About Larinda

As a dancer she is one of the most well respected and talented females, holding true to solid technique and insisting on a high level of sophistication and class on the dance floor. As a teacher she has been recognized consistently by the industry as helping amateurs and pro-ams compete and place in the top of their fields.  

She holds extensive teaching qualifications in both American style and International style and is the recipients of numerous "Top Teacher" and "Top Studio" awards regionally and nationally. Larinda's is fortunate to have been exposed to, and learned from such a vast array of people from all regions of our planet.  Her professional training with US and World Champions (such as David Hamilton, Connie Hannah, Charlotte Jorgenson, Brian and Kristi McDonald, Glenn Weiss ) is passed on to her students, many who have gone on to win "Top Student" awards, championship titles, or scholarships in amateur and pro-am competitions.   Her students have gathered such prestigious titles as US Open American Smooth Finalist,  US Rising Star Champion, US Open Senior Standard Finalist.

She began her professional career in Ballroom Dancing at the age of 22, a graduating senior in college, at Missouri University, in Springfield Missouri.  

After following her heart to a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre and Stage Performance she, by total chance, met a Ballroom Dancer. He showed her the first "Rock Step Cha Cha Cha" in a nightclub.  She knew she was hooked, and her life then took an unexpected turn.  Her goal was then to finish her final semester and figure out how to work in the Ballroom industry.

Immediately she found employment in Connecticut and headed east where she pursued and obtained her teaching credentials with the ISTD, TERPSICHORE, and the NADTA.  

She also started her competitive career, and as  a competitor Larinda was at the highest calibre in the Professional Open American Smooth division, maintaining a place in the top of her field for almost 10 years. She was graced with titles such as North American Champion, Yankee Classic Champion, Florida State Champion, Manhattan Dancesport Champion, La Classique du Quebec Champion, La Classique du Quebec Showdance Champion, Capital Dancesport Champion, and Four Times US Open Finalist, and Four Time Ohio Star Ball Finalist, and holds a total of almost 200 Professional Wins and Titles

Larinda (and Isabelle) reside in Massachusetts.  Larinda also holds a First Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo.