TESTIMONIALS
"Carolina and Jamal are really sweet, kind, and also passionate teachers with a lot of experience. They realize that dance is a skill that takes time, and vitalidad has an atmosphere like a family, a community, a place where people just like to come to enjoy themselves.
I find it very welcoming, and the salsa intro cycle is great, well structured and very safe and encouraging feeling. People are there to learn, have fun, and maybe make a friend, not check each other out."
Timothy O
"Super knowledgeable, patient, and friendly instructors. Every class is a good time and insightful. Thanks for existing Vitalidad!"
Sergio B
"I love attending classes, workshops, private lessons and socials at Vitalidad! The instructors make everyone feel welcome whether you want to take class as a beginner or if you want to really hone your art and skill as a dancer! The studio is clean, bright (lots of good, positive energy) and the owners and staff have hosted some world renowned pro instructors which is just incredible! I always look forward to dancing there!"
Mindy T
"Vitalidad is a wonderful studio. I appreciate that it is a Movement Arts Center that includes various kinds of practices including Latin social dances, zumba and yoga. Carolina and Jamal are very professional and have an expansive vision of creating a studio that attracts a wide range of people and also integrates with the larger existing Portland dance population. They are super warm, nice, people to work with so participants have a positive experience in their space. Vitalidad has a welcoming atmosphere that is very inclusive so rank beginners and experienced movers feel comfortable, motivated and challenged at their level. This past month in boot camp fashion I have taken all the Latin classes that are offered and they are all excellent. Truly delightful in fact. The teachers are really focused and information is honed but in almost every class there is an appropriate amount of humor peppered into the instruction. I personally want a really sophisticated learning experience but it also needs to be FUN. They have mastered the balance. The Portland community is very lucky to have Carolina and Jamal back from NYC. They are a stellar team and they attract fantastic local teachers as well as professionals from other places who offer special workshops on a regular basis. I look forward to more!"
Susan D.
"Carolina and Jamal have brought their earlier experience, mixed with their years dancing in NY, back to Portland! Their classes begin with exercises meant to understand how to hear and understand the music and how to fit movement WITH the music. I'm loving the footwork patterns -- learning new moves and musicality. The footwork is great for both leads and follows to build our dance vocabulary and learn to incorporate fun, slick moves into our social dancing. The pattern portion of class also teaches both leads and follows equally.
I have also taken private lessons with this fun, patient, talented teaching team; If you want to really move your dancing forward in a way that is geared specifically for your dance level and needs, take some private lessons with Carolina and Jamal!"
Marlene Z.
"The fact that this was the only studio in town to offer a class in Kizomba is what drew me in, but then I discovered Zouk as well. Adding Salsa on 2 and Dominican Bachata was easy as I already had the interest, but who knew I would like tango??? What really helps with all of that is yoga, and I am a huge fan of Robin's Deep Stretch class. It is the perfect compliment to all the dancing and I love Robin's spirit. I always leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated!"
Cynthia F.
"Best instructors in town...great location, great environment, and a great variety of classes...want to learn how to Dance?? Well now you know where to go...++++++++++++++Vitalidad.."
Dahiana O.
"The deep stretch class is amazing! I can definitely see improvement in my flexibility each week. The zumba classes are fun and definitely get you sweating. The hip hop classes cover a much wider range of styles than most. They also offer unique classes you won't find anywhere else in Portland like kizomba and zouk."
Andreina M.
"This is the place to go if you want to learn to dance, as opposed to just learning patterns. Jamal and Carolina were already strong dancers a few years ago when they moved to NYC, and now we're lucky that they've brought back their experience there (the mecca of salsa) to Portland.
In their On2 class, you'll learn how to dance salsa like they do in New York. They teach the basics of timing, weight transfer, and body motion, which are aspects that differentiate a strong dancer from the crowd. If you've thought that salsa was all 'moves' (like I did my first few years), try a few of their classes. They will make you a much better dancer."
Jeff F.
I find it very welcoming, and the salsa intro cycle is great, well structured and very safe and encouraging feeling. People are there to learn, have fun, and maybe make a friend, not check each other out."
Timothy O
"Super knowledgeable, patient, and friendly instructors. Every class is a good time and insightful. Thanks for existing Vitalidad!"
Sergio B
"I love attending classes, workshops, private lessons and socials at Vitalidad! The instructors make everyone feel welcome whether you want to take class as a beginner or if you want to really hone your art and skill as a dancer! The studio is clean, bright (lots of good, positive energy) and the owners and staff have hosted some world renowned pro instructors which is just incredible! I always look forward to dancing there!"
Mindy T
"Vitalidad is a wonderful studio. I appreciate that it is a Movement Arts Center that includes various kinds of practices including Latin social dances, zumba and yoga. Carolina and Jamal are very professional and have an expansive vision of creating a studio that attracts a wide range of people and also integrates with the larger existing Portland dance population. They are super warm, nice, people to work with so participants have a positive experience in their space. Vitalidad has a welcoming atmosphere that is very inclusive so rank beginners and experienced movers feel comfortable, motivated and challenged at their level. This past month in boot camp fashion I have taken all the Latin classes that are offered and they are all excellent. Truly delightful in fact. The teachers are really focused and information is honed but in almost every class there is an appropriate amount of humor peppered into the instruction. I personally want a really sophisticated learning experience but it also needs to be FUN. They have mastered the balance. The Portland community is very lucky to have Carolina and Jamal back from NYC. They are a stellar team and they attract fantastic local teachers as well as professionals from other places who offer special workshops on a regular basis. I look forward to more!"
Susan D.
"Carolina and Jamal have brought their earlier experience, mixed with their years dancing in NY, back to Portland! Their classes begin with exercises meant to understand how to hear and understand the music and how to fit movement WITH the music. I'm loving the footwork patterns -- learning new moves and musicality. The footwork is great for both leads and follows to build our dance vocabulary and learn to incorporate fun, slick moves into our social dancing. The pattern portion of class also teaches both leads and follows equally.
I have also taken private lessons with this fun, patient, talented teaching team; If you want to really move your dancing forward in a way that is geared specifically for your dance level and needs, take some private lessons with Carolina and Jamal!"
Marlene Z.
"The fact that this was the only studio in town to offer a class in Kizomba is what drew me in, but then I discovered Zouk as well. Adding Salsa on 2 and Dominican Bachata was easy as I already had the interest, but who knew I would like tango??? What really helps with all of that is yoga, and I am a huge fan of Robin's Deep Stretch class. It is the perfect compliment to all the dancing and I love Robin's spirit. I always leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated!"
Cynthia F.
"Best instructors in town...great location, great environment, and a great variety of classes...want to learn how to Dance?? Well now you know where to go...++++++++++++++Vitalidad.."
Dahiana O.
"The deep stretch class is amazing! I can definitely see improvement in my flexibility each week. The zumba classes are fun and definitely get you sweating. The hip hop classes cover a much wider range of styles than most. They also offer unique classes you won't find anywhere else in Portland like kizomba and zouk."
Andreina M.
"This is the place to go if you want to learn to dance, as opposed to just learning patterns. Jamal and Carolina were already strong dancers a few years ago when they moved to NYC, and now we're lucky that they've brought back their experience there (the mecca of salsa) to Portland.
In their On2 class, you'll learn how to dance salsa like they do in New York. They teach the basics of timing, weight transfer, and body motion, which are aspects that differentiate a strong dancer from the crowd. If you've thought that salsa was all 'moves' (like I did my first few years), try a few of their classes. They will make you a much better dancer."
Jeff F.
