We Are Sam’s
Patricia Hardin is a native Albertan who has lived in Vancouver for ages. She has two Bachelor’s degrees and a Master’s degree in Theatre. Patricia has worked in many businesses in many capacities over the years.
Patricia has a vision for a new type of dance school and gathering place where people can build a community of friends, develop a network for social and business opportunities, and engage in energizing, exhilarating movement.
This is a new concept for a different kind of place–a place for people who might find other dance schools and socials intimidating and unwelcoming. At Sam’s, we welcome everybody–those who dance and those who just want to try it and have some fun!
This is Sam’s Dance.
Our Dance Instructors
Steve Kalungi
Originally from Kenya, Steve started dancing hip hop, reggae, and dancehall very young and was introduced to salsa in high school. Since then, Steve has taken lessons, participated in social dancing, and trained to be a teacher in Salsa and Bachata. He has been dancing these styles for seven years.
Juliana Oliveira
Juliana is from Minas Gerais, Brazil, and has been in Canada only since August 2016. She has dance training in Dancehall, House Dance, Vogue, Afro, Hip Hop, Samba, Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, and Belly Dance, all of which she applies to teaching Zumba.
Juliana is certified to teach Zumba®, Zumba® Gold, Zumba® Kids, Zumba® Kids Jr. and Zumba® Step.
Renan Rotondo
Renan was born in the birthplace of Forro, the only uniquely Brazilian classical dance style. Once he discovered Forro, he danced and learned and trained and danced some more. Renan can show you why he is passionate about this amazing dance!
Simone Fragoso
Simone is a dance instructor from São Paulo, Brazil. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Dance and Movement. She has taught ballroom dance since 1995, has extensive experience in teaching both leads and follows, and owned her own dance business in Brazil.
Hugo Okajima
Hugo has 15 years experience teaching ballroom dance, specializing in Brazilian rhythms. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and Administration and an MBA in Management. He was also a dive master (PADI) in Brazil.
Savage & Samuelle
A unique pair, Savage and Samuelle started working together in 2015. They both started Hustle with Boris Khramtsov at Robson Square in Vancouver. Hungry to learn more, they travelled to study from many other established hustlers such as Crazy Smooth (Montreal), Robyn Baltzer (San Francisco), and the one and only Alex Kim (Los Angeles). In their hustle journey, they crossed paths with many other talented dancers that inspired and influenced them : Robin Tjay (New York), T-boy and Inga Be (London), and Julien and Taylor (Montreal).
As partners, Savage and Samuelle are currently researching ways to fuse their own dance background (B-Boy, Hip-Hop, Waacking) to Hustle, while at the same time respecting its foundations. Although they emphasize technique, what fuels their passion for Hustle is the creative synergy between two people.
Jheric Twist Hizon
Jheric has been involved with the Vancouver Hip-Hop dance scene for over 20 years. His teaching has brought him all across the globe. Jheric’s dance credits include: Hip-Hop choreographer for the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremonies, K-os music video”Eye Know Something,” fort knoxx five music video “SHIFT,” Hell Cats TV show, Another Cinderella Story, Centre Stage 2, and Lost Boys 2. Jheric is also a member of Canada’s Top Breakin Crew Now Or Never, which won Battle of the Year Canada in 2008 and competed in BOTY Germany. Jheric is the co-producer of High School High Hip-Hop dance competition, Set It Off dance showcase and creator of Harbour Dance Series Bboy Battles. His love for music is what gave him the motivation to transition from dancer to DJ.
Elfer Moreno
Elfer started dancing before he graduated from kindergarten. He was the youngest member of the Chiapas Folklore dance team that competed nationally. When his family moved to Isla Mujeres, which is near Cancun, Mexico, he twice represented Mexico in international competitions in the Caribbean. Elfer next learned merengue and break dancing, which he taught, choreographed, and competed, both nationally and internationally. His group, Los Reyes del Merengue (Merengue Kings), were national champions for two years. Once Elfer started dancing salsa, he competed in both partner dancing and in groups, representing Mexico and Isla Mujeres. He won first place in salsa. Elfer has traveled extensively to teach and to train in the US, Italy, France, Switzerland, Japan, the UK, and Canada.
Jason Jang
Jason has been studying dance and movement for the past 15 years. Starting with Tap and Salsa, Jason is skilled in Jazz, Contemporary/Lyrical, Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, Musical Theatre, Gymnastics, and Acroyoga. He has been involved in many competitions and performances. His teaching focuses on the importance of partnership, trust, and connection. Fusion classes will focus on technique, musicality, exploration, and just having fun!
Michael Demski
Michael spent his baby years in the wild back-country of the Rocky Mountains. At the age of 11, his family set off on a voyage that would span 8 years and 52 countries. Michael has spent most of his life in other countries and cultures, developing and cultivating an ease with which to perceive the world through an intriguingly unique lens. After studying and working in Europe as a contemporary dancer, he returned to Canada to pursue his lifelong dream of acting, graduating from Toronto Film School’s acting program in 2012. An avid martial artist all his life, Michael has trained in over 8 different styles. He has always been passionate about exploring the capabilities of the human body, mind, and spirit, and its potential for health and healing.
Francis Nowaczyński
Tango instructor Francis originally hails from Montréal, Québec. He has been active in the Vancouver tango scene for more than a dozen years, during which he has served as a teacher, milonga organiser, and has hosted numerous workshops for guest instructors from Argentina, as well as from other communities across North America. While currently holding a weekly practica in the Vancouver area, Francis is also appreciated as a music DJ at various milongas in Vancouver and beyond, with regular stints at international festivals.
Francis focuses primarily on music interpretation and on finding a natural, well-grounded walk; a relaxed and comfortable embrace; and on discovering the active roles played by both the lead and the follow.
Amy Shibasaki
Amy has been teaching West Coast Swing in Burnaby since 2009, and she’s excited to work with a new community. Her classes offer a friendly, relaxed learning environment that allows students to grow comfortable with the dance and have lots of fun with their partners. Amy teaches all skill levels, but especially loves to inspire beginners to unleash their inner dancer.
Neelam Suman
Neelam is known for her artistic interpretation on the dance floor: her ability to creatively interpret and effortlessly follow any lead with grace and precision makes her a pleasure as both a partner and a performer. Neelam began dancing Kizomba in 2008 when she started going to Angolan clubs in London. It was there that she embraced not only the dance, but also the culture, adding Semba and Kuduro to her repertoire.