Tony Cee started to teach dancing around 1990, almost 18 years ago! He went
through a training program and started as a dance instructor for
ballroom dancing. Tony was then living in
Florida and taught at different studios.
Tony moved to California in 1995 and first started as a dance teacher for Arthur Murray
Studios and then a bunch of different studios. Eventually he stopped associating
himself with any particular studio and became an independent dance teacher.
When he first started going to salsa clubs in the L. A. area, Tony noticed that
there were a lot of people who seemed to be interested in dancing and learning
salsa. At the time, it wasn't as popular as it is right now. Tony Cee began migrating
from teaching ballroom to teaching more salsa and swing. Swing was popular in the late nineties, but as it started to die down
he started to teach more
salsa dancing.
Being a part of the salsa scene, Tony met many nice people. From that time till now
he has taught a great number of people. Tony Cee also has been involved in the entertainment
industry dancing in movies, TV shows, award shows, private parties, and other
functions. He stopped being involved with all that a few years ago and now just
mainly teaches. Tony also performs every once in a while (not too much).
Tony tries to give students something different than other teachers provide. He
has
always thought that it is important to have good technique when you are dancing.
Although it is hard to teach technique in a group class, he tries to focus on
transitions when teaching groups. It is important to Tony to teach people how to
transition from one move to the next even when it is a very basic class. To him,
that is what makes dancing beautiful; the general flow from one move to the
other as if you are telling a story when you are dancing.
A lot of people seem to think that the more moves they learn, the better dancers
they become. Sadly, a lot of teachers think the same way. Tony Cee shares his opinion
"It is
not what you know that makes you good, but how you do it. A person can learn the
words to 200 different songs and still sing terribly. Good singers are ones that
can sing on key, be able to project their voice, and so on......."
Last week Tony did this very casual dance performance at an open mic night at a
local coffee shop here is the video:
Tony Cee comments on his performance:
"I almost bit it during the routine but I was able to save it with out falling on
my butt. That is what is important to me: how to make the best of each situation
by using your judgment and experience to create a good visual experience for
anyone watching.."
This is Tony's current class schedule:
Thu, Fri, Sat: Free salsa class 8pm @ Mariposa nightclub: 210 The Promenade,
Long Beach, CA
Sun: Salsa class 6:30pm @
Cafe Sevilla: 140 Pine Ave, Long Beach $5 includes
admission & food buffet!
Stumble It!
program and started as a dance instructor for
ballroom dancing. Tony was then living in
Florida and taught at different studios.