WELCOME TO
ACACIA LATIN DANCE COMPANY
Experience the Passion of Salsa Dancing
Located in Hartford, Connecticut
MEET OUR
TEAM MEMBERS!
WHERE PASSION MEETS COMMITMENT
Director & Choreographer
Christien Olivera
Hometown: The Bronx, New York
Nationality: Puerto Rican 🇵🇷
Why I started Acacia Latin Dance Company? I started Acacia Dance Company to build a community of strong and passionate dancers. I want people to find an escape and to discover more about themselves
Why Do I Enjoy Dancing? It is my escape and it is simply a way for me to connect more with my inner self and my culture!
Fun Fact About Me: I studied abroad in Europe for 4 months while in College!
Team Captain (Student/Company)
Karina Varela
Hometown: The Bronx, New York
Nationality: Dominican 🇩🇴
Why I Joined Acacia Latin Dance Company? I joined the team to be apart of a dance community. Meet and share experiences with people and grow as a dancer and performer.
Why Do I Enjoy Dancing? Dance has always been an unspoken language that allows me to feel, express & communicate through the body. It is my passion and a part of my identity.
Fun Fact About Me: Sunflowers are my favorite
Company Team/Student Team
Jordan Falcon
Hometown: The Bronx, New York
Nationality: Puerto Rican🇵🇷
Why I Joined Acacia Latin Dance Company? I joined Acacia Dance Company to continue my passion for dance. Acacia offers Salsa on2, which is my preferred style!
Why Do I Enjoy Dancing? Learning Salsa was a way for me to connect with my culture, as I am not fluent in Spanish. Dance always keeps me more active and is my escape from reality
Fun Fact About Me: Mickey Mouse is my boss
Company Team/Student Team
Yeikson Abrahan Colmenares
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
Nationality: Venezuelan 🇻🇪
Why I Joined Acacia Latin Dance Company? I was attracted to the hard working being put in to get this company started. I love the team environment and how Christien teaches. I'm very excited to see what comes out of this.
Why Do I Enjoy Dancing? I dance because I love connecting with people!
Fun Fact About Me: Dancing makes my life better!
Company Team
Jessica Familia
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Company Team
Wilmarie Diaz
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Company Team
Natalie Kildare
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Student Team
Ruben Arroyo
Hometown: New Britain, CT
Nationality: Puerto Rican 🇵🇷
Why I Joined Acacia Latin Dance Company? I've always wanted to learn on2 Salsa, and I saw this as the perfect opportunity!
Why Do I Enjoy Dancing? Dancing is my second life. It puts me at ease and is my stress reliever. "The World is my Stage"
Fun Fact About Me: I love creating balloon work!
Student Team
Jaime Alers
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add Hometown: Willimantic, CT
Nationality: Puerto Rican 🇵🇷
Why I Joined Acacia Latin Dance Company? I saw this an opportunity to continue to passion of dancing!
Why Do I Enjoy Dancing? Dancing has always been apart of my life.
Fun Fact About Me: I had the opportunity to perform with Gilberto Santa Rosa. I always ran my own dance team in High School!
Student Team
Ferhat Demirer
Hometown: Ordu, Turkey (Currently in Berlin, CT)
Nationality: Turkish 🇹🇷
Why I Joined Acacia Latin Dance Company? This was the one place where I can learn the fundamentals of Salsa on2 in the area and I love dancing Salsa on2!
Why Do I Enjoy Dancing? Dancing is fun! The more I learn, the more confident I feel about myself. It makes me feel good and releases my stress!
Fun Fact About Me: I can play the cowbell!
Student Team
Edwin Vazquez
Hometown: Willimantic, CT
Nationality: Puerto Rican 🇵🇷
Why I Joined Acacia Latin Dance Company? I wanted to get out of my shell and learn more about what I am passionate about. This was the perfect place to enhance my skills.
Why Do I Enjoy Dancing? I truly enjoy dancing because it gives me a feeling of comfort, relaxation, fun and power!
Fun Fact About Me: I am a Make Up Artist!
Student Team
Kevin Velazquez
Hometown: Springfield, Massachusetts
Nationality: Puerto Rican 🇵🇷
Why I Joined Acacia Latin Dance Company? To continue learning and training!
Why Do I Enjoy Dancing? I grew up dancing with my family and it truly makes me happy!
Fun Fact About Me: I love taking adventures!
Student Team
Dayane Barauna
Hometown: Hartford, Connecticut
Nationality: Peruvian 🇵🇪
Why I Joined Acacia Latin Dance Company? I loved their energy, the second I entered! I love it here.
Why Do I Enjoy Dancing? Dance makes me feel free and brings out the best in me. It's my safe space!
Fun Fact About Me: I am dyslexic!
Student Team
Jolene Snowden
Hometown: Springfield, Massachusetts
Nationality: African American
Why I joined Acacia Latin Dance Company? I love Salsa and I always wanted to be on a team.
Why Do You Enjoy Dancing? I enjoy dancing because it is my outlet.
Fun Fact About Me: I love to make charcuterie boards!