The Dance Instructor

Post date: Dec 21, 2011 7:17:38 PM

CHRISTIAN FRANCO GUTIERREZ

http://danceplanetdaily.com/interview-christian-gutierrez/

International Dance Instructor Christian Franco was born and raised in Lima Peru and migrated to United States in 1992. His skills in dancing incorporates techniques he has learned by training from several renowned instructors in dances such as Country Western (1998), Ballroom (2000), Salsa (2003), Bachata (2005), Tango (2006), and recently most Kizomba (2011).

Natural for his teaching ability, Christian Franco has been invited to teach across the country and abroad. His classes are always fun, engaging, and empowering. He pays great attention to details and loves breaking down complex movements into easy to follow building blocks. He has conducted Afro-Latin workshops all across major cities in Texas: Dallas, Austin, Lubbock, San Antonio, Houston, as well around the US: West Palm Beach, FL, Atlanta, GA, Nashville, TN, New Jersey, NJ, Las Vegas, NV; New York, NY, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Internationally he has taught in Madrid, Spain; Paris, France; Hanoi, Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; Shanghai, China; and Taipei, Taiwan.

Christian Franco focuses on solely in giving his students the attention they need to overcome their two left feet. Dancing, traveling, and connecting with people has become his passion and he is ready to share his energy and knowledge with anyone willing to receive it.

"Never in my wildest dreams I would image God blessing me this way through dancing Salsa.

I'm thankful for the friends that I've been able to meet and for the things I've been able to do."

12 Things About Me

1. I am from Lima, Peru. This is a country that must be on your top 10 places to visit. It's just beautiful!

2. My guilty pleasure is So You Think You Can Dance show. I like it better than Dancing with the Stars.

3. For five years (age 11 to 16) I played the piano. My mother wanted me to enter a conservatory, but that changed when we migrated to United States looking for a brighter future.

4. Growing up, I didn't dance as many people think I have done for all my life. Even right after I graduated college, I didn't dance once. I was just too busy trying to finish my pre-med major while being in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University

5. A girl got me into dancing. I liked her so much, I was willing to do anything to impress her.

6. In Summer of 2005, I went Salsa crazy, addicted, junkie, whatever you call it. I would go dancing every night of the week except Mondays. My favorite spot was Taco Milagro in Kirby and Westheimer.

7. In 2007 I founded Latin Dance Factory. My first business card was a napkin with my name and phone number on it.

8. I hold a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Biology and a Masters of Public Health Degree in Epidemiology. I got into scientific research because my mom got diagnosed with cancer and she entered into new therapeutics trials that helped her extend her life.

9. I love teaching. I have been teaching since College. I started tutoring Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus. Later I was teaching Physics, Biology, and Chemistry. When I was in my Master's Program is was nominated Teacher Assistant of the Year - 2 years in the row. I taught Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Global Health to graduate students.

10. I am the only instructor in all of US with 4 certifications in Kizomba dance from Masters in Lisbon. I have also gained further training all over Europe: Warsaw, Poland; Milan, Italy; Paris, France; London, UK; and Madrid, Spain.

11. We created a few Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba applications for your iPhone so that you can learn on the go. The apps were positively featured in The New York Times on Nov 30th 2011.

12. I believe that everyone - no matter how uncoordinated and how many left feet they have should get into dancing. It will change your life if you just give it a chance.

Featured Interview!

"I hope to dance until my last days on this earth. It is my addiction and my gift. I want to pass it down to my children when that times comes."

Learn more about Christian Franco in a recent interview

with Dance Planet Daily