The world of Salsa dancing has an ambassador in Fox's world-famous "So You Think You Can Dance" television dance show. Her name is Cristina Santana, age 24, from San Diego, CA, and who was originally born in Mexicali, Mexico. She is one of the 11 contestants (5 girls, 6 guys) in Season 7 of the very popular and highly acclaimed SYTYCD show.

Cristina had, for a while, made her presence felt in Los Angeles and San Diego with her participation in various salsa competitions, performing at popular salsa events, and being a shining star on the social dance floor after each of those performances. Her style is on1, flashy, a bit raw and not so fluid in body movement, but what makes her stand out is her determination and assured drive, her heart, and her charisma. I remember when I first saw her competing at the Top Ladies Salsa Competition in 2008 and she completely blew the audience away with her solo performance (SEE VIDEO BELOW), and although she did not win that competition at the finals, she left a mark in L.A. and people began asking who was that girl from Mexicali. I personally gave her lots of kudos after the finals round night, as one of her friends assured me that she would go places and she was super-talented.

Cristina has consistently demonstrated that she simply has heart and she wants it more than anybody else. She has always believed that something great could come to her if she just kept on trying and now it has. The world will be watching as Cristina Santana competes against other amazing 10 dancers in So You Think You Can Dance, Season 7. 

I don't know how Cristina will do when she has to perform choreography in other forms of dance, such as contemporary and hip hop, but I know that she will surely give it her all and it might just be that her charisma will give her an edge over other contestants. I surely hope so! I sense that because her body seems, at times, a bit stiff and rigid, that she might have the most trouble with contemporary choreography, but might do well enough in hip hop to advance to future rounds. 

Well, we are very proud of you Cristina! I am sure that you will come out of this opportunity a more mature and improved dancer, with a desire for body fluidity, looseness, and more flow in movement. I know that if you did apply those aspects of dancing into your salsa or if you ventured into other forms of professional dance, that a lot of great things could happen to you! You have proven to yourself and others that it is possible to grab your dreams if you truly want to do it and are willing to pay the price of it. Good luck to you!

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Determination: Cristina did try-out for Season 6 of SYTYCD and made it to Vegas, but failed to make it into the Top 20 that season. She came back for Season 7 and made it to Vegas again, but this time, she did make it into the top 11 set of dancers who will be showcased on television. Tune in! 

SYTYCD Website: http://www.fox.com/dance/

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CRISTINA SANTANA COMPETES AT THE "TOP LADIES SALSA COMPETITION" IN 2008