Our teachers

Simon

Founder · certified in Havana

It all starts in 2013 at the Cuban, a bar in Camden Town in London: Simon tries a first salsa step… and never really walks away again. In Biel, he stacks up his first classes, clumsy but hooked, before the big turning point: December 2014, a month in Havana at the Marisuri school. Since then he's gone back a dozen times (six to seven months in total) to learn at the source, above all at Salsosura, with Andrés, the best, but also Marisuri, BailaHavana and La Casa del Son. After more than five years teaching Cuban salsa, solo or as a couple, he created BailaBien to share this passion. Here, you learn with joy and without stress, and nearly every class is prepared with Andrés in Havana. A few small steps… and there you are, dancing.

Simona

Simon's alter ego, wig included

Simona is Simon… but with a wig, three tons of energy and zero filter. When she shows up, the room switches to glitter mode: same Cuban salsa, same rueda, but 200% more drama and turns that'll blow you away (never her, the hairspray holds). A diva with a big heart, she turns even the smallest class into a party. Where does she come from, and where does she slip off to the moment Simon reappears? A total mystery. What we do know: when Simona's around, there's at least as much laughing as dancing.

Melany

The Mauritian

Originally from Mauritius, Melany has dance in her blood: she's danced séga since she was 4. A true enthusiast, she even spent two months in Havana to refine her style, at the Salsosura Dance Academy, with Andrés, the school where Simon earned his instructor diploma. She's been teaching salsa at BailaBien for three years, with infectious energy.

David

Certified Bachata Sensual Instructor (Korke & Judith, Barcelona) · Mastering Bachata Moves (Juan & Sara, Madrid)

A Latin dance enthusiast for about ten years, David started out with salsa alongside Simon before falling for bachata… and for Jessica. Together they went to train in Barcelona, Madrid, Lyon and Basel. He now teaches bachata moderna, sensual and rueda at BailaBien, alongside Jessica, in a warm and friendly atmosphere: Latin dance is a wonderful way to bring together people of every age, level and background, and once the music starts, the most important thing is to have fun.

Jessica

Certified Bachata Sensual Instructor (Korke & Judith, Barcelona) · Mastering Bachata Moves (Juan & Sara, Madrid)

Jessica took her first dance steps at a young age, between classical and modern jazz. After a break during her teenage years, she reconnected with dance when she discovered Latin dances and music nearly twenty years ago, through her travels. It was thanks to Simon's classes that rhythm and salsa truly became second nature to her. But her heart leaned towards bachata… and towards David: she chose that path and began teaching alongside him. Together they trained in Spain, France and Basel with leading bachata references, to pass on its spirit while respecting its origins and its evolution. An official bachata sensual instructor and certified in bachata moves, she now teaches bachata moderna, sensual and rueda at BailaBien, alongside David, with a love of sharing the dance, in a festive, friendly atmosphere full of laughter… and above all, apéros.

Pablo

Angolan roots

Originally from Luanda in Angola (the country where kizomba was born), Pablo now passes this dance on in Biel. Kizomba, semba, tarraxo: he's at home across the whole Afro family. In his classes, everything starts with connection: listening to your partner, body awareness and musicality come before the moves. Lively sessions, open to all levels, where you first learn to feel the dance before you «do» it.

Patrizia

Italian roots

Of Italian origin, Patrizia started salsa with Simon eight years ago, before flying off to Havana for a few weeks with her sister, training with Andrés. She then fell in love with kizomba, which has been her favourite dance ever since: she's been teaching it in Biel for several years now, alongside Pablo.