Instructors

Gloria "Clave" Zmolek gloria.zmolek@gmail.com Gloria became addicted to salsa dancing almost five years ago with her initial training from Modei Akyea in Iowa City. She has learned a lot about leading while teaching along side Darryl Carter for several years. Additionally, Gloria has taken classes and workshops from instructors in North Carolina, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Guatemala. She has attended three Salsa Congresses in Chicago and Puerto Rico, taking classes from Eddie Torres, Jason Molina, Juan Calderon, Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlow, Addie Rodriguez and many other well-respected dancers from around the world. She teaches in order to help spread the joy that salsa has given to her.

Laurel "Tica" Zmolek-Smith laurelzs@gmail.com Laurel took her first salsa lesson in Bolivia, and then continued to learn in North Carolina, Cuba and Puerto Rico.  She gave salsa lessons in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico for 2 years with students ranging from 3 years old to 72.  She has attended salsa congresses in Puerto Rico and Chicago for the last three years, and has learned from many instructors. Her main instructor is Robert Castillo of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.  She is happy to be back in Iowa teaching salsa at the side of her lovin' mama.

Ananda Adams-Zmolek ananda@bailelatino.org Ananda began her love affair with Latin dance one auspicious evening when a fabulous band called Los Amigos Invisibles happened to be the opening act at a concert she attended. She fell in love with the music further after hearing Yakare. It wasn’t long before her Aunt Gloria convinced her to learn how to dance. In 2003 she was on her way to becoming an addict, trekking to Iowa City every Sunday to take lessons from Modei Akyea. From there a salsera was born. She has attended the Chicago Salsa Congress, traveled to Puerto Rico, and quite frankly wished she lived in Chicago so a more reliable dance fix could be counted on. She has participated in workshops by Eddie Torres, Duplessey Walker, Gordon Neil, Andy Cruz and Tito y Tamara among others, and has an insatiable desire to learn more. She teaches to share one of her passions with anyone willing to learn.