Instructors - Instructors
- About Us
- Page 10
- Waldo Solano
- Jacqueline Sellers
- Sarita Atiles
- Kendra Haynes
- Keith Echols Jr.
- Ian Orr
- Page 6
Waldo Solano 
Waldo Solano
Originally from Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico,
Waldo grew up dancing to tropical music,
Cumbia and Salsa in Mexico City. He moved
to Atlanta, GA in 2003 and was introduced
to LA style Salsa by Alfredo Piceno (Salsambo
Dance Company) in July 2006. Motivated by
what he saw, he began training hard with Alfredo and Jen Piceno. With the desire to expand his personal style and knowledge of the dance, he continued his education with Jimmy Rumba (Jimmy Rumba Latin Dance School), Francisco Vazquez (Los Rumberos Dance Company) and Cristian Oviedo (Dancer, Choreographer and Instructor in LA). His ability to quickly acquire the moves, timing and technique of the dance led him to become a dancer, choreographer and instructor in Salsambo Dance Company Atlanta, GA & Salsaknox Dance Company Knoxville TN.
Jacqueline Sellers 
Jacqueline Sellers
A recent graduate from the University of
Tennessee, Jacqui is currently pursuing a
Masters degree in Secondary English Education
as well as her license in Teacher Education.
Although she is passionate about English
Education, she is equally enthusiastic about the
dance of Salsa. Introduced to Salsa in the year
2005, Jacqui immediately became addicted to this vivacious and highly energetic style of dance. Currently, she partners with Waldo Solano in SalsaKnox Dance Company as co-director and ladies styling instructor. She dedicates all her learning and knowledge of salsa and other latin dances to Waldos great encouragement and teachings. He has mentored her in the art and technique of latin dance, and she hopes one day to follow in his footsteps to become a great educator of latin dances as he has done here in Knoxville, TN and around the southeast U.S. In addition to instructing, Jacqui also performs all over the southeast with her partner Waldo as well has their Salsaknox Semi Pro teams.
Sarita Atiles Sarita Atiles
Latin Fitness & Dance Instructor Knoxville, TN
Call to sign up for: Group & Private Lessons-
Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced! Salsa,
Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Cha Cha, &
ZUMBA Workout Classes!
Hola! Me llamo Sarita Salsita Loca!!! I am a
unique mix of the Puertoricans, Irish plus a little Persian! I have the Type A Personality- prone to stress, b/c we are always on the go, and prefer it that way! I'm a multi-tasker by destiny! I love hosting parties and meeting new ppl!
I'm passionate about my God and understanding His unique will for my life!!! I believe that God is going to return to reclaim His people only when everyone has heard His word, so that is my life mission and calling to spread His word to His children, because I have the truth! Hallelujah! Life is Good.... because God is Good! AMEN! Can I get a witness?
Kendra Haynes 
Kendra Haynes
Kendra Haynes is a zouk instructor and
performer from Knoxville, TN. Formally
trained in ballet and jazz, she traveled
around the U.S. as a competitive member
of the Elizabeth William School of Dance.
She started partner dance by studying
ballroom at University of Tennessee. Her flexibility and emphasis on connection makes her a perfect match for Brazilian Zouk. Kendra has studied with Luciana Guinle (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Kim Rottier (New York City, United States) and Willem Engel (Leiden, Netherlands). In November 2009, Kendra and her partner, Ian, organized the Modern Latin Dance Weekend in partnership with SalsaKnox Dance Company in Knoxville, TN. Featuring Willem Engel and Kim Rottier, the Modern Latin Dance Weekend was the first festival in the United States to feature zouk. In January 2010, Kendra started teaching zouk, and, since then, she has played a central role in the rapid growth of zouk in the southeastern U.S. Kendra co-founded evoZouk with Ian Orr in 2010.
Keith Echols Jr. 
Keith Echols Jr.
"Born in Moody AFB, GA, Keith moved
to Knoxville, TN to work professionally
at the University of Tennessee in July
2007. He has always had a passion for
dance but really did not explore it until
the summer of 2008 when he started
training in ballroom. In April of 2009, he took his first salsa lesson and has been in love ever since! He joined the SalsaKnox Semi-Pro team in July 2009 and began instructing on his own in August of 2009. He began instructing for SalsaKnox in January 2010. His favorite salseros include Frankie Martinez, Nery Garcia, Proyecto Barrio, Myron Abernathy, Waldo Solano, Sarita Atiles, and Laura Smith. His ultimate goal is to use his passion for dance to spread the message of Jesus Christ to the world."
Ian Orr Ian Orr
Ian Orr is a zouk instructor and performer
in Knoxville, TN. While he has training in
jazz and hip-hop, his passion lives in the
connection between bodies, minds and
music present only in improvised partner
dance. For over five years, as an instructor
of swing (with an emphasis in lindy-hop) and blues dance, Ian strived to strengthen and diversify connection within his and his students dance. Naturally, his passion drew him to Brazilian Zouk. Ian has studied with Willem Engel (Leiden, Netherlands), Luciana Guinle (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Kim Rottier (New York City, United States). In November 2009, Ian and his partner, Kendra, organized the Modern Latin Dance Weekend in partnership with SalsaKnox Dance Company in Knoxville, TN. Featuring Willem Engel and Kim Rottier, the Modern Latin Dance Weekend was the first festival in the United States to feature zouk. In January 2010, at age 22, Ian started teaching zouk, and, since then, he has played a central role in the rapid growth of zouk in the southeastern U.S. Ian co-founded evoZouk with Kendra in 2010.
Page 6 
Ballroom Mania
Ballroom Mania, the social dance club of the
University of Tennessee, provides affordable,
accessible social dance events for UTK and
the surrounding community. BMania hires
local instructors to teach weekly dance
lessons on the UTK campus, and also joins
other Knoxville dance organizations for parties, classes, and performances. At a BMania dance party you can find: Tango, Rumba, Waltz, Salsa, Foxtrot, Swing, and more! Also, the class schedule now includes a Hip-Hop dance class!
Ballroom Mania was founded in February 2007 by Suzanne Devan, who served as an officer until her graduation in May 2010. The Club is made possible by its dedicated students, and the support and generosity of individuals like Waldo Solano and Sarita Atiles, the talented founders of SalsaKnox Dance Company.
If you would like to join Ballroom Mania for a dance event this week, please check our schedule at http://web.utk.edu/~bmania , or email us at bmania_utk.edu. We look forward to dancing with you!
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About Us - Instructors
- About Us
- Page 10
History of SalsaKnox
SalsaKnox Dance Company is result of a collaboration between Waldo Solano, former member of the Salsambo Pro Team of Atlanta, GA, and Sarita Atiles of the dance group Salsa Ardiente from Johnson City, TN. The two first performed together December 31st of 2008 for Knoxville's New Years Eve celebration, First Night Knoxville. Since then, they have performed all over the Southeast and taught dozens of workshops.
So you want to learn to dance salsa?
You have found a great place to start. SalsaKnox provides the novice everything needed to make transform from spectator to participant. If you know how to walk and climb stairs, you have already mastered two of the necessary fundamentals of salsa dance.
Salsa offers a plethora of benefits that extend far beyond movement to music. It offers respite from a sedentary lifestyle by providing an excellent cardio-vascular workout and escape from the frustrations of everyday life while also opening a world of social possibilities and improving self- confidence.
SalsaKnox instructors presents lessons designed to ensure solid fundamentals, crucial signals, proper lead and follow, overall technique, high energy salsa footwork, body movement and styling.
