“Dearest Edie, I just wanted to thank youfor the wonderful boot camp experience overthe weekend. Not only are you an amazing dancer, and performer, but you are an extraordinary teacher as well. You were patient, considerate and had a true desire to ensure that the student fully understands the concept and technique. That is what being a wonderful teacher is about. Again,thank you so much for the wonderful experience. You are a truly generous and a wonderful person. Take care and hope to seeyou soon! Khoa as in “Qua” – lity”
Edie,
Almost 300 people have gone to your [Bootcamp] page already [within 24 hoursof posting]. You are a “Salsa Freak and a Salsa Beast , you are simply the best. …. Everybody wants Edie . Wow what a feeling that must be. I know it is not easy being you. I love you!
http://www.edie.youaremighty.com/
Hi Edie:
This is Rahm.
I wanted to thank you for the awesome Salsa Bootcamp in Denver. You totally blew my mind.
Hi Edie!
Like to let you know.. I got alot from your bootcamp here at Wash DC/Arlington last wkend (Apr 18) best money spent. I was that guys that sweated alot and was tired close to the end of the class. I wish I have not done 60 miles of cycling the day before so I could have taken more advantage of you being in the area. Nevertheless.. I came out of there with a good basic that I least I can bring to the floor, even if just to practice. Hope to see you in the area again!
Edie, your workshop made me excited about Salsa more and more. I respect you that you are a great teacher as well as a great dancer with great sense of humor. I really liked your teaching style. I liked your ‘performance’ that telling a story of a song to show us the phrasings, paragraphs of the music. I liked very much the demonstration of how to recover from ‘fall’. Also, I liked the demonstration of how to ask other people to dance with me.
Hi Edie,
I took your Bootcamp about three yearsago and I LOVED it! I’ve been dancing ever since!! You’re the best, and a living inspiration!
Hi Edie,
I attended your Salsa Bootcamp (both days) this past weekend in Arlington. I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful experience. My 40-year-old body hurts a little :), but I loved the experience and look forward to learning and dancing more Salsa. I also really appreciated what you shared about yourself and your comments at the end about dancing with your significant other – no one seems to talk about this in dance and they should. I’ve been married twice also and just recently broke up with a boyfriend I had high hopes for – so I think I could use some Salsa in my life.
Thanks again and good luck in your travels as you bless others.
I love your teaching style. I also like the way you rotate the lines so everyone has a chance to see you in action
Edie, your Ladies Styling workshops and DVDs enhanced and beautified the way I dance – I am FINALLY starting to get a LOT of compliments now!! Thank you!!
WOW! I am really honored to have taken this day to learn under you Edie. You really are a pro. Great teacher. I had never danced with a man. You made the instructions clear. It was really hard work and I am sooooo sore! But what a pleasure. Felt so emotional/teary even.. after class. You taught the proper respect between men and women and that is priceless
You are the BEST.
I am writing you this short letter to show my appreciation for the joy and happiness you have brought into my life as well as my friends around me. You have been an inspiration for my dance partner and I
Thank-you Edie for taking the time and devoting the energy to designing and developing this system. You and your team deserve the highest accolades.
Edie, your Musicality class was the best class I’ve ever attended. Wow
Edie’s workshops are always the most popular and year after year, she excels in keeping her workshops fresh, exciting and entertaining. Students absolutely love her
There are no better partners on the dance floor than those who have learned from Edie. She turns regular men into partners who pull the best from me. I can recognize them on the dance floor by their moves and the way they treat me. They are gentleman. She has made them into the strong men they always had buried inside of them the same way she turned me into the beautiful woman that was buried deep inside of me.
I am NEVER BORED in your AWESOME classes! Most instructors bore me so much, I stopped taking workshops. Not the case with you! You always keep my attention, I just don’t know how you do it!
Edie, you have touched the lives of so many people worldwide …probably more than anyone in the industry has.
Edie, what you do is bigger than just teaching dancing.
I mean you are like a life coach to any problems! I felt like I grew just from last meeting. I admire how you think and talk. You words are so meaningful that I can just think about it for few days. All these comments might not mean much to you but I just want to let you know that I have so much respect for you. Your new fan
In the Navy we say Bravo Zulu when someone does something that deserves praise. BRAVO ZULU EDIE AND TEAM!!!
I have taken three of your classes last year and I want to take more. You do have really inspiring classes that is just not about dancing but about life! One day while I was not to busy at work, I read all of your blogs and really enjoyed the way you think and how you keep growing and especially how you help so many others
You are AWESOME!! Hi Edie! I heard of you, but when I finally took one of your workshops, I had NO IDEA of how well you could CAPTIVATE us while keeping ALL OF US MESMERIZED the entire time! You TRULY have a gift
I was very aware of what you were actually giving to your students; it was a success recipe for life skills that included Salsa!I personally really admired your teaching technique. Anyway, I wanted you to know you were a special treat for all. Thank you for coming to Alaska. I hope you don’t quit and move on to something else
Edie, what you do is bigger than just teaching dancing.
I mean you are like a life coach to any problems! I felt like I grew just from last meeting. I admire how you think and talk. You words are so meaningful that I can just think about it for few days. All these comments might not mean much to you but I just want to let you know that I have so much respect for you. Your new fan
No one teaches the “why’s” like you do Edie. In many, many, many seminars and classes that I’ve attended. They tell you what to do … but never the whys. You shared the whys, which in turn connected all of the dots. Being willing to recognize that I didn’t know what I didn’t know … made the it possible to see the connectedness. WOW! I’m preparing myself for the next belt now. I am convinced, “Clarity is the first lesson in learning”. You brought the clarity and I was more than able to learn!!!
The practice time was excellent: Edie, I loved it. Many a times an instructor falls into the blah, blah, blah, and no action..not the case here
I’ve never been to a workshop in which the instructor also served as a personal morals and relationship “Adviser”. . yesterday I had the pleasure to attend one of the most fun and amazing workshops that and Carmen Perez-Ahmed put together at studio 65. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran dancer, you would’ve enjoyed taking this worshop with this wonderful lady know through-out the Salsa-world as “Edie, The Salsa Freak”. (I personaly would preffer to call her by a well deserved name like Salsa Queen”)
Edie, “YOU” are one of the Best Instructors in the world.
The workshops with Edie the Salsa freak where good. I think people who visit the workshops know now why she is one of the best Salsa teachers and dancers in the world. Her explanations where crystal clear and there was really a connection with the audience is my opinion.- R.C. Dusseldorf, Germany Over and over again and every time WITH PLEASURE!!! Workshops with Edie – Really nice on the legs part. Edie has shown with the Workshop not only your huge teaching talent, she can also handle really well with the people and does with humor and a lot of charm. It was to be seen very interesting like you this does so…
All of us left there with a different frame of mind, on top of the fact that we were all well entertained by her constant funny humor all through-out the workshop. This is an amazing lady who’s full or energy and charisma, not to mention her passion for dancing. I highly recommend her work shops and tutoring videos, plus I certainly hope that she comes around again. A special thanks to Carmelo Parrilla who cooked the food provided and Thank you for provinding us with a great workshop with one of the best Salseras in the world.
Fate was smiling on me the day I experienced two of your workshops. I got to enjoy your wonderfully witty and wise performances. So I went along to the spins class and that too was witty and wise. (You looked absolutely regal up there on the balcony, with that dreadfully melodramatic picture of a horse behind you; did you notice? What a performance!!)…
Dear Edie,
Traveling clear across the country from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Dallas, Texas, to come to your workshop was one of the best decisions that I have made in my Salsa career. Although I have been teaching for years, I try to attend classes because I can never stop learning if I expect to help my students to become great Salseros. I walked away from your class with a wealth of knowledge.
There is more to learn from you than new dance combinations. You taught me about sustaining the heart to teach through the years, and the commitment to the business of Salsa. I in my career, I have met hundreds of good dancers, and many good teachers, but only a handful of business owners committed to Salsa. I have never witness anyone who gives more of themselves to her students, and you absolutely excel in all three areas. You have my complete respect and I look forward to working with you in the future.
Tu Hermana en Salsa, abrazosos fuertes,
I am rambling but wanted to give you kudos because without realizing it, I improved drastically thanks to our training together. I really look forward to the opportunity to spend another 48-72 hours with you to take it to another level but in truth, I am not even stressing on trying to learn how to do cool combinations because now it seems as if at least 50 pct of the “ new” ladies I dance with, I need to simplify or reduce my moves to dance to a level that they are comfortable with and can execute but that’s crazy since I feel like I am doing the same old bread and butter moves so how can that be Edie?
its amazing Edie and you made the difference….this did not happen overnight but somehow
Dear Edie,
I came across your website while doing searches on “salsa”. I am so impressed with your background, talent and also your warmth and kindheartedness which comes through your published responses to letters. Most importantly, I find that it is no coincidence that I came across your website, because I am a Christian with concerns about how to be a dancer in a predominantly secular world, especially that of salsa, where there is so much temptation.
I took my first salsa class on September 25th, only two weeks ago. Since then I attended another class and have been to three salsa dance clubs: the Whittier Radisson, the Granada in Alhambra and Steven’s Steakhouse. What incredible dancers I saw at Steven’s! Wow. I am hooked on salsa! I love the music!
Something happened the first time I attended a salsa dance club–that was at the Whittier Radisson on September 28th (how can I forget). What made all the difference was the live band with all the percussions and rhythm–the music just got to my soul! Even though I was a beginner, I felt the music and was able to dance to it. The men were so patient; they taught me how to follow. I danced with one guy for about five songs. It was so slow and simple that I was bored at first, but later on something happened. We got into this synchrony, as if our worlds became one: our movements melded as one as we responded to the music. It was magic! Two weeks later, I’m still thinking about that magical moment. As I read your Stories forum, I discovered that what I experienced was a salsa “fix” or high. It was incredible! I had a high at my first salsa club.
God bless,
Edie,
Thanks for the musicality article. I have been expressing to my friends how feeling
the music is more enjoyable than obsessing about keeping on the beat. There are dancers where I live who are obsessed with keeping on the beat. They never smile when they are dancing.
I agree with every word of the article, and I’ve been thinking the same for a good while, and yes I do receive some “Oh my gosh” comments. Inspirational music means a lot
to me when I dance. Thanks again.
Love,
Little did I know that may have very well been MY LAST COMMUNICATION WITH ANYONE WHILST I WAS ALIVE. Seriously, that thought chills me.
As I rode to work on my bike, I was cycling straight along a road, close to the gutter. I do this about 30 metres before the bike path begins. All of a sudden, BOOM! I found myself waking up on the pavement some 5 metres away from the road and what was once my bicycle. I got up and was thinking ‘what happened’ and stumbled around. Then the pain hit me. I felt like collapsing but I didn’t as I was completely out of it and could not remember how to collapse.
A bus driver pulled over and came up to me looking worse than me I imagine. Saying sorry and asking me if I was all right. I said “I do not know, I cannot move my arm.” about 3 times. Long story short, I ended up in the hospital with a suspected broken arm. I was planning my one-armed leading salsa classes at that stage 🙂
Otherwise I was fine. I was VERY LUCKY. I was thrown from the impact and my bike was destroyed, not me. The impact was so great that, my clip in pedals on my shoes which lock your feet into the pedals, were broken off. Literally the pedals broke off with the force I was thrown back with. As I sat there in the hospital (I had to stay for a while to be monitored because I had a concussion) and waited for my x-rays. I could not help but think ‘WOW, last night (dancing) was so fantastic! If I had to have a last night, dancing is a great way to do it! As comical as it sounds, it makes sense. LIVE LIFE. Don’t wait or hold back. You NEVER know. The girl you want to dance with, ASK! The class you are thinking of doing, GO!
The x-ray was positive and no broken bones. It was a miracle, as the Doctor’s said, but I am home now. Bruised up, with my arm in a sling (pulled muscle apparently) some cuts, etc. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I am ALIVE!
I’m hoping to go dancing soon; if for nothing else, than to watch.
Remember the saying; life is NOT a dress rehearsal…
thank you
“Wow Edie” is right!
It’s been almost two weeks since your Bootcamp in Los Angeles and I am still feeling energised and inspired by it. I just wanted to thank you for your charisma and time, and to say that you are a great teacher!
I am a school teacher who recently had to quit my job due to some medical issues that I needed to deal with. I actually came up to you after the Bootcamp to let you know that I was recently diagnosed with MS and had trouble feeling my legs. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me after the class, and for sharing with me the names and websites that you recommended for health juices and a good diet.
I have come to really appreciate movement and my legs, since my scare with the change in sensation in my legs. And going to your Bootcamp not only helped me to relax, have fun and learn a lot about dancing, but it also made me learn a lot about myself. I was so touched by your stories about how you started dancing at 30 and how determined you were to keep working at it. You look great and you are truly an inspiration.
Since your workshop, I’ve been looking into ballet classes to strengthen my legs, and I feel more confident about continuing to dance and to enjoy it. I used to think that at 31 I was too old to learn to dance, and to do it well, but I wanted to thank you for changing my view of this. I only got to spend two days in your classes, but your words and energy will last with me for a long time. They have already changed the way that I do things, and I am grateful that I got the chance to learn from you. I love the way that you enjoy sharing all that you know with your students, and how it feels as if you want us to be great and you believe that we can be, in all aspects of our lives. It takes a very strong, courageous and selfless person to be able to teach in that way. Thank you so much Edie! You’re awesome!
Edie,
After completing your “boot camp” I want to thank you for what a great job you did. My background has been more ballroom style than salsa and your camp helped answer a lot of questions I had in making the transition.
What impressed me most was your invitation to the students to ask you for a dance in the social setting. When I spotted you out there I waited till the song was over and grabbed you before you ever hit the carpet. If you were a Porche with six gears, I think I may have gotten to second gear, which is a start.
I have had instructors in the past that I avoid like the plague in social settings. That is because if I make a timing error they are going to jump on it. It is embarrassing and takes the fun out of the dance for me. You did not do that, so Thank you.
I am going to focus more on Salsa now by hiring a good instructor who specializes in Latin dances. I hope next time I see you there will be improvement and I will get you into third.
Good luck with all of your marketing ventures.
Thisis Mimi…La boriqua loca LOL………Iwanted to say bye to you yesterday but realized I had to run or I’ll miss my flight back to phoenix.
I hadso much FUN!!!!!! I learned somuch from you. I am so inspired by you. You are awesome! I really love your style and your teaching techniques. I would love to be your protégé, someday.
I’d have to admit something to you……………I really thought I can dance my assoff. I grow up dancing Salsa and watching my 14 aunts and uncles dance but I don’t remember being taught a STYLE or TECHNIQUE……..I’m not mad at them (LOL) but I so excited that I learned some from you. I’m going to teach them something we I go back to Puerto Rico .
YOUR ARE AMAZING!
Please add a little bit of time for Q&A. The crowd is way too bad, it’s not likely to ask questions during class coz it will slow down the class. However, if we can have a 20-30min Q&A session at the end to ask question,we can share what we don’t understand orrecoup what we’d learned.
I would definitely recommend her Salsa FREAK Bootcamps to friends!!!
You guys are always asking me to recommend a good Salsa DANCE teacher..well here is my recommendation! Edie is presenting her Bootcamp once again in Los Angeles. Take advantageof the pre-registrationprice..$ this is SUCH A DEAL!
It includes instruction, lunch, snacks and asyllabus. Here isthewebsite,I will be there for the Bootcamp, no matter how much I dance I always learn something new at these workshops.
http://www.Salsafreak.com/Bootcamp
Tell her I sent you!
Hi Edie,
I wanted to follow-up with you regarding your Salsa Bootcamp this past weekend in VA. Your energy and instruction about Salsa music and the dance is unparalleled. As I mentioned to you, I have never seen anyone interpret music the way you did and so easily incorporate itinto your dancing. It was a Blessing for me. I hope we will meet up againat a future Salsa event. I enjoyed working with you. Please let me know if you are in the area again and you need someone to work the DVD table.By the way, I am really enjoying your DVD’s that you gave me!
Your the Best,
I would definitely recommend your Salsa Bootcamps tomy friends, I can’t stop talking about it!!
I thinkit’s great that you incorporated God intothe day and glorified him!! I also liked the personalized stories, it makes me feel like I can become an amazing dancer too if I stay persistent! Loved the demonstrations during lunch time. Loved the variety of moves and material, I have a lot to practice!
The changing of partners, the way of learning, your sense of humour!!!
I never danced Salsa before (but there is definitely gonna be more Salsa in the future :-))) )and I don’t believe there is much to improve, in what you do! Your joy of dancing is contagious
I rate your Bootcamp a “10” – without being “friendly”!!I had no expectations and I went home completely enthusiastic
Hi Edie, mysister and I were at the Bootcamp for bothdays, i have to say that it was one of themost wonderful things I have ever done! Weboth had so much fun!!!, Everybody wasgreat. I do have to say that though Ienjoyed it so much, I think it might havebeen a little to crowded, or maybe the placewas to small, I saw some ladies getdiscouraged. they kept saying its way tomany people. But my sister and I did well,we are very happy, with what we know. Thankyou! it was awesome.
Hi Edie,
Thanks for your visit to Kansas City and conducting the bootcamp. I really enjoyed it and it was outstanding learning experience. I have gone through numerous Salsa workshops / classes during my one year of dancing span and I found your approach unique and most benificial, especially your repetition technique to bring all students on same page. As a result, I remember every thing you taught in the workshop and I can perform them confidently.
I viewed all six DVDs I bought after bootcamp and they make much more sense after taking the bootcamp and I found them very comprehensive. I’m going to recommend your DVDs to all my friends in Detroit.
Thanks again and look forward to see you at the Miami Congress.
Best Regards,
Hello Edie-
I just wanted to thank you for everything that you taught us at the Salsa Bootcamp this pastweekend. It was amazing! I learned so muchand I can’t wait to go out and try out thenew moves. You have inspired me so much tobecome a better dancer, especially that nowI can let loose as opposed to alwaysthinking of the counts in my head. So again,thank you for all that you taught, and Iwill see you in Palm Springs!
Thanks, Michelle
DearEdie ,
It was outstanding to meet you on the all-star Salsa cruise. You are outstanding. I havecome back home and I’m having more fun withmy dancing.. I learned so much from you. Ican’t wait to go to another bootcamp.
Andby the way, your DVD is fun and easy tofollow! I love it! You need to have abootcamp cruise!
Takecare, be safe, and keep dancing,
Edie,
I have been RAVING about your bootcamp course out here in New Hampshire. I appreciate your style of teaching and your charisma throughout the entire day with such a versatile group of people at different levels. You are truly appreciated as there are few of YOU in this dynamic world.
Hi Edie,
Really enjoyed the class, you do a great job of balancing the overwhelming information for the boys, keeping the girls interested, providing a positive environment for those who are at some point in time going to get frustrated and the high tens could be just the ticket out, telling stories to let the info sink in those fresh minds, and breaking down salsa into simple, yet advanced moves. I’ve been taking with Samatha Bravo about 4 months ago, for 2 months total, I really love it and salsa gives me a great energy in my life. Also a divorced one, wasn’t interested in being with guys, but needed the human touch and positive energy. Its been great. Thanks so much, had a great time this weekend… total immersion continues!
Edie, Yesterday I attended your styling Bootcamp. I had attended one last year but had only been dancing for 3 months, so I could only absorb about 15% of the material covered. I learned so much my head was spinning! Well, you did it again. I came home last night with so much more confidence, technical knowledge and, most of all, passion (yours isso contagious) for this wonderful dance. I also bought 2 more of your DVD’s and took a bunch of notes. Ihave already started working on holding my frame and using finger-egg hands in my morning aerobics class. After last year’s Bootcamp I used your spin- in- the-bathroom suggestion. It took a while but, like you promised, my brain finally worked it out. Men started telling me that I was turning somuch smoother, lighter and faster! Thank you!
You asked us for feedback. You are the best. I loved the way you flexed your agenda to work in the”connection” exercise. It made the room full of mostly strangers become a comfortable warm place. It was great to have the dress/shoe vendor on site. I would have bought metatarsal pads for my shoes had they been offered.
As for ways to improve: a cooler, larger room would have been more comfortable (I know, I know, it’s a Bootcamp!) There was one particular older man who felt he was a better teacher than you. I had to ask him to refrain from trying to coach me (incorrectly, I might add) and ask him to be quiet so I could hear you. Maybe you could instruct the men to stick to what you are teaching. I was also a little confused with the afternoon attire. I read the e-mail several times but thought that we could wear either a dress, skirt or pants. Since I didn’t have the briefs or fishnets I opted for pants, which I regretted. I know that you, being the profound professional that you are will appreciate this feedback. I adore you and look forward to having the opportunity to learn from you again in the future.
With Great Appreciation
It was wonderful and easy to get registered! The Beginners Bootcamp was awesome!! Edie – you have a wonderful way of making people feelspecial and good about themselves as well ashelping us improve our dance skills andteaching us new ones!
With your ability to get us to sit and be quiet itwould be great if you could come by and train my puppy / dog next time you’re in town! LOL
I do wishthere was a little more practice, but I also understand the need to get us to understandconcepts or why you teach something so thatmade up for practice time!!
I admit I’mnot good about the whole female sexuality thing and the fact that you could get me to try things is a miracle in itself and I thank you!
Wow, your Salsa Bootcamp in Portland was such an amazing experience.I think I enjoyed the Salsa philosophy and humor even more than the dance lessons. My favorite part of thebootcamp was near the very beginning, when you explained what Salsa is. You said the meaning of the words – often in Spanish – aren’t important. You started playing a Salsa song ,then imitated the various instruments, then began a conversation, an argument about a mother-in-law. That was so powerful, so well done! You really seemed inspired. If you ever put that on a CD or DVD, please let me know.
Thanks again for such a wonderful experience.David Blomstrom
Hi Edie,
I know you receive many emails, but I just wanted to let you know that my two teenage daughters and I attended your Bootcamp in Fort Lauderdale and we really enjoyed it. We are taking Cuban Salsa lessons here in West Palm Beach, FL, but now we really like your LA style too!. If you can, can you let us know if you know of any LA style Salsa classes that are being given in the area?. Words can’t really describe how much fun we had. You are an absolutely amazing person and I really admire you. You are an inspiration for me as the week before the Bootcamp I was feeling kind of depressed. I came away from the Bootcamp inspired to continue with my Salsa dancing and to have a positive, confident attitude no matter what. Thank you and I hope to attend your future Bootcamps. Great job!
Really enjoyed the class, you do a great job of balancing the overwhelming information for the boys, keeping the girls interested, providing a positive environment for those who are at some point in time going to get frusterated and the high tens could be just the ticket out, telling stories to let the info sink in those fresh minds, and breaking down salsa into simple, yet advanced moves. I’ve been taking classes for 2 months total, I really love it and salsa gives me a great energy in my life. Also a divorced one, wasn’t interested in being with guys, but needed the human touch and positive energy. Its been great.
Hi Edie!
My boyfriend and I dropped in on the first half hour or so of one of your beginner bootcamp classes a the Palm Springs Salsa Mambo Festival. (Wish we could have stayed longer, because you really are great, but our cha cha cha was pretty abysmal. Had to go to that class, haha.) Anyway, you were talking about “how to change a man.” Or rather, how you can’t actually do that, and how trying to emasculates men, etc. “I trust you, I respect you, I submit to you.” I’m sure that wasn’t the first time you gave that talk, and know what part I’m talking about.
Anyway, Philipp and I were absolutely dying during that lecture, because everything you said was absolutely true. We intentionally live by this philosophy. I’ve never heard anyone teach it so matter of factly. You should write a book! Everyone came to that bootcamp to learn salsa, but I hope they were listening, because you were throwing out pearls of wisdom. Life lessons with Edie. Relationships and life in general have an awful lot more in common with partnered dance than people usually think. I started dating Philipp because the way he leads told me something about the kind of man he is…he didn’t know it at the time, but the way I follow says a lot about how I am in a relationship. Trusting and respecting my partner. and allowing him to lead. Some people say “all the world’s a stage.” I say it’s a dance floor. Too bad more people don’t live the way they dance. Err, the way they’re supposed to dance.
Anyway, just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your classes We also took 10 deadly sins, and I took ladies styling. And yes, he tells me I’m gorgeous. And I tell him he’s the man. Even when we’re just dancing in his living room. And we both remind each other to stand up straight. 🙂
Just wanted to say thanks, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again! (Philipp was the guy who won a free pass to the next festival, when that blonde chick tackled him during the “salsa,” “mambo”, “festival” game…not sure if we’re coming back in July or at New Year’s again…maybe both, lol!)
Edie, “Thank you,,,”
After completing your “boot camp” I want to thank you for what a great job you did. My background has been more ballroom style than salsa and your camp helped answer a lot of questions I had in making the transition.
What impressed me most was your invitation to the students to ask you for a dance in the social setting. When I spotted you out there I waited till the song was over and grabbed you before you ever hit the carpet. If you were a Porches with six gears, I think I may have gotten to second gear, which is a start.
I have had instructors in the past that I avoid like the plague in social settings. That is because if I make a timing error they are going to jump on it. It is embarrassing and takes the fun out of the dance for me. You did not do that, so Thank you.
I am going to focus more on Salsa now by hiring a good instructor who specializes in Latin dances. I hope next time I see you there will be improvement and I will get you into third.
Good luck with all of your marketing ventures.
Edie,
You did such a wonderful job of not only teaching us but making it so much fun at the same time.
- I am at work listening to salsa music on youtube and the second song on the playlist was “la pantera mambo”, it made me smile and think about the dip we did where you bob the follow to the pink panther music. I went to the Monday night practice at Halo and saw 5 or 6 of the people from the class there, so that was really fun. Hopefully I will continue to see people I know from your bootcamp at the clubs. I will try and stay in touch, and can’t wait to see you again. Handsome Patrick
Blog by a Student…
SalsaFreak bootcamp day 1We arrived just before 9am on Saturday.
I got us lost on the way there (this street is probably a good idea… not ) and, as the bootcamp was supposed to start at 9, we ended up cutting it very close.Registration went really smooth thanks to Silvia from Salsa-Emocion.
In a previous life I have been involved with event organisation and I have to say, Silvia and Ibo did an amazing job organizing this weekend.
Rarely have I seen an event go this well. I’m sure there were some things that came up and had them running around but as participants we never noticed it.The bootcamp started with Edie introducing herself.
She told us how she started dancing Salsa (by accident, who would have thought) and then explained how the music is build up, using stories to make it more clear.
Aside from the fact that I though her stories were hilarious I did indeed learn more about the music which I’m sure will help me in the future.Edie also spend some time explaining something that I think is very important for a lot of beginners, finding the 1 (no, not the beautiful girl with long legs, the beat).
In my experience not enough attention is paid to this. Just take a look at social dancing videos on YouTube and you’ll see how many people are dancing off beat.
As I still have some trouble myself from time to time (ok, regularly) I found this very helpful.Finding the 1 didn’t seem to present any problems for most of other the people there which would have completely blown me away normally.
60 Beginners instantly getting it. Wow!As it turned out though, most of the people there weren’t beginners.
Out of 60 people there were 4 absolute beginners (they had never danced salsa before) and another 4-6 people that had been dancing less than a year.
All the other attendees had been dancing longer which made me wonder what they were doing at a beginner bootcamp.
I guess they wanted/needed to improve their basics or maybe they just wanted to take Edie‘s bootcamp to see what it is like.After the introduction we did the basic step for a while.
I liked the way Edie taught it a lot. The people that hadn’t done any salsa dancing before were doing a basic step before they even realized they were doing. I’m sure this helped bringing their anxiety level down.
When everybody had the basic down it was time for an inside turn followed by ‘he goes she goes’.Everything that we learned was first practiced without a partner.
And when I say practiced I really mean practiced!
It seemed like we would go on forever doing the same things.
In the 5 to 10 minutes that we spent on it I’ve practiced the lead for an inside turn more than I have in all my time dancing so far,This was probably also the most valuable lesson that I learned that weekend.
Dancing, like martial arts, is about repetition.
If you keep practicing a move after you’ve become fed up with it,
if you keep practicing after your arms and shoulders have become tired,
If you keep practicing after your arms and shoulders started hurting,
if you keep practicing after you’ve started wondering why you wanted to learn at all,
if after all of that you still practice some more then you will probably never have trouble doing the move again.Ok, so we didn’t go that far but my shoulder did start to get tired by the time we were done and it worked. If I think of an inside turn now my arm will automatically start leading the move.
While I was doing martial arts I’d never expected anything else but I guess I thought things would be different when it came to dancing.
Lesson learned, repetition pays off.We then practiced Cross Body Leads (thousands of them?) .
This was just more prove that repetition pays off as nobody, including the new people, had any trouble dancing them to music.With these basic elements under out belt we started combining things.
Everything went fine for a while but eventually 2 of the beginners started falling behind.
I’m not sure whether that was because of the amount of information they had gotten in such a short period of time or because they didn’t pay enough attention in the beginning.
I do hope they had a good time regardless.Edie, Silvia and Ibo definitely made it a fun filled day that helped correct a couple of mistakes I was making consistently.
Would I recommend the bootcamp to beginners? Definitely!
Although maybe not to people that have never danced at all unless I know they are willing to put in the effort._________________
SalsaFreak bootcamp day 2Posted by Walter de Rooij at 9:53 AM - Day 2 of the bootcamp started relaxed.We woke up early enough to enjoy a calm breakfast.
The workshop wouldn’t start until 9 and by 8:30 we had eaten, were all packed and ready to go.Then it hit me. Daylight savings time !
Saturday night the clocks had gone forward an hour so instead of having enough time we were suddenly very late.We rushed through check out, got the car, drove as fast as we could (the whole 3 blocks) and ran inside.
By the time we got through registration and had made it to the room it was clear that we’d missed a lot already and we needed to catch up desperately.Luckily we spent quite a bit of time spinning during the SalsaLife workshop so catching up was relatively easy for me.
Spin left, spin right, spin left, spin right… so far so good.
Double spin left… ok. Double right… still ok
Triple sp… oops, balance gone! At least I managed not to trip over my own feet and fall down so I still consider it a small success.It seemed I wasn’t the only one that was having problems and it seemed like there were more beginners than the day before. Or maybe there were just more men and women that weren’t too experienced at spinning yet.
As we kept on practicing everybody seemed to improve a bit more and after a while everybody could pull off at least semi decent double spins. Most people were even doing triples without too many problems.
That was when it was time for the ladies to practice spinning with a partner.
As there were 3 times as many women as there were men at this point the ladies made a big circle.
They alternated practicing their spins with a partner and alone.
Given the amount of spins they ended up doing I was happy not to be in their shoes.
I’m not sure I would have still been standing at the end of the morning.During lunch some of the men complained that the women weren’t making an effort and had to be pulled through the spin but at the same time I heard that some of the men didn’t prep the spin or even waited for the girls to be ready before starting the spin.
I think this might have been partially because of a language problem.
Some of the men on Sunday spoke little or no English and they didn’t ask for a translation.After lunch the Ladies Styling session started.
First Edie tweaked the women’s posture a bit. It’s amazing how much difference that makes.
After they were done they looked like completely different.As the afternoon progressed a some more men arrived but there were still a lot more women. The ratio was about 2:1
Luckily Edie had a solution for that.
While I was thinking that we would probably make a circle again she explained that the men would be dancing with 2 women at the same time. That would solve the problem.WHAT?!?!? The night before I had enough trouble trying to lead just 1 girl and now she expects me to lead 2 at the same time ? ? ?
For a second I thought she was kidding but no such luck. She was serious.
I tried to figure out how to sneak out quietly sneaking so I could hide in the hallway for the rest of the day but it was too late, 2 women were already standing next to me.
There was nothing left for me to do but dance.The first 30 seconds were awful.
It wasn’t that I was doing that poorly.
Edie was counting slowly and the girls knew what to do so as long as I moved along in the right direction I didn’t really have to lead. It’s hard to do things poorly in a situation like that.
However, I was so nervous I could barely move.
As I realized I was doing ok I started to relax and things got better.
Even though I messed up plenty of times and our dancing was more circular than linear for a large part of the afternoon I did learn a lot about leading and as my leading improved it got easier.
Both for me and the girls.I think I probably learned more about leading in a couple of hours on Sunday than I have in last 3 months together. It was a lot easier than it normally is.
I didn’t have to worry about music (at least not in the beginning) or about learning new moves.
All I had to do , once we started dancing to music, to make sure that my lead was clear so the girls would know what to do without running into each other.
As that was all I had to focus on it was much easier to see what I was doing right and wrong.
Especially because leading slightly different with one hand than the other showed completely different results instantaneously.So what did think of the bootcamp?
Edie is one of the best instructors I’ve seen so far.
She’s clear when explaining and always willing to explain something 1-1 during the breaks.
Her energy throughout the bootcamp was amazing.It was definitely a great experience and I wouldn’t hesitate recommending it to beginners.
Maybe it’s not for absolute beginners (people that have never danced before) if they are not willing to put in the extra work (that is definitely required if you haven’t danced before) but if they are willing to put in that extra little bit I think it will be a great experience for them as well.
That said, they will be part of a large group so they’ll definitely have to be willing to ask if they don’t understand something or they will fall behind.Do I feel it was it worth the money? Absolutely!
Even if Sunday hadn’t been free (men didn’t have to pay as they were needed to help the women) just learning as much as I did about my leading would have been well worth it.If you’re not sure whether you would like to take a bootcamp try to make it to a Ladies Styling Sunday to get a taste for it. Keep one thing in mind though, you may not have to pay an entrance fee but in return you will be expected to work hard.
After all, you get to go for free is because you’re there to help the ladies! - Posted by Walter de Rooij at 2:15 PM
Edie, Your Musicality workshop was incredible. I left with so much more confidence!
Hi Edie,
I just wanted to say thanks again for the terrific boot camp. I had high expectations for your class and can now see why people fly across the country to join your boot camps. I enjoyed everything from learning the correct hand and posture positions to learning fun things like spins and dips, which I’ve never done before — ever — in my life. I’m your classic, uncoordinated guy who was previously intimidated by salsa. I’m not afraid of it any more. In fact, I felt proficient enough after your boot camp to go to a local nightclub and dance salsa, which I hadn’t done before. I danced quite a few dances with a young lady from Colombia. She seemed pleasantly surprised that I actually knew what I was doing. I’ll definitely be watching for more of your bootcamps in the future.
Thanks again!
Hi Edie,
I took your Rebel Girl workshop and loved it. Thanks for sharing what you know. 🙂
Edie,
Yesterday’s workshop was awesome! My wife and I truly enjoyed it.
Dear Edie,
Great workshop last weekend. I learned so much and am recharged to start working on my Salsa more. Thanks again for inspiring me.
John, please tell her [Edie] how amazed I am at her completeness beyond dancing, I’m bringing my cousin with (Mika), who’s in CT for the confidence boost, Edie has the capacity to change lives beyond the dance itself. She is simply fantastic and a psychologist on two agile feet too…I must say, she is awesome…that’s why I’m investing and making an effort to fly down to take a second bite at this… I really do want to get it right with a big smile.
Yes WOW! I am really honored to have taken this day to learn under you. You really are a pro. Great teacher. I had never danced with a man. You made the instructions clear. It was really hard work and I am sooooo sore! But what a pleasure. Felt so emotional/teary even.. after class. You taught the proper respect between men and women and that is priceless. The other people that I danced with were so much fun. I really laughed and had a great time too.
Thank you so much.Bless you!!
Dear Edie,
I had the pleasure of having your wonderful energy and red hot moves rub off on me in the Hamburg Salsa festival this summer. Thanx for alot of fun – I now entitle myself The Head Spin Queen of Stockholm 🙂
Kind regards,
Hello Edie,
Thank you for the workshop, it was very useful for women, even though it was designed for men!
Hello Edie,
I just wanted to thank you forcoming to Pittsburgh, PA this pastweekend. You’re dancing was fun towatch and the way you broke downspinning helped me a lot. I haveactually taken to spinning in thebathroom each time I go (includingthe stalls in public restrooms). Itwas such a great suggestion! Ienjoyed your performances so muchand really appreciate youintroducing Pittsburgh Salseras toJoe Figueroa. He is an amazing leadand I know everyone enjoyed theopportunity to dance with him. We’restill buzzing about the weekend! Ihope to see you in Pittsburgh again!
Thank you again!
Edie,
I can count on one hand, the instructors I’ve encountered who have blown me away and I still have fingers left over – you are one of them.
See you soon. God bless.
Good morning Edie,
I just wanted to tell you again how wonderful your class was yesterday! I always have a great time and always learn something new whether it be on the dance floor or in some aspect in my life. I don’t know you very well but from reading your blogs and stories I know you are an amazing person. And your dream of infecting one person at a time to spread this great joy of dancing, you are infecting postive thoughts in the minds of so many and it is spreading like a wildfire. I have already told people about what I learned about life in your class. (Not the secret part;) ) If
people don’t understand that there is so much more that you give than a dance lesson, they are missing out BIG TIME!
Thank you for speading the joy!
Hi Edie!
I was [at your Men’s workshop] and it was indeed great! You’re awesome! Thank you!
Hey Edie,
Thanks for presenting your workshop last Sunday on Men’s Styling and Spins. It’s obvious you have a passion not only for dancing, but for teaching as well. I learned alot and I’m looking forward to practicing what I learned, but I need a refresher. The workshop covered alot of useful material in a small amount of time and my learning style is all about repetition. [It was] awesome!
Thanks,
I am not a dancer. I don’t have the body for it. I don’t have the coordination for it. I don’t have the grace for it. But circumstances landed me among Latinos who danced. One said to me that it was “algo de la sangre”.. something in the blood, and that I just didn’t have it.
I tried anyway, but I lacked the basic belief that I would ever overcome the limitations that came with my body.
After taking many classes and workshops and lessons, I still wasn’t much better at Salsa. I got better at Bachata, which raised my overall level of confidence, but I was still awkward at Salsa. Edie’s classes, though, changed my head. I started dancing while repeating Edie’s words in my head about how women should carry themselves. I was styling so poorly that I frequently smacked my partner in the face, got off-balance and leaned on him. But I said to myself, “I am as hot as Edie. I’m as hot as Edie. I’m as hot as Edie.” My new mantra. It made me stand taller. It made me look by partner in the eye. It made me try things I didn’t really know how to do yet.
I thought my biggest problems were lack of balance, lack of coordination, lack of rhythm…. and they remain big problems, but the biggest problem was a basic belief that no one wanted to dance with me. So first… the mantra. I am as hot as Edie. I smiled as though I was as hot as Edie. I styled as though I was as hot as Edie. I stumbled… but tried to stumble as though I was as hot as Edie. I even danced Bachata as though I really knew what I was doing. I weathered the constant barrage of constructive criticism.
Then a beautiful man and a beautiful, talented dancer danced with me and then…picked me up. Hit on me, asked for me number, called me, asked me out…. and I wasn’t pretending anymore. There was external, independent validation, and I became what I had been pretending to be.
I am still a student at Salsa, but everything I believed about myself and my body was pre-Edie. Edie fixed my head. I love dancing. I’ve developed a bit of an addiction to it. Mostly I’m addicted to the feeling of joy and power and self-confidence that I have on the dance floor. People recognize me for my passion for Bachata. For sure it’s been an easier dance to improve at than Salsa has been.
And it was with that level of confidence that I tackled Edie’s Spins workshop. Today is the day I learn to spin. Today is the day I learn to spin.
I was as uncoordinated and graceless as I usually am. But Edie broke the spin down into tiny, manageable, non-overwhelming pieces. Quarter spins… half spins…. full spins to the right… full spins to the left…. double spins…. spotting… arm position… punching… foot position…. balance… and then I spun. The bubbling joy wasn’t containable. I was so excited and so joyful. At the end of the day Edie pulled me up as an example of a person who was light on her feet and could spin without her even feeling the weight of me under her hand. I was turning myself.
I don’t mean to say that I am good. I am not bragging about my Salsa abilities. That is still laughable and still a far-off goal. But because of Edie, it’s possible that the least likely candidate can dance as well as she can. And because of Edie, whatever beauty was ever buried inside of me is now visible to me and to everyone else when I’m on the dance floor. It’s in my smile. It’s in my demeanor. It’s in how I carry myself. And it doesn’t go away when I walk off the floor. That’s the most amazing thing. It stays with me after I go home. That is a brand new side-effect.
Edie sent me an email after the Spins workshop and said, “It’s like you’re a completely different person.”
Several things conspired to change my perception, which changed my dancing. First, Bachata. The sensuality of Bachata and the safety and trust I have felt for my wonderful partners released my many, many inhibitions on the floor and probably, in my whole life. Second, Edie. If you think you can’t do this… if you think you’re not a dancer… if you think you don’t have the body for it…. if you think you are too uncoordinated to dance…. take workshops from Edie. She teaches men to treat women like Queens. She teaches women to treat men like Kings and to let them lead and let them be dominate. I didn’t think I’d like that as much as I do. I love it. I even want it.
She pulls from men and women the best in themselves and challenges them to Bring It. Bring the sexy… bring the confidence… bring the strength… bring the dominance… bring the adoration and appreciation for your partner…. cherish your partners and make them look good. There are no better partners on the dance floor than those who have learned from Edie. She turns regular men into partners who pull the best from me. I can recognize them on the dance floor by their moves and the way they treat me. They are gentleman. She has made them into the strong men they always had buried inside of them the same way she turned me into the beautiful woman that was buried deep inside of me.
Thanks, Edie.
I’ve never been to a workshop in which the instructor also served as a personal morals and relationship “Adviser”. . yesterday I had the pleasure to attend one of the most fun and amazing workshops that and Carmen Perez-Ahmed put together at studio 65. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran dancer, you would’ve enjoyed taking this workshop with this wonderful lady know through-out the salsa-world as “Edie the Salsa FREAK!!”. ( I personally would prefer to call her by a well deserved name like Salsa Queen”)
All of us left there with a different frame of mind, on top of the fact that we were all well entertained by her constant funny humor all through-out the workshop. This is an amazing lady who’s full or energy and charisma, not to mention her passion for dancing. I highly recommend her workshops and tutoring videos, plus I certainly hope that she comes around again. A special thanks to Carmelo Parrilla who cooked the food provided and Thank you for providing us with a great workshop with one of the best Salseras in the world.
Dear Edie,
Your refund for my “missing your workshop” offer is very, characteristically generous of you, but I must respectfully decline the offer. Just one of your ‘mini’, 3-hour workshops is worth all of that put together and more. Most instructors charge more for 1-hour “intensives” than you do for your 3-hour packages. And they’re nowhere near your calibre of instructor. You are one of the hardest working and most inspirational instructors and individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
You’ve given me wonderful DVDs just for passing out flyers and you practically give your workshops away as it is. And you give us snacks! Even the prices you charge for privates is unbelievably generous given your background, experience and skill in dancing and teaching. I would be embarrassed to take you up on your kind offer. Besides, you’re not the goober who turned the light out before going downstairs, missed the last step and bit the dust, haa.
I look forward to seeing you next week for privates if/when you can squeeze me in. Thank you again Edie for your generous offer.
God Bless,
Janell
Edie,
I am sure many people feel the same way after your workshops…they just don’t or can’t express it like I can.
Colleen and I teach 32 Fridays out of the year, we DJ our own Social Dance once per month, and we hold a large dance event weekend one or two times per year…all this while keeping our regular jobs as school teachers. We have come quite a long way since first meeting you in L.A. about 10 years ago.
I will never forget where I got my roots in Salsa, and you are always the first person that comes to mind! You have touched the lives of so many people (certainly us) worldwide…probably more than anyone in the industry has.
Edie,
It was amazing – you are the best teacher ever
Since the boot camp, I started dancing at the Turn. Weekly. I must say that the basis I learned from you at boot camp is so amazingly empowering and an important foundation for everything I learned since, that it is really a catapult into Salsa dancing. I have been practicing the great techniques you taught me and have already moved to the intermediate class. No way I could do that without your foundations. I am grateful, and I am sure some of the girls I dance with are too J .
What is your next event? I want to learn more from you
I enjoyed the 2 days of bootcamp enormously. I think that not only are you an amazing woman and an amazing dancer – you are also an amazing teacher. You combine the knowledge with the passion and harness them together with your fun personality to create an experience that is both educating and enjoyable.
Thank you
‘Edie,
The classes were great especially because of your energy and love for Salsa. Really was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I tried Salsa 10 years ago or so and did not follow through so I’m not so discouraged as I knew exactly what i’m getting into. My last opinion from 10 years ago was that the time spent to learn how to be a good Salsa dancer is equal to the time spent to learn a complex career or complex sport.
I haven’t had time yet to review the cds that I purchased and am curious about how much I can learn from them. I would love to do a write up on your website talking about your Salsa bootcamp and the distance I traveled to get there being so worth it.
After I review the cds and have a opinion I would like to write a follow up on your website some time down the road as I review them.
Thanks
PS: You’re awesome Edie!
Dear Edie,
I have taken three of your classes last year and I want to take more. You do have really inspiring classes that is just not about dancing but about life! One day while I was not to busy at work, I read all of your blogs and really enjoyed the way you think and how you keep growing and especially how you help so many others. You have so much to share and I think it is awesome. Helping others is a gift. I am very proud of what I have accomplished so far and so excited to build upon that. So if you want to have some help with your classes, I would love to volunteer and help you and others share this joy.
On another note, I took your styling class last year in CO Springs. And the secret you told us about the “it” factor? Well I have been practicing that ever since. And I have gotten so many compliments about how much fun I am to dance with. One older man in particular said he was so happy because he almost did not make it (to dance at Dnote) that night and after that dance, I think he would have died and went to Heaven! He was not the best dancer, but I’m telling you, you could see it in his eyes that I made his night and he was so happy! Thank you for all that you do and share. I hope to see you soon.
Dear Edie
I hope you had a wonderful wedding!
We have already been watching your DVD’s and they aregreat.
I just wanted to thank you for everything you gave to us that weekend. You teach from the heart and it is obvious.
I see friends that took your classes that are feeling so much more confident and are using your information..
I personally really admired your teaching technique and was very aware of what you actually were giving to your students; it was a success recipe for life skills that included Salsa! J
Anyway, I wanted you to know you were a special treat for all.
Thank you for coming to Alaska. I hope you don’t quit and move on to something else.
You have such a special talent that so many would benefit from!
Sincerely
DearEdie,
It was really nice to see you again at the summer Salsa congress in Brussels. Thank you also for the opportunity to teach with you and the kind words you spoke about me during the seminar.
I really appreciate what you are doing for the Salsa-scene world-wide and hope to see dance and work with you on many more occasions.
Thanks also even though i already told you for all the inspiring and useful tips you explained and reviewed during the seminar outside . Me and my dance partner Lilly can’t wait for you to bring this out on DVD.A lot of things you talked about where things most people often already know deep down inside but tend to forget so its good to have a DVD that you can watch every 6-9months to get everybody in your dance team or as teachers or dance partners back onfocus and remembering the road your arewalking and how blessed we all are with the gift of dance.
If you need help with anything now or in the future know that you can always count on us!!!!
Love,
Before our Bootcamp I wondered if that statement would apply to me, or if that was just marketing hype. I have been absolutely blown away and totally humbled by the changes since our Bootcamp six weeks ago. I can’t see a faster way to get the tools needed to advance dramatically in a short period of time. Women I’ve danced with over the last few months are asking me what happened; men are stopping me, asking how I learned. One couple stopped me the other night during a break and said, “My girlfriend and I want to dance like you and your wife. What are you doing?” It is a totally different world and you are the one who opened the door.”
Hi Edie,
I attended your Musicality class at Last years Brisbane Salsa Congress and would like to say that it was the best class I’ve ever attended.
I’ve been lucky enough to be asked by my teacher to be her teaching assistant after only dancing for just over one year which I’m over the moon about!!
I noticed on your website that you do instructor classes and have noticed that you have been invited back to next year’s congress that I’ll be attending with much enthusiasm.
I was wondering if you were going to be offering any instructor classes or workshops before or after the congress? I hope all is going well with you and really hope that I can have another lesson with you at the congress!
Cheers
Dear Edie!
Thank you for your wonderful letter and words you devoted to us.
It is very nice to hear that the festival was great and that you had a great time.
We have heard very many good words from people who attended the festival. They liked your workshops; they liked you,your friendliness, and your kindness.
Best regards,
Hi Edie,
Thank you so much for the great boot camp.
It was great to meet you. I heard about you a lot from Paul.
I respect you that you are a great teacher as well as a great dancer with great sense of humor.
I really liked your teaching style. I liked your ‘performance’ that telling a story of a song to show us the phrasings, paragraphs of the music. I liked very much the demonstration of how to recover from ‘fall’. Also, I liked the demonstration of how to ask other people to dance with me. I learned very good foundation about spins. Salsa turns/spins are different from Flamenco turns. I want to practice my spins. Also, I leaned about when and how for ladies to add styling stuff. This was very interesting. I want to try this styling stuff.
I’m relatively new to Salsa and I learned alot from this workshop. Your workshop made me excited about Salsa more and more.
I hope to see you again someday and somewhere. I hope I will be better Salsa dancer by then.
Take care.
Hi [promoters Jeff and Colleen inPittsburgh)!
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the spooktacular weekend events! I hope it met your expectations, despite the usual turnout concerns. I really enjoyed myself, also and esp.the”Edie Experience”.
What a pleasure to watch, and to learn from. Such keen insight, presence, wit and candor. To the point. She has the ability to speak to your soul. And her sense of humor? Honest and refreshing. Impeccable timing, as in her dance. The total package. And I can tell you, for sure, that I participated in the workshop because of her. Her interpretation of that music piece was an award-winning performance, worth every penny. It made my day.
Made my week!
I have to say, my memory is not so good. It takes me longer to “get it”. I do better with the short “snippets” , than when It comes time to put the whole routine together. Although, most of the people did not seem to have a problem. That’s just me. I dance to have fun. After 10 years, my style is not all that advanced, and certainly not disciplined. I’m going to work on my weaknesses. Also, I grew weary from all the ”pops” or “hits”. And going to work sun @ 4:30a.m. didn’t help,either. But I get the idea. Any number of guys think, as long as they have their moves, the faster they dance, the better, totally ignoring the music. I appreciate any effort to change that, and to exaggerate the hits is an effective teaching method.
You know how my “participation” has ebbed in recent times. Well, I have been newly inspired. I am going to try to get more involved, again. Although my schedule makes it a bit difficult. It’s just refreshing, you know. It does feel good, to get a different perspective, and to make new connections by sharing an experience like that.
And to me, the experience is what is was about, more than anything else. I was not disappointed.
I truly thank you,
– Carol
I went to one of Edie’s musicality workshops and found it really helped my dancing by listening to the music even more and telling the story of the song/music through my dance.
Thanks Edie. X
Dusseldorf Germany Blog:
The workshops with Edie the Salsa freak where good. I think people who visit the workshops know now why she is one of the best Salsa teachers and dancers in the world. Her explanations where crystal clear and there was really a connection with the audience is my opinion.
prfinanz@t-online.de
German Blogg Site:
Workshops mit Edie – immer wiederund jeder Zeit GERNE!!!Super schönesauf die Beine gestellt..
Edie hat beim Workshop nicht nur Ihrenormes tänzerisches Talent gezeigt,sie kann auch super gut mit denMenschen umgehen und macht das mitHumor und viel Charme. Es war sehrinteressant zu sehen wie Sie das somacht.
anct@freenet.de
Transation from German toEnglish:
Workshops with Edie – over and over again and every time WITH PLEASURE!!!
Really nice on the legs part.
Edie has shown with the Workshop not only your huge teaching talent, she can also handle really well with the people and does with humor and a lot of charm. It was to be seen very interesting like you this does so.
Dear Edie,
It was really nice to see you again at the summer Salsa congress in Brussels. Thank you also for the opportunity to teach with you and the kind words you spoke about me during the seminar.
I really appreciate what you are doing for the Salsa-scene world-wide and hope to see dance and work with you on many more occasions.
Thanks also even though i already told you for all the inspiring and useful tips you explained and reviewed during the seminar outside. Me and my dance partner Lilly can’t wait for you to bring this out on DVD. A lot of things you talked about where things most people often already know deep down inside but tend to forget so it’s good to have a DVD that you can watch every 6-9 months to get everybody in your dance team or as teachers or dance partners back on focus and remembering the road your are walking and how blessed we all are with the gift of dance.
If you need help with anything now or in the future know that you can always count on us!!!!
Love,
Edie,
I only write to people when it’s really good.
Your boot camp in Corkwas staggeringly good.
Now, I’m a bit of arustic dancer, enthusiastic at what I do, and strive to be a good lead more Cuban than L.A. but maybe I’ll work at the discipline of the line a little more now!
HOWEVER I also do sportscoach training for the horse based sports.
Your sessions ticked every box we look for in good sports coaching sessions:
- Personality
- Sense of humour
- Sharing something of self
- Fabulous enthusiasm and high energy
- Putting sport in abroader context
- Exceptional planning and timekeeping
- Technically correct and at the right challenge level for the group
- Getting participants working together for peer to peer learning
- Outstanding group management
- Progressive introduction to physical proximity
- Breaking down skills then rebuilding them to a fluent performance
- Techniques required in social dancing, speed fluency, etc
- Attention to correct technique
- Working with people first as people and then as sports participants
- Dealing with emergency procedures
- Encouraging people tobe expressive and show themselves
- Creating a positive and inclusive learning environment
- Observing the weaker participants and pairing with more experienced
- Celebrating success however small
And many other things that will hop back into my mind in the next few days.
More stuff I admire of your approach and I delighted in as its similar to my approach in horse sport:
Drawing on many areas of learning, a bit of Landmark education, some psychology, some learning theory, some acting and story telling, great analogies, personalization, physical conditioning, motor skill and muscle memory , using a variety of examples so everybody gets the message
High fives as a conclusion!
Now a small story migh tresonate with you:
I had a group of riders who had a lot of cognitive knowledge but little physical interpretation of that knowledge so I brought them Salsa dancing. They got better directional balance, rhythm, communication, responsiveness to a partner, timing and clarity and strength of signals, (in fact Iuse almost exactly the same explanation of 0-10 contact for riders with their horses) etc, etc
As if that wasn’texciting enough I then took some good dancers and my riders taught them to ride. They shone. Why? Because they were used to following instructions, their brains were connected to their bodies accurately, they were confident in using their bodies and balance in different ways, they got the concept of lead and follow, assert and accept.
Finally
I really hope we will meet on a dance floor somewhere and we can dance half a song and then you’ll give me a little feedback (gently now. I have male ego!)
I think you are on a fabulous mission. I wish you every success with changing people’s lives through Salsa. Salsa has changed my life
In sports coach education we have a tenet that “sport coaches help people develop social skills through sport”I think you do the same through dance.
Love, thanks and best wishes
Edie,
I would like to thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and wisdom in the instructor class in Miami. I often think about that and how wonderful God is to have brought you here.
I would like to share with you something that I have been working on for some time and wondering if this would be of interest to you or many of the people that you know. I have an online traveling website www.your Salsatravels.com where salseros and book their travel. I believe that this could be the Microsoft of the traveling industry. I am really excited about this because I believe that it could change the way some of the Salsa promoters handle travel when planning their events. Well, tell me if you see what I see. For the company business, goto www. Salsatravelbiz.com and go to company presentation. I hope all is well with you. May God’s grace, love and peace be with you.
Much Love,