
Vanessa Baldwin
Vanessa was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She came to the United States when she was seventeen to go to college. Growing up, Vanessa loved dancing and music. At age two, she started dancing classical ballet, which she continued to do until her teenage years. She was also trained in tap dance, lyrical, jazz, modern ballet, Marinera (Peruvian folkloric dance), and Afro. Vanessa’s love for music also started at an early age. She started playing classical piano at age four and continued until age twelve.
During her college years, Vanessa became a Zumba and Swing dancing instructor. She taught at the University of Missouri and local gyms. In 2006 Vanessa moved to Miami, which is where her passion and addiction to Latin dances started. She started taking salsa lessons at Karibe Dance Studios, where she was put into advanced classes after a quick test.
After one month of group lessons, she was invited to join the performing team. After a few months of training, she performed in the Orlando Salsa Congress, Tampa International Salsa and Bachata Congress, and Miami Salsa Congress. Shortly after, she started teaching salsa at Karibe, where she led the children’s salsa classes as well as the adult classes.
In January 2013, Rene Gueits (owner/producer of the Miami Salsa Congress) presented Vanessa with the opportunity to teach at Salsa Lovers, the biggest salsa studio in Miami. Salsa Lovers specializes in Cuban Casino Rueda style salsa, a style Vanessa had not been trained in before, but she was up to the challenge! Rene introduced Vanessa himself, and after a few training sessions, she became a Casino Rueda instructor. She started with group lessons and gave one-on-one private lessons shortly after.
In addition to Salsa, Vanessa enjoys dancing Bachata, Chachacha, and Swing.
Vanessa has taught in Chicago at Latin Street Music & Dancing since 2014!
Currently Teaching: Private Lessons for Salsa & Bachata, wedding choreography