Cuban Salsa Power Berlin presents
Elena
Salsa Cubana
Background
I danced as a child and teenager – from street dance to ballroom and Latin American dances. At 18, I took my first salsa steps in Russia. Later, I continued my dance journey in Germany and learned from many great artists at international festivals.
Over the years, salsa became much more than a hobby for me: As an immigrant in Germany, I found a community through Cuban dance culture that has shaped my life.
Passing on this culture with respect and giving back to the community is one of the reasons why I teach today.
Motivation
I love teaching with great detail – so much so that some jokingly call me the "Russian Ballet Teacher." Not out of perfectionism, but because I want my students to truly understand, internalize, and easily apply techniques.
For me, teaching also means constantly continuing to learn myself. By repeatedly questioning my own technique and analyzing it in detail, I grow as a dancer – and can directly pass this knowledge on to my students.
Most importantly, however, my courses aim to convey more than just steps and figures. I want to spark curiosity for Cuban dances and give you the feeling of truly being in the moment. Because for me, social dance is not about performance, but about the connection between people.
I am...
Precise. Warm. Passionate.
What excites me
Psychology, self-discovery, and art. Impressionism particularly fascinates me. I also enjoy drawing and have a soft spot for beautiful spaces and aesthetics.
Guilty Pleasure
I regularly dance Rumba Guaguancó in the kitchen while making breakfast. Luckily, no video recordings of it exist yet.