BSDC Staff
TABITHA HITCHYE- BSDC CEO/Educational Director & Lead Instructor
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 a Multi-disciplinary B.A. of Arts in Dance, Afro-Latin Studies & Business Management from the University of Maryland Baltimore county and 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. You can find out more information on her professional & artist portfolio at www.TabithaHitchye.com
MATTHEW DEAN- Co-Director of BSDC Bachata Fusion Team
MORRIS JACKSON- BSDC Business Advisor & BSDC Kizomba Instructor
MORRIS JACKSON- BSDC Business Advisor & BSDC Kizomba Instructor
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!
MORRIS JACKSON- BSDC Business Advisor & BSDC Kizomba Instructor
MORRIS JACKSON- BSDC Business Advisor & BSDC Kizomba Instructor
MORRIS JACKSON- BSDC Business Advisor & BSDC 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
SYLVIA VEGA - BSDC Salsa Instructor
SYLVIA VEGA - BSDC Salsa Instructor
SYLVIA VEGA - BSDC Salsa Instructor
Bio:
Sylvia comes to us from Denver, Colorado where she danced salsa for many years. She has fond musical memories from her childhood…from dancing Mexican corridos in the kitchen with her dad, to balancing on her grandfather’s feet while dancing to classic salsa and swimming in his extensive vinyl collection where she was exposed to music from around the world.
Always drawn to rhythmic and soulful music, she cherishes the time she spent singing in the Pentecostal church as a young girl. In addition to dancing and singing, she has continued to pursue her musical interests to include learning and playing Afro-Latin rhythms on the conga drums and other percussion. After a long break from dancing, she recently resumed and remembered her passion and desire to teach salsa. As an instructor she hopes to share her belief that anyone can learn to dance.
Sylvia has been living in Maryland with her husband and son for the past 15 years. She enjoys her job as an instructional technologist in Baltimore. Her other hobbies and interests include: attending comic book conventions with her family, exercising, practicing meditation and self-reflection, and exploring other creative outlets. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology with a minor in Spanish Language from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She is excited to share her passion for salsa and looks forward to continued learning to build her skill, both as a dancer and instructor, at BSDC.
Manuel Caceres- BSDC Salsa Instructor
SYLVIA VEGA - BSDC Salsa Instructor
SYLVIA VEGA - BSDC Salsa Instructor
Bio:
Meet Manuel Caceres, our newest addition to the BSDC Salsa instructor team! Originally from El Salvador, Central America, Manuel's artistic journey began at a young age, immersing himself in music and Latin dance groups in his homeland. After moving to the USA in 2004, he spent seven years dancing with "Bailes de Mi Tierra," a Mexican Folklore Dance Group in Baltimore.
For the past four years, Manuel served as an Administrator with the SalsaAddicts group, where he played a pivotal role in promoting Salsa-Bachata social dance events. His passion for Latin rhythms led him to embark on a career as DJ MC, hosting vibrant Salsa Bachata Latin Nights across Maryland.
In addition to his dance endeavors, Manuel is a dedicated Spanish Immersion IB Teacher. Now, as a graduate of our BSDC Salsa Instructor Training Program, he brings his rich cultural background and dynamic energy to our academy. We're thrilled to have him on board to inspire and guide our students in the art of Salsa!
MONICA CALUDA -Communication Coordinator
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.
MARIA ROTHENHEBER - Student Advisory Board Coordinator
BIO: coming soon!
EMILY IMBER - BSDC Salsa Instructor Trainee & BSDC Social Dance Crew Coordinator
BIO:
Emily has been immersed in the social Latin dance scene for over 20 years, growing up surrounded by the vibrant rhythms of salsa, bachata, and merengue. She began her journey in the Miami area, where the culture, music, and nightlife shaped her early love for dance.
Throughout those years, she trained on and off for about six years, b
BIO:
Emily has been immersed in the social Latin dance scene for over 20 years, growing up surrounded by the vibrant rhythms of salsa, bachata, and merengue. She began her journey in the Miami area, where the culture, music, and nightlife shaped her early love for dance.
Throughout those years, she trained on and off for about six years, building a strong foundation
- but everything shifted six years ago when she decided to take her dance journey seriously.
Emily committed to consistent training, refining her technique, musicality, and ability to both lead and follow on the social floor.
Her dedication and passion led her to Baltimore Salsa Dance Company, where she continued her development and, in late 2024, was selected to join their Instructor Training Program. Now, she is evolving not just as a dancer but as a teacher focused on strong fundamentals, proper technique, and creating a welcoming space for all dancers.
With two decades of social dance experience and a heart deeply rooted in community, Emily brings authenticity, discipline, and joy to every class and every dance floor she walks on.
GIGI FLETCHER - BSDC Student Advisory Board/ BSDC Activities Crew Coordinatir
GIGI FLETCHER - BSDC Student Advisory Board/ BSDC Activities Crew Coordinatir
BIO: coming soon!
KAESHA MATTHEWS- BSDC Instructor Trainee
GIGI FLETCHER - BSDC Student Advisory Board/ BSDC Activities Crew Coordinatir
KAESHA MATTHEWS- BSDC Instructor Trainee
BIO: Coming soon!