Liz Lira

Not long after I began taking salsa lessons, I attended my first salsa congress. Not really knowing how to dance myself, I was sitting around with some other guys watching other people dance when a gorgeous lady walked up to one of my companions and asked him to dance.

Courtesy Liz Lira

When they were finished, she beckoned me to join her on the dance floor. I knew she was someone special. Sure enough, it was salsa superstar Liz Lira. While watching her dance, one amazed student said she moved like a bird.

Bolivian Bombshell

Depending on your perspective, the Bolivian beauty might seem more like a bird of prey; like a creature from Star Trek, Liz Lira assimilates everything in her path. Originally trained as a ballerina, she switched to salsa, winning four World Championships (with partner Salomon Rivera). Then she exploded on the Argentine Tango and International Latin scene. Along the way, she has compiled a formidable resumé (pdf), with one foot in the ballroom, the other on TV.

The secret to The Rose of Salsa’s success is a combination of talent and hard work. Born in La Paz, Bolivia, she moved to Southern California at the age of eight and began studying dance. She has studied everything from ballet to hip hop, flamenco to yoga. Add the numbers in the table on the left and you get seventy-five years of dance training. Her resumé even lists contortionism.

Courtesy Liz Lira

However, Lira’s primarily focus in the beginning was ballet and jazz. She trained with top ballet coaches for over a dozen years, traveling with her dance company and performing on TV.

Lira’s dream of joining the prestigious New York City Ballet was apparently dashed by “personal strife and limitations.” In fact, she says she nearly “quit dancing forever” but persevered with family support and determination.

In 2001, the Latin beauty exploded onto the LA salsa scene at the age of twenty-one. She went on to capture her first major salsa dance championship at the Mayan Club in the summer of 2002. Her early success led to commercials, music videos and more.

There may not be a man who can keep up with this Bolivian dynamo. In a June 2007 interview, Lira said she currently had three partners - Salomon Rivera (salsa), Al Coronel (ballroom) and Alexis White (Argentine tango).

Courtesy Liz Lira

Beyond the Stage

Lira’s passion for dance apparently extends into teaching and choreography. She became a favorite among salsa students at establishments such as the Mayan and Conga Room. Lira choreographed the semi-finals and finals routines for Mark and Shawn, the first-place winners of Dancing With the Stars, Season 8. She also served as both choreographer and principal dancer for the upcoming movie, The Ugly Truth.

Brainy Beauty

Liz Lira’s interests go way beyond the stage. She studied law and political science at UCLA and knows three languages - English, Spanish and French. Intimidated yet?

Liz Lira once said she dreams of opening her dream dance school in Malibu. Lots of guys probably dream of being among her students.

Courtesy Liz Lira