About Heather
SALSATRICITY@BARNET FC
Seriously Salsa
Heather has always had a love of music, dance and teaching.
Heather Oakley~ BSc Hons, PGCE, GDL
“My love of dance originated from ballet/contempary and tap dance lessons as a little girl, my father teaching me ballroom whilst on family holidays….he was an officer in the RAF so there were numerous balls and functions he attended…… and my mum…….she is still an avid dancer!!…
My love of latin music also originated from family holidays in Spain Gibraltar and Majorca,…..and the African drum beat of salsa music from trips to Africa, especially Kenya whilst living in Aden as a very small child…and in my teens by which time my father was an airline pilot so we could travel anywhere in the world for 10%….and did!!
I continued to take full advantage of this during my 4 years at university first studying BSC in Physical geography and geology…and then a years post graduate teaching qualification…it was my trips to the Caribbean Zambia and back to my favourite place on earth I think…. Kenya …which consolidated my love of the African/latin music…salsa is a gorgeous cocktail of them both!!
A desire to learn salsa began in the late 1980’s…but with other commitments it only materialised after an evening trip to my local gym…..I noticed they were doing classes…I persuaded some friends to join me and so the adventure began!!…”
A university trained teacher with a BSc Hons, PGCE and GDL Heather taught in some of the top schools in the country including North London Collegiate, Dame Alice Owen, King Alfred and Mill Hill, and Salsa at Middlesex University….and has just completed her LPC solicitors exams, so is a well qualified teacher and knows what it is like to be a student!
ENERGETIC…. ENTHUSIASTIC….VIBRANT….WARM…. FRIENDLY
all words to describe her club
She studied ballet and tap and her father taught her the fundamentals of ballroom dance as a young girl. She was lucky to have an inspirational teacher Garcia, who choreographed and directed shows, to introduce her to salsa and taught her the value of learning the footwork. Since then she has been taught by some of the best in the business, Nelson Batista (who brought salsa over to England in the 1980’s~the godfather of Cuban salsa), Super Mario, Marchant Birch….. before setting up a partnership; originally in response to family and friends wanting to learn the dance. She has been helping and teaching salsa for nearly 6 years. Her first love was Cuban salsa but now can see the attraction of LA too…though is converted!!
Dance is good for the mind the body and the soul, and is for everyone. She is keen to create a professional salsa club which concentrates on the dance ….creating a serious dance school at venue which is AIR CONDITIONED…with a large non slip wooden dance floor and a well stocked happy priced bar……..and fun to practice all the moves you have learnt in the classes….
..much more than a night club….having the night club atmosphere but a place couples and young folk are welcome….and where no one is too good to dance with a beginner!!
Mainly cuban style we concentrate on the footwork and include the cross body LA/NY style so you can take your moves and dance at any club.
Heather has taught in schools and colleges so has police checks and years of experience in place as well as dance insurance.
Ellen is classically trained in ballet, modern and traditional dance. She has gained Distinction at RADA dance exams all the way up to grade 8 and is well experienced teacher, in dance and tennis, and a beautiful dancer.
We also have experienced teacher Nick, teaching the intermediate and a Latin DJ Otto who is an amazing Bachata teacher and has an amazing mix of tracks to keep you dancing all night
SALSA is a type of music……and the term ‘SALSA’ was coined in the USA when the cocktail of Cuban dances crossed over to its shores. They appeared hot and sexy and unable to pronounce!! The dances originated in Cuba and were danced at festivals and on family occasions. If you visit Cuba they are bemused by the night club salsa scene taking off across the world.
SALSA music has 8 beats …but you only step on 6 of them……you pause on the other 2….the secret of salsa dancing is the timing and pausing when your partner pauses so you do not tread on their toes!!……and of course feeling the music so you are dancing to it rather than trying to remember the routine you did last week…which is where we come in…
we teach you the understanding of the dance….so you can go away and make your own routines……and of course you can dance SALSA to so many different types of music…Frank Sinatra… RnB…reggae….Red Hot Chile Peppers….anything with the 8 beats….as long as you put the pauses in!!
Salsa is an amazing way to spend an evening. Heather has been doing charity and fund raising events for a number of years including Dame Alice Owens School, a demo at the University of Hertfordshire Environmental Day, Salsa in the Park in East Barnet, a lesson and demo for Breast Cancer and a demo at a Caribbean event held this summer.
But the best thing about SALSA is …it is for everyone……all ages, creeds, ability and backgrounds…we have top eyes surgeon, students, teachers, hairdressers and lawyers in our classes…it would be lovely if you joined us….if you can walk we can teach you SALSA!!
It would be lovely if you could join us
EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT 8.30pm-1am with full bar extension
SALSATRICITY@ BARNET FC……EN5 2BE
NB~ all photos up to date and we will keep them up to date….so keep looking!!