Kate, the main instructor and Director of Salsa ¡Agua!, has been dancing Latin dance for more than 20 years. She has been teaching Cuban dance and Salsa since 2008. Her patient, fun, energetic teaching style is contagious and she will have you dancing and having a great time before you know it.
A trip to Cuban in 2009 saw her training in Havana with Isaias Rojas Ramirez director of Ban Rarra dance company. She was a senior instructor and performer with the Cuban Groove in Auckland, working with New Zealand’s premier Cuban professional dancers Greydis Montero Liranza and Isbert (Vivio) Ramos for several years before her relocation to Tauranga in 2013. A return trip to Cuban in 2017 led to further opportunities to train in Havana with Isaias Rojas Ramirez director of Ban Rarra dance company and Santiago All Stars.
Kate is a trustee and chariperson of the NZ Cuban Festival Trust which runs the Annual National Cuban Festival, and is also part of the organising committee for the annual Bay Salsa Festival since 2014.
Kate is often found as a guest instructor at GreydisDance weekend workshops and is a regular teacher of the free Salsa class at Bay Salsa’s weekly social event. Kate has been an invited instructor at numerous national festivals and events, watch out for her classes at NZ Salsa Congress, Bay Salsa Festival, Aotearoa Cuban Festival and Salsa Tumbao.
In 2021 at the NZ Salsa Congress, Kate was awarded the NZ Latin Dance Industry award in recognition for her service and contribution to the life of the New Zealand Latin Dance community.
She teachers a range of Cuban dancers (Salsa, Rudea de Casino, Son , Rumba, Chachacha, Cubaton and some Afro Cuban dances), Bachata and Merengue.
Kate is captivated with the fun, authenticity and depth of Cuban dance and she wants you to discover the joy of Cuban dance too.
What our students say!
Hi there, I Really enjoyed the trial class a little while ago & I’m keen to start coming more regularly! Jun 2023
Everyone had a blast! Lots of laughs and enthusiasm that made up for the lack of skill!! Hopefully you get some keen people over on a Tuesday night or on Thursday night at La Mexica. I’m sure we will be keen for a follow up lesson at some stage . Mar 2023
Few years ago my beautiful wife introduced me to Bachata dancing, and I love it, but I’ve been always lazy and i didn’t get it easily. Something changed on me this year and Kate Maguire is part of it. The best Dance teacher. She taught me with a lot of patience (a lot) and this … More Rafael Paiva
I’ve been coming to lessons for a year now with Kate and I have had so much fun at every single lesson, Kate is patient, knowledgeable teacher and creates a relaxed atmosphere where everyone that comes to class is there to help each other learn and have fun. Highly recommend. Nov 2022
I loved your class, your humour, fun and energy…. And you gave me cool tips…..Thank you very much for a fun evening! Mar 2022
Thank you for your inspirational way of teaching – you are so good at reading a room and sharing just enough (not too much, not too little). Jan 2022
I really like the vibe… Salsa is about smooth steps and fluid rhythm….I enjoyed a lot last week! Feb 2022
I loved the class!!! Was so Good!!! I am so happy – woke up today with “that” good vibe. Jan 2022
I had such a good time at dance class with Kate Maguire last night. Salsa Agua classes are fun and energetic. I’m looking forward to next week already. Hopefully we can sort another babysitter. Thanks for making last night happen, Mum. Aug 2019
Thank you for teaching me what I like, for every hour spent, for all the patience hahahah and especially for that energy and smile you have Paula Molina and Mokoera for being great dancers and make this more entertaining It was a very nice experience Nov 2019
Salsa ¡Agua! 