Meet The Team
Abel Herrera
Director and Co-Founder
Hailing from Havana, Cuba—the heart of Latin rhythms—Abel has dedicated more than 25 years to the art of dance. Since 1997, he has been inspiring students in Dublin and Stockholm with his infectious passion and expert knowledge.
His dance journey began at age 15 when he first experienced the thrill of salsa. Since then, he has cultivated a deep appreciation for a variety of Latin genres and mastered unique techniques that define his teaching style today.
At Dublin Salsa Academy, Abel shares his energy and positivity alongside his partner Alina, delivering thoughtfully crafted classes that empower dancers to reach their full potential. Recently, he’s also been exploring his musical roots by learning to play the bongos.

DANCE INSTRUCTORS

Senior Dance Instructor
Jonathan Navarrete

Born in Quito, Ecuador, Jonathan’s journey into the world of dance began in January 2017 as a complete beginner. He quickly fell in love with Salsa, especially Cuban and Line Salsa styles. Within a year, he expanded his repertoire to include Bachata, immersing himself in Dublin’s vibrant dance scene.
Guided by his life philosophy of Kaizen—continuous improvement—Jonathan trained with top teachers and schools across Dublin. His hard work and dedication caught the eye of Alina and Abel, who invited him to join the Dublin Salsa Academy family.
Now a dance trainer and performer, Jonathan has graced stages at numerous dance events across Ireland. Beyond dance, he also brings his expertise in design, marketing, and business strategy—playing a pivotal role in shaping the creative and professional direction of DSA.

Dance Instructor
Bilge

Originally from Turkey, Bilge began her dance journey in 2013 with her university swing dance team. After moving to Istanbul, she discovered her love for Salsa and Bachata through local Latin socials.
In 2019, she joined Berkan’s class and started attending festivals while developing a keen interest in ladies’ styling. She began taking solo classes from top Turkish instructors, which helped elevate her expression and technique.
Soon after relocating to Dublin, Bilge reconnected with Berkan and joined the Dublin Salsa Academy team. Her grace, commitment, and energy make her a natural fit—bringing inspiration and flair to every class.

Dance Instructor
Guillermo

Born in Mexico, Guillermo’s love for music started young—learning piano and guitar shaped his strong sense of rhythm. He enjoyed dancing casually, but discovering Salsa and Bachata took that love to another level.
After 1.5 years of training in Mexico, he made the bold move to Dublin for new experiences. From his first class at Dublin Salsa Academy, he felt at home in the community.
Guillermo is known for his relaxed, musical leading style. He brings ease and joy to every dance, helping partners connect with the music and moment.

Dance Instructor
Kevin

Kevin, originally from Ireland’s west coast, began dancing with a focus on Breakdance and Freestyle. He later joined his university’s breakdance crew and even taught it for years, continuing through his master's in Scotland.
His love for Salsa and Bachata began during travels in South America in 2016. After returning to Ireland, he trained at Dublin Salsa Academy and quickly rose through the ranks.
With a sharp eye for detail, high energy, and a fun teaching style, Kevin is now a key instructor at DSA, known for blending breakdance creativity with Latin flair.

Dance Instructor
Berkan

Berkan, from Istanbul, Turkey, began dancing through Turkish Folk traditions in school. In high school, he explored hip-hop and modern dance, but it was at university where Latin dance truly resonated with him.
He dove into Salsa and Bachata in 2014, training at international festivals and learning from world champions. In 2017, he joined Danskeyfi Dance Academy and became an instructor assistant.
Shortly after moving to Dublin, he joined Dublin Salsa Academy. His infectious energy and technical skills make him a standout instructor who brings passion and precision to every class.

Dance Instructor
Zaria

Zaria, born and raised in Ireland, discovered her passion for Salsa and Bachata while living in Melbourne in 2017. There, she spent two years diving into dance—training, performing, and exploring Reggaeton.
She returned to Ireland with her dance spirit still alive, attending congresses and staying active in the local Latin scene. The community, music, and energy continue to inspire her.
Now part of the Dublin Salsa Academy team, Zaria is committed to growing her skills and sharing the joy of dance with others on and off the floor.
TRAINEES & ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS
Meet our team of Trainees and Assistants.
We carefully select who joins our team to provide you with the best Sylabus delivery rate for reliable progress.
All our Trainees and Assistants are or once have been our Students. We believe in our teaching methods and provide the opportunity for talented eager individuals to become Dance Instructors.


JULIA
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
Julia was born in Kalisz, Poland. Her dance journey began at the ripe age of four in kindergarten. After moving to Ireland at six years old, she continued to explore different dance styles, determined to find the one that she enjoys the most.
Julia discovered salsa and bachata in Barcelona through her cousin, who was eager to introduce her to her social dancing journey. After walking into her first dance social, Julia wanted nothing more than to be a part of that community.
Shortly after returning to Dublin, Julia took her first class at Dublin Salsa Academy and knew immediately that she has found her place and people. After dedicating herself to these dance styles, she has become a fresh face in the DSA instructors family.


JENNIFER
TRAINEE
Born in India, Jennifer is a passionate dancer trained in salsa, bachata, and kizomba, and loves doing shines. She was also part of her university's dance crew. When she isn't dancing she's either swimming or gaming. Professionally, she works in IT and loves the creative escape dance provides from her day job. She looks forward to sharing her love for dance at Dublin Salsa Academy.


LUKE
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Luke started his dance journey at the age of 9 when he was inspired by Michael Jackson’s ‘You Rock My World’ choreography. he was inspired to take up hip-hop and break dance. He loves all forms of music, ranging from Jazz, Rock, Hip-Hop, and of course the Latin variety.
In August of 2022 he began his salsa and bachata journey as a student in DSA. Before long he was training to be an assistant teacher.
Luke comes from a musical background, often performing music in the city centre, he plays several instruments including guitar and piano. Other vocations/ passions of his include Zoology , Voice acting, Radio Production and more!!
Although he is early in his Latin dance journey, his passion for helping others, self-growth, and determination to improve his skills shines through his energetic and passionate disposition.


NOEMI
TRAINEE
Noemí is a primary school teacher from Spain who currently lives in Dublin, Ireland. She has always felt a deep vocation for teaching, driven by her love for children and her belief that childhood is the most important stage of life, deserving of time and dedication. Warm, empathetic, and incredibly determined, Noemí doesn’t stop until she achieves her goals. In addition to her passion for teaching, she finds great joy in decorating, singing, and dancing. A lifelong lover of flamenco, she discovered a newfound love for salsa and bachata two and a half years ago at the best dance academy in Dublin, where she also collaborates with an inspiring and supportive team. Her dream is to unite her two greatest passions, teaching and dancing, to continue growing not only as a dancer or future dance instructor but also as the best version of herself.
ADMIN TEAM


MUSTAFA
SENIOR ADMIN


TARIK
ADMIN