Kurt has been officially dancing for seven years since he started with Classé Dance Company in 2017.

He is the perfect example of what every student can become with enough hard work and determination. Kurt had absolutely no knowledge of dancing and moved with two left feet. What started as just taking a couple classes a week turned into a relentless pursuit to become a great dancer full of elegance and grace.

Dancing opened a whole new world for him. It was the outlet he was looking for to get away from the daily grind of life. The discipline and dedication he has always shown in training propelled him to advance and grow. Not just in dance but in his attitude, outlook, appearance and self-esteem. Kurt credits dancing as one of the life changing experiences in his life.

Countless hours of private lessons, group classes, performances and training directly under Linda Saenz shaped Kurt into a great instructor she couldn’t be prouder of. Everything Kurt teaches our students is a direct reflection of Linda herself. In Kurt’s words “Classe is home, Classe for life”.

Kurt has been officially dancing for seven years since he started with Classé Dance Company in 2017.

He is the perfect example of what every student can become with enough hard work and determination. Kurt had absolutely no knowledge of dancing and moved with two left feet. What started as just taking a couple classes a week turned into a relentless pursuit to become a great dancer full of elegance and grace.

Dancing opened a whole new world for him. It was the outlet he was looking for to get away from the daily grind of life. The discipline and dedication he has always shown in training propelled him to advance and grow. Not just in dance but in his attitude, outlook, appearance and self-esteem. Kurt credits dancing as one of the life changing experiences in his life.

Countless hours of private lessons, group classes, performances and training directly under Linda Saenz shaped Kurt into a great instructor she couldn’t be prouder of. Everything Kurt teaches our students is a direct reflection of Linda herself. In Kurt’s words “Classe is home, Classe for life”.

Byron Garcia is a passionate and dedicated dance instructor at Classe Dance Company. Despite starting with little knowledge of dancing over 5 years ago, he quickly immersed himself in the world of dance.

Originally seeking classes for his son, Byron found his own passion for bachata within Classe Dance Company.
Considered a vital part of our dance family, Byron has learned everything he knows directly from Linda Saenz, the heart and soul of the company.

Through his commitment and hard work, Byron successfully graduated from our instructor training program and is now inspiring others as an instructor himself. Byron’s journey from a novice student to a skilled dance instructor is a testament to his love for dance and his unwavering dedication to honing his craft.

Natalie has over twenty years of dance experience and began training at the young age of four years old in various disciplines including classical ballet, modern, Hip-Hop, Korean traditional, West African, Afro-Caribbean, Jazz, and more recently, Salsa and Bachata.

She earned a Minor in Dance from George Mason University. After college, Natalie took a break from dance for several years as she jumpstarted her professional career.

After realizing something was missing in her life, she returned to her passion for dance and decided to fulfill her goal of learning Latin dance by taking Salsa classes in New York City in 2019. The pandemic hit and her dance training was put on hold until the Spring of 2021 which is when she stumbled across Linda Saenz’s social media one Saturday morning and walked into a Ladies Styling class that same day. Six months later, she joined Classe’s Ladies Project Team and has progressed to the Master Ladies Competition and Socialeros Pro Couples teams for the last two years.

Why did you decide to work for Classe?
Growing up, I dreamed of teaching dance and joining a team. I never thought it would be possible until I joined Classe. Through Classe’s visionary leadership and culture of excellence, I have been able to learn new dance forms and strengthen my skills through hard work and determination. The opportunity to inspire, motivate, and support other fellow dancers to go outside of their comfort zones is rewarding and inspires me to pursue my own goals. Leadership sets the tone for the organization and Classe’s leader, Linda Saenz, is a powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with. Her drive, energy, positivity, warmth, and hardworking qualities make Classe an amazing space to grow. I am excited to connect and support other dancers to grow and reach new heights!

Meet Kathy/“Kati” one of our new dance instructors! Kathy is a DMV native, who has had a love and appreciation for the art of dance since she was a young child. She grew up involved in music and the performing arts, but it wasn’t until late 2018, early 2019 when she discovered the captivating world of Latin dancing and fell in love with bachata.

After the challenges of the pandemic caused social dancing and group classes to come to a halt, Kathy decided once she had the opportunity, she was going to train as much as she could. After the pandemic, she took her dance skills to the next level by joining multiple social and performance dance teams, including both couples and ladies styling teams. 

Since Spring 2021, Kathy has been training with Classé Dance Company, under Director Linda Saenz, and is currently on the Socialeros Pro team and the Master Ladies team. Kathy believes in the power of dance to bring together individuals who may not have otherwise met and showcase cultures while doing so. 

Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced dancer seeking to refine techniques, our dance instructors are here to guide you on your dance journey. Join Kathy in exploring the beauty and joy of Latin dance and let the music move your soul!

Tommy Tran is an accomplished dance instructor at Classe Dance Company. He was recently voted the best representative for the company, he is also always present and consistent.

He first joined the Socialeros Project dance team in 2023 and quickly made a name for himself as a standout performer. Tommy’s passion for dance was contagious, and he pushed himself to become one of the top dancers in the team.

After graduation from the instructor training program at Classe Dance Company, Tommy’s skills and knowledge widened, and he became an in-house instructor at the company, sharing his expertise in bachata and men’s styling classes. His classes are always high-energy, and his students appreciate his patient and fun-loving approach to teaching.

Tommy’s dedication to his craft and his innate talent as a dancer have made him a sought-after instructor. His positive attitude, exceptional skills, and love for teaching make him an asset to Classe Dance Company.

Janine credits dance for changing her life for the better and she wants to share the same gifts that she found in dance—connection to the community, passion for art, and joy through creativity. She has been dancing for 3 years and has trained with 5 teams across 3 studios in the DMV area.

Janine has performed at various local venues and events in Baltimore, Denver, and New York City. She has traveled to Spain multiple times for training and have danced with people from around the globe in Croatia, Canada, and the Dominican Republic.

Classe is her dance home and family. She loves the focus on technique, precision, and practice. Classe has been central to her growth as a dancer, and she wants to help give others the same experience. She loves to help leads and follows with specific technical advice in sensual bachata. Janine believes that no matter when you start, with dedication, practice, and patience, anyone can learn how to dance!