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KATE MAGUIRE always brings a vibrant energy and fun to the Cuban dance scene.
She's a Tumbao favorite!
For Salsa Tumbao 2025, Kate will be teaching two workshops. Afro-Cuban Yemaya on saturday afternoon and Social Dance for Beginners - Beyond the Circle on Sunday.
We spoke to Kate about her drive to dance.
What is your dream car - and why?
"One that goes and gets me from A to B comfortably and safely. Sorry not really a dream car girl.'
Kate, director of Salsa ¡Agua!, is a passionate and experienced dance teacher specializing in Latin styles, with a particular love for Cuban dances including Casino, Rueda de Casino, Son, Rumba, Chachacha, and Afro Cuban movement.
What drives you to dance?
"I’ve always danced—it's part of who I am.
The story goes that I demanded ballet lessons at 3½, and from there, movement became my way of expressing the emotions music evoked.
Growing up with ballet, highland dance, tap, and musical theatre gave me a strong foundation, but it was discovering Latin and Cuban dance as an adult that truly lit the spark again.
What drives me now is connection—connection to music, to people, and to culture. I still remember attending Vivio and Greydis’s first workshop in NZ in 2002. I didn’t know what Cuban Salsa was, but I felt the joy, rhythm, and fun—and I was hooked.
Teaching Cuban dance is something I do for myself, but also for the community. As a Health & Safety professional, I’m deeply aware of how important it is to create spaces where people can connect, combat loneliness, and support their mental wellbeing.
Dance helps build resilience—and that’s powerful."
With over two decades of dance experience, Kate's journey is marked by national titles and vibrant performances that celebrate the rhythm, culture, and soul of Latin dance.
Afro-Cuban - Yemaya
Yemaya is the mother of all Orishas - Gods/Goddesses of the Yoruba people who originate in Southern Nigeria. She is strongly protective, and cares deeply for all her children. She is represented as a calm presence - but when she loses her temper she can be destructive and violent, similar to a storm at sea.
Movements in the Afro-Cuban dance for Yemaya are characterised by flowing, undulating arm gestures to mimic ocean waves. This Afroa-Cuban dance is often performed with a wide, layered skirt, which the dancer uses to create similar motions. Add in circular footwork, and deep bends and rises - reflecting the tide - and the result is a powerful, yet nurturing, energy.
What do you feel after an amazing evening of dance with great people?
"Tired, sore feet! But generally the focus you put in during dance provides a mental break, offering a sense of calm, mental clarity, and sometimes a new perspective on daily troubles.
It keeps me sane :-).
Hopefully a shared experience with "great people" bringing a sense of community, togetherness, and connection. As a teacher it gives me a chance to review where classes need to focus. Kate’s teaching philosophy centers on connection, confidence, and cultural appreciation. She believes dance is more than movement—it’s a language that builds community, expresses emotion, and honors tradition."
Kate's classes are known for their welcoming energy, musicality, and emphasis on technique that empowers dancers to move with authenticity and joy.
Kate is a trustee of the NZ Cuban Festival Trust which runs the Annual National Cuban Festival, and is also part of the organising committee for the Bay Salsa Festival.
You have five words - how do you convince someone to start dancing?
"Sooo many, a few are 6 words! I use most of these:
Yes you can dance.
If you want too - do it.
Dance is Fun and Joy.
Dance is good for you.
Trust me I'm a professional :-)
Laugh, Meet People, Gain Confidence"
Classes run on Tuesdays from 7.30 at the Elizabeth Street Community & Arts Centre
Find Salsa ¡Agua!:
Facebook: Salsa ¡Agua!
Website: Getyourcubanon.com
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