How to Salsa Dance @ 16 Wyndham Street North - 3rd Floor, Guelph, Ontario (map)                  519.830.0016

Nico

Nicholas "Nico" Muthui (Director, Choreographer, Instructor)

Nico owes his first taste of Salsa to a friend who took him dancing in Toronto in 1994. They went early in the evening to take a lesson, and being the cocky African who could hold his own on the dance floor, he wondered what some guy would teach him that he did not already know. He soon found out that it takes more than just moving your hips to get by on a Salsa dance floor. Loving a challenge, he has endeavored to be the best dancer he could be. Along the way, he was humbled and learnt that dancing communicates in ways one could never imagine. The connection, openness and honesty that two people portray on a dance floor while dancing showcase a beautiful piece of art work. Nico has been known to say "No matter how good you think you are, there is always someone somewhere who can teach you something new, whether there are at your level, above or below. For me, a smile always creeps up on my face when I discover a different way of dancing or teaching other than what I already know. I will always be a student of dance."

And a student he remains. Since then, he has taken workshops with some of the top Dance instructors in the world as they travel around the country. He has also explored many other the dance styles including Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, Hip Hop, Rumba, Cha Cha and the Waltz.  Nico believes that one can only become a better dancer and Instructor by trying to grow beyond your comfort zones, so he continuously tries to do that.

Since 2001 when he founded the FDC, Nico has worked at sharing his love for Salsa to all those around him. He's done that first as a DJ at a weekly social event in Guelph, (where he resides). He then started teaching dance classes in 2004 after he quit his job to focus on his growing company. Nico believes that music (any music) plays an important role in bringing together a community.

With that in mind, he started hosting "Salsa In The Park (now called Dancing In The Park -DITP)", a one day event where music and different Latin dance styles are performed and danced to by everyone in the community. It's a free event where everyone (whether their can dance or not) are welcome for a day of fun and relaxation. Nico wanted everyone, especially his students to share their love of dance with their family and friends in an open area during the day.

In 2007, the Flying Dance Company opened its first studio in Guelph and has since been sharing its love for dance with everyone. It has been a great journey and Nico looks forward to sharing his dream with everyone, especially those he loves.

Goldie

Goldie Sherman (African)

Goldie is an eclectic artist of clay, voice, theatre and dance.

Her studies and travels have taken her to Asia, Africa, Latin America, the USA and Europe. As a result of her varied experience Goldie has developed a course of creative movement in relation to Africa Rhythm. It's structured to access and express the creative spirit within us all as well as improving co-ordination, grounding, balance, gaining greater strength and flexibility, increasing awareness and overall energy.

Goldie's infectious enthusiasm helps participants to let go of self imposed limitations and an opportunity to dance from our hearts.

Rachelle

Rachelle Clinch (Belly Dancing)

Rachelle was first entranced with Belly Dancing after seeing a drum solo performance on television as a young child. This fascination developed into a love affair later in life after deciding to learn the dance form on her own in 2005.

She was self-taught in American Tribal Fusion style and Egyptian Raks Sharqi before joining Invoketress Dance Theatre in 2007. She has also studied American Tribal Style (ATS) with Valizan, and is part of a newly-formed Tribal Fusion, ATS and Fire Dancing troupe called Tribe Aurealis.