected. Being a co-owner of Sonora Latin Dance has also given me the opportunity to be part of the creative side of our dance community. I'm usually the one behind the scenes, working on our visual direction, social media, and content. For me, dance is about connection, musicality, and being able to express yourself through movement. That's what I hope to bring into my lessons: a comfortable space to learn, explore, and enjoy dancing a little more.
Request a Private with Vikki →Your instructors
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Juan
@dancejuandaJuan is a Colombian dancer from Bogotá, now based in Calgary. Growing up surrounded by music, dance has always been a part of his life — but Salsa became the style that truly made him fall in love with dancing. For Juan, dance is more than learning steps. It's about culture, connection, energy, and the feeling behind every movement. His journey began as a group fitness instructor, teaching and sharing dance with others, and has since grown into a deeper dedication to Colombian dance. Today, he continues training, learning, and exploring new styles while sharing Colombia's passion for dance with Calgary's growing community.
Request a Private with Juan →
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Ashley
@ashleycorder0I'm a passionate Latin dance instructor specializing in Bachata and Salsa. I love creating a fun, welcoming, and comfortable environment where everyone can learn, build confidence, and truly enjoy dancing. I especially enjoy helping beginners feel comfortable on the dance floor while developing their musicality, technique, and connection with their partner. My passion for teaching comes from my own love for dance and the joy I feel when I can share it with others. Outside the studio, I love dancing, exploring new styles, and continuing to grow as a dancer and instructor.
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Ana
@anastasiasaftiukMovement has always been a big part of my life. With over 10 years of experience as a professional gymnast, I developed a strong foundation in body awareness, control, flexibility, and discipline. A few years ago, bachata and salsa completely captured my heart, especially its fluidity, technicality, musicality, connection, and smooth movement. I now have experience teaching salsa and bachata foundations, sensual technique, body movement, and other essential skills. My teaching style is patient, detail-oriented, and supportive, with a focus on helping students understand both the technique and the feeling behind the dance. Outside the studio, I love staying active, learning new skills, and continuing to grow as both a dancer and instructor.
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Daria
@tabalamiI'm a versatile dancer with over a decade of experience across different dance styles, with a special focus on Salsa, Rumba, and Bachata. My dance journey has taken me to different stages as a performer and shaped my passion for musicality, body movement, and self-expression. I'm especially drawn to the energy and Cuban flavour of Latin dance. As an instructor, I love helping people build confidence, push their dancing further, and discover the joy of connecting with music and others. Most of all, I enjoy seeing students grow — and watching them fall in love with dancing.
Request a Private with Daria →
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Rafa
@rafa_bailaLoving dance all her life, Rafa started formal latin dance training in Peru at the age of 15. In 2019, she moved to Canada where she began her journey as an instructor in Edmonton, Montreal, and later, Calgary. Rafa's broad knowledge includes On1, On2, NY, LA, Casino, Rueda de Casino, Chachacha, Bachata Tradicional, Bachata Moderna, in both roles of leading and following. Her lessons are focused on fundamentals, connection, and musicality with an emphasis on social dancing and improvisation. Rafa believes dance is for all and is a strong advocate for equality and solidarity in the dance community. She is English-Spanish bilingual and can offer private lessons in both of these languages.
Request a Private with Rafa →
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Daniel
@danielr_djDaniel is a Colombian-born dancer and DJ with a lifelong connection to Latin music. A DJ since 2014, he can be found behind the decks at certain Calgary Latin socials. His approach to salsa and bachata is grounded in connection and strong fundamentals. He believes great social dancing doesn't require an endless collection of patterns; even the simplest movements can create an incredible dance when they feel natural, connected, and true to the music. At the heart of his teaching is a simple philosophy: dance is for the joy of the dancers, not the observer.
Request a Private with Daniel →
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Puneeth
@puneeth.gopagariPuneeth began dancing Indian classical styles at the age of 10, learning from his parents, who are professional dancers. After moving to Canada and discovering Bachata, his passion for dance was reignited. He is Bachata ConRi Style certified by Cornel and Rithika in LA and is also a Jack & Jill Champion at the BLU Festival in Toronto. His specialty is social dancing, focusing on groove, flow & accents, musicality, energy changes, and leading with style. His teaching also focuses on building followers' responsiveness and adaptability, helping them follow any patterns/styles. Through detailed body-movement drills and partner-work training, he helps students build strong technique and become versatile, confident dancers on the social floor.
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Diana
@hrbk_diMy Bachata journey started at a time when there weren't many opportunities in Calgary for structured Sensual Bachata training focused on social dancing. That pushed me to take my growth into my own hands through extensive research, private lessons, and training outside of Calgary with different instructors. Along the way, I developed a strong passion for connection, body movement, musicality, and understanding the "why" behind the movement — not just learning steps. I truly believe that we are students forever and there is always something new to learn. My goal is to continuously grow as both a dancer and instructor, and bring everything I learn back to my students, helping them become confident, connected, and expressive dancers.
Request a Private with Diana →
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Ricardo
Ricardo's passion for dance began early and became a professional journey at 21 with Ritmo Latino in Morelia, Mexico, performing in theatres, festivals, competitions, and television. He trained with renowned salsa artists including the Vazquez Brothers, Alex Da Silva, Jason Molina, and Juan Matos. Alongside Paulina Posadas, he became National Champion at the Mexican Federation of Dance and DanceSport's Latin Rhythms Championship in 2005 and earned second place in 2006. He later founded ConK-che Salsa Academy and was one of the original members of MoreSalsa, performing at major salsa congresses across Mexico. After returning to teaching in 2023, Ricardo moved to Calgary in 2025. His classes blend technique, musicality, connection, and passion, while sharing the unique dance style he has developed throughout his journey.
Request a Private with Ricardo →