Meet the Instructors
My name is Ruben Saldana and I have been dancing for 12 years. I started at the age of 14 and danced while I was at Ray high School and tried out for a local pre-professional company at the age of 16 and have been studio trained under Avant Dance company. Several months later I tried out for another local pre-professional company named Corpus Christi Dance Collective and have won numerous amount of awards and scholarships from conventions and competitions, Including winning a prestigious award titled ”Dancer of the year” award in 2018 and is a proud CCDC alumni. I have also worked for a professional dance company called MA dance and has choreographed, taught, and judged for 2+years. While I was in Corpus I have also choreographed and judged for local High School dance teams in the area. I graduated from Del Mar College with an associates in Speech in 2021. I was also granted an acceptance letter into the dance program from Texas Tech University and in May of 2024, I graduated with my Bachelors in Communication Studies , Associates in Advertising and a Certificate in Public Relations and Strategic Communication Management. My plans now is to go to Law School to become a trial attorney and continue to teach dance.
Lucy Garcia's dance journey began at the early age of two, igniting a profound commitment to a lifelong dedication and passion for the art at Suzanne's School of Dance in Bryan, Texas, and Nora's Academia de Baile in Mexico. She has evolved into a multidisciplinary artist with over 25 years of professional dance experience. She underwent formal classical ballet, jazz, and tap dance training that laid the foundation for her future in the dance industry. Since then, her repertoire has expanded with hip-hop, lyrical, modern, contemporary, salsa, bachata, heels, pom-dance team, Broadway Musicals, and K-Pop. Her training and professional experiences show her mastery of diverse dance styles and her versatility and adaptability. She attended the Monsters of Hip Hop Dance Convention, NUVO Dance Convention, Miami Salsa Congress, Pittsburg Ballet Theatre summer intensive, and pop-up classes at Millenium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, California, with Nika Kljun and Jojo Gomez. She has also trained with Karel Flores as a member of her Karel Flores World Virtual Salsa Dance Team and in master classes with members of IAmMe America's Best Dance Crew winners Phillip "Pacman" Chbeeb and Olivia "Chachi Gonzales, at Soundbox Dance Studios in Houston, Texas, following with Jaja Vankova at the Monsters of Hip Hop Dance Convention. Locally, she enhanced and honed her technique and skills at Munro Ballet Studios and under the instruction of Konstantin Kolotov, Irina Kolotova, and Lori Bodine. She discovered a deep passion and found a niche for dance instruction and choreography. This niche led her to teach at Munro Ballet Studios and Teffany's Dance Studio. She also danced as a soloist for the Corpus Christi Ballet under the direction of Cristina Stirling Munro, performing in many ballet classics and modern adjudicated pieces for the Regional Dance America Festival, featuring her talent and dedication. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a certification in dance, awarded by Professor and Director of Dance Jilissa Cotten from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She also received the "Outstanding Performer" SAMC (School of Art Music and Communication) Award, participated in the Bailando Dance Festival as a choreographer and dancer, and as President of The Stage Dance Student Organization, received a standing ovation for the Island Dance Demo rendition of Chicago Musical "Cell Block Tango" along with Vice President Clarissa Torres and Guest Choreographer Julie Urbis. Professionally, Lucy has made significant contributions to the dance industry. Her performances with the Corpus Christi IceRays Dance Team, La Conquista Band backup dancing at the prestigious Tejano Music Awards, La India Yuridia backup dancing in her Porque Así Soy Tour, VEVO-certified music video features "Outta Control" Baby Bash featuring Pitbull and America's Best Dance Crew "Quest Krew" as well as local talents, "Mi Quince" La Conquista Band, "Super Peligrosa" Mexicana Band, and "El Dorado" Clarissa Serna Band, and guest judging at KADABRA CON K-Pop Competition have showcased and significantly contributed to her career growth, establishing her as an accomplished dance performer. Her exceptional leadership and organizational skills were instrumental and pivotal in co-founding the House of Hip Hop Dance Studio. Her outstanding leadership in the industry is a testament to her competence and reliability. As a Co-Director, she successfully managed multiple roles, including Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Business Administrator, Marketing/Social Media/Public Relations, Parent Liaison, and Coordinator of Classes, Rehearsals, Performances, Competitions, Quinceaneras/Sweet 16s, and Events. Her efforts ensured the Studio's success throughout the 2023-2024 season, marked by multiple across-the-board Platinum and Gold wins at the Showtime and Showstoppers Dance Competitions, increased student enrollment, successful performances, and positive community engagement.