Meet the Director/Instructor
My name is Lisa Hines, and I am the director and host for Gate City Latin Dance. I am originally from Little Rock, Arkansas where the vibrant world of Latin Dancing first took root for me. As a dance aficionado and educator, I hold a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. My exploration of movement extends beyond Latin rhythms; I have delved into various Western dance forms including Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, and Contact Improvisation. I have crafted site-specific pieces within the Greensboro community, elevating my interest in installation work. Outside the dance realm, you’ll often find me indulging in my other passions: savoring a cup of coffee, writing in my journal, reading a book, or relishing my time in the company of family as wife, sister, daughter and aunt.
The Story of Gate City Latin Dance
Gate City Latin Dance developed from a deep-rooted desire to cultivate a thriving Latin dance community within the vibrant heart of Greensboro, NC. The creation of Gate City Latin Dance was not merely a response to the pandemic's isolating effects but also a realization of the profound need for reconnection within our communities. Witnessing the struggle many faced in reentering social settings, I envisioned Latin Social Dancing as a transformative tool. It's more than just movement—it's a conduit for reintroducing healthy social behaviors, forging new connections, and infusing our daily lives with rhythm.
I firmly believe that partner-work dances are fluid in nature and this is evident in my practice as an instructor. These social dances are fluid and emphasize "roles" rather than gender. Gate City Latin Dance warmly welcomes individuals of all gender identities, ages, and physical abilities, fostering a spirit of inclusivity that transcends barriers and enriches our collective understanding of one another.