LATIN PASSION DANCE ACADEMY
welcome!
Latin Passion Dance Academy is dedicated to teaching dancers of all levels, from novice to experienced, in Salsa and Bachata. More importantly, we love being part of your dance journey, taking you from your very first steps to being an enthusiastic, passionate dancer.
3-4 Week Crash Courses
If you want to learn salsa and bachata for social dancing, but don't want to waste time or money without seeing results, our crash courses are for you. In just 3-4 weeks, our beginner classes will give you the solid foundations you need to hit the dance floor with confidence. Feel free to send us an email if you don't see our schedule listed here (below) or on our social media pages. We'd be happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information: LATINPASSIONDANCE@GMAIL.COM
IN-STUDIO CLASSES : PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR SCHEDULE BELOW and let's start your dance journey together! 🌟
** NOTE: we are also available for public and private events, celebrations, private classes, etc.
STUDIO LOCATION: 1106 Dearness Drive, Unit 1 & 2; London
Regular Classes are on pause for the summer but we will be back in September - please stay tuned.
but check out these "pop up" summer workshop specials
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Welcome to Dance Camp 2025! 🌟 Hello dancers, and welcome back to the camp made just for you! We are thrilled to be returning to the stunning grounds of Quiet Earth in Dorchester, Ontario for our third year. If you've been with us before, you know that our past camps have been unforgettable, and we're excited to make this year even better! Get ready for up to 3 incredible workshops led by top industry instructors, followed by a fun dance social in the evening. All of this will be happening inside a charming 130+ year old barn - a setting you won't find anywhere else! We promise you that the workshop experience will be truly unique and unforgettable. So get ready for an amazing time at Dance Camp 2025! 💃🕺 LOCATION: QUIET EARTH Farm, located at 1681 Hunt Rd, Dorchester, ON. The Quiet Earth property is truly a hidden gem, nestled in the heart of nature's embrace. This isn't your typical campground, folks; it's a whole new world of artistic wonder waiting to be explored! The Jones family has worked their magic to turn this place into a haven for all things creative, and we're beyond grateful to be using it as the backdrop for our dance adventure. NOTE: Please use bottled water when brushing your teeth as the tap water is not designated for drinking. The historic barn, which has seen countless concerts, festivals, and celebrations, is also going to be our grand ballroom under the stars on Saturday night. Its rustic charm and time-worn wooden floors have stories to tell, and now, they're ready to resonate with the rhythm of our dance steps. DATE: SATURDAY, JULY 26. Entry to property and Registration starts at 10:30am and the first workshop starts at 12:15pm. WORKSHOP # 1: SALSA CALENA with CAMILA CEPEDA (12:15pm) Camila is a Colombian dancer and instructor who specializes in Salsa Caleña, Salsa Choke, Champeta, Bachata, Merengue, and Colombian Folklore. With over a decade of experience, she has taught and performed at various studios and events in Colombia and Canada. Currently, she is the Director and Dance Instructor at Salsa & Sabor, where she brings her passion and dedication to teaching Salsa Caleña. Her Academy has multiple dance studios in Toronto, Vaughan, North York, and Burlington, offering classes for students of all levels. WORKSHOP # 2: RUMBA with REBECCA & MATT SAMMER of QUANTUM ARTISTICS (2pm) Meet Rebecca & Matt Sammer from Quantum Artistics. Their motto is all about embracing the beauty of movement and energy in dance. We are excited to have them back as guest instructors to teach the graceful dance of Rumba. While Rumba and Salsa have some similar step patterns, Rumba is danced at a slower tempo. Come experience the fusion of ballroom and Latin elements with Quantum Artistics, and try something new! 🌟 WORKSHOP # 3: SALSA-ON-2 WORKSHOP with CORNELL MANNINGS (4pm) With nearly 25 years of teaching Latin dance under his belt, Cornell is a seasoned pro in the dance world. You can catch him leading classes at Studio G in Hamilton, Underdog in Waterloo, and City Dance Corps in Toronto. His students have earned an impressive collection of over 40 gold medals at Dancesport Canada, along with multiple top ten finishes in pro-am Salsa competitions. Let's give a warm welcome to Cornell as he joins our dance camp! Join us for the DANCE SOCIAL! (8:30pm) Keep the magic of dancing at Quiet Earth's gorgeous barn alive with our upcoming dance social. Let Nando's music have us dancing the night away from 8:30 PM until late. See you there! 💃🕺🎶 FOOD VENDOR ON SITE: Guess who's back? The Taco House Company will be at the event dishing out delicious Mexican cuisine. While cash is preferred, you can also use your debit/credit card for your convenience. Dancing can work up an appetite, so take a break, fuel up on delicious eats, and recharge before hitting the dance floor again! ON SITE CAMPING: You don't have to camp overnight, but we encourage you to join us for a night under the stars. Experience the camaraderie with your fellow dancers by the campfire, singing songs, and maybe even playing guitar. Please note: This property isn't a traditional campground, but they do have the room and amenities to welcome campers (dancers) looking to spend the night. So, feel free to pitch your tent here! 🏕️ Prices for passes at the dance camp are set and do not change based on the workshop chosen or whether participants decide to stay overnight or not. This information is important for all attendees of the dance camp to be aware of when planning and budgeting for their experience. DANCE CAMP PASSES / FEES: $40/pp per workshop; $20/pp dance social; 2 workshops for $70/pp ** good for any two workshops; $15/pp camping spacE: ** BEST DEAL ** $85/pp FULL PASS for all 3 workshops, dance social, and camping spot (value up to $155). This is a RAIN OR SHINE EVENT - the workshops will be inside in the barn, and if you are staying over, please bring appropriate camping gear. ****PLEASE NOTE: ONCE PURCHASED, DANCE CAMP PASSES ARE FINAL SALE, AND NON-REFUNDABLE. Thank you for your understanding. *****
ALL ABOARD!
Join us aboard the historic DUC D'ORLEANS II, on MAY 24/2025 for a night of salsa, bachata and more!
Salsa Wednesdays
** weekly dance socials**
Latin Passion Dance Academy invites you to join us every week for salsa night, featuring salsa music along with a mix of bachata, merengue, and cha cha! The evening is open to dancers of all levels, from beginners to experienced salsa dancers.
🎼💃🕺🎧
🕖 8pm Dance lesson - easy to learn, easy to follow (by Latin Passion Dance or guest instructors)
💃8:45-11pm (sometimes later) DJ music & Dance Social
🎟 $10/cover - cash, e-transfer, tap (debit/credit) ** please note that occasionally, the price may be subject to change depending on if we have special guest instructors and/or guest DJs.
📍WHERE: PEPPERMOON RESTAURANT located at 1100 Commissioners Rd EAST *** PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT for events/social dance updates @latinpassiondanceyxu ***
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ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER & DANCE GALA, DEC 2ND, 2023
MARCONI CLUB, LONDON, ONTARIO
Downtown London Street Salsa
During the warmer months (MAY TO SEPTEMBER), Latin Passion Dance Academy brings you regular street salsa nights in Downtown London . Since 2022, LPDA has hosted these in partnership with the City of London as part of their weekly activations on Dundas Place. We are proud to say that STREET SALSA FRIDAY has become a very popular outdoor weekly event.
2025: STREET SALSA FRIDAYS IS BACK ON MAY 2nd!!!!
This season, we are thrilled to announce that we will be co-hosting once again with the amazing folks at Casa Latina in addition to Dundas Place. We are so grateful to bring this special event to Londoners and visitors EVERY FRIDAY from May 2nd through to Sept 19th. The main location will be under the enchanting light canopy of Market Lane, 139 Dundas Street.
While the event is dependent on the weather, our partnership with Casa Latina gives us a backup plan that may allow us to move indoors if needed. Please keep in mind that there may be a couple of Fridays where another community event takes place at the same location. FOLLOW US ON THE DOWNTOWN LONDON STREET SALSA FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES.
Thank you for joining us in creating this vibrant and
inclusive community event!
FREE EVENT, ALL AGES AND ABILITIES WELCOME!
INSTRUCTORS
Latin Passion Dance Academy (London) was founded by Fernando Benevides and his partner Anna Marie in 2020.
Fernando has been dancing Salsa for over 30 years, and although his competition days are behind him, Fernando continuously works to improve his style and technique through workshops and working on his own choreography and movement. As a teacher Fernando loves to share his passion for the dance, and focuses on musicality, timing and rhythm when teaching on the dance floor. "You cannot get enough basics"
When she is not assisting in the studio classes, Anna Marie also loves organizing and event planning, all things Salsa dance related. You can find her co-hostessing with Fernando at the weekly #Salsawednesday socials, or working on the business administration side for the studio.
In addition to dancing, Fernando and Anna Marie are also very proud of their partnership with some incredibly talented artists, musicians, and promoters that collectively, call London their home. Together these artists work on showcasing their love and passion for music, art and dance of all genres.
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