Jenna’s first formal brush with the world of dance came with over a decade of competitive cheerleading experience, throughout which she always felt most impassioned and comfortable moving through the more rhythmic choreography. The confidence and sass she gained from cheer performances so clearly translates into her growing dance style. 

At home, Jenna’s aunt would teach the family basic steps to merengue, bachata, and cumbia during the holidays while the food was cooking. Perhaps those fond familial memories were motivators in Jenna joining her university’s Salsa Club – though at the time she and her roommate may have told you they were just having fun. The beauty and intimacy of social dancing quickly elevated the club’s place in Jenna’s life from a fun hobby to her most beloved activity. Now, Jenna can hardly imagine a life without her love for Latin dance.

Jenna took her first salsa dance lesson with Viva’s own Nika Obrosova and Heriberto Perez. She has trained with numerous other artists from Cleveland, New York, and Cincinnati in salsa and bachata. In addition, Jenna actively travels to dance congresses, always eager to learn from new artists and grow in all styles of Afro-Latin dance.

Jenna is the current Vice President of the Case Salsa Club through which she teaches salsa lessons, performs with the salsa team, and is the director and choreographer for the bachata performance team. She has recently started training and teaching as part of Viva’s bachata department. While she adores performing, Jenna’s greatest passion is creating safe, connected & musical social dances as both a lead and a follow. 

Jenna is originally from Long Island, NY, an hour train ride from all that the five boroughs have to offer. When she is not dancing, she is studying to be a mechanical engineer, creating abstract paintings, or trying something new!

For the latest updates, follow along Jenna’s dance journey on Instagram: @jmontidance