Chani Maisonet

Chani Maisonet’s earliest memories of salsa were riding to elementary school with her dad and sisters blasting the same songs of Tito Puente, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades, Hector Lavoe and many other old salsa classics! Her dad, Eduardo Maisonet II, would beat on his steering wheel the conga beat and clapping the clave rhythm, which later became super beneficial in learning that the clave and conga were the heartbeat of salsa. Later, studying music at Kennesaw State University, Chani was walking through campus when she heard Salsa music blasting from a room and was immediately lured in and later becoming president of this Salsa Club (ALAS: Association of Latino American Students). Her training started here but later went on to professionally train, perform, and teach with Proyecto Barrio Dance Company through Rhythmz and Motion Dance Studio. Chani was excited to bring salsa to the musical theatre stage for the first time with the Aurora Theatre‘s production of In The Heights in 2016. When gaining this opportunity, chani’s only thought was excitement for possibly getting the salsa community involved! Shout out and major love to the dancers from the ATL’s salsa scene who joined us for this show, and Rhythmz and Motion and Fuego y Hielo and my friend Isaac Fenwick for helping to bring heat to the choreography (I couldn’t have done this without you). Much love to the ATL salsa community for your support! If you are interested in salsa dance classes and socials go to rhythmzandmotion.com & fuegoyhielo.com (two of Atlanta’s top and hottest salsa dance studios in ATL) IG: @Chanimaisonet @rhythmzandmotion @fuegoyhielodance