MUA @hollydeckermakeupartist
Kimberly Parent has always loved to dance, but when she discovered Cuban music and dance, there was an instant connection—something inside her changed. After spending two years training around the world, Kimberly opened up her dance school Saskatoon Salsa Dance Co. in 2005. The studio now offers everything from children and adult performance classes, rec classes, events, shows, and even an annual cultural immersion retreat to Havana, Cuba. Her children’s competitive teams have won numerous competitions in their category, including the 2021 World Latin Dance Cup.
Kimberly’s passion for dancing has led her to many places, and in many creative directions. One of her life’s purposes is to help women feel comfortable, confident, and sensual in their own bodies, using salsa dance as the medium. She has recently launched her signature course, Smokin’ Hot Salsa, to serve women all over north America who want to feel good in their bodies again, increase their confidence in dance and in life, and may need a gentle nudge along the way.
Kimberly has been awarded numerous accolades over the years including the 2019 Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year Award through WESK and, most recently, the 2020 SABEX Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Kimberly continually gives back to her community by supporting Indigenous and non-profit organizations in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. She is passionate about making the world a better place through the positive impact that dancing can have on children, individuals, and communities.
Kimberly’s new course Smokin’ Hot Salsa is a feel-good 6-week program to bring your sexy back, love your body, and harness your inner goddess – all through salsa dancing!
In this course, you will go from feeling like you have two left feet to feeling like a salsa dancing queen. Through this step by step guidance and instruction you will experience a transformation in your ability to dance, enthusiasm for life, and confidence in yourself and what you can accomplish! Dancing (after all) is good for the mind, body, and soul!
It is NEVER TOO LATE to learn how to dance.
I sat down with Kimberly Parent to learn more about her new online course and so excited to share more about what we talked about!
MUA @hollydeckermakeupartist
Q + A with Kimberly Parent and Beauty Editor Holly Decker
Q : Hi Kim! I am so excited about your new online course. I remember when I started taking a Salsa dance class with you and it was so fun! I remember being so nervous because I had never danced before and I thought I was definitely to old to start. What I loved so much was the amazing women that came together to dance, and we learned so much.
Can you talk about your online community of dancers and how it’s never to late to start dancing!
A. I absolutely loved teaching you! We had a blast together and so many laughs and great memories were made. I created this upcoming course for women 40+ who are complete beginner dancers or who haven’t danced for a while and want to get back into it. However, we still do accept women younger than 40.
Q. How do you learn how to dance online and what are the benefits to learning dance in an online platform?
A. We make this super simple by having a user friendly online platform where you can access all the class videos. We also have live zoom classes twice a week so that you can progress very quickly. All you need to be able to dance online is an internet connection, a little bit of space to move around in, and a willingness to have fun!
There are so many amazing benefits to dancing online. You don’t need a partner, there is a flexible learning schedule, and you can learn from anywhere! It is a great way to build up confidence, especially if you don’t feel ready to dance in a public or an in-person setting. By dancing in the comfort of your own home, you’ll develop skills quickly and be able to repeat as much as necessary. Taking a dance course online is an easy way to increase movement and exercise from home.
Q. Can you tell us more about this 6 week course and what all it includes?
A. The course is called Smokin’ Hot Salsa – Dance Course for Women 40+. Through this step by step guidance and instruction you will experience a transformation in your ability to dance, enthusiasm for life, and confidence in yourself and what you can accomplish! The dance course includes 12 live classes and practice sessions over Zoom, Q&A coaching calls, and bonus materials such as a Stretch & Flexibility class, Brazil Booty Shake Workouts, Mindset Coaching with bestselling author Jennifer Sparks, a music playlist, and so much more!
Q. I always love seeing how happy everyone is when they are dancing! Especially Salsa. I also see how dancing benefits the mind, body and soul. Can you share what you have seen from a health and wellness perspective ?
A. Oh wow, I could go on and on about this one! Dancing has been scientifically proven to slow down aging and boost memory. When you dance, serotonin is released meaning dancing quite literally makes you happier! Besides that, dancing also improves balance, coordination, and cardiovascular health. From a holistic wellness perspective, dancing is such an easy way to lift your spirits, live in the moment, and bring some added joy into your life.
MUA @hollydeckermakeupartist
MUA @hollydeckermakeupartist
Q. I see how much you love dancing and are so passionate as a teacher. Can you tell me how you got started in dance and your journey to opening a studio and teaching ?
A. I have always loved to dance. Even as a little girl I was obsessed with dancing and with making up routines. I didn’t get any formal training until I took a recreational jazz class in my late teens. It was when I randomly stumbled across a flyer advertising salsa classes that my life changed forever. When I heard Cuban music, something inside me shifted and I knew my life was going on another path. I have now been teaching salsa for over 16 years, I’ve had over 3000 students, and I have travelled all over the world. I have a studio in Saskatoon where I teach in-person and I now have my online studio where I teach and connect with so many amazing women.
Q. Who inspires you?
A. I will forever be inspired by the women in my circle. I have an incredible community of women who are artists, entrepreneurs, mothers, grandmothers, healers, and of course, dancers. I am in awe of every single one of them and they constantly inspire, encourage, and lift me up!
Q. I know we both love to read, what are some of your favourite books or what are you currently reading?
A. Lately I have been loving Atomic Habits and Miracle Morning. My all time favourite book that I come back to again and again is The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer.
Q. For a little bit of fun and since I have been lucky enough to do your makeup for years, what would be your top three beauty products you can’t live without ?
A. I love the Bodyography products that you use on me – especially the foundation and the bronzer! The other products I can’t live without would be my Eminence Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant and my Vivier CE Peptides.
Q. And last but not least, can anyone sign up for your online course anywhere in the world? And what is the final date to register for this upcoming course.
A. Absolutely! We already have women joining in from across Canada and we welcome anyone to the program! The cart to the program closes on February 4th.
I love that it’s never to late to start dancing or to dust off your old dancing shoes and get started again.
Now you can do this in the comfort of your home with amazing instruction.
“Inside every dancer there is a beginner who fell in love”
xx
Beauty Editor
