Tanja Kensinger

Tanja Kensinger was born in the Outer Caribbean - that portion of the world outside the Caribbean that has been conquered by Salsa. More precisely, she was born in Germany, hence her nickname La Alemana (“The German,” in Spanish).

Courtesy Island Touch Dance Academy

However, Tanja discovered Salsa in the U.S., to which she emigrated via the military in 1996. Her lifelong love of dance - with training in ballroom, jazz, ballet, rock-n-roll/swing and many Latin dance styles - helped prepare her for her introduction to Salsa in 2005.

A fast study, Tanja began teaching and performing with her partner, Jorge Burgos (aka Ataca Jorgie), in 2008. But the dynamic duo’s Salsa exploits were eclipsed by their prowess as bachateros. In fact, they are regarded as the most popular Bachata dancers on YouTube.

Tanja has also emerged as something of a sex symbol. She seems to have relatively simple tastes in clothing, with her trademark white top and black shorts. With her great beauty and sexy moves, what more does she need?

Salsa vs Bachata

When I asked her to explain the differences between Salsa and Bachata, Tanja said, “I find it easier for beginner dancers to learn Bachata - it’s a much more simple dance. Salsa requires a bit more hand-foot coordination from the beginning.”

Courtesy Island Touch Dance Academy

She adds that the similarity between the two dances is the extreme passion they inspire. There are Bachata fanatics and Salsa/Mambo fanatics, while Tanja and Jorge “are right in the middle of it all.”

Tanja notes that Bachata festivals seem to be more intimate than Salsa congresses, perhaps because they’re simply so much smaller.

What about her musical tastes? Tanja says, “I’ll dance to all types of music - but I really jam out to the ones that get to your soul.” Her favorite Bachata musical groups are Aventura, Xtreme and Prince Royce. For Salsa/Mambo, “I love anything by Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, La Lupe, Eddie Palmieri (anything old school).”

At their first workshop in Seattle, Tanja and Jorge introduced me to one of my favorite Bachata songs, “My All,” from the album Vamos a Bailar. (I haven’t been able to figure out the name of the artist.)

Beyond Dance

When I asked what things interest her outside dance, Tanja replied, “There are things outside of dance???? LOL Like any girl I love to shop. I’ve created a small little passion for editing videos - like dance, it’s a great feeling you get when you’ve created something from the ground up.”

Tanja was part owner of one of the top Salsa dance companies in Fort Myers, Florida. She now directs Island Touch Dance Academy in Tampa with her partner - when they aren’t teaching and performing Salsa and Bachata somewhere off the beaten track in the Outer Caribbean.

Courtesy Island Touch Dance Academy