Get on the floor!
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 3, I love to work with others who have health-related challenges. My students over the years have included folks with a variety of physical and social challenges, ranging from chronic conditions to brain injuries to social anxiety. I strive to bring humor, patience, kindness and compassion to every lesson I teach.
North American Women's Same-Sex International Standard Champion, 2019
North American Women's Same-Sex International Latin Champion, 2019
World Women's International Standard Finalist, 2018 Gay Games
North American Women's Same-Sex International Standard Champion, 2017
California State Women's Same-Sex International Standard 2nd place, 2014
Emily Coles Dance SF
About Me
Titles
What I Offer
salsa dance classes
swing dance classes
I began my illustrious dance career at the ripe age of 5, prancing on stage with 9 other little girls in tu-tus and slippers. I loved the stage, but the tu-tu was not a fit. For the next 20 years I continued to prance on stages from my childhood home in Pennsylvania to my current home of San Francisco, always searching for the "right dance". This search included modern, jazz, tap, improv, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian Samba, American Tribal Bellydance and finally salsa. ...And the salsa stuck. To salsa I eventually added a full range of ballroom, Latin and social dances.
Anything that creates health and joy is a positive addition to our complicated world, and that positive impact is important to me. We need more dancing. We need more music and more singing and more laughing. We need more dorking around.
California State Women's Same-Sex International Latin 2nd place, 2014
United States Women's Same-Sex International Standard 2nd place, 2014
United States Women's Same-Sex International Latin 2nd place, 2014
United States Women's Same-Sex American Smooth Champion, 2014
World Champion Women's Same-Sex Smooth, 2014
United States Women's Same-Sex International Standard Champion, 2013
California State Women's Same-Sex International Standard Champion, 2013
California State Women's Same-Sex International Latin 2nd place, 2013
North American Women's Same-Sex International Standard Champion, 2012
North American Women's Same-Sex International Latin Champion, 2012
Private Lessons
I teach a wide variety of ballroom, Latin and social dances, including swing, salsa, cha-cha, samba, waltz, tango, foxtrot and more. $85-$135/hour, sliding scale. Schedule yours!
Wedding Prep
From simple and low-stress to full, wow-your-crowd choreography! See pics and testimonials from past Wedding Prep students, and find me on The Knot
Special Events
Hire me to teach a lesson at your birthday party, wedding reception, or other special event! A dance lesson gets your guests interacting with one another, and makes the event memorable and unique. $200/hour + travel
Corporate Events
Want your team to get to know each other, pump up their team spirit and improve their communication? Nothing does that better than dance. $300/hour + travel