Dance to Live was founded in 1996 by Paula Videla-Rodriguez and joined by Jose Rodriguez in late 1997. This Latin American husband and wife team both choreograph and dance professionally: Paula since 1990 and Jose since 1995. To maintain and enrich their high caliber of instruction, they have attended, instructed and performed at various International Salsa Congresses, including the L.A., Puerto Rico, New York and Canada Salsa Congress. Paula and Jose continue to travel extensively to learn from the world’s best dancers and instructors. They also judge and compete in Salsa competitions, including winning 2nd place in the Professional category at the prestigious Berlin’s 2001 Salsa Competition. Their training also encompasses International Latin Ballroom and Flamenco; Flamenco being one of Paula's passions which she teaches and dances professionally as well, first with Esmeralda Enrique’s Spanish Dance Company and then with Ritmo Flamenco Dance Company. Paula's dance background also includes gymnastics, ballet, Latin American folklore and 23 years experience in the Performing Arts. She co-founded the 'first ever' Bi-Annual Women's Salsa Retreat, and co-directs with her husband their very own performance dance company. As a FULL-TIME instructor, choreographer, and performer, this professional dancer has a wealth of knowledge that is passed on to her students.

Robert Grenaway

Ever since Robert was bitten by the salsa bug in the year 2000, it's been a non-stop love affair with salsa, merengue, cha cha and bachata following closely behind. Being with DTL studio since 2000, and a member of DTL's performance group since 2002, Robert has been able to further develop and enhance his own unique style and interpretation of the dance, putting an emphasis on precision, accuracy and styling to ensure both team and couple dynamics. Robert's infectious passion for salsa has not only led him to showcase his talents at the Toronto Salsa Congress, but also puts him first and foremost on the dance floor at the clubs, where he can be found most nights, dancing until the last eight count is done. With a solid base in both Toronto and New York style salsa, and a tried and true self-professed salsa-holic attitude, Robert's dance experience not only makes him a sought after dance partner, but also a great teacher.

Carla Rosario

Carla has always had a love for dance, but her love for salsa blossomed in 2000, when she was taught by Paula at the University of Toronto’s Athletic Center. She continued her training at Soles Dance Studio in 2001, and was part of two choreography programs, which lead to local performances in Toronto. Carla has organized several salsa workshops since, including the fundraiser Christmas for all 2006, and events at U of T departmental graduate student council. She has taken classes for modern dance at U of T, and for hip hop and ladies’ choreography at City Dance Corps. Carla joined DTL in 2007, and couldn’t be happier. She loves having fun with the music, and never gets tired of dancing!

Manuela Astudillo

At the age of 9 Manuela got involved in a Latin American Dance group, where she learned the artistic movements of Ecuador, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. With a passion to learn more about this art, at the age of 12 she joined a Hawaiian dance group the helped her develop a different sense of body movement. Manuela joined Dance to Live two years ago, where she was given the opportunity to perform at Salsa on St. Clair 2008 with Jose and Paula. That same year she competed with DTL's Steven Lopez at the Ontario Place Salsa competition where they won 1st place in the amatuer division. Presently, she is teaching Ecuadorian Folk Dance for children ages 3-8yrs at the San Lorenzo Community Centre, and is very excited to be teaching Salsa for Children 4-8yrs at DTL starting in the Fall of 2009.

Claudia

Coming Soon

Young Kim

Banker by day, salsero by night, Young has become one of the most talented dancers in Toronto. As a former principal dancer of Mambo Tribe Salsa Dance Company, he has performed and taught in Paris, Cannes, Nice, Hamburg, Bermuda, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Rochester, Detroit, Boston, and Montreal.

Young is known for his charismatic presence on the stage, and for his effortless lead and innovative turn patterns on the dance floor.

Gen Michaud

With a Master degree in International Business, Gen works as an Associate Director in a highly recognizable company in Canada. Throughout her dancing career, Gen has traveled to many world wide locations in Europe, South America, USA and Canada to perform and teach. As a former principal dancer of Saltimambo - based in Montreal, under the Direction of Edson Vallon - Gen acquired great technique and achieved maturity as a performer, choreographer and teacher.
Gen is known for her speed of execution, spins, precise following and great energy for both on and off the stage.

For more info on Young & Gen pls visit their website.

Kevin Cunningham

Kevin began dancing at the age of 11 under the mentorship of his cousin Natalie White and has not stopped since. With dancers ages 6-23 Kevin established School of Mayhem Entertainment (S.O.M.E.) in 1999 at the age of 20.  By 2003, S.O.M.E. had become one of the most recognized Hip Hop Dance Crews in Toronto, winning several first place awards form city-wide Dance Competitions. They also lent talents to shaping the Canadian Entertainment Industry, with credits that include; Sean Paul, Shawn Desmond, The Rascalz, Glen Lewis, In Essence, Addictiv, Rihanna, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Director Little X's videos and movies; Honey (2002), and My Baby's Mama (2002).

Kevin’s focus has always been to use dance as an educational tool for youth, while empowering them. This medium has proven to allow his students to build there self-esteem to become successful performers, choreographers, actors, singers, photographers, clothing designers and largely talented dancers.

Kevin is versed in Hip Hop, Breaking, Krump, Dancehall and House. He is also a talented photographer and music producer. More recently, he has been coaching gymnastics for the last 2 years as well as taking up Salsa dancing at Dance to Live Studio. After only six months of dancing Salsa, Kevin placed 2nd in his first ever Salsa competition! We continue to expect nothing but greatness from Mr. Cunningham.

Ballroom

Iryna Iaremchuk

Mrs. Iryna Iaremchuk is a highly qualified, professional Ballroom dance teacher from the Ukraine with unwavering passion for dance and instruction. She has over 19 years of experience instructing International Standard and Latin. A former competitor and Ballroom Dance Ensemble dancer, Mrs. Iryna was a member of the Ukrainian Dance Spot Federation (UDSF), a member of the Ukrainian Council of Ballroom Dance, Judge of the Highest Category of UDSF, President of Dance Sport Club "Inspiration" (with total 6 instructors).

Mrs. Iryna is capable of teaching anyone, at any level, to dance for all occasions. She is a skillful pedagogue and has developed her own working procudure with dancers of different age groups and dance skill levels. Her background in physiology and psychology maker learning easier and with great understanding.

As a dedicated professional, Mrs. Iryna has been constantly mastering her skills. knowledge and professional competence participations in lessons and congresses with the top teachers in the world. She fostered champions of Ukraine, winners of all - Ukrainian contests and international competitions.

Having trained hundreds of students as well as teachers, Mrs. Iryna will ensure your lessons are enjoyable productive, rewarding and you are receiving excellent quality dance instructions.