LAURA LUU, SALSA INTOCABLE — Laura Luu, founder and director of Salsa Intocable Dance Company, has been a key player and has contributed tremendously to the growth and spur of the salsa dancing scene in the city of Long Beach, CA - a city on the outskirts of Los Angeles and part of the LA Salsa scene. 

With all the diversity that exists in the city of Los Angeles when it comes to salsa dancing, 'Salsa Intocable Dance Company (SIDC)' is surely a name that you come across very often in the LA salsa scene. The company is fairly new, founded in 2008, but it has grown rapidly and currently has over 40 dancers training and performing routines in their Pro/Am team, Semi-pro team, Professional team, and Ladies' team.

Its growing membership surely makes SIDC an important part of the current Los Angeles Salsa Scene, and with their growth patterns, their expansion further in into the city of LA and other areas is eminent.

So, who is Laura Luu and how has she managed to grow her "Intocable Project" so effectively?

Laura fell in love with Salsa dancing at the Mayan Nightclub in downtown Los Angeles. On a normal night-out with the girls, Laura had gone to the Mayan with friends for their hip hop room, but as soon as she walked in she noticed the couples twirling around on the main floor and was captivated by them. She tells us how she could not move away from the main floor and stayed there the whole night, leaning over the railing at the mezzanine, staring at the dancing couples all night long. The very next day, Laura was taking her first Salsa lesson. 

Coming from a jazz, ballet, and theatre background, Laura was quick to pick up Salsa dancing.

Laura credits instructors like Francisco Vazquez and the Salsa Brava Dance Company, which was still teaching at the time, for her foundation in salsa dancing. From there, she joined several dance companies such as Salsa Confunkshon, Liz Lira's dance company, and Joby Brava's dance company.

Laura demonstrated that she was truly committed to her dancing, which allowed her to eventually sub for Liz Lira's salsa classes when Liz could not attend, teach some of Liz's privates, and coach team rehearsals. This is why Laura tells us, "Liz remains, to this day, a great inspiration to me and a good source of encouragement in my salsa career."

Soon after, Laura was asked to coach the Cal State Long Beach dance team, which was founded by Kevin Ngo. That gave her a platform on which she could really develop as an instructor and dance director, and after five seasons of coaching the CSULB dance team, she felt that it was time to start her own dance company. 

The Salsa Intocable Dance Company initially only had one level and about five dancers in total, but after just one year they added an amateur team as more people had gained an interest in SIDC and desired to join. 

Laura, who comes from a corporate and business background, ran the SIDC company as a business, being diligent about rehearsals, developing and nurturing healthy relationships amongst members, expecting responsibility and professionalism from even its amateur members, and emphasizing the importance of continuity and proper organization in the planning of all things 'SIDC'.

Naturally, when you treat something so seriously and with so much respect and care for it, you are bound to find success in what you do. This is exactly what happened to SIDC and why it has grown so noticeably, not just having 40 current members, but with almost 100 alumni ex-members in the short 3 years they have been around. 

One of Laura's main goals with her SIDC dancers has been that they learn the best salsa technique possible, learn about teamwork, communication, and accountability. Such has caused the quality of dancers and dancing developed from the team to be better and always improving. SIDC is a close-knit group where members help each other succeed; humility is a key factor and sincere friendship is an underlying core of their working relationship.

Truly, SIDC is a well-led dance company and we can foresee more growth with it. 

Amongst other accomplishments in Laura's salsa dancing career, she has co-produced the "College Salsa Congress", an event that takes place in early May and which its going on its 5th year of production. The event is much like a regular Salsa Congress, but it caters mainly to college students ages 18-21, who come to dance, perform, and meet each other from different colleges. They currently have approximately 25 colleges in attendance every year and they display their talents in exhibitions and competitions. What a great idea this is and what a great way to promote salsa dancing it truly is! Great job, Laura and the other co-producers of the event!

In the future, Laura seeks to grow SIDC to a level where dancers get paid for rehearsals and performances, much like the famous European dance companies do, where dancers are truly treated as professionals who make a living off the dance company they dance for. She also looks forward to continue supporting Salsa in Los Angeles and to promote unity among promoters, dancers, instructors, and key players, to bring greater exposure to Salsa.

A passionate instructor, Laura continues teaching her dance lessons and feeding off the experience of teaching her students. She tells us that she loves to see her students gain confidence on the dance floor and the lasting effect salsa can have for them. She loves to make a special connection with people through salsa and instruction, and continues to grow as a student of the genre. 

Salsa has given a lot to Laura and she intends to give back with fervor and passion for the dance. She met her fiancee in the salsa scene, she has built a career out of her passion, and she continues to plan ahead to seek further growth and development of her productions. All reasons why we know Laura Luu has become and will continue being a key player, not just in Long Beach, but in the world famous, the one and only, Los Angeles Salsa Scene.

Laura and her Salsa Intocable Dance Company can be reached at the following:

INFO ABOUT SALSA INTOCABLE DANCE COMPANY (SIDC)

Our website:  www.SalsaIntocable.com

You can reach me at Laura@SalsaIntocable.com or Info@SalsaIntocable.com

Phone Number:  213.632.9607

Here is Laura's Weekly Class Schedule:

Mondays @ CSULB Sports & Rec: SALSA LEVEL 1-2 (7PM to 8PM)

Tuesdays @ Psalms Dance Studio, Long Beach: “Secrets & Techniques of the Advanced Dancer” (7PM to 8:30PM)

Wednesdays – PRIVATES in Long Beach

Thursdays – PRIVATES in Los Angeles

Saturdays – Ladies Styling

Sundays @ LA Dance Center, Los Angeles SALSA LEVEL 1-2 (3PM to 4PM) / PERFORMANCE DANCE CLASS (4PM to 6PM) 

WATCH ONE OF "SALSA INTOCABLE"'s PERFORMANCE AT THE GRANADA SALSA CLUB IN LOS ANGELES, CA:

---------------------------------------