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Home » Dance Instruction » Instructor Bios » Jen Piceno

Jen Piceno

Jen Piceno has been an instructor, performer and leader in Salsambo Productions since 2002, after leaving her role as a corporate executive due to her love of dance.

With a simple philosophy that hard work pays off, she is always encouraging her students that no matter their age or background, any one can dance. Jen always says, "I do not come from a classically trained background. In fact, my background is sales and marketing. Dance did not come easy to me especially being the Tom boy that I am. It was sweat, hard work and determination that has truly transformed me into a performer, instructor, and studio owner."

With a desire to always learn more, she continues with ongoing training to continuously better her instructional skills, personal development, dance styles, and creative elements in the arts. Jen’s passion for dance, along with her love of theater productions, has inspired her to take Salsambo Productions to the next level. Jen says "expect the unexpected from Salsambo”. While dancing for Salsambo Productions, Jen has had the opportunity to dance on stage with Albita, Oscar de Leon and Elvis Crespo.

As a production company leader Jen has enabled Salsambo Productions to increase its class offerings, develop huge productions, and create amazing new choreography that you will have to see to believe." The overall growth has lead to the opening of her own dance studi which opens March 2008.

Other Training
M.A.C. Cosmetics, theater arts, costuming, amateur boxing, martial arts, fitness training, with current studies in Spanish, folklõrico, and Cuban dance history.

Projects
Opening the Salsambo Dance Studio in March 2008. Also currently authoring a cookbook to be released by the end of the year.

Interests
I am a thrill seeker at heart. My passions include sky diving, rock climbing, boxing, kick-boxing, Martial arts, anything that makes my heart pound and my adrenaline race. "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all". I think that is partically what attracts me to the high energy, heart pounding tricks and flips that Salsambo performances offer.

Creative Inspiration

As an instructor	Every new student is a unique source of inspiration.
As a performer	Culture (past and present), old classic movies, cabaret, magazines, fashion and glamour - What I see, read and experience becomes absorbed into what I want to create.
As someone who loves to learn	The ability to change, constant pursuit for personal growth, and the understanding that I will never have time for everything. This is the simple inspiration that keeps my life interesting.
As a woman	Love the fact that you are sexy. It is a fantastic feeling that within one song you can be creatively flirty, sensual, naughty, shy, aggressive, and elegant.

Advice to new dancers
Everyone starts in the same place. Don't be discouraged by roadblocks; don't worry if other people are dancing better than you (even if they don't want to admit it....they were beginners once too). Turn your weaknesses into strengths by being determined. Most importantly, let excitement and passion take you to a new level.