Receiving a sponsorship from Harlequin: The Dance Store is an honour and learning experience for me. I have the opportunity to test and review new ballroom (salsa) dance shoes and share my knowledge with students, fellow instructors and other dancers.

I started dancing when I was 2 and a half years old at Studio One School of Performing Arts. I fell in love with dance even at such a young age. After a the first few years, I started taking ballet then eventually tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, pointe and modern.

When I was 14, I was introduced to the world of salsa dancing at an event called “Salsa at the Forks”. After I began taking lessons at Ted Motyka’s Dance Studio under the direction of Margaret Motyka.

Soon after, I joined a Salsa and Bachata team named Cubanisimo (now called RHR Latin Dance Company). After 1 year of training, I qualified to compete at the World Latin Dance Cup in Miami, Florida. I competed in 4 different Divisions at Worlds: Salsa team, Bachata team, Junior salsa solo, as well as Professional-Amateur Bachata couple. My team and I placed top 10 in all Divisions. I am proud to call myself a WORLD LATIN DANCE CHAMPION placing first in the Professional-Amateur Bachata Couple Division with one of my coaches & mentors, Harold Rancano.

This year, I have started teaching Salsa and Bachata at Drop In Dance Winnipeg, which has such a blessing to me. I absolutely adore sharing my knowledge and love for dance with others.

The staff at Harlequin is helping me with all the essentials that I need to further my career in dance, as well as to share my passion with others.

“No matter how good you are at your sport, there is always something new to learn!”

-Shyanne Carriere

If you want to read about another fabulous dancer, jump into our piece on Veta Moore.