Size does matter! And if bigger is better, Mambo Dallas' huge group classes hit the bullseye

If you want to learn how to dance, you can't go wrong with Mambo Dallas.  Seriously.  Katie Seamans, founder, and Frederic Angus,co- founder, have a good thing going.  Scratch that.  They have a super, fantastic, wonderful thing going.  In an effort to learn more about the dancing, dating duo (yep, they're an item - sorry ladies and gentlemen), DSE met with them over a fun, informative lunch and participated in their beginner on-2 group class. 

Isn't it ironic?  Don't ya think?

Katie grew up outside of Boston and has a dance background in ballet and tango.  She started her salsa career in 1998. The first dance company she joined was a casino rueda company (a style of salsa that involves many couples switching partners throughout the dance) in North Carolina while at school, then she returned to Boston where she joined a company that danced on-1 and another casino rueda company.  But Ms. Seamans is far more than just another pretty face who knows how to mueve la cintura.  She earned her B.A. in Biology in Massachussettes, her masters in Neurobiology at Duke and is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Neurobiology at UT Southwestern here in Dallas.  While simultaneously researching Parkinson's Disease and running Mambo Dallas.  Oh!  She's also behind Sabor Dancewear, a local on-line dance shoe provider.  Makes you want a siesta just thinking about it, huh?

Frederic grew up in Ecuador until the age of 17.  He's been dancing since he was eight years old, a prodigy of his sister's teachings.  After leaving Ecuador he spent time in Massachussettes, New York, Miami and now Dallas.  A trained casinero (Cuban-style salsa/rueda dancer), Frederic studied with the Salsa Kings in Miami.  His raw, natural penchant for dancing coupled with the right training led him down the path of performing and competing throughout Miami.  He began teaching salsa in 2002 and his diversity of style (on-1, on-2, casino rueda) makes him one of the strongest male dancers in Dallas.  He has such a delightfully smooth lead and a commanding stage presence.  He's not too rough, not too light, but just right.  To dance with Frederic is a serendipitous sache across a dance floor in Paradise. 

The twosome were in Massachussettes at the same time, in neighboring towns, yet never met until they came to Texas.  In fact, Frederic went to one of Katie's classes near Boston but was turned away at the door due to capacity.  Ironically enough, they both made the journey to Dallas in 2006.  Promptly after arriving, Katie started teaching and formed a ladies salsa group.  Nee "Mambo Que,"  the group's name was eventually changed to "Mambo Dallas" in 2008, around the same time Katie and Frederic joined forces.  The dance company evolved, no longer a ladies group but a widely-known salsa dance company consisting of talented male and female dancers.  They perform at venues across Texas in addition to most local events. 

The Best I Ever Had?

I've been to a class or two (hundred) over the years, and I can honestly say without reservation that Mambo Dallas' group class was one of the best classes I've ever attended.  An incredible teacher, Frederic associated intimidating steps with daily life applications.  His explanation of timing was impeccable, making it seem as if you had grown up listening to salsa music all your life (even if you'd never heard a single note).  It's a great place for a beginner to start out or for an on-1 dancer to branch out and learn to dance on-2 (or vice versa).  I tell you what, they know how to get the job done.  While observing the students it was evident that they heard what was being said, they digested what was being thrown at them and they demonstrated that understanding.  After one 90-minute class!  But most importantly, it was fun.  I had a blast, as did the rest of class.  Just check out the pictures in the slide show below!

You can visit with Mambo Dallas at Embargo, a gorgeous bar with a tropical Latino ambiance in Downtown Fort Worth on Thursday nights (the free class starts at 9:00pm), at their group classes in North Dallas at Dance, Etc! on Sunday afternoons or by joining their Meetup group.  They provide group and private instruction, performances and corporate events.  For further information please visit their website here and tell them you heard about 'em on Examiner.com!