Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela DiMaria.
Hi Pamela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My love of dance started at about age 4 when my mother put me in ballet class. Both parents and my dad’s family loved music and dancing!
In grade school, ballroom lessons were offered and in junior high level there were sock hops in the gym at lunchtime. My dancing continued at teen nightclubs in high school.
When my marriage ended, I started dancing again going from disco to reggae to Haitian dancing and eventually landed in the Latin dance world in Chicago which was, as one of my friends used to say, “too much fun”!!
My family transplanted themselves to Kentucky and Tennessee so I ended up here as well where I eventually took up Salsa lessons and dance again, sometimes traveling to out of town salsa festivals. I had also started teaching latin dance at my church because I was invited to.
Some years later, I begin teaching Salsa with Nicole and other local dance instructors.
I am now focusing on Cumbia in Nashville. along with the Cumbia crew of another teacher and teacher assistants. I still occasionally teach Salsa and in Hendersonville I teach beginner ballroom lessons.
Other hobbies and loves are butterfly gardening, travel, foreign languages, time spent with family and friends.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As far as teaching Cumbia, I feel it has been starting over learning what the hurdles are for the beginner students. Also living outside of Nashville is a bit of a challenge for me being able to participate more in the dance community.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I no longer work full-time, but some of my spare time is devoted to butterfly gardening and birdwatching. My HOA gave me permission to create a monarch butterfly waystation in the common area by my house; it helps support monarchs on their migration path and provides habitat for other pollinators and songbirds.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Be patient with yourself. Dance is a wonderful pastime and social outlet, especially good for introverts and helps build confidence.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cumbianashville?igsh=MXMyYjg2dmJjZjR4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16y7JkhGWh/?mibextid=wwXIfr
