Meet our Instructors
The Instructors
Our instructors are more than just talented dancers - they're passionate teachers, mentors, performers, and community builders who are dedicated to helping every student succeed.
From world champions and award-winning competitors to instructors with deep cultural roots in Latin America and Brazil, our team brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and authenticity to every class. Together, they've spent decades teaching, performing, choreographing, competing, and inspiring thousands of students both on and off the dance floor.
Kimberly Parent
Owner & Artistic Director
"I believe dance should leave you smiling and feeling more confident than when you walked in."
❤️ Favourite Dance: It's a tie between Cuban Salsa and Bachata
☕ Fun Fact: I have visited Cuba more than 20 times and love organizing dance adventures around the world.
💃 Why I Dance:
Dance has introduced me to lifelong friends, incredible travel experiences, and a career I never imagined. I love watching students discover that same confidence and joy.
⭐ Experience:
Teaching Latin dance for over 20 years, owner of Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company, award-winning entrepreneur, organizer of international dance retreats, and instructor to thousands of students across Saskatchewan.
Schaeffer Murphy
Instructor & Performance Coach
"I believe dance classes should be a safe and encouraging environment where dancers feel supported while still being challenged."
❤️ Favourite Dance: Contemporary and Salsa
🏆 Fun Fact: I won my first World Championship title when I was just 12 years old.
💃 Why I Dance:
Dance allows me to express what I can't put into words. It has always been my safe space and the place where I feel most at home.
⭐ Experience:
Dancing for over 20 years with a foundation in ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Over five years of teaching and coaching experience, working with competitive dancers, teams, soloists, youth, and adult students in both technical training and performance development. Passionate about developing strong technique, artistry, musicality, and helping dancers understand the purpose behind every movement.
Ervin Kormos
Instructor & Choreographer
"Dance is magnetic—once it draws you in, it keeps pulling you back. A great dance class is more than learning steps; it's about creating connections, building confidence, and sharing the joy of movement."
❤️ Favourite Dance: Salsa & Bachata
🌍 Fun Fact: I caught the salsa and bachata bug in 2003, and I've been happily infected ever since. Not a day goes by without a little dance in my life.
💃 Why I Dance:
Once dance pulled me in, there was no turning back—and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.
⭐ Experience:
Teaching salsa and bachata since 2002, Ervin has been an instructor and choreographer with Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company since 2012. He teaches youth and adult classes, recreational programs, performance teams, and competes with SSDC's competitive team. Ervin has taught throughout Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean, and is passionate about musicality, salsa rhythms, and helping students grow both on and off the dance floor. Many of his former students have gone on to become professional dancers and open their own dance schools. A lifelong student himself, Ervin regularly travels the world to train, perform, and compete at Salsa and Bachata Congresses, bringing fresh inspiration and infectious enthusiasm back to every class he teaches.
Mariana Lessa
Instructor & Director of the SSDC Latin Team"I believe dance should make women feel empowered, comfortable, and confident in their bodies. I love helping women tap into their feminine energy by moving our bodies to music."
❤️ Favourite Dance: Traditional Brazilian & Latin Dance
☕ Fun Fact: I grew up in Brazil, where I've been dancing for as long as I can remember. Over the years I've explored many different styles of dance, but my heart has always belonged to the rich cultural traditions of Brazilian and Latin dance.
💃 Why I Dance: Dance makes me feel truly alive. It's my opportunity to step away from the everyday responsibilities of being a wife, mom, and healthcare professional, and simply be present in the music. I love the physical benefits of movement, the boost to my mental well-being, and the confidence it brings—but most of all, I dance for the joy of connecting with others.
⭐ Experience: With approximately 20 years of teaching experience, Mariana has shared her passion for dance through both recreational and performance programs. She was the principal choreographer for Ritmo Latino, has been an active member in Saskatoon's Latin and Brazilian community for many years, and has proudly served as the Director of the Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company Latin Team for the past three years.
Luke Kehrig
Instructor & Leader of Los Locos Team"Dance classes should be equal parts challenging and fun!"
❤️ Favourite Dance: Brazilian Zouk (with a close tie to Salsa!)
🎉 Fun Fact: I've dabbled in more than 20 different partner dance styles.
💃 Why I Dance:
Dance is great for the mind, body, and soul. The dance community is incredibly welcoming, and it's led to amazing friendships and unforgettable dance opportunities both here in Saskatchewan and around the world.
⭐ Experience:
Luke has been dancing his entire adult life, beginning with ballroom before expanding into salsa, bachata, Brazilian Zouk, West Coast Swing, two-step, and many other partner dance styles. He has been teaching, performing, and sharing his passion with Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company for over 15 years, helping students build confidence, develop strong fundamentals, and discover the joy of partner dancing.
James Dela Cruz
Instructor"Dance is a way of expressing, exploring, and connecting. A dance class is a tool you can use to grow, while also being a place to simply have fun."
❤️ Favourite Dance: Salsa & Bachata
🌱 Fun Fact: I didn't start dancing until adulthood, proving it's never too late to discover a new passion.
💃 Why I Dance:
Dance has opened me up to a whole new world. I used to be quite shy, but through dance I've learned to step outside my comfort zone, express myself, and explore the world around me while building incredible friendships and connections. Teaching has become another part of that journey, reminding me that every student learns differently and that instructors grow alongside their students.
⭐ Experience:
James began dancing in 2016 after joining a friend for a beginner class, never expecting that one invitation would change his life. Within a year, he was performing on stage and later joined Saskatoon Salsa's competitive teams. Since beginning his teaching journey in 2024, he has been passionate about helping others discover the same confidence, joy, and sense of belonging that dance has given him. Whether through social dancing, performance, or the classroom, James believes dance is a powerful way to connect, communicate, and grow.
