Barbara
Capaldi
has been a dance instructor and coach since 1987. Barbara has
received an Associates degree, as well as Bachelors' degree in
Education from Rutgers University. This past July 2004, Barbara
achieved her Licentiate Degree from the United States Imperial
Society of Teachers of Dancing for International Style dances.
Obtaining this Licentiate Degree has been a goal that was five
years in the making. Barbara consistently strives to use her continued
education to be the best teacher for her students.
Barbara began
teaching weekly salsa lessons at the 8th Floor Night Club in Philadelphia
from 1999 until the club closed it's doors in 2003. This venture
was highly successful and attracted many dancers from the salsa
community in the tri-state area. Barb has taught at the Stardust
Ballroom, Zanzibar Blue and 8th street Lounge. Barb currently
teaches Salsa lessons throughout the city of Philadelphia and
southern New Jersey at very popular establishments such as Samba
Night Club, Rock Lobster(summer season).
In 2001 Barb
realized her longtime dream of opening a dance studio. The Atrium
Dance Studio has become one of the premiere dance establishments
in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area. Barbara specializes in
salsa lessons, in addition to tango, swing, hip-hop and ballroom
dance styles including, foxtrot, quick-step and waltz. The Atrium
Dance Studio caters to dancers of all types.
In addition
to to teaching in the community and at the dance studio, Barbara
directs and is coach and choreographer for the Atrium's latin
dance team Salseros Unidos. Salseros Unidos and the Ladies of
Salseros Unidos have gone on to participate in dance clubs and
at special events locally, nationally and internationally. Salseros
Unidos has participated in Salsa Congresses in Toronto, Boston,
Philadelphia, Puerto Rico and New York.
Barbara also performs with Salseros Unidos in some of the routines.
Barbara considers this group to be one of the rewards of her career
in dance and has expressed that she is Salsero Unidos' biggest
fan.
Barbara also
coaches the University of Pennsylvania's Onda Latina Dance Performance
Team, and Ballroom Dance Club.
Barbara takes
great pride in coaching the pageant participants for the annual
coronation of Miss PuertoRico for the San Juan Bautista Puertorrican
Day Parade". Barbara has choreographed the girls routine
for the past four years, and has become recognized as a Platinum
level scholarship sponsor for her participation in the scholarship
program. Proceeds from the Latin Night raffle sales benefit the
scholarship fund.
Other accomplishments
include Rutgers University Dance Team, University of Delaware
Formation Team and Dance Club, Wharton Business School, Discovery
Home Show, Gordon's Furniture TV commercial, Channel 6 ABC local
televised show of the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and Green's
Ice Cream commercial. Barbara has starred in several Atlantic
City Dance Productions, television commercials and has performed
in national competitions.
www.atriumdance.com