Maria Luisa Torres
WHY DO I DANCE?
EXPRESSION
MINDFULNESS
CONNECTION
Dance goes beyond words. For me, dance is a way to express what I feel, what I think, and what I wonder. Dance is a way to ground myself in the present moment and to embrace my current state, which fosters authenticity. Exploring mindful movement helps me to build awareness and think critically. Through dance, I am able to connect with myself, others, my culture, and my community.
BIOGRAPHY
I am a dance instructor, performing artist, and dance therapist. My love for Latin Dance stems from my Puerto Rican roots and connection to my Latinx culture. I love to showcase my fierce and bold persona on stage, but also enjoy sharing my goofy and outgoing self with others off the stage. My passion for dance and psychology led me to pursue my Masters Degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling at Columbia College Chicago, where I gained a strong understanding of the importance of the mind-body connection. I use this skill set and approach with my students, aiming to shape well-rounded dancers through the power of movement.
EXPERIENCE
I began as a self-taught dancer. Dance has always been a part of my life, as it is ingrained in my Puerto Rican culture and community. My first exposure to dance choreography was at 9 years old at the Chicago Park District, where I performed at the yearly gym shows. I continued dance in high school, joining the pom-pon team and a student-led latin dance team. While in college at University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign, I danced with and co-directed Dance 2XS Caliente, a Latin hip-hop fusion team. In 2014, I began training with Gifted Souls Dance Company under the direction of Rocky Quinones, and performed in many of his thematic artistic productions. After two years of performing and training professionally in Bachata with the Legacy Dance Association, I was promoted to co-artistic director of the company. Additionally, I have trained and performed with Kachimbo Dance Company, under the direction of Angel Martinez. Currently, I am an Aritst in Residence at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center. I have performed on the stages at the Chicago International Salsa Congress, the Chicago Salsa Bachata festival, and for large corporate events, such as Google.