We had the pleasure of training the reigning Miss USA, Kristen Dalton, for her first Salsa showcase with BAILA Society – the debut was the closing showcase at the 9th Annual NY International Salsa Congress alongside 9-Time Grammy Winner Eddie Palmieri in front of thousands of people from all over the world.

We started training Kristen in July 2009 – a natural talent and an ambitious and daring dancer, we decided to go for the biggest stage in the Mambo world.

Then, Kristen had to go to the Bahamas for a month to compete in the Miss Universe contest and we only had 4 days in early September to get her performance ready.

Leaving the safety of the studio behind to do the tech rehearsal on the huge stage of the ballroom in front of renowned international artists panic kicked in two days before the show.

This was unchartered territory for both BASo as well as the Miss Universe Organization, an attempt to bridge cultures and expose new audiences to the art form – key executives from both MUO and the Donald Trump Organization RSVP’d, along with the new Miss Universe, Miss RDUS and Miss NY.

The BASo apprentice company created a short Vegas showgirl style intro and then it was time for Kristen to display passion and sabor.

The BASo/MUO showcase was a big success with the public, dancers and the media alike – a first (dance) step of many more to come. Stay tuned.