BSDC Staff
TABITHA HITCHYE CEO/Artistic Director
BIO: Tabitha Hitchye was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Her ethnic background is multi-racial. Raised as the daughter of a musician, she was exposed to the music industry as a young child and grew up singing in various choirs & groups. At the age of 19 she was introduced to Latin Dance which turned into a love and passion for her. Latin dance & music inspired her to become a dance instructor in order to share the love of dance with others. She has been teaching Salsa, Mambo, Bachata, & Flamenco for a combination of 13 years and dancing for 23 years. Musicality, Rhythm & Timing is a major focus in every class that she instructs, while also encouraging her students to add their own style into their dancing.
She co-founded Baltimore Salsa Dance Company in 2008! She has performed at various events over the years with Dance In Time Productions, Sentimiento Dance Company, Linda’s de Doza, and has instructed/performed in numerous events & charities throughout the DMV area: University of MD Eastern Shore, Penn State University, Northern Virginia Community College, The Army National Guard in DC, Baltimore National Aquarium, Baltimore City Association of School Psychologists-Charity Event, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, March of Dimes Fundraiser, & various congresses.
She currently holds the following certifications: Salsa Instructor & Business Development from Edie Salsa Williams in Palm Springs, CA, Flamenco & Spanish Dance from Marsha Bonet & Dancers, LLC, & Zumba Fitness I & II. She is currently a member of the Catonsville Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Tax Professionals, AAHPERD, National Association of Dance & the National Association of Professional Women. Her educational background includes Fashion Design/Merchandising, Business Management, Accounting & Cosmetology and is also an authorized IRS registered tax preparer, Assistant Meetup Organizer for the Baltimore Salsa Meetup Group & Organizer of the Baltimore Latin, Flamenco & Spanish Dance & Maryland Latin Dance Meetup Groups.
She is a Fashion Designer, Maryland Manufacturer of Protective Wear and owner of Hitchye Apparels Inc. , Hitchye Dancewear , Founder of non-profit organization Women Empowered- W.E. , the Studio Director of Dance & Artistic Expressions Studio , the Artistic Director/Lead Instructor of Baltimore Salsa Dance Company , and the Founder/ School Director of BSDC Latin, African & Cultural Dance Institute
MATTHEW DEAN- Salsa/Bachata Instructor & Asst. Team Director
MATTHEW DEAN- Salsa/Bachata Instructor & Asst. Team Director
MATTHEW DEAN- Salsa/Bachata Instructor & Asst. Team Director
BIO: My name is Matthew Dean and I am 36 years old, proudly born and raised in Baltimore with a beautiful wife of 4.5 years with a gorgeous 2-year old son. I have been dancing since 2006, and my passion has only grown over time. I have danced and performed many styles from mambo and bachata to classic ballroom, with great groups such as
BIO: My name is Matthew Dean and I am 36 years old, proudly born and raised in Baltimore with a beautiful wife of 4.5 years with a gorgeous 2-year old son. I have been dancing since 2006, and my passion has only grown over time. I have danced and performed many styles from mambo and bachata to classic ballroom, with great groups such as Georgia Boy Dance, Daniel and Desiree World Team Project, Zafire DC, and Sentimiento. I have always enjoyed dancing as a way of expressing myself and letting go. I’m always a student at heart, willing to learn as much as possible to improve my craft. I am humbled by this opportunity to return to the world of dancing with Baltimore Salsa Dance Company!
ANDRES ESPINOSA-Salsa Instructor
MATTHEW DEAN- Salsa/Bachata Instructor & Asst. Team Director
MATTHEW DEAN- Salsa/Bachata Instructor & Asst. Team Director
BIO: Andres was born in Queens, New York and has always enjoyed music and dance ever since he was 5. While studying at the University of Florida, he stumbled upon taking salsa classes at a local studio in Gainesville. He first learned and taught Rueda de Casino in Gainesville, FL but has grown to love and appreciate all other styles of l
BIO: Andres was born in Queens, New York and has always enjoyed music and dance ever since he was 5. While studying at the University of Florida, he stumbled upon taking salsa classes at a local studio in Gainesville. He first learned and taught Rueda de Casino in Gainesville, FL but has grown to love and appreciate all other styles of latin dance such as New York Style (On2), social Cha-Cha-Cha, and Argentine Tango. Over the years, Andres has taught salsa at various studios throughout the state of Florida (Pembroke Pines, Gainesville, and Jacksonville to name a few) and is now currently teaching in Baltimore, Maryland. Andres’ main philosophy in dance is that everything is derived from basic fundamentals. His level of technicality, emphasis on connection, and attention to detail is what makes him most notable on the dance floor! Even though he currently teaches both On1 and On2, he still gravitates to his origins of Cuban Style Salsa and loves to give back to the dancing community through his classes, workshops, and other dance related events. Fun facts: Andres graduated from the University of Florida with a double Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Before dancing, he was really big into skateboarding and would spend hours learning new tricks and tips. Current interests/hobbies include hiking, Strength and Conditioning (S&C), and Obstacle Course Races (OCRs)
MELANIE GELLA- Salsa Instructor
MATTHEW DEAN- Salsa/Bachata Instructor & Asst. Team Director
MELANIE GELLA- Salsa Instructor
BIO: Melanie has loved latin music since childhood. Growing up in Iowa, salsa connected her to the place of her birth, Puerto Rico. Her parents gave Melanie her first dance lesson teaching her the basics and differences in music. In high school, she obtain a foundation in hip-hop and jazz through studio classes, pom squad and show choir.
BIO: Melanie has loved latin music since childhood. Growing up in Iowa, salsa connected her to the place of her birth, Puerto Rico. Her parents gave Melanie her first dance lesson teaching her the basics and differences in music. In high school, she obtain a foundation in hip-hop and jazz through studio classes, pom squad and show choir.
During her time at Iowa State University, she connected with other salsa lovers and together they taught themselves how to improve their techniques. She co-founded a student organization which taught classes, held socials, and performed. In 2005, she began performing and teaching with Salsa Iowa. In 2009, she co-founded Salsa Des Moines a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that offered the most comprehensive instructional program in salsa in the state of Iowa. She also has coached various dance teams, including Island Touch Salsa and Footwork.
Melanie moved to Baltimore in May 2018 and upon her arrival, she sought out Sentimiento to continue dancing and become a member of the team. She's performed with the semi-pro/pro team and instructed with the company.
In 2021, Melanie joined and continues to dance with the Latin Vintage Company team.
MORRIS JACKSON-Business Advisor/ Kizomba Instructor
YAFRESI ADAMES Team Makeup Artist
MORRIS JACKSON-Business Advisor/ Kizomba Instructor
BIO: Morris Jackson has impacted the higher education landscape worldwide for more than a quarter century as a counselor, university professor, administrator, and fundraising and community relations professional. He has successfully interacted with academicians and educational administrators at all levels and from all ethnicities. He h
BIO: Morris Jackson has impacted the higher education landscape worldwide for more than a quarter century as a counselor, university professor, administrator, and fundraising and community relations professional. He has successfully interacted with academicians and educational administrators at all levels and from all ethnicities. He has served as anadvisor to the Ambassador of the Iraq Embassy, Washington DC (2013) and Educational Advisor for several years, Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, Embassy of Saudi Arabia. as well as consultant to Kuwait University. He has published several chapters in text books and journal articles. He currently is a senior advisor to folks in the entrainment, international, academic arena. He has a Ph.D from George Washington DC
MONICA CALUDA Communication Coordinator
YAFRESI ADAMES Team Makeup Artist
MORRIS JACKSON-Business Advisor/ Kizomba Instructor
Monica is a certified teacher and music therapist with Baltimore City Public Schools. She has been a board certified music therapist for 7 years. Monica found her love of dance through cheerleading in high school and college. She enjoys being part of the Ladies Bachata Team and taking as many dance classes as possible in her spare time.
Monica is a certified teacher and music therapist with Baltimore City Public Schools. She has been a board certified music therapist for 7 years. Monica found her love of dance through cheerleading in high school and college. She enjoys being part of the Ladies Bachata Team and taking as many dance classes as possible in her spare time. As communications coordinator she distributes information to our team members about upcoming events and potential performances.
TANISHA MCCLELLAN Dance Teams Assistant
YAFRESI ADAMES Team Makeup Artist
YAFRESI ADAMES Team Makeup Artist
Tanisha McClellan, born in Maryland, is a woman with multiple backgrounds. With a major in communications and business, she enjoys being a resource and of assistance to local and distant businesses in need of promotions and virtual marketing services. Although she has a 22-year background in corporate as an Executive, she is also the own
Tanisha McClellan, born in Maryland, is a woman with multiple backgrounds. With a major in communications and business, she enjoys being a resource and of assistance to local and distant businesses in need of promotions and virtual marketing services. Although she has a 22-year background in corporate as an Executive, she is also the owner of TJM Virtual Assistant and Web Services, and TJM Cleaning Services, a service she still offers to residential and commercial businesses. Tanisha has always had her hand in marketing, and 10 years ago took a liking to the world of experiential marketing (branding) and promotions. With West African and modern dancing under her belt since childhood, she is a lover of salsa, bachata, and cha-cha and kizomba. A cancer survivor who former teacher, artist, and a mother of three wonderful girls, she supports the arts in all genres and all creative activities for people of all ages, especially activities that get people moving. Tanisha is a proud member of the Baltimore Salsa Dance Company and happy to come on board as our Dance Teams Assistant.
YAFRESI ADAMES Team Makeup Artist
YAFRESI ADAMES Team Makeup Artist
YAFRESI ADAMES Team Makeup Artist
My Name is Yafreisi Adames I am 22 years old , and I'm Dominican, I do makeup for a living and also work at ulta beauty, I've been doing makeup for 3 years now and I have been doing it for all different types of occasion, I love dancing bachata it's one of my passions and I enjoy expressing myself in dance , I'm open to new experiences
My Name is Yafreisi Adames I am 22 years old , and I'm Dominican, I do makeup for a living and also work at ulta beauty, I've been doing makeup for 3 years now and I have been doing it for all different types of occasion, I love dancing bachata it's one of my passions and I enjoy expressing myself in dance , I'm open to new experiences and I'm excited for this journey of dancing with Baltimore Salsa Dance Company!
ERICA DOERRLER K-Pop & Sexy Heels Instructor
ERICA DOERRLER K-Pop & Sexy Heels Instructor
ERICA DOERRLER K-Pop & Sexy Heels Instructor
Erica Doerrler (she/her) is a 22 year old dancer from Montgomery County. Beginning as a self-taught dancer, she currently studies contemporary and ballet at UMBC in pursuit of a dance degree. In the past two years, she has had the pleasure of performing with the Baltimore Dance Project, and filming with the Institution of Marine and Environmental Technology. Outside of the UMBC dance department, she has trained with UMBC KDC and Major Definition. Her favorite dance styles are contemporary, heels, and vogueing.
ISSICA CORDOVA BSDC Denver Team Director
ERICA DOERRLER K-Pop & Sexy Heels Instructor
ERICA DOERRLER K-Pop & Sexy Heels Instructor
Issica Cordova is the BSDC Denver Team Director for the BSDC Denver Performance Project! She is also the owner of Inocence Dance & Fitness Studio located in Lakewood Colorado and the owner of Cordova Cleaning Company! We are happy and excited to have her as part of the BSDC Family!