About Latin Energy
we train great social dancers
Latin Energy, first established as Latin Beat Dance Company in 1998, has been a driving force in helping dancers in Brisbane and throughout Australia reach their full potential. Under the leadership of Debby Smits, who has received extensive training both in Australia and abroad, we have nurtured and guided dancers of all levels to achieve their goals.
With our proven track record of success, you can be confident that you'll find what you're looking for at Latin Energy. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced dancer, we offer a wide range of classes and programs to help you grow and excel in your dancing skills.
Dance Styles
Latin Energy offers fun and exciting classes in a number of different latin dance styles, including Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha Cha and more.
We focus on teaching these dances for social dancing, as well as mastering technique, styling and musicality.
Salsa
Salsa is one of the most well-known Latin dances throughout the world. Salsa is South American music and its origins are from Afro-Cuban rhythms. Salsa has influences from jazz, soul, and is continuing to evolve today. The music is energetic, happy, sensual and full of contrasting rhythms and melodies that you can play with. A typical salsa dance is marked by lots of place changing, shines, spins, and styling. We teach two styles of Salsa at Latin Energy: Linear (LA) Salsa (On-1), and New York Salsa (On-2).
Bachata
Cheeky. Playful. Sensuous. Bachata originated from the Dominican Republic, but has spread all over the world and been re-interpreted to create different flavours and styles. As a result, you might hear people talk about Dominican (traditional) Bachata, Bachata Moderna, or Sensual Bachata. We are one of the few schools in Brisbane that teach Dominican Bachata.
Cha Cha Cha
If you're thinking of strict ballroom cha-cha - this ain't it! Influenced by boogaloo in the 60s and 70s, cha-cha is loose, funky, musical and incredibly, incredibly fun! If that weren't incentive enough to learn, mastering cha-cha has a flow on effect to salsa in helping you to interpret the music. We love it - so keep an eye out for cha cha workshops and short courses!
Meet The Team
Debby Smits
Business Director, Artistic Director, Competition Judge, Lead Instructor, Lead Choreographer, Performer & DJ.
Debby has been on the Latin Dance scene since 1996. She established the Latin Beat Dance Company in 1998, later changing its name in 2004 to Latin Energy Productions. Her extensive knowledge of Latin dance and her attention to technique, musicality and styling has helped her to achieve a reputation as a respected professional judge, instructor, choreographer and DJ who regularly travels both nationally and internationally.
Instructor:
Debby has a Master’s certificate in teaching Salsa which she obtained in the USA. She has a fun, vibrant way of conducting classes with a focus on social dance technique and has created some of Australia’s best social dancers. Always the innovator, Debby introduced the Brisbane Latin Dance scene to Rueda, Linear Salsa, Bachata, Ladies styling, and Salsa On2.
Judge:
Debby is one of the most well-known and respected competition judges in the Australian Latin Dance scene. She has judged for; the Australian Salsa Classic (ASC), Australian Salsa Open (ASO) (which she was also an organiser for), World Latin Dance Cup (WLDC), World Salsa Solo (WSS), Australian Dance Cup (ADC), plus many more. She received her judges training in 2007 under Billy Fajardo and Oliver Pineda. Debby is also available for pre- and post-competition mentoring sessions.
DJ:
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 the role! Known for her smooth style and for playing music specifically for dancers, this sassy DJ has been invited to DJ at numerous national Latin festivals and events, as well as internationally in South East Asia, New Zealand and the USA.
Choreographer and Performer:
Debby has been creating choreographies and performing for over 20 years in competitions, corporate gigs and shows.
Cristina Aneiros
Instructor, Performer & DJ
Cristina has been in the Brisbane Latin Dance scene for almost 20 years and started her dance journey with the Spanish Folkloric Dance Group.
Her salsa journey started in 2001 and in that time she has built a wealth of experience in Cuban, Cali, Linear (On-1) and Mambo (On-2) styles.
Cristina was first introduced to authentic Dominican bachata in 2007. She took her first trip to the Dominican Republic in 2008 and travels there regularly to fuel her passion for Dominican rhythms, dances and culture.
She is Australia's Dominican bachata specialist. Well-known for her flowing body movement and smooth footwork, as well as her ability to articulate and transmit these concepts to her students.
Cristina loves the connection between dance, music and culture that is at the base of Latin dancing.
Paul Stepowski
Instructor & DJ
Paul started his dancing journey in 2010 and quickly fell in love with salsa dancing, as well as the music. Since then, he has travelled and social danced all around the world, including many countries throughout UK, Europe, Asia, and the US.
He has been singing and playing guitar since he was young, which gives him a different perspective on teaching music and musicality.
Paul started DJing around 2016, and is one of the few salsa DJs in Brisbane who spins salsa on vinyl. He loves authentic Afro-Caribbean music that makes people want to get up and dance.
He started teaching to give back to the dance community that has given him so much. He is most passionate about teaching beginners to learn to social dance, especially those who claim to have "two left feet", and/or have no previous dance experience.