Susana Montero - The Gem of London

Susana Montero is, by far one of the most sought-after female Salsa instructors in Europe. She has been teaching and performing in London for the past decade and is now one of the premier Salsa instructors in all of Europe.  A popular instructor/performer at many Congresses, Susana has a very dedicated following of both men and women. Women love her styling techniques, and the men love the way she teaches partnering. She is able to convey to the men what a woman wants in the lead and how to execute it properly and comfortably for the woman. For the women, she teaches when and how to style, without ever interrupting his lead. 

Not many people know that Susana is educated above and beyond that of the average Salsera. She has her PhD in Psychology from Complutense Madrid University in Spain.  Susana doesn’t flaunt her experience, talent, nor education.  She is the most down-to-earth woman on the face of this planet.  She is just as beautiful inside as she is outside.

Susana recently got married to the love of her life Yuriy Saskevych, and I never thought a person could glow as much as she is now. 

Susana’s styling videos are a phenomenon. Her attention to detail is paramount.

Although I’ve seen her teach with various partners, I prefer when she teaches on her own. When she teaches with a partner, you miss out on all the humor and details that only Susana Montero can give. When she teaches on her own, her true colors as a top-notch instructor shine. Her natural humor comes out as her audiences crack up at her wit. Susanna is not only a fabulous instructor, but fabulous person as well.

We've had personal, very in-depth conversations about lead and follow together.  There have been many  Congresses when I pull her aside and ask her dance so she can critique my leading techniques.  I want to make sure I'm still doing it right, teaching the guys correctly, and keep up with any new and unique technique coming along. 

She re-taught me how to turn right again.  A simple right turn.  Her technique does not put strain on the woman's right hip.  I grabbed a hold of her technique like a dog and a bone and studied it, as Susanna currently does not experience any hip pain what so ever. 

Susanna is loved by everyone who meets her.  Her students rave about her classes, and I hear nothing but warm and wonderful things about this woman, literally all the time.  Susanna is the type of person that is automatically your friend.  She brings the fun back into the dance with her smile.  She brightens up London in a way no one else can.  Simply put, Susanna is amazing. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very proud to introduce to you, Susana Montero, The Gem of London.

Where were you born, and where do you live now?

I was born in Spain and moved to London, England in August 1995

What and when did you get started dancing Salsa?

I started dancing in early 1998,I friend of mine took me to a salsa club.  I didn’t want to go at first.  I was in London and I was learning the language so I wanted to go where English people go, so I could practice as much as possible, and a Latin club wasn’t in my list.  But my friend (her name is Susana as well) insisted so much that I finally went along.  As soon as I got into this club I loved it.  It was a dark and hot club called Villa Stefano, which unfortunately closed down a couple of years ago.  I had the best time in a long time.  What type of job did you have before you started teaching Salsa full time?

I was dancing for The National Ballet Company in Madrid since I was 14.While still dancing I studied Psychology at the University.  I also worked as a Psychologist before moving to London.  I find it fascinating that you have your PhD in Psychology, and you teach Salsa full time. Why is that?

I moved to London because I needed a break from my work.  Working with teens and drug addicts wasn’t easy.  That was my job as a Psychologist, but I really needed some time off.  Salsa was something new and fresh.  I missed dancing when I moved to London so Salsa was like a second chance for me to be able to keep in contact with the dancing world.  What attracted you to Salsa?

Definitely the dance.  I already knew about the music; played in Spain all the time and which I learnt to appreciate more and more with time, but I had never seen people having so much fun in my life.  You didn’t need to know anybody,  you didn’t need to talk just dance.  Remember that I was new in London, I didn’t know anyone and I didn’t speak a word of English, so Salsa was just perfect for me.  Do you know any other dances?

Yes, I’ve been dancing since the age of five, Ballet was my career for many years.  When you dance for a main Ballet Company in Spain you also have to learn Flamenco and Contemporary as part of your training.  I also learnt Jazz and Afro Cuban dance.

How did you learn what worked, and what didn’t?
Practice.  If you want to teach you need to have an answer for every question your students may have.  You will always have to know more than them, at least during the period while they are learning from you until you cannot teach them no more .Leading and following techniques are essential for a teacher.  As Super Mario did teach me you have to try a new move in at least 10 different women to make sure it works before to teach it in a lesson.  You need to make sure that it leadable and they will be able to use it on the dance floor.  I’ve danced with you as both the follower and the lead. Your lead is impeccable. Who taught you?

After winning my first salsa competition in 1998 I started leading because I wanted to start teaching and I wanted to do it by myself,  so I tried some of the improvers and intermediate lessons in some Congresses where there were too many women.  I really liked it.  It was such a challenge.  Many women helped me by telling me how the moves felt.  But the first person who showed me how to lead was Lazaro who I met in Cuba.  He was very good in details.  Later on, when I starting dancing CBL Eddie Torres and Nelson Flores taught me a lot.  And of course the person that I learn the most from about leading is Mario, and still is.  You can follow virtually anything. Who taught you how to dance?

When I started dancing I couldn’t make any lessons because I used to finish work too late so I used to go straight to the clubs. I could follow but my technique wasn’t good enough.  After winning that competition in 1998 I realize that if I wanted to take this seriously I had to learn properly. I decided the best think to do was traveling to the countries where Salsa had been for long time and there were people I could learn from. I started in Cuba, then Colombia, Puerto Rico, NY, Miami, LA……. Leaning the different styles in their own countries made a lot of sense to me.

Susanna, I’ve seen you perform with many different partners, is it difficult to juggle so many routines?

 Not really, as long as I practice regularly I’m ok.  The different people I had performed with are completely different and that helps me when It comes to remember routines.  Which is your favorite country to teach, and why?

The beauty about my job is to be able to attend events all over the world. From the structural point of view, they are all the same (workshops, evening parties, shows) but the people who attend them are all different. My favorite one is the Berlin Congress, which is more like a family event. It’s small enough and allows you the chance to get to know the students a bit more. I really like the LA Congress, which is the opposite to Berlin, in that it’s huge! I think everybody should experience the biggest Salsa Congress once in their life. You don't get the chance to get the best dancers and live bands in the world under the same roof very often. I also love the events in Russia, Switzerland, Singapore, Mexico and Spain for their people, who are so enthusiastic and genuine. But as I said, people make the difference in all the events, so they are all special in their own way.  I want to mention all of them....................

I adore your Ladies Styling video. Can you describe it for us.

 I did my " LADIES STYLING 1"  DVD thinking of the European students with Cuban Style background who where learning the CBL Styling.  Basically I cover all techniques in following and spinning in partner-work.  Then the video is divided in Styling with a partner and by yourself. I do short shines(1 or 2 bars) easy for people to remember and also easy to practice if you are not used to shine.  I also give them longer shines(6-8 bars) with I show with another two girls Maureen Levermore and Emma Moore, who are two of the best dancers in the UK.  They both have their own styles so people can see the same footwork being done in different ways.  And finally Styling with your partner which covers little things that you can do in CBL, after a spin, in Open Breaks……I also have Super Mario and Leon Rose helping me to demonstrate in this video.  My" LADIES STYLING 2 ",which just recently came out is completely different.  The first part I work in body isolation (head, shoulders, rips, hips, arms) with a lot of exercises to practice at home.  I show them how to use all that isolation in just the basics steps.  In the second half, I show 8 different shines (5-7 bars each) putting all that isolation into practice including head and body rolls.

 

Do you plan on making more in the future?

Yes, I am currently working on the material for my next DVD which will hopefully be available Autumn nextyear(06).I’m working in a more advance Ladies Styling in partnerwork.  Who were/are some of your mentors?