Profiles - Professional Teachers

Nina Van der Plas

FREE SPIRIT DANCE & MUSIC SCHOOL

Mishel Finlayson

SAMBALICIOUS

Debby Smits

LATIN ENERGY

A native of Brisbane, Australia, Mishel grew up surrounded by dance, with her parents passing on their love of ballet and ballroom. From the age of four she studied jazz, ballet and tap, but it wasn’t until her first trip to Rio de Janeiro at 21 that she developed her passion for Latin dance.

Whilst in Rio, Mishel studied extensively under the guidance of Brazilian Zouk and Samba masters such as Adilio Porto, Jimmy de Oliveira, Renata Pecanha, Luanda Lins, Sheila Aquilo, Carlinhos de Jesus and Jaime Aroxa at their respective dance academies. Mishel has also studied such styles as Egyptian Belly dance, South Pacific Island Hula, Flamenco, Salsa, Bachata and Afro-Cuban dance. She is also a qualifed Yoga/Pilates and Zumba instructor.

For more about Mishel, go HERE to Sambalicious webpage.

(Director/Lead Instructor)

Debby has been on the Latin Dance scene for more than 10 years. She established the Latin Beat Dance Company in 1998, later changing its name in 2004 to ‘Latin Energy Productions’. She frequently travels both nationally and internationally as a much sought-after performer, instructor , choreographer and DJ.

Debby has a master certificate in teaching Salsa which she obtained in the USA. Her fun, vibrant way of conducting classes and her attention to technique, musicality and styling has helped her to achieve her reputation as a respected professional instructor, and has led many of her students to become big names in the Latin dance scene.

Always the innovator, Debby introduced the Brisbane Salsa scene to Rueda, L.A Salsa, Bachata, Ladies styling, and Salsa On2.

Debby is also known as DJ Debelicious, one of the very few female DJs in the Australian Salsa Scene. She became a DJ by accident but has grown to love her new role! Known for her smooth style and for playing music specifically for dancers, Debby is building herself a reputation as not only a highly sought-after instructor, but now as a sassy DJ! She has been invited to DJ at numerous national Latin festivals and events, as well as the Malaysian World Latin Congress.

You can read more about Debby HERE.

Juan and Elise are dancers of Latin Steps Dance Company, QLD’s premier Salsa Academy. Latin Steps is home to the 4 x Australian Salsa Champions and are currently Australia’s Salsa Team Champions.

The school is synonymous with fun classes, technical dancing and is widely known for providing opportunities for dancers of all levels - from absolute beginner courses to high calibre performance training.

Teaching classes on the Sunshine Coast, Juan and Elise have a very clear, articulate teaching style, helping students gain a real appreciation for Latin dance styles, in particular Salsa, Bachata and Cha
Cha Cha. Backed up by the Latin Steps teaching syllabus, Juan and Elise’s classes are a must-do for people who are looking for a fun, friendly, progressive environment to learn.

Go HERE for class details, or to discover more about Latin Steps.

Founder of The Free Spirit Dance & Music School, this charismatic woman with a sense of humour that will only have you in stitches sure does know how to get the audience going!

A best-selling author, internationally renowned dancer, performer, fitness professional and wellbeing therapist.

Nina has over 20yrs in the dance and arts industries, and understands what it takes to achieve your dreams and how to overcome our fears surrounding them. Nina believes that everyone can dance, it is just a simple case of being in touch with who you are, feeling good in your own skin and understanding how your body feels when it moves.

Be inspired by an award winning, professional dancer/artist, who has traveled the world in pursuit of her dream, learned from the best and wishes to share what she has learnt from her adventures the world over with you! To find out more about Nina's journey, you can read more HERE.

With that, we are lucky to have such an accomplished professional now teaching Brazilian samba here on the coast. Highly focussed on technique, you will develop the correct basic footwork right through to advanced samba movements which will ground you permanently on your journey. But don't stop there, be challenged by beautiful choreographies and opportunities to perform.

Representing the Sunshine Coast Latin Dance Club for performances, if you have an event or a launch at which you wish to impress your guests with a mesmerising, stunning dance display, then contact Nina.