By Hywania Thompson | Photography by Hillary Schave
Since she was 7 years old, Samantha Trinidad knew she wanted to be a dance teacher and operate her own studio. Last March, her dream became reality when she opened Madison Ballroom Company after the dance studio she’d previously taught at for years, Tempo Madison, closed. At Madison Ballroom Company, Trinidad and her staff help people find their groove through waltz, tango, foxtrot, salsa and other dance forms.
“People who are going through a divorce, couples who are empty nesters… those who move to a new city. People are looking to find their place,” she says when describing the varied motivations behind why her students take classes.
Dance lessons are customized to each student, with the opportunity to perform as part of the studio’s formation team. They hold four performances throughout the year to showcase their work, in addition to mixers every Friday night where you can go, get a lesson on the spot and socialize with others. Trinidad says there’s something for everyone. “My goal is to make sure I can continue doing what I love and share my love of dancing.”