Today we’d like to introduce you to Yaileen Otalvaro
Hi Yaileen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Born in Miami, Florida, then moved to San Antonio, Texas when I was seven years old this city raised me and is part of my personality and the way I am.
My first dance memory was when I was six years old choreographing to Hit the Lights by Selena Gomez with my cousin, and we would perform them at Christmas or family gatherings. Music was all around me with movies like step up honey and shows like America best dance crew. Music is a big part of my culture. As a first generation, American Colombian. Salsa and Latin music runs through my blood. As a family, we loved to dance at social gatherings. as I got older, I realize that whenever music was on, I just wanted to dance, and it became my secret in the way of expressing myself and how I truly feel. I I didn’t grow up going to any dance, studios or classes. I just learned off YouTube or freestyle in my room. When I downloaded TikTok in 2019, I started making dance videos and posting them on the platform. When I would dance, I would have visions of formations and choreography, but I didn’t know how to effectively showcase or explained my vision properly, especially since I had no dance experience. During the Covid pandemic, I made the move to San Diego not knowing that this move would change my life forever. I started working at hospitals around San Diego as a medical receptionist and technician. i found a latin studio, that was promoting their new teacher assistant work study program. I had applied gotten an interview and landed the position as a TA. I started started learning salsa on 1, Bachata, and Mambo on 2. I was able to pick up the moves and understand them more as I continued to go to my shifts two/three times a week for the next two years. Fell in love with mambo and joined the ladies styling team and intermediate partner work team. Where I performed at local dance venues,
and salsa congresses. The summer of 2023 I decided to leave the medical field and go back to school and become a full-time dancer. In school, I dance 20 hours a week and I have performed and choreographed in the student fall concerts; and performed in the faculty spring concert. This spring 2025 semester I am part of the Grossmont College Dance Company. The last two years has its highs and lows, but each lesson and each experience has made the person where I am today. I’ve become a much confident dancer and a confident person for pursuing my dream. I recently joined AY FUEGO dance company as a co-Director of Salsa Ladies Team and a member/assist on the Ay Fuego Elite Advance Team. This has been a dream of mine since I started my salsa training. I am in the top five, of Ciera’s dance icon competition. The winner will be in her music video and 20,000! Im hopefully! This opportunity would change my life and I really am so blessed to have a great community and support system. I can’t wait for what the future has in store for me and I will continue to dance with love and passion.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When they made the switch to leave the medical field to pursue dance, full-time was a internal battle I had with myself. my family had their concerns with good intentions. They just wanted to me to be happy and to be strategic about my plan moving forward. A strong girls I faced were the limiting beliefs I had about my potential and self.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Stretch U in Kearny Mesa, I specialize in assisted stretching to help clients enhance their flexibility, mobility, and muscle health. I absolutely love my job—I’m fortunate to work with an amazing team and have built strong connections with the clients who come in. It’s incredibly rewarding to help people feel better. My dance background plays a big role in my work, and in return, I’ve learned valuable stretch and health tips that have improved my life. This knowledge allows me to positively impact others both in the workplace and within the dance community.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
my advice would be is to be super clear on what you want to achieve and what is your goal and then do your research on not only how to get there but to find someone who has already obtain that dream/goal of yours. It could be a local mentor for example & you should reach out to them through social media or email. If they attend any events or host any classes/pop up. I recommend showing up, and introducing yourself and even have some questions to ask them when you meet them for the first time.
networking in the Salsa world, is introducing yourself to promoters and/or mentors that you wanna work with or learn from
Pricing:
- private lesson for hiphop/Jazz/Salsa/Bachata is $60
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayzyao and https://www.instagram.com/yaybailar
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/jayjay2991
- Other: https://danceicon.org/2025/yaileen
