About Us

ABOUT LATIN DANCE NZ

Welcome to Latin Dance New Zealand Dance Studios!

Latin Dance New Zealand is attended by passionate people, who want to guide your dance-learning journey. 

Wherever you’re starting from scratch or have some experience, everyone is welcome! If you’re a beginner, we’ll start with some basic dance steps, which in due time (and with some practice in between) you’ll be able to master! Join us and you’ll find out how easy it is to learn to dance with Latin Dance New Zealand.

If on the other hand, you already have some dancing experience, you’re more than welcome to join the intermediate/ advanced training to continue perfecting your moves. By all means, if you’re up for the challenge, you can also join a dance team!

We’ll be waiting for you at our dance school! You can start whenever you want, registrations are open all year round.

"Dancing is one of the most complete and fun recreational activities. We offer you the possibility of learning to dance your favourite rhythm: Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Reggaeton, Cuban Salsa-Casino".

Group picture after a competence

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

About Latin Dance New Zealand.

Dance lessons can be in groups or private. Group classes have limited capacity and have one or two teachers leading the class. On the other hand, private classes are between you and the teacher.

You can attend alone or accompanied by a friend, sibling, or partner. It doesn’t matter who you come with, or if you come alone. The important thing is that you dare to start! Our lessons are going to make you feel great.

We work on a rotation system which means that everyone has an opportunity to dance and learn together, or you could also skip rotation and dance with your chosen partner throughout the class.

I never danced and I have two left feet. In other words, Will I be able to keep up with the class?

The first thing to remember is that it doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to dance at all, because you came here to learn. We provide a safe and judgment-free environment. After all, we were all at that same start once! So don’t hesitate any longer, our teachers are super patient and you’ll also find people who are just starting!

Bachata,
Bachata Sensual,
Bachata Ladies Style.

We offer independent lessons or a full course. Wherever you’re starting from scratch or have some experience, everyone is welcome!

Bachata →
Bachata Sensual →
Bachata ladies style →
Riko and Alberto from Latin Dance New Zealand dancing solo on a competition

Salsa on 1,

We offer independent lessons. Wherever you’re starting from scratch or have some experience, everyone is welcome!

Salsa on 1 →

Reggaeton,
Hip-Hop Fusion

We offer independent lessons. Wherever you’re starting from scratch or have some experience, everyone is welcome!

Reggaeton →
Hip-Hop Fusion →
Group picture of an activity on the outdoors

Burlesque 101,
Chair Burlesque,
Exotic Flow,
Kizomba.

We offer independent lessons. Wherever you’re starting from scratch or have some experience, everyone is welcome!

Burlesque 101 & Chair Burlesque→
Exotic flow→
Kizomba →
Latin Dance New Zealand team posing with the academy car

Teams

Join a Salsa & Bachata Team! Meet people from all over the world and levels of dance. Because teamwork makes the dream-work, right?

Learn More →
Teams bowing after a performance, surrounded by people

"Dancing can help improve many aspects of your life, including your health, social life, and general well-being. Trust us! Taking dance classes could be one of the most life-changing decisions you will ever make in your life."

WHO ARE WE

Meet Our Teachers

Our teachers are ready to teach you some new and exciting courses & classes.

Picture of Alberto Juarez, teacher of Latin Dance New Zealand academy

Alberto Juárez Grifaldo (NEO)

LDNZ Founder

Bachata & Salsa Teacher

Born in Cancun, Mexico made his World Latin Dance Cup debut in Auckland in 2016. A dedicated father of two young boys Carlos and Neo he has been living and working in Auckland as a builder for the last six years. Having graduated from the University of Mexico Valley (UVM) with a degree in Computer System Engineering he has a passion for helping charities having assisted with the Ecuador Earthquake relief fundraiser and NPH Latin America Children’s charity with various performances to raise funds and awareness for these great causes.

Alberto started his dancing career in 2014 at an intermediate level competing in the Capezio Kiwi Classic and NZ Salsa Open, in 2015 NZ Salsa Open as an advanced amateur, and most recently the NZ World Latin Dance Cup in 2016 at advanced/open level, in consistently willing to grow as a dancer, challenging himself by entering complex categories to significantly improve his level of dance. He holds multiple titles with different dance partners ranging from 1st to 3rd place in the categories of Salsa and Bachata. He is a committed dancer and is always seeking to improve his dancing technique and style to conquer the stage.

Riko Tokunaga, teacher of Latin Dance New Zealand academy

Riko Tokunaga

Bachata & Salsa 

Teacher

Born in Japan, she joined the cheerleading team when she was 15 and spent 3 years in the team. Riko started her dancing career in 2019, she joined Latin Dance New Zealand team and started dancing with Alberto.

After the COVID pandemic, Riko competed with Alberto in 2022. She gave birth to her first daughter, Amarilis Ximena just 26 days before the competition.

They compete in 5 different categories and took place in all of them. 

Cindy & Sergey

Kizomba 

Teachers

Sergey is a dancer from Russia who fell in love with kizomba and has been dancing it since across different continents. He is passionate about exploring the various kizomba styles and mixing them to constantly reinvent himself as a dancer and create exciting moves and combinations.

Cindy is a dancer from France who first started dancing at the Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris and has been passionate about dancing ever since. She now brings her extended musical and dancing background into her kizomba. Her dancing style blends playful musicality and sharp body isolations.

Jason & Jess

Kizomba

Teachers

Jason has been dancing since the early 2000’s and has been an instrumental figure in the Auckland Kizomba community. He was there right from it’s inception in 2014, and from 2015 onwards has organised and run free socials and been one of it’s leading instructors. He has placed and won numerous dance competitions (couples & teams) and was the inaugural NZ Kizomba champion back in 2018.

Jessica has experience in multiple dance styles and has been assisting Jason on and off since 2019.

Maia

Burlesque, Reggaeton and Hip Hop Fusion

Teacher

Maia has been dancing for 10 years. Homegrown in NZ, she has explored and trained in many dance styles such as Contemporary, Hip Hop, Groove, Pacific Fusion, Reggaeton and more!

In high school, Maia was a part of MOOVIT: A Contemporary, Hip Hop and Ballet Fusion performance crew.  She studied dance through the NZ curriculum, achieving excellence in both choreography and performance. She had gained recognition for her talent by being awarded the Best Senior Dancer Trophy. 

Maia is currently a part of Xtrom crew, determined to upskill her knowledge as both a dancer and a teacher.

Aberra

Exotic Floor Moves and Twerk 

Teacher

Meet Aberra, a multifaceted dancer whose passion for movement knows no bounds. With a diverse background spanning exotic flow, pole, heels, burlesque, ballroom, and hip-hop, Aberra is a seasoned performer dedicated to the art of sensual dance. Having honed her craft in various styles, Aberra brings a unique blend of grace, strength, and sensuality to the dance floor. As a former member of hip-hop/reggaeton crew Fuego Urbano, Aberra has graced stages with her electrifying presence and infectious energy. 

Now, as an instructor at our studio, Aberra shares her expertise in exotic flow and “Twerk It Out,” inviting students to explore their bodies’ natural rhythms and embrace their inner confidence through movement. Join Aberra on a journey of self-expression and empowerment, where every step is a celebration of the body and spirit.

Camila

Reggaeton

Teacher

Throughout her 14 years of experience dancing, Camila has participated in numerous national competitions and panAmerican competitions. Representing Chile in three world championships in hip-Hop and jazz on the global stage.Her extensive training includes styles such as Contemporary, Hip Hop, Heels, and Reggaeton, reflecting her commitment to exploring and mastering diverse dance forms. Continues to evolve as a dancer, always seeking new challenges and opportunities to grow. Her journey is marked by a blend of technical proficiency and expressive artistry, making her a standout performer in any genre she embraces.

"Don’t miss this moment! It doesn’t matter how old you are, or if you’ve never danced before. One thing you need to know about Latin Dance NZ, is that we believe that the best time to start was yesterday, the second best is TODAY!"

Dance class where everyone is dancing with a partner

GET IN TOUCH

Drop a Message

Call Us At:

(022) 0335438

Email Us At:

latindance.newzealand@gmail.com