This is where you
#belong.
Beyond dance, we meet you where you are and take you where you want to be.
How we teach, dance, and live every day.
Entertain
Our goal is to have you leave every class with a huge smile on your face. You'll laugh, feel alive, and forget you had a stressful day.
Educate
Our instructors are the best in the world at what they do. We can teach anyone, and we mean anyone, how to dance.
Evolve
Our classes change people. You'll amaze yourself with what you can do and get a taste for life that you didn't know existed.
No matter who you are,
our arms are open.
All of us are here to encourage and support you.
We form bonds and breakthroughs. We form our own movement.
Don’t believe it? Come experience it. Transform through dance.
Instructors
Growing up, Aleks always felt like an outsider. He never felt accepted by his friends and family and was constantly fighting the feelings of not being good enough and trying to fit in. He also battled a medical condition called Hyperhydrosis (excessively sweaty palms) which gave him body issues and a lack of confidence.
And... he was a terrible dancer. He avoided dance clubs when his friends tried to drag him along and he was afraid to ask women to dance because of his sweaty palms and lack of skills.
In 2009, everything changed when he made an important choice. Overweight, unhappy, and tired of having no confidence, he chose to tackle his biggest fear: Dancing. He joined Toronto Dance Salsa as a beginner and was one of the most uncoordinated students in the class.
But he fell in love with the people, he fell in love with the music, and in that process, he fell in love with himself. Now he's on a mission to help others fall in love with themselves as well and find a place where they can #Belong. Aleks went from being the worst student in his class to an Instructor and the Director of Operations at Toronto Dance Salsa. And he's also your lead instructor for Transformation Month!
Deep down what he has always wanted was to create a place where you can come in as you are, be accepted for that, and get lifted up to where you want to be.
Growing up, Aleks always felt like an outsider. He never felt accepted by his friends and family and was constantly fighting the feelings of not being good enough and trying to fit in. He also battled a medical condition called Hyperhydrosis (excessively sweaty palms) which gave him body issues and a lack of confidence.
And... he was a terrible dancer. He avoided dance clubs when his friends tried to drag him along and he was afraid to ask women to dance because of his sweaty palms and lack of skills.
In 2009, everything changed when he made an important choice. Overweight, unhappy, and tired of having no confidence, he chose to tackle his biggest fear: Dancing. He joined Toronto Dance Salsa as a beginner and was one of the most uncoordinated students in the class.
But he fell in love with the people, he fell in love with the music, and in that process, he fell in love with himself. Now he's on a mission to help others fall in love with themselves as well and find a place where they can #Belong. Aleks went from being the worst student in his class to an Instructor and the Director of Operations at Toronto Dance Salsa. And he's also your lead instructor for Transformation Month!
Deep down what he has always wanted was to create a place where you can come in as you are, be accepted for that, and get lifted up to where you want to be. Welcome to Transformation Month!
Damaris Duran
Before joining Toronto Dance Salsa, Damaris felt a profound emptiness, a lingering void that no amount of socializing, hobby exploration, or event attendance could fill. This changed dramatically when she met Aleks, who introduced her to the vibrant Toronto Dance Salsa TRIBE. From her first step into the studio, she was enveloped in warmth and acceptance, immediately feeling a deep sense of belonging.
Dancing became a medium for Damaris to peel away the layers of expectation and conformity, revealing her #authentic self. Through every movement and rhythm, she discovered the power of genuine self-expression and the beauty of embracing her unique qualities without hesitation.
For Damaris, #authenticity isn't just a hashtag—it's a way of life. It means showing up as her true self everywhere, from the dance floor to daily interactions, without wearing a mask or succumbing to societal pressures.
This revelation propelled her toward teaching, driven by a desire to share the liberating experience of dance as a form of personal expression rather than a pursuit of perfection.
In her classes, Damaris cultivates a supportive atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to celebrate their individuality openly. She believes that a true sense of community and self-discovery can be achieved when we allow ourselves to be genuinely seen and accepted as we are.
Damaris extends a heartfelt invitation to anyone feeling a void or searching for a sense of belonging. Join the Toronto Dance Salsa family to discover your authentic rhythm, express your true self freely, and perhaps find the fulfillment and connection that Damaris herself has found.
Before joining Toronto Dance Salsa, Damaris felt a profound emptiness, a lingering void that no amount of socializing, hobby exploration, or event attendance could fill. This changed dramatically when she met Aleks, who introduced her to the vibrant Toronto Dance Salsa TRIBE. From her first step into the studio, she was enveloped in warmth and acceptance, immediately feeling a deep sense of belonging.
Dancing became a medium for Damaris to peel away the layers of expectation and conformity, revealing her #authentic self. Through every movement and rhythm, she discovered the power of genuine self-expression and the beauty of embracing her unique qualities without hesitation.
For Damaris, #authenticity isn't just a hashtag—it's a way of life. It means showing up as her true self everywhere, from the dance floor to daily interactions, without wearing a mask or succumbing to societal pressures.
This revelation propelled her toward teaching, driven by a desire to share the liberating experience of dance as a form of personal expression rather than a pursuit of perfection.
In her classes, Damaris cultivates a supportive atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to celebrate their individuality openly. She believes that a true sense of community and self-discovery can be achieved when we allow ourselves to be genuinely seen and accepted as we are.
Damaris extends a heartfelt invitation to anyone feeling a void or searching for a sense of belonging. Join the Toronto Dance Salsa family to discover your authentic rhythm, express your true self freely, and perhaps find the fulfillment and connection that Damaris herself has found.
In 2011, Daisy signed up for her first salsa class on a whim as a way to fill her free time after completing actuarial exams. Little did she know that salsa would soon transform her life and make TDS her second home. After her first salsa class, she became a helper, a performer, joined our bachata flash mob (fun times!) and fell in #true love with the moves, the music, the people and community – and even her dance partner, who is now her husband!
Through years of salsa training, Daisy has specialized in body movement, partner connection and helping students transform – from when they step into their first class feeling a little shy and awkward, to their last class – when the students not only have fun dancing, but also feel like they are part of the TDS family!
In 2011, Daisy signed up for her first salsa class on a whim as a way to fill her free time after completing actuarial exams. Little did she know that salsa would soon transform her life and make TDS her second home. After her first salsa class, she became a helper, a performer, joined our bachata flash mob (fun times!) and fell in #true love with the moves, the music, the people and community – and even her dance partner, who is now her husband!
Through years of salsa training, Daisy has specialized in body movement, partner connection and helping students transform – from when they step into their first class feeling a little shy and awkward, to their last class – when the students not only have fun dancing, but also feel like they are part of the TDS family!
Born to an accomplished musician, Dori grew up surrounded by music. Being Newfoundland-born, she learned to dance a jig at a young age! She first learned to spin on ice where she excelled at ice dance and competed in synchronized skating and ladies free skate. In 2002 she danced her first salsa – #inspired by the Cuban rhythms and passionate flavour of the dance, she never looked back.
Dori joined the salsa Picante Pro performance team in 2006. She continued her training under Teddy Olaso, and worked one-on-one with many world-renowned dancers including Ana Massacote, Karel Flores, and 5-time World Salsa Champion, Luda Kroitor. She has also studied other dance styles such as Afro-Cuban, bachata, merengue, ballroom, hip hop, and modern. In 2009, she joined the United Salseros Pro dance team and performs internationally.
Born to an accomplished musician, Dori grew up surrounded by music. Being Newfoundland-born, she learned to dance a jig at a young age! She first learned to spin on ice where she excelled at ice dance and competed in synchronized skating and ladies free skate. In 2002 she danced her first salsa – #inspired by the Cuban rhythms and passionate flavour of the dance, she never looked back.
Dori joined the salsa Picante Pro performance team in 2006. She continued her training under Teddy Olaso, and worked one-on-one with many world-renowned dancers including Ana Massacote, Karel Flores, and 5-time World Salsa Champion, Luda Kroitor. She has also studied other dance styles such as Afro-Cuban, bachata, merengue, ballroom, hip hop, and modern. In 2009, she joined the United Salseros Pro dance team and performs internationally.
While Evan was achieving worldwide fame as a success and entrepreneurship guru and YouTube superstar, he never stopped dancing. After 11 years with Toronto Dance Salsa, he took over the business in 2016.
It all began when Evan joined in 2005 and fell in love with the music, the dancers, and the TDS community. He caught the TDS salsa bug, won over by his new group of amazing friends and the challenge of learning a new skill. In 2006 he became a helper and joined our first performance group, then began teaching in 2007. Over the years, he has most loved watching students #believe and grow – from taking their very first salsa class to having the confidence to ask others to dance and perfecting their moves from one level to the next.
While Evan was achieving worldwide fame as a success and entrepreneurship guru and YouTube superstar, he never stopped dancing. After 11 years with Toronto Dance Salsa, he took over the business in 2016.
It all began when Evan joined in 2005 and fell in love with the music, the dancers, and the TDS community. He caught the TDS salsa bug, won over by his new group of amazing friends and the challenge of learning a new skill. In 2006 he became a helper and joined our first performance group, then began teaching in 2007. Over the years, he has most loved watching students #believe and grow – from taking their very first salsa class to having the confidence to ask others to dance and perfecting their moves from one level to the next.
With us
TDS really encourages everyone to be lifelong learners and continuously seek out the things that spark joy in our lives. Thank you for all the fun and inspiration!Holly E.
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