Steve & Renate Bio

• 

Steve Reed

Native of Jefferson City, MO, Steve has been a Lead Instructor of SALSAtlanta since 2009 and co-directs the SALSAtlanta Performance Group with his partner of 14 years, Renate Dugans. Introduced to Renate and Salsa while serving in the U.S. Army, Steve was instantly drawn to the dance, music and Latin culture. He began to acquire his skills informally at dance venues, congresses and social events. After fulfilling his military obligations, Steve joined Renate in Atlanta in 2005 and met Julian Mejia, SALSAtlanta and the world of Casino and Afro-Cuban dancing. Under Julian's tutelage, he became versed in the history and music of Cuban popular and Afro-Cuban dancing.

Steve's talents in these genres were further enhanced and strengthened by Master instructors and dancers including the late Felix (Pupy) Insua, Roberto Borrell, duane Wrenn, Kati Hernandez, Luis Gonzalez of Clave y Son, and Ricardo Hayes.

Renate Reed

Native of Lawton, OK, Renate has been a Lead Instructor of SALSAtlanta since 2009 and co-directs the SALSAtlanta Performance Group with her partner of 14 years, Steve Reed. Both met while located in Columbia, SC, serving as Group Fitness instructors at the Ft. Jackson fitness facility. And at the same time, Renate stumbled upon Salsa for the first time. She was instantly taken by the dance, music and Latin culture, and began to acquire her skills informally at dance venues, congresses and social events.

Renate's full-time employer transferred her to Atlanta in 2004 when she met Julian Mejia, SALSAtlanta and the world of Casino and Afro-Cuban dancing. Under Julian's tutelage, she became versed in the history and music of Cuban popular and Afro-Cuban dancing. Renate's talents in these genres continued to flourish and bloom, thanks to Master instructors and dancers including Kati Hernandez, Ana Llorente, Neri Torres, the late Felix (Pupy) Insua, Roberto Borrell, and Ricardo Hayes.