Cebu Salsa Club was born out of our love for Latin music and dance, and our passion for sharing the experience and joy with others. From 4 friends, we now have more than 1,500++ students who have taken our classes - ranging from 19 to 73 years old, from different countries and walks of life – business owner, young professionals, doctors, chefs, bankers, IT professionals, and home makers too!
Coach Jilly
Known as the firecracker behind it all, Coach Jilly is the founder of Cebu's flourishing Salsa (2011), Bachata (2014), and Kizomba (2015) scene, among many other communities in Cebu. Jilly was working the corporate ladder until fate led her to her first Latin bar on her first backpacking trip in Europe, where the music and the dances got her hook, line, and sinker. Her musical family background as well as her post graduate degrees in education, has greatly influenced her teaching style. Coach Jilly loves learning and has since added more dance (Cuban, L.A., and NY Salsa; Bachata Moderna, Dominicana, and Sensual; Kizomba, Afro-House, Tease, Heels, Zumba, etc) and non-dance certifications to her belt. Outside of the Latin Dance scene, she is a digital marketing consultant for local and international companies, and a serial entrepreneur.
Coach John
Also known as DJ el Camino, this native of Cebu, Philippines and Phoenix, Arizona, USA is no stranger to music. Coach John started out as a lead vocals for a metal band based out of New Jersey before coming back home and becoming a Sound Engineer and Tech for a local recording studio. Here he recorded, mixed, and mastered songs for local bands before organizing events and concerts. Coach John was thrust into the Latin dance scene in 2013, where he took the discipline he learned as a martial artist and musician, and applied it to his dancing and teaching technique. Aside from teaching Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba, Coach John is the head for Cuban Salsa Philippines.. Outside of the Latin Dance scene, he is a knifemaker, a UI/UX designer, and a passionate outdoor experiential learning facilitator.
Coach Aileen
Aileen started her Brazilian Zouk journey in early 2010 when she took formal classes at Two Left Feet in Singapore. Outside of the classes, she was mentored by the directors of the dance school, and became an assistant instructor for the same school. She credits her strong foundation and technique from having trained intensively under Jean Goh, director of Zouk Dance Academy in Singapore. As an accomplished Pilates Instructor (and co-owner of Pilates Cebu) outside of the Latin Dance Scene, with more than 10 years of partner dance experience, Aileen has a keen understanding of the body and the mechanics of movement, in addition to having a developed sense of comfortable and safe lead/follow technique.
Coach Kevin
With 12 years of experience performing here and abroad, Coach Kevin is no stranger to dance. Starting as a dancer for musical theater at the age of 10, he is trained in contemporary, lyrical, modern, and jazz among other styles. He then transitioned to Latin social dancing in 2015 with Cebu Salsa Club, where he found his niche in Bachata, particularly Sensual Bachata. As a coach, his goal is to instill to his students an understanding of body mechanics, the importance of classical dance techniques, and the application of these to your desired dance genre.. Outside of the Latin Dance Scene, he is a Communications and PR Officer for an International conservation group.
Coach Barbie
Dancing has always been part of Coach Barbie's life. From Classical Ballet as a child, to Folk, Jazz, and Modern dances in her teenage years, to informally learning Ballroom Dancing... until she discovered Latin Social Dancing through Cebu Salsa Club in 2012, which ultimately led to her passion, Kizomba. Kizomba in turn has led her to places all over the world to learn from some of the best artists. Her goal is to equip her students with a solid Kizomba foundation that will enable them to dance with various partners and adapt to different styles of dancing. Outside of the Latin Dance scene, she is a travel consultant for a European based agency.