Our Team

Viva Latino! was formed in 2005 with a vision to bring the wonderful dances, language and culture of Latin America to New Zealanders.

Saione Greer - Salsa Instructor  

Saione (Director, Salsa Instructor)

With his years of dance experience (including hip-hop and modern jive), is the Director and principal instructor of the Latin dance academy. Saione has been trained by some of the best Salsa dancers and instructors in the world and has taught hundreds of people with no dance experience how to step on to the dance floor with confidence.
   

Kimberley (Burlesque Instructor)

Kimberley is one of NZ’s top Hip Hop Dance Instructors and has been teaching for over 7 years. Founder of Vibe One Dance Company she has appeared in numerous music videos including Deihamo’s “We Gon’ Ride” and has choreographed and directed a number of hiphop dance shows. Kimberley has danced with Keshia Paulse (NZ Idol Top 10) at US RnB Group 112's Auckland concert and competed in various dance comps.  More recently she has also judged a number of national dance competitions including “Tear It Up”, “Bring it On”, “Bounce” and Mai FM’s “Find Ya Freestyle.
Timothy Gordon - Ballet Instructor  

Timothy Gordon (Ballet For Adults Instructor)

Timothy Gordon has had over 30years experience as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Timothy’s Ballet career has taken him around the world. He has worked with The Singapore Dance Theatre, The Australian Ballet Company, The Nederland Dance Theatre, and The Royal New Zealand Ballet amongst many others including being a guest teacher for The Royal Danish Ballet and The Tokyo Ballet.

Carolina Arias - Zumba instructor  

Carolina Arias (Zumba Instructor)

Originally from Chile, South America, Carolina Arias not only grew up with the sounds of Latin rhythms, but she has also been in the Fitness Industry for over 8 years as an instructor and personal trainer, so Zumba has been a perfect combination of these two passions.

“I love teaching Zumba classes. The reason is simple: Every class feels like a party! Come join me and you'll see what I mean. You don't even have to know how to dance. Just move your body and follow my lead. It's easy! I'm a fully licensed Zumba instructor and I have a vast experience teaching Latin rhythms so come and dance with me!”

 

Rowena Baines - Zouk instructor  

Rowena Baines (Zouk Instructor)

After dancing various forms of latin dance for over fifteen years, Rowena discovered Zouk Lambada.  Her passion for Zouk Lambada is contagious! She has trained Zouk Lambada for two years, travelling to Zouk Lambada congresses across the globe to receive training from the best instructors in the world.

Rowena joined Viva Latino in 2009 and now teaches three Zouk levels with both Saione and Kelvin. She choreographed the Viva Latino Zouk team's performance piece along with Saione, which was presented at the NZ Pacific Salsa Congress. After the Congress the team was invited to show their performance piece at the Brazil Central Congress in Brisbane this October. Rowena has played a huge part in growing the Zouk scene in Auckland and will be taking a dance tour to Brazil at the end of 2010 to inspire her students.

Julia Garcia - Belly Dance instructor

Julia Garcia (Belly Dance Instructor)

Julia, originally from Chile, has grown up around music and dancing and continues to enjoy the art of dance, “dance is a beautiful way to express deep and hidden feelings”. Julia started studying classic techniques and modern dance at the age of 11. She has been a dancer with a leading latin american dance company in Chile. Julia has also spent five years teaching children and feels that it was her best work . In 2003 Julia began to study belly dancing and has been performing in New Zealand since 2006.

Margaret Mackenzie - Hip Hop Heels and Burlesque intructor

Margaret Mackenzie (Hip Hop Heels and Burlesque Instructor)

Margaret has been in the Hip Hop dance community since 2000, involved with dance crews Triple8Funk and KaLADYscope.  Her experiences include productions, live stage shows and world competitions.  Margaret was in the 2007 Vodafone Cheerleading squad for the Vodafone Warriors.  As a member of Triple8funk Allstars, she placed 5th at the World Hip Hop Champs in L.A in 2007.   Margaret was in the 2009 Monsters of Hip Hop Cast, performing the show 'Hip Hop Nation' after a 2 week intensive rehearsal.  She was also guest choreographer for the adults division for the Hip Hop showcase Dream' 09.

Graziela Oborn - Samba instructor  

Graziela Oborn (Samba Instructor)

Graziela is an international samba instructor & performer from Brazil. She has been performing and teaching samba for 12 years and is one of the most recognisable and sought-after dancers in Sydney.

Her outstanding performances have travelled abroad when she represented Australia in Singapore in 2003 and also interstate performances in the Perth Latin Fiestain 2005,Latin Extravaganza in Adelaidein 2005 and Latin Festival in Griffiths in 2006.

Graziela joined Viva Latino in 2009. She choreographed the Viva Latino Samba team's performance piece, which was presented at the NZ Pacific Salsa Congress. After the Congress the team was invited to show their performance piece at the Brazil Central Congress in Brisbane this October.Experience her Brazilian flavoured energy and spice in one of her courses

   

Joseph Ling (Hip Hop Instructor)

Joseph Ling has taught Hip Hop dance workshops in New Zealand and internationally, teaching in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia.


His style is described as smooth, sharp, funky and groovy. With every routine he creates closely relating to the specific piece of music chosen, often telling a story or expressing a certain feel; or emotion. His favourite thing about teaching is seeing students grow and advance in their skill level.

Joseph’s performance experience includes corporate and sporting events such as Warriors games, numerous competitions throughout New Zealand as well as travelling to Los Angeles in 2006 to represent NZ in the World Hip Hop Championships.

William Ramsay - Break Dance instructor  

William Ramsay (Break Dance Instructor)

William has been dancing for 5 years with his crew Fleshmaze. They won competitions such as

  • Battlecry 2006 and 2007
  • National champs 2007
  • Red Bull Garage battle 2008 (one on one)
  • Beatstreet 2009
  • Bodyrock 2009 (one on one)
  • Homegrown 2010

His style is chilled, smooth, and i focus on musicality in dancing. He thinks everyone should have fun when they're dancing.


Tracey Trinder - Lyrical Contemporary instructor  

Tracey Trinder (Lyrical Contemporary Instructor)

Tracy is a passionate dancer with a huge love for Lyrical dance. After studying dance, theatre and Fine Arts in Dunedin, she graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Photography. Since then she has continued her training alongside teaching, choreographing and performing for various shows and events in Auckland and abroad. Recent achievements/performances include performing at the Civic in 'CATS' as Cassandra, the Siamese cat - Auckland, NZ Body Art Awards - Hatch, 'Z cast' - Singapore, and most recently a commercial dance contract in Mexico. Tracy is currently completing a Bachelor of Performing Arts majoring in Contemporary dance

Pauline - Kids Dance instructor  

Pauline (Star Dance Instructor)

Pauline started dancing in 2002 with the first Star Dance programme in Wanganui, 6 years later she has become an accomplished dancer with a passion for dance, teaching and performance. Pauline assisted leading the New Zealand Youth Salsa team to the USA, Australia, Japan, and China, performing to standing ovations at Salsa Congresses around the world. Pauline has taught all around New Zealand and loves sharing her passion for dance with children and youth. In 2006 Pauline and her dance partner Stayz placed 1st at the NZ Salsa Champs in the professional section. Now Pauline dances professionally with the Cuban Groove Company, Soul Fuego Pro-team, and is a valuable member of the team at Viva Latino helping to develop the Star Dance programme in Auckland.

Lauren Dunningham - Hip Hop instructor  

Lauren Dunningham (Hip Hop instructor)

Lauren has been teaching Hip Hop professionally for 7 years. She competed in the world Hip Hop Championships 2008 and trained with triple8funk company. Lauren has also been trained in Jazz, Latin and Contemporary dance. She has been a bgirl (break dancer) for 3 years and is currently focusing on this area of Hip Hop. She has an advanced Certificate in Dance and has also traveled to Brisbane several times to dance with the dance group 'Blaze'.

" I Love to explore all styles of movement and performing arts, and hope to continue traveling and expanding my capacity, trying new areas of the performing arts industry."

 

Louisa Alix (West Coast Swing Instructor)

Louisa Alix was introduced to and fell in love with West Coast Swing in 1999 and was eventually dancing 5-7 days a week and regularly travelling 2-5 hours for a night dancing amongst Southern California’s finest West Coast Swing dancers.

Louisa started competing in 2001 at "Jack and Jill" events at various American national events placing first, second, third or finalist in her division. At the last event she attended, Swingthing held in Irvine, California, USA, in October 2009, she took home 2nd place in Jack and Jill and 5th place in the advanced Strictly competitions.
 
Trained by many including notable West Coast Swing instructors: Skippy Blair - GSDTA, Tatiana Mollman, Jordan Frisbee, Deborah Szekely and Robert Cordoba

Certified in instruction of West Coast Swing by the Professional Dance Instructors Association and a recommended member instructor of the Golden State Dance Teacher's Association.

   

Kim Malone (Broadway / Street Tap Instructor)

Kim has learnt the art of Tap Dancing since the age of 9 performing in various Dance recitals and competitive work throughout her childhood. She had great opportunites in travelling and performed in Cabaret shows in various countries with a professional dance troupe. Kim spent 7 years in Sweden where she taught Tap/Jazz in a Performing Arts School. She loves the excitement and energy of Broadway shows and screen musicals.
Kim currently teaches a varitey of styles to Theatre Tap to Funk Street Tap.

Audrey - Burlesque instructor  

Audrey (Burlesque Instructor)

Audrey started modeling and dancing Pop and Jazz from the age of 4 years old in Australia. As much as she wanted to Audrey never had the chance to train formally, but that didn't stop her from persuing her passion to perform. 10 years later Audrey moved here in NZ and was introduced to Hip Hop, Salsa and Pole Fitness which she loves to bits. Since then she has participated in competitions, appeared in video clips and has achieved great things including - being selected to represent NZ in the World Salsa Championships and forming an all female dance troupe, Las Donnitas.
 
Audrey likes to fun and she will definately bring it when she teaches yet she wants everyone to know that she is also there to assist women build confidence and bring sexiness into their lives. She believes every woman has a feminine side it's either showing already or hidden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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