Hi Edie!

You did it Edie, BRAVO!!! You really inspire the world of  Salsa with your courage and beautiful dancing.
I saw one of your DVD’s. They are super—butI have to really practice the spinning. Istarted  Salsa four months ago, and I’m already on a high level. But now I have tolearn to dance beautifully as a real ladywith nice lady moves. Your DVD’s are helpingme on my to that dream.

Thanks,

Hi Edie,

ok…was on the fence on booking for evening only or day classes.   the classes move so slow that i only learn 1 or 2 moves per hour and then it gets overwhelming but it’s also good to have something to do in the day, even if i don’t go to 4 hours of classes… 

I guess I’m a “lesson snob” cuz between you and Cristian Oviedo I have the 2 best male and female instructors in the world!!!!!

Dear Edie:

I just wanted to drop you a short note to say thank you so much for yesterday! You are amazing and wonderful and I got so much out of it although for a newbie like me it’s a bit overwhelming– but you truly are fabulous at what you do. Thank you so much for letting me a part of it.

Edie, I saw you at the New York City  Salsa Congress in September..you were fabulous. I took your class and loved it… You know what its like to love dancing I am dieing by not being in the studio right now. Please help me if you can. Thank you so much
Sincerely

Hi Edie,

I really want to thank you for responding to my girlfriend Sonia’s questions. She has been really trying so hard to become a better dancer and I have also been working with her, but she was getting very frustrated.When you responded to her she let me knowright away and was very excited that you gotback her. In fact, we went out dancing lastnight and she danced very well. I told her it has a lot to do with her confidence level, not just ability. But, to make a long story short, she and I really appreciate the time you have took with her.

Hey Edie,
Firstly I would like to give you myheartfelt thanks. This years  Salsa-UKcongress was the first congress I have everattended. I arrived on Friday, got dressedup, went to Centre Stage and was immediatelyintimidated by the amazing dancersperforming everywhere. I ended up standingaround the dancefloor on the verge of tearsand only had 2 dances the whole evening.

Now, I amnot an in-experienced  Salsa dancer, I havehad nearly 2 years experience and I amcaptain of my university  Salsa team(Cambridge, UK), but I do have confidenceissues and have battled with depression formany years.

Afte rFriday I was close to leaving the resort andtraveling home but my friends persuaded meto stay. The next morning we all attendedyour ladies styling class and within fiveminutes I was in hysterics and feeling tentimes better! After that hour I was walking on cloud nine (of course with my shouldersback, chin up and a smile on my face). Ienjoyed your workshop so much I attended theone on Sunday as well. After these combinedhours I strutted, yes strutted, s-l-o-w-l-yonto the dance floor on Sunday night andended up dancing with some of the bestdancers in attendance. I had so much confidence and I realized it didn’t matterif I didn’t feel I was that good incomparison to others. As long as I washaving fun I would be fine!

And boy did I have fun!!! I tried out all your shines,shook my booty like there was no tomorrow and above all felt fantastic! And I had themale attention of a porn star that night.Your workshops inspired me and I will notforget this. I am now adamant to come off myanti-depressants and I believe I can do sowith the confidence tips I have learnt fromyou! I feel so much happier already and Iwould like to thank you for making merealize running around with my head down andarms folded was not doing me and myconfidence any favours!

Once again,many thanks Edie, you are an inspiration towomen all over the  Salsa world!

Take care,[a now, more confident female!!]

I’m a highschool teacher, and I was especially impressed with your teaching presentation and class management skills :). You demonstrate, explain, give visual examples,and then we practice practice so our muscles begin to memorize as well as our brains. Great methods.

Hi Edie,
I wanted to thank you for an awesome workshop!
I’m currently working on my master’s in education and the buzz in pedagogy right now is all about maximizing student talk. The theory is that in any classroom students bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. Rather than feeding them new information the teacher’s job is to facilitate discussion among the students.
As a student, it feels great to have my voice heard and my feedback acknowledged. I hope this creates a movement in the salsa community where people are open to giving and receiving feedback. If we can put our egos aside for a minute and listen to one another, I think we would all grow tremendously as dancers and as a community.
Thanks for planting this seed!!!
Looking forward to the next workshop!

Hi Edie,
Just wanted to drop an email to thank you once again for being so easy to work withand for being such a great person… The hardest things to do when you are the greatest dancer instructor in the world is to remain humble but you are a great example of how you can be the best and still remain humble, friendly and become a great rolemodel for everyone in Salsa.

You are the best ambassador Salsa has today, you inspire people where ever you go and you make it look so easy… My personal goals in Salsa is to travel regularly on the Salsa Circuit and the day that it happens, If I can inspire people half as much as what you do, I will be very happy man. Watching you and having you around always reminds me of why I choose  Salsa as my full time career.

Thanks again and I can’t wait to see you soon…

Kindest regards

I was quite impressed with how you walk around and watch individuals, but we had a lot of people there.

Once again,your professionalism shows by you requesting our feedback. You are truly motivational and inspirational on so many levels, and it was fabulous to be a part of the weekend.

Edie…youare so entertaining, i could hear you talk for hours! Really helped not only with my dancing but also self-confidence….!  Iespecially liked the spin practice the first half of the day. This is the problem many women have is that we don’t practice our spins as much and we expect to do them perfectly in the club and that’s not thecase!

I think Edie should teach a class on how toentertain students for instructors. I think she does a great job of teaching but at the same time entertaining. I’m not an instructor but i teach a bunch of my friends and i can never come up with things that would make them excited about the dance.

Edie has the ability to bring that out in people, so i think she should teach a class that teaches people to entertain while teaching dance…..

I liked theway you had the ladies switch out.
It gave me a chance to dance with a varietyof people allowing me to adjust on thefly.   Everything was professional. By theway I felt Edie went out of her way to keepeverything positive and fun. A true teacher.

I lovedboth days. After dancing 1 year, day one wasa great review, plus Edie’s talks weremotivational and educational regarding Salsa dance in general.  As a High School teacher,I was so impressed with Edie’s teachingstyle AND class management skills:)      I feel very good about what I spent and whatwas delivered.
Thanks so much what you, Edie, bring to the world of  Salsa dancing. Your energy and enthusiasm is so contagious, and I noticed Iwas more excited about dance again. Even sending out this survey is another example of your professional approach. You truly are motivational on so many levels: teacher, dancer, and person.

I LOVED both days. I’ve been dancing a year, so Day1 was great for me to review, and only very occasionally slow. Your comments about the music, motivational thoughts, and philosophical thoughts were especially appreciated.

Organization was very good despite the largecrowd. Registration was a piece of cake.

You are agreat entertainer besides a great dancer.The only problem this brings is that timeflies when learning  Salsa with you. Thank you for your time and come morefrequently, we need you!!!!!

The energy was good. Dancing etiquette teaching was good – you hardly ever get that.

A lot of people commented on how much fun they were having and how well presented the material was.

I loved learning how to dance and getting to dance with so many different people.
The second day, I loved feeling “sexy.” It was so much fun and very unlike anything I have ever done.

I liked the intense continuous practice. I actually learned something.

I thought the whole day was very organized. I haven’t been to anything like this before but I was blown away with all the information!

I liked that you talked about femininity and reminded women how to walk and be sexy, etc. My mom never talked to me about this stuff. I liked the variety and amount of information presented, I can now practice till I’m blue in the face with all the information given.

I was veryimpressed on how well you knew your countsand how much material you were able tocover.
I didn’t really know what to expect in thefirst place and was thoroughly impressedwith your energy and knowledge about Salsaand dancing.

I have to say that I was definitely getting tired towards the end of the day but I would rather have it that way than not enough practice! I think the price was great considering how expensive privates are these days! $60 for recreational reasons is a lot of money for me but it was so worth it!   I rate this a Perfect “10” – way better than I even imagined!!

Dear Edie,I really like the way you teach – full with humor and the technique you show us is indetail and broken down into pieces, especially the spinning technique, I didn’t know it has so many elements.   How nice of you to spend so much time to help us learn.

I rated theclass an “11” out of 1-10!!

I like your adding in flamenco style to  Salsa. Next time please show us more Cuban styling Salsa. Iwould like to learn it.

Edie has her own unique style that you can’t find in anyone else.

Edie is nice to be having a test corner with the ladies to help them find out their weaknesses.

Please come back every 3 months instead of every 6months.

Hi guys, I have taken this workshop and highly recommend it. I won’t be able to attend the October workshop but she will be returning next year. I especially like this format because you get to go out to the clubs as agoup afterwards, so you have the support ofyour fellow students. This is a workshop forall levels. If you do sign up please tellher I sent you!

Enjoy! 

Hello Edie , this is Salvatore, I am from South Italy and we met at the Uk congress. I hope you are very well and I just wanted to say that I can’t find the right words to describe the joy and the excitement that I felt by meeting you and having the great opportunity to dance with you..

You are very friendly and most of all so professional…For me, and for the majority I believe, you are the best.

Your style?…oh my god!! its great.!!..I have already told you about the music that you have chosen for your workshops was absolutely amazing and it’s exactly what Ilisten at home…It’s good to match your music style too..

I want to thank you one more time and really looking forward to meeting you again, I am definitely going to book a Private Lesson around May next year close to the date of the West Coast Congress…Can’t wait….

Are you going to be at the first “Lion Salsa Congress” in Geneva (Switzerland)?

May I take this opportunity to wish you all the best in your fantastic career and thank you for the amazing contribution to the Salsa community…

Edie,
Thank you for doing the weekend workshops in Pittsburgh. I’ve never had the opportunity to be involved in anything like that before.You both gave Pittsburgh a taste of the real Salsa world—the next time we meet in LA I have hours of questions that need answering. We in Pittsburgh are no where near as exciting as most of the places you teach, but we really appreciated your sharing of your minds and hearts with us.

When he started to do group shines I looked forevery way to get out the door and leave (actually hide). Most of the dancers in that group were very good and I was just a fatold guy trying to pretend that I belonged there. You were able to make me (all of us) comfortable with the steps even though heknew I was in over my head. He really made me perform at a level that I never thought Icould—-normally I would have run away from that type of challenge-you really gave me the confidence in myself that I could dance at that level with time and practice—-it felt good to know I made it through the workshop——it might not have looked pretty, but I didn’t run away fromit——thanks again 

Your one statement of learning to dance to themusic has opened an entire new world of Salsa to me—–I understand what needs to be done in the dance but how to do it is where all my focus will be. When we meet again you can start teaching me how to dancethe breaks.

Thankyou also for taking time for a private lesson—it really helped me to begin to understand the basics. The next time we meet all I want to do is eat, sleep and drink Salsa with you–after another 20 hours of lessons I might be ready to try the LA scene!!!

When you produce your next DVD titled — ” Salsa, Dancing the Breaks”–make sure I’m on the list to get the first edition——-your “advanced”  Salsa dancers from Pittsburgh are waiting for its release—

Thankyou again Edie —your weekend was the best dance experience I’ve ever had-

Walk with God my friends,

ALetter from the promoter of the UK SalsaCongress, 2004…

DearPaul and Imogen…
… It was great to be in a position to choose from so many different classes, and, even though the legs got very tired by theend of the weekend, I think you planned the options just right, because each class we attended was fun and instructional andenergy-creating. Somehow we managed to dance until 5am (after a night of chalet singing til 4am, 4hours’ sleep and a day ofclasses), then get up after 3 hours’s sleep and do it all again!

Theabsolute highlight of my weekend was meeting  Edie,The Salsa FREAK!! My dance partner & I had had a hooky copy made of their Intermediate Moves DVD, so that we could practice it. We were both very impressed with their technical excellence and their humour and loving interaction. When I heard that they were starring at this year’sCongress (I only started dancing lastNovember, so had never even known theCongress existed!), I just knew I had to be there! Indeed, I was blessed to be able topay them privately for the hooky copy (asbefits honouring their copyright), and amazingly enough I actually got two dancesplus chatted with them a little, and wasblown away by their humility and approachability. And to think I nearly backed out of the Congress because the cost seemed steep (to a beginner like me) and it’s only the thought of meeting them that made me come, for which I am SO thankful, because the whole weekend was fantastic, the memories priceless, and I now have a new mission for my life inspired by this Congress. (see below)

So thank you Paul for inviting them over, and please please do so again for next year! (Iwant to show them how much I have improvedover the year… 🙂 ).

(As anaside, Edie’s Sunday morning partner class was the funniest thing I have ever attended, they had us all in stitches with their humorous instruction, but sadly norecordings were made of their class, orindeed many of the classes – I know it’sextra work, but would it be possible torecord all classes? I would so have loved tobuy that class!)

P.S. My mission inspired by the  Salsa Congress2004: Mission:

To be able to live a life filled with love and dance & sensuality & helpfulness & kindness & generosity & exploration, and good health & good fitness & good looks, and an inner vitality and positivity, and great inventions & useful contributions to policy& process & structure wherever I am able,and good organization & good humour & good wisdom & good connectedness to the world, with all bills paid, all debts cleared, an excess of £1,000,000 in my UK bank accounts and an excess of R500,000 in my SA bank account and an excess of SF500,000 in my Swiss bank account, and an increasing passive income always in excess of £200,000p.a. and an income stream from me to my family members & selected friends, pastloves, & acquaintances & charities always inexcess of £100,000 p.a., and to teach othersby example how to live a life filled with love

Monday27th September 2004, inspired by  Salsa Congress 2004 in Bognor Regis, and meeting (and dancing with)  Edie the Salsa Freak my dance hero

Hi,Edie,  I’m a new Salsera in Hong Kong.

My fiancé got me into dancing  Salsa and I just love it now. He would always ask me if he is the reason why I took it up. Of course, I say”Yes”. But I did tell him that in case he stops, I’m still going to do it : )

It wasalso from him that I learned about you andyour website. I can relate to the storiesthat other salseros/salseras have sent you. Since I am a beginner and a foreigner in HK(I’m Filipino), sometimes I don’t get asmany dances as I want when I go to clubs. I attend classes regularly and been told by my instructor that I’ve improved alot. Evenfellow classmates have made good comments. But at clubs, I still find myself sitting around alot. I decided to change that andbecame more brave in doing the asking ofother guys, thanks to some of the stories from your website and to your advice. I have more fun now and I can say my confidence on the dance floor has improved alot.

Anyway, I wanted to thank you because your dedication & passion for  Salsa is an inspiration to people like me who live halfway around the world. I will be going to the Toronto Salsa Congress and I’m looking forward to going to your workshops.

Keep the faith and the great work!   See you soon!

“Dear Edie,
Thank you so much for the workshop!  It really inspired us to get better.  I loved the way Edie broke down every move to the tee.  She’s an excellent instructor and made learning  Salsa fun!  I feel more confident than ever now.  Thanks again. 

Edie, I wanted to say “thank you” for such a greatclass.  I learned so much, and you made itso easy!  Thanks a million!  When can weschedule our next private?  

“Edie,
I feel so much better about my body and my”self” now.  This was not just a Lady’sStyling class, this was a “self esteem”class!  Loved it! 

First, I was just at the NY  Salsa congress and had the pleasure of seeing you teach and move for the first time. Unfortunately, I was nursing a minor injury the first day of the Congress and couldn’t take your class (I was the lone guy watching from the sidelines on Friday night with a big smile on my face). Iwas totally impressed with everything about your class- most importantly, the fun and energy and love of  Salsa you exude from every pore.

Second, I just last night watched your routine on video for the first time from the Puerto Rico congress. (I unfortunately missed your NY performance). I’m sure you receive this kind of praise constantly, but… O MY GOD. After watching 2 hours of other routines, yours pulled me in within the first 5 seconds. I watched most of it with my jaw wide open, making audible noises of amazement by myself along the way, and had goose bumps by the end. The crowd clearly was blown away, and responded with the kind of ovation you deserved. But I thought you’dbe pleased to know that someone watching on video had an equally powerful response.

“DearEdie,
Thankyou so much for a terrific workshop! Juan (CulturalExplosion) was right – I would learn more in that one workshop than I would in several lessons. Edie, thank you for showing me to “express myself” and not be afraid to show my aside. (She still is hiding but with a littlebit more work – my inner self shall emerge!) Your dance partner was terrific in his interesting ways of teaching with patience and humor!

Afterthe workshop, I rushed home to check outyour  Salsaweb site and I was so inspired by Edie’s story that it brought tears to my eyes because I felt like I was reading my story! I consider myself a beginner and a  Salsa a in progress. I believe it is important to havea willing partner who is dedicated and have fun at the same time.

Thank you again for an exciting day of Salsa!

Sincerely,

Hello Edie.
There was many of us, but I was the female that traveled 2 hours for the workshop and did not stay for the club (Cozumel) because I missed my 9 month old son, Milan Angel. I wanted to compliment you and thank you for the wonderful workshop that you held. Both myself and my sister had a great time and learned quite a few moves. I don’t get outoften with full-time school and my baby, but  Salsa is one past-time that I allow myself to enjoy and hope one day to encounter one who feels as passionate for itas I do.  Once again”thank you”. I regret that I was unable to make any of your club appearances, but perhaps I will get the chance again in the future. Right now I am too attached to my handsome little man at home!! :->
Cuidate!

Dear Edie,

Thank you so much for a great styling class last Sunday.  My girlfriends and I had a fabulous time…but…we have a couple of questions.  HOW DO YOU HAVE THAT MUCH ENERGY???? 

We admire your ability to teach and dance at the same time or as you say, “backwards and in high heels.”  The second question is, what was the name of the song and artist that was played repeatedly?  The title sounded like it might have been “Shake That Thing” and it had a Rasta sound with a  Salsa beat.  I told Jim Orr that he had to get that CD but, I couldn’t find out the exact artist.  Thank you for any information that you could provide.

We are looking forward to your next visit.. 

Hi Edie, this is Manny (the guy with the white shirt and pinkpok-a-dots shirt at thesocial). I just wanted to tell you that I had agreat time last weekend at the workshop and at the social.  i learned alot even though I had tocut out early on sunday- around 3… I’ve onlybeen doing this for amonth and change but feel really good and comfortable doing it. Like everything else, I just haveto keep practicing.  I look forward to dancing with you in the future. I bought your intermediate 1 and2 dvd’s.  I’m glad you moved to ft. lauderdale, i’m over in the opposite coast, Ft.Myers.  I’ve started attending the bts socials in the canadian club in hallandale. Maybe i’ll c u around.

Take care, and again, thanks for everything. I’ll be at the congress parties this weekend in ORL.

Hello Edie,
I was at the Göteborg Salsa congress thisweekend and I jus twanted to thank you fo rbeing there. It’s amazing to see you grea tdancers just out there dancing and being withall of us regular people. I especially remember one moment in the beginning of Saturday night when you stood there alon elooking at the dancefloor and I even THINK that if I had asked youto dance, you would have accepted.

Nice. I just didn’t wan tto disturb you with my only four years of dancing.

So thank you once again. Your presence during the whole congress was an inspiration to many people. I hope to be in Hamburg this summer and I’ll see you again.

Best regards

Dear Edie,
This is Jamie. We met at Innsbruck and at the Britfest. I told you how impressive a teacher and showman you were, and tried to buy you a fruit juice.

My homepage is www.gabbay.org.uk. Check it out. There are bits I still haven’t put online, but you might find http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~gabbay/tungus.htmlamusing. It relates to my own experience travelling and teaching, with academics in university — I’d be interested to know if the same kinds of things happen to visiting Salsa teachers.

It was a pleasure meeting you. My going to your ladies styling class was coincidence: I couldn’t be bothered to plan what workshop to do next so I let fate guide my steps. And fate was smiling on me that day because I got to enjoy your wonderfully witty and wise performance. 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!!)

But wait, you say. Lotsof teachers are wittyand wise and goodshowmen. So let me logically prove to you that I’m justified writing fan mail to you in particular. Actually, there are a a few examples but I’ll just mention one — it’s a comment you made which I think for me might even justify the cost of the entire congress.

You were talking about the way the body learns, and that if you want to get good at spinning, practice the good side first, then the bad side, because then the good side informs the bad side and not the other way round.

Now that’s an insight into body intelligence, not one into dance. It had not occurred to me *at all* and it will bevery useful for me in the future, I expect .Furthermore, it’s not an insight I had to deducefor myself from things you said; you’d already raised it to the correct level of abstraction and served it up to us packaged in a neat conceptual box. How useful. How elegant. Perhaps it’s because I’ma mathematician, but Ireally *appreciated*that.

I should keep this short since I doubt you have much free time fore-mails. Thanks again and I do hope that one day there’ll be time fo rus to have a decent chat. I found your performances (sorry,classes) very touching

Hello Edie,
I attended your workshop yesterday in Ft. Lauderdale w/my dance partner and I must say we both enjoyed the workshop very much. I was the one latina wearing the black t-shirt and greysweat capris sitting at table next to mirror, the one who jokingly flexed my bicept as you used me to demonstrate how to caress a man’s arm (as if you would remember LOL).We traveled all the way from Melbourne, FL for your workshop and it was well worth the trip!!  I was wondering if perhaps you would consider holding one in the Orlando area, which is much closer to us than Ft. Lauderdale. Many of the ladies from our dance studio would be willing to attend.

Thanks for handing down your excellent knowledge to us and a great thanks for teaching me to be sexier on the floor!!

Take care,

Subject: Scandinavian  Salsa Congress in Gothenburg!

“Dear Edie…” (which reminds me about your very nice column!),
It was a real pleasure to experince your workshops during the first Scandinavian  Salsa Congress 2006 in Gothenburg! You were very talented, educational and funny! My girlfriend and I (and hopefully everybody else) loved the great show you gave on Sunday.

We would really love to see you back in Scandinavia soon again!!!!
Many grateful  Salsawishes from Sweden,
Fredrik – who will try out the  Salsascene in Lyon this weekend! 😛

Hi Edie

Thank you so much for being a part of the Sydney Salsa Congress.  As we discussed, please find below a testimonial about your services!

Edie has been an integral part of the Sydney Salsa Congress and the Australian Salsa Scene.  For 3 years in a row, we have invited Edie to Sydney because she is not just a wonderful instructor and performer, but because she is also an excellent business partner.  Edie is not just a  Salsa artist, she is a fantastic business woman who understands how to provide excellent value for  Salsa promoters.  Every year, we have absolutely no hesitation in inviting Edie to our Congress because we know without a doubt, that she will deliver on the following things:

1)  Fantastic Workshops – 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!

2)  Great Shows – Edie understands that a show is about entertaining people.  Her costumes, choreography, theming and execution are always delightful to watch

3)  Professionalism – Edie works hard when she is at a Congress.  She always shows up on time, lets you know where she is, and you can trust that she will be wherever she needs to be.  She also understands that promoters have paid her to be there for the consumers who part with their hard earned cash to connect with her.  She is constantly on the dancefloor, constantly talking to people about  Salsa and sharing her knowledge as an Instructor and a business woman.

4)  MARKETING – Edie is a marketing machine for our event.  Through her websites, and her travels to other Congresses, we know that Edie is constantly promoting the Sydney  Salsa Congress, through her website, by handing out flyers all over the world, and talking about us!  Her endorsement of our congress is absolutely priceless as she is so widely and internationally respected in the  Salsa Community. 

Edie is much more than just a Top International  Salsa Artist; when you engage her services, you also get an International Marketing Machine.

You are an incredible leader and person and you provided me with a place to grow, evolve, and heal that has become a significant part of my story. I will always be grateful for that.

Thanks Edie. I had a great time. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun and definitely very well worth it. You are a fantastic teacher. I also really enjoyed getting to know you on a personal level. Good luck in all your endeavors, and I hope I get to dance with you again soon. Also, Happy New Year

Edie,
Yesterday was so wonderful – I cannot thank you enough! I can’t wait for next week 🙂

Edie,
🙂 I’m so thankful I chose u to be my instructor. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

Edie,

I really enjoyed our lesson!
Everyone that I’ve talked to in my salsa circle said youwere by far”THE BEST” And although I know very little about dancing, let alone salsa, I can tell that you have “The Touch” or ability to bring anyone to their best. I am looking forward to learning from you.

I must say you have a very good reputation. And I will add, I was very impressed with your in depthoftechnique, style, and the way to approach a women. I will be getting your CD for sure, and plan on taking a workshop or two.
Thanks again

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,

Edie, Edie, Edie!!!
Ok, I have not been dancing since our last session 2 weeks ago. Last night I ventured out and all I can say is amazing!!!! I had an incredible night dancing!

Everything you have taught me finally came together! From not being concerned about her to my dancing everything. Of course it took a few dances and a few partners for it all to happen but I just felt so comfortable.

I danced with all levels a comment from a beginer was “Are you an instructor?”. I started laughing inside my head. The advanced females were more than happy to dance with me when I approached them for a dance.

While dancing with the advanced dancers I would glance at there face and they had glowing smiles. If I messed up it did not seem to bother them and like you said, they usually thought it was their fault!! Incredible Edie!!!!!

I danced all night long and at the end of the night I was walking off the dance floor and was receiving looks from ladies I had not danced with. I don’t know if it was just me being so proud of myself but the looks and vibes from these ladies was almost desire towards me. I left last night with a feeling of great satisfaction of finally accomplishing not only how to dance but how to handle the insecurities which come with dancing. Thanks Edie!!

Hi Edie- my name is Shannon Strain and I took salsa dancing with Janet Galloway in Manhattan Kansas. I have heard so much about you and we watch your black belt salsa videos to help our group continue to grow without Janet. We are in awe of your amazing dancing skills. I saw that you approved me to join your black belt salsa instructor’s group. I do not remember applying to be in your group nor do I feel worthy to be included in such a prestigious group! I have earned my very first instructor level while Janet was still here which surprised me very much. I hope to someday earn my place in your incredible club but I honestly feel I have work to do to earn that honor!! I wanted to be honest with you because we have never met ( though I hope to someday), &,knew my name would not ring a bell unless Janet filled you in. I would most certainty understand if you took my name off the list of your group. As I said, I know I am not good enough to knowingly throw my application for membership. You were very kind to put me through anyway but I feel I owe you the story of my current background. I LOVE salsa and will keep working on my skills and enjoying every bit of it! I really hope to meet you and enjoy watching you dance in person! Thank you for hearing me out. One of your true fans,

Just wanted to tell you something. Listening to the links you sent me, it’s one of those things about creating our own realities . . . At the beginning of last year I wasn’t improving at Salsa, would leave dance nights lonely and depressed. The one thing I really wanted was to get better. I knew I needed private lessons . . . but I didn’t vibe super well with any of the other instructors here, and they were all way out of my price range.

But I saw those guys dancing, and I wanted to be that good . . . be even better. Imagined myself being that good and what it would be like, and wished that I could find someone that would work for me. And BAM. In appears Edie the Salsa Freak, best in the world, who’s a perfect fit for me to work with and I can afford. Mindblowing. Was wonderful working with you today! I’m so thankful for your instruction… You’ve helped with so much more than just “salsa,” and I am so thankful for all of that. Thank you so much for being there for me!

Dear Edie,
Thanks for the response.  I have decided to come to the Preston seminar – because it is YOU teaching for both days…!

I checked the web-site and found this clip of you and Fabrizio from last year, I think it was the musicality demo you did on the Saturday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btMHiWMpWYc

In my opinion, it is EXACTLY the kind of thing I’d like to achieve.

My own issue(s) in trying to learn Salsa, are, I believe, a microcosm of the ‘difficulties’ (challenges J ) facing many around the planet trying to learn Salsa.

Instructors all too often teach bewildering, long, complex patterns of cross body Salsa, then send their students out feeling confused and inadequate.

Your Syllabus 101-106 DVDs are the most HONEST attempt to convey literally just that – a SYLLABUS, and to help to ‘de-code’ and simplify.

I think (know J) you are great.  A talented & lovely person!

I look forward to meeting you in person again.  I honestly believe that the seminar I’m coming to with you in Preston on [date] will release me from the shackles of insecurity regarding dancing Salsa, and I intend to leave your seminar a (fairly J) complete dancer!

AND – I will repay the favour some day…

Cheers

Edie,
I purchased the beginner and intermediate Salsa syllabus, LA Style (101-106)

a couple of months ago and I just wanted to thank you because it worked wonders with my dancing style, and built my confidence a lot in such a short

period of time. Everyone at the Salsa club I go to noticed the change and I recommended them the DVDs as well.

Now I just bought the advanced DVD and the “Lifts and Tricks” DVD and can’t wait to watch them and study!!!

If you ever have a bootcamp in Tallahassee, I will definitely want to participate. If not, I am planning to take your classes at the next year’s Salsa Conference in Miami.

Again, thank you, from the bottom of my heart!!!

I just attended your Bootcamp for beginners in Downey, CA last weekend.  I flew in from Arizona and brought my mom and best friend from Maryland with me.  I wanted to let you know that we had a blast and really learned alot.   I’ve never had any formal dance training at all and have never, ever learned to dance with a partner.  I used to enjoy going out to clubs when I was in my 20’s and early 30’s and dancing all night – but the club scene and the young crowd just isn’t my thing anymore (now that I’m the big 4-0!!)  But I miss dancing so much!  I took a class last year at a gym I belonged to at the time.  It was a Salsa class.  It wasn’t partner dancing – it was designed to be aerobics, but it was so much fun and it was the best aerobic workout I’d ever had.   Then recently I was watching tv one night and came across a movie I hadn’t seen yet called Dirty Dancing Havana Nights.  After watching that movie I went online and found your website and signed up for your Bootcamp.    Sat. night at the Grenada, my friend, Z and I were noticing that everyone seemed to be there for one thing (mainly) – to dance.   It didn’t matter if your were young, old, tall, short, fat, thin, black, white, Asian or Hispanic – everyone was dancing with everyone.  It was the coolest thing.  I thought – hurray! I can go out dancing again and not feel like an old lady hanging with a bunch of kids!  Lastly, something that was really amazing and a huge compliment to you that I must pass along:  I danced with at least half a dozen different men that night, a few from our class and some that I’d never met before.   And even though I felt awkward and nervous, at least 3 of them said they couldn’t believe that that was my first day ever Salsa dancing.  Everything I knew to do I had learned only hours before in your class.  It was the best – I had so much fun – I can’t wait to take more lessons and get better and better and I’m so looking forward to Palm Springs in July!!   Sincerely,  CJ GrayHi Edie,   We miss you a lot already in Cyprus ! You have no idea how much you have positively marked my teaching skills from the instructors seminar in Nicosia! I’m certain you have heard this countless number of times, and I must join the pack, you are the finest dancer and instructor I have ever seen.  As I hope you may recall, I’ve been dancing for 11 years now, of all the dancers and instructors I have experienced, you are by far a leader in all aspects of Salsa dancing.  I hope you never stop dancing; I want my grand children to experience the legend of Edie the Salsa Freak!   Yes of course you may post my last e-mail in your student testimonial; I want the world to continue being reminded of your marvel!

Ok, I want to share an experience I had at the Bootcamp.

Edie teaches a technique: “How to Ask a Girl/Guy to Dance Without Looking Like an Idiot” which basically kinda “makes” the other person to dance with you before you even know what’s going on.

Ok, so Edie demonstrates and I’m thinking: Ok, if I don’t want to dance there’s no technique in the world that will make me.

Right!!!!! So fast forward 6 hours: I’m at the Salsa Social that night, and I’m thinking: “good opportunity to practice what I learned today”……OH-MY-GOD!!!!!!! there were these amazing dancers there that night and I was like: “Ok, so no dancing for me tonight, thank you!” I was totally intimidated…..anyway two guys asked me to dance (the traditional way) and I’m thinking “No way dude, am I gonna make a fool of myself”..so there I am and then this guy asks me to dance using “The Technique” (he was helping Edie out at the Bootcamp)….and before I knew it my hand is fully extended and I’m following this guy onto the dance floor and meanwhile I’m thinking: Ok, how did I get here?????

So, I danced (and kept up by the way) 😉 and on the way back to my spot I’m thinking: “Ok, “The Technique” worked because I somehow knew the guy and knew him to be not only an excellent lead but a kind person as well……that explains it….

Not!!!!!! Another great dancer approached me with “the technique” (now I don’t know if he knew about it or it just worked out that way) but before I knew it my left arm took a life of its own and without my consent just totally agreed to dance with this dude!!!!!! Wow!!!

The moral of this story? What Edie teaches works so pay attention….and her dance moves must work too…since I was able to keep up BOTH TIMES!! 🙂

I loved Everything about the Bootcamp! It was fun! I love the way you teach. Each styling is short and can be remembered and actually be applied during dancing.   I just recently looked at all the printouts and am still studying them. I think it’s great that they are available.

Edie – keep doing what you’re doing! You’re a great representative of this beautiful and magical dance called Salsa. I love the fun way you’re teaching, including some personal experience of yours as well as encouring woman to go out there and enjoy expressing themselves on the dancefloor in a fun and confidential way. I have several of your DVD’s, which are great and easy to follow. As you can tell, you have a big fan in LA!

I am impressed with everything I have heard about your classes and in particular your boot camp. However, I llive in Washington D.C.. Would you ever consider doing a tour or boot camp up around this region in the future for those that cannot make it to Miami/LA?   Thanks,

Edie,
Forgive me for being late with this THANK YOU!  I enjoyed myself tremendously at your bootcamp!  You were terrific, I never learned so much so fast!  I returned home to SF and went dancing Sunday and Monday!  This week I’m on call and can’t really go out.  🙁  I cannot thank you enough for all your hospitality, teaching and good cheer.  Saturday nite was a blast too–all your students, friends were just so much fun, and nice people.  I enjoyed myself to no end. I’m working on the Palm Springs weekend next–a few wrinkles to work out at work.  Hope you’re having fun teaching overseas, and I hope to see you soon.  Your ever thankful student, and Christian friend,

Hi Edie,
I’ve got to say from when I first bought your performance video in 1998 it was an inspiration because A: technically you were doing moves that no one else could do and still can’t do and B: You and your partners danced with a passion and energy that I rarely see in England. Having met you personally I was surprised firstly how good a teacher you are and secondly how down to earth you are, considering you are the cream of the dance we call Salsa. You don’t seem to have the ego that most of us have when we get to the top. You are a very good example to many dancers and teachers. You have my respect and admiration.

Edie,
I remember reading on your web site the statement that says “…Salsafreak Bootcamp will be your turning point. We will guarantee that you will be a better and more confident dancer, the next day, and the rest of your life.” 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.

People are surprised to hear I’ve only been dancing Salsa for around a year; they generally assume I’ve been in the scene much longer. It’s obvious my partners are comfortable and enjoying themselves. Our bootcamp practice, attitude discussions, techniques and insights into what a woman really wants in a dance partner have dramatically altered my view. A few other guys have more patterns, more style, stronger footwork, are younger or better looking, but I have the secret weapons I learned from you. (I occasionally feel sorry for the other guys learning the hard way…) I’m much more confident and I know that I know the “right things” to make my partner comfortable. Women dance with me differently, and I’m surprised how many strangers are asking me to dance.

My wife is also having a blast and the side effects of my improvements are getting her noticed as well. Since the bootcamp we are in a vicious cycle of positive improvement. Other men see us doing great stuff you taught me and assume she is also more advanced. The stronger leads ask to dance with her and she learns more, so both of us are having more fun and growing because when we are not dancing together, we are dancing with much better partners. It’s amazing how it is all feeding on itself.

My improvements are already dramatic, but I still have months of work to fully integrate the additional homework you provided me during the camp. My spins are cleaner and I can finally see how doubles and triples are within reach. Like most guys I want more patterns, better technique and overall more tools available to express myself and make my partner look great. I also see those technical areas are nice, but that is not the core of dancing. Every night I go dancing I silently thank you because the responses from my partners are so positive.

The bottom line is your bootcamps are one of the best-kept secrets in the Salsa world. Your ability to focus on the most important aspects of the dance and provide a foundation for growth is amazing and appreciated. I’m a dramatically better dancer today and will only get better thanks to you.

Your site undersells the benefits of your camp. The world needs to know how amazing the results are, and you are too modest about the results available. If other guys really knew the power of working with you during a bootcamp, they would have you booked solid for the next few years. Over the next couple weeks I’m going to write up the total experience so other guys can get an idea of the power of the bootcamp. I’ll send that to you when I complete it.

My only regrets are not doing it sooner and not scheduling my next session yet. One bootcamp was great , but I can’t wait to do another one. I was envious of the guy you told me about who did two days in a row; I’m sure he is in another world as well. Your coaching skills are excellent and I look forward to the next bootcamp.

Sincerely,

I liked the way Edie presented the material in a fun, relaxed, upbeat way: never dull or boring!!!
I was amazed at the mountain of details that were covered in this Bootcamp….so much that I didn’t even want to take a bathroom break for fear that I would miss anything..and I did!!!

The practice time was excellent: loved it. Many a times an instructor falls into the blah, blah, blah, and no action..not the case here….

She should be called: Edie, the Salsa Doctor!!!!

Your workshop went from very professional to GREAT in the last year: very polished, yet informal. It is a great combination, and I really enjoyed myself.

It is wonderful to see you looking so well and healthy. Reflecting on what you said, I realized that you are traveling to Europe a lot. If I am not mistaken, they like their women a bit “zaftig” (if I have the spelling right), and would try very hard to feed you if they think you might be too thin. You look great, so most of us would not realize your concern. You might declare yourself vegetarian! Well, maybe that’s a bad idea. Milk fat is the worst.

I have become a grandmother twice this past year, and you really encouraged me to believe I can still dance. That is a real talent.

Thank you so much for everything.

Dear Edie,

My name is Caroline and I’m 24 and from Germany. First of all I have to blame YOU for my addiction to Salsa. Well, not entirely, there’s still the music, the dance itself and the most fantastic people I got to know since I started dancing in April. But it’s all YOUR fault that I’m THAT addicted! For the first time I saw you at this year’s Hamburg Salsa Congress and I was simply impressed. Well, I was impressed with most of the guys there since this was my very first congress ever, BUT I was definitely most impressed with you. I couldn’t wait to see you perform again, which I finally did last month at the Wuppertal Congress and again you blew me away… Hell, what do I have to do to get any near to the way you dance?? In order to answer that question, I participated your two ladies’ styling workshops in Wuppertal and had the most fun. Yeah, sure, Johnny Vazquez and Super Mario are fun, too. But hey, they’re guys! 🙂 Not to speak of what I learned! To cut a long story short, I of course got me your ladies’ styling DVD and practiced… practiced… practiced… I do get a lot of compliments for only dancing half a year, but I still feel I’m ever so far away where I want to be. OK, just don’t get too impatient! I just started dancing. Yet, I can’t find any good Salsa-classes around that teach like you do… They’re all either bloody boring or too much ballroom-like (which looks great as well, but hey, I wanna DANCE! Maybe in a year or something… :-)) However, I do feel that your DVD really is helping me to improve more and more. Can’t get enough of watching it (at times, I can actually speak along with what you’re saying :-)) Anyway, I do have a question concerning your Bootcamps, which I’m dying to participate in. Do you also do them in Europe? I don’t really have the money to get a flight to the US plus accommodation plus the bootcamp… So, if you don’t do them over here, I probably won’t have the chance to participate before the year of 2010 or something… or maybe I’ll just rob some bank or blackmail my boss or something… Well, my boss is already wondering why it takes me so long to write that stupid letter to our English colleagues, so I should finish now. Oh, I mean, I don’t know if you need such thing, but in case you ever need some German/English or vice versa translations, feel free to contact me… I’m SO looking forward to seeing you again… (which will probably be not until next year in July in Hamburg *sobs*) and I’m DYING to learn more Salsa (Well, in Hamburg then :-(()!!! Love,

DEAR EDIE,

My name is Nery Antonio, and 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, for about 2 years now. You are great at what you do and when i met you in person this year at the Miami Salsa Congress; i also realized that your ‘persona’ and attitude is just amazing. I was introduced to you by my friend Henry who is your partner now. I am glad that the both of you have gotten together to demonstrate your outstanding talents as dancers.

I was very honored to have danced with you at the Salsa Congress. As and admirer and student, you have made this ‘lil’ boy’s dream come true. But i wish you the best for the future, and i really cant wait to see you perform at the “Salsa Rueda Congress” with Henry. MY girlfriend, my best friend who is my dance partner (JUDY), and I will be there to cheer you both on! May God Bless you and

This is my email: Antonio17252000@yahoo.com  you are welcomed to write me at anytime

Enclosed with this email I have attached a picture to see if you remember us  bye now

Nery Antonio

Edie, I would love to dance with you again and have you teach me… you’re a great instructor and an awesome and amazing dancer.

Edie,

I received the e-mail where you announced Henry was going to be your new partner and couldn’t help but to notice how great you looked in your photo w/him. You share so much with your readers on your website as well as in your newsletters. I’m sure I’m not the only reader to have noticed how nice your looked in the photos. IF its not too much trouble, you may want to share with your readers through a link on your site some of the secrets to how you have toned your body to the great shape that its in now. I tell you, Edie, that flat stomach looks good and is inspiring!

Continued success in all of your endeavors!!! Your newsletter is great and we love hearing about your travels and upcoming events. And one last note – the Salsa community worldwide is in debt to you for the creation of Salsaweb. I check it often for news of upcoming events around the world as well as before I go out of town. My friend from SC just called me today and asked me to look up a city in FL to see where she should go tonight since she didn’t have internet access. My other friend missed his flight to TN a couple of months ago and was stuck in Dallas and asked me to check Salsaweb to see where to go out that night as well. It’s amazing just how important Salsaweb is in the lives of dancers worldwide. Thanks a million for your significant contribution!

Take care,

Edie,

I just wanted to say thanks for everything.  I had a really good time during the Bootcamp.  I wish I could have taken another private lesson with you but things happened in LA which I had not planned for.  Also, I had a really great time dancing with your friend Gabe.  He’s a really nice guy.  I was definitely impressed at Steven’s Steakhouse.  I don’t think I’ve seen such good dancers before.  I even got up the courage to dance with a few of those awesome dancers and even caught myself doing some somewhat decent double spins there.  It’s funny but I think once I stopped thinking about what I was doing while I was dancing and just started dancing I started to dance that much better.  I even started free styling more.  It was really cool.  Anyhow, I had a really awesome time and next time I’m in LA I hope to be able to take some private lessons with you. 

Hi Edie,
Just wanted to say hi and thank you again for all your instruction. When I first came back from Bootcamp and went out dancing, I had gotten a few compliments about my spins –because I was “punching” my spins — saying I turned well and that I was right on the music; and then lately after watching some of your videos and practicing and practicing with a partner, who went to your boot camp this past week, I’ve gotten even more positive comments. It’s just been more enjoyable. I’ve been dancing with some great dancers now, and it’s so much fun.

Everything just all came together — dancing on the beat, rhythm, styling.

Well, better stop there. Could go on forever talking about Salsa. Anyway, will probably see you sometime this summer.
Take care

Hi Edie, Just wanted to say thanks again to you.  I learned so much and had a great, great time.  The boot camp exceeded my expectations.  Went out dancing last night — Thursday nights are big nights at Century Ballroom — and practiced my styling for the first time dancing with a partner.  At first I felt uncomfortable adding the styling, but after a while I got used to it.  Might have even styled too much.  I don’t know how I looked, but I had a great time experimenting.  I put the body roll in a couple of times in a couple of patterns, but it didn’t come out right.  I might have even looked spastic.  I was so embarrassed.  I’ll have to practice that one more at home in private.   My turns felt a lot better.  I punched my turns, at least when I could.  And one guy said, wow, Karen, that’s pretty good.  I was so happy.  Chris looked really good out there.  She was more stylish with her arms and body movement than I’ve ever seen her before.  And Bobbi looked really cute out there.  I saw her arm styling that you showed us and it looked really nice, nice combination.  I could go on and on about dancing, so I’ll let you go.

Hi Edie, I would like to thank both of you for your kindness and unselfishness. You are wonderful human beings. I had a great time at the boot camp. My expectations were met plus some!! I wanted to take your bootcamp because I wanted to know where do I stand as a dancer and I wanted to improve on my leading skills and other techniques. This boot camp was an eye opener for me. I learned so much!! I learned I have a lot of bad habits.

I enjoyed your guidance and the way you pointed out what I was doing incorrectly. I enjoyed how you illustrated the moves being taught. I liked that you were very patient with me. That was a big plus of the boot camp. Dancing for hours after the class session was great and I am glad we had lots of time and space to practice what you taught. Now I need to find a dance partner, may I clone you? ;-)!! I really had a lot of fun just dancing with you Edie!!! Incredible dancer!! I expected to be critiqued and I got it.

I expected to be drilled and I was. I expected it to be mentally challenging, it was and I was pooped by the end of the boot camp. I did get a mental and physical workout!! WHEW!! But it was well worth it!!!

I recommend this boot camp to anyone that either wants to learn how to dance Salsa or wants to improve themselves as dancers.  They know what they are talking about and they will guide you every step of the way. They know how to make the boot camp FUN!! Edie, thanks again for your patience, generosity, unselfishness and for your love of SALSA. I will see you again at the New Year’s Eve SALSA Extravaganza!! I am excited!! 

Dear Edie, My name is Tara. I have read your articles (you’re an inspirational writer), and seen your instructional videos (which have helped immensely). I’ve seen you perform and recently even got to see you dance socially at the Miami Salsa Congress. Wow! Was that an event! It was my first congress, and besides the IHSC 2005 it was my first real professional Salsa experience. But this time was different. I had the oppurtunity to perform. A both frightning and exhilarating experience. Especially since i was pulled into the routine only 3 weeks before the show, and wasn’t “sure” of myself in the aspect. I’ve only been dancing for a little less that 2 years. My technique is not where I want it to be. But i’m working on it! 🙂 I did get my roots in Casino, as most people do down here in south florida. But my style has evolved and i’ve been learning a lot of LA and Mambo. However, instruction for those styles down here is limited, especially in LA. So anyways to the point. After the performance was over…and my relief that i did not fall or get dropped set in….i got a chance to dance and watch some great dancers, such as yourself. I just want you to know that I could have spent the whole weekend watching you dance. I did even stop by the get my picture with you. Your not only a great dancer but a genuine person too. It shows in everything you do. I really appreciate that. I also heard that you will be dancing with Henry Herrera. So hopefully you’ll be around the south florida area more. I guess my reason for this email- other than to profess my admiration- is to see if you will be teaching any workshops down here, or possibly be available for private lessons. If so that would be amazing! Either way, i look forward to seeing you more, seeing you perform, dance, read your writing, and learn from you as a dancer and a woman. Thank you for everything you do! See you around the Salsa world! Sincerely