Student Reviews

"Highly Recommended"
David K. Review of
Ashley McKenna,
December 18, 2011
Ashley is an excellent teacher and I highly recommend her to anyone who's
interested in learning Salsa. I was a beginner when I first started learning
with Ashley, and she has a well organized curriculum starting from step one
and progressing from there. She's knowledgeable, patient, has an upbeat
personality, and communicates clearly. If you're looking to learn Salsa, you
can't go wrong with Ashley.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Wonderful teacher, wonderful experience!!!"
Sandra & Josh Review of
Ashley McKenna,
October 23, 2011
Ashley is fantastic!! My husband and I took lessons for our first wedding
dance. Ashley developed our dance building upon our skill level. Ashlely
exhibited such patience and has such an amazing ability to teach and
explain. True talent!!! Not to mention she is very personable. We enjoyed
every lesson and look forward to returning for more lessons!!
- Pros:
- Helpful, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Fun,
Good communicator
"Superior dance instructor and even better person!"
Orlando Morales Review of
Ashley McKenna,
October 18, 2011
Ashley is an experienced professional who knows how to really breakdown
steps and movements to novice dancers. She makes dancing fun and goes at
your own individual pace of learning which is key to a positive experience.
Dancing for beginners is at times a frustrating experience however Ashley's
humor and good nature allow you to overcome the challenges and have fun
learning something new.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Funny, Good
communicator
"Great Experience"
Alexandra Barnes Review of
Ashley McKenna,
August 15, 2011
Ashley was great we had such a wonderful time learning our dance routine for the
wedding we would highly recommend her for lessons.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Funny, Fun, Good
communicator
"Lots of fun"
Wilson Matos Review of
Ashley McKenna,
August 11, 2011
Ashley is punctual and very professional, and she makes the lessons fun. Her
approach is superb. She is patient and respectful , at the same time looking for
ways to help me improve my technique. Her attention is focused on me only during
the lesson and I feel like I am being taught by a friend (always with a friendly
greeting and a smile). I have observed Ashley giving lessons in many types of
dances from beginner to advanced and highly recommend her to anyone who is
interested in being all that they can be.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Funny,
Fun, Good communicator
"Ashley is a wonderful and fun dance instructor!"
Jesse Kimball Review of
Ashley McKenna,
March 01, 2011
I really can't say enough good things about Ashley. Ashley has taken me from
a true beginner to a solid lead in a very short period of time. Ashley has
been great about adjusting her teaching style over the past few months as my
dancing skills improved. I would recommend her for beginner levels all the
way through experienced levels. She is fun to work with and very
knowledgeable about various dancing styles. If Ashley can teach me to dance
- and let me have fun while doing it - she can teach anyone. Working with
Ashley has been a great experience and I plan to continue to take lessons
from her for a long time to come!
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Patient, Fun,
Good communicator
" A great experience."
Peter Amador Review of
Ashley McKenna,
February 20, 2011
I fully enjoyed Ashley's style of teaching. She creates a fun, relaxed, and
comfortable teaching environment. She is patient, giving and motivating. She
shows her passion and technical skill in each step and pattern of movement.
I Defiantly look forward too her coaching in helping me go to the next
level.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Ashley is an incredibly talented dance instructor "
Neal Lewis Review of
Ashley McKenna,
November 15, 2010
Ashley specializes in teaching men how to be strong dance leaders. She has
extensive knowledge of many types of dance; she always seems to have a plan;
she is focused, a good communicator, and she has a great, upbeat
personality. Ashley will work with you to take your dancing to the next
level.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Great Experience"
Sammy Irizarry Review of
Ashley McKenna, October 12, 2010
I’ve been a dance student of Ashley McKenna for approximately a year, and
I can rest assure that I truly endure her professional approach as an
instructor in the art of Salsa. Ashley shares a personal light in her past
experiences of dancing, and easily builds a comfort level to always help me
progress. If anyone feels to be a slow learner (such as myself), don’t be
discouraged; Ashley has a pleasurable character that adds to make her
lessons beneficial and helpful. I’m always praising her for making
intermediate turns feel, and look easier to lead on the dance floor.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Perfect for Beginners"
Leah Laiman Review of
Ashley McKenna,
April 04, 2010
My husband and I have had only one salsa lesson with Ashley, but after three
previous tries with other teachers, this is the first time we've been
inspired to continue. She was able to decipher exactly the right way to
approach and engage us. We're looking forward to our next lesson and I'm
convinced this time, we'll really learn.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Especially Perfect For Beginners "
Diane & Gary Review of
Ashley McKenna,
September 29, 2009
My husband and I have been taking lessons from Ashley for approximately two
months. Firstly, just so you know my husband has never danced in his life.
He was extrememly intimidated. Our first lesson with Ashley she made us feel
very comfortable. Ashley was so very patient and made us laugh. She was able
to explain the steps in a manner that we both could understand. During one
lesson she was explaining how to move around the room and she said 'it is
like driving a car". That is all she needed to tell my husband. Her
uniqueness, attitude and patients sets her apart from her competition. For
twenty years I have been wanting my husband to take lessons with me and
could not get him to commit, amazingly enough he enjoys it and looks forward
to our lesson with Ashley. She has made all the difference. Thanks Ashley.
Diane and Gary
- Pros:
- Helpful, Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Funny,
Fun, Good communicator
"Perfect for every level."
Limerick Ficarra Review of
Ashley McKenna, September 28, 2009
Excellent teacher, makes learning very fun even when it gets hard.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Versatile,Well Informed,Personable "
Nancy L Ladika Review of
Ashley McKenna, July 07, 2009
Ashley was teaching special classes at my studio for salsa. After speaking
with her I realized she had valuable knowledge and experience in the
Competitive Standard syllabus. Not only did she bring my competitive dancing
to a new level with her coaching, she did a lot for my confidence and
presentation. I learned salsa too!!
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Great person, great teacher"
David Forel Review of
Ashley McKenna,
June 23, 2009
I worked with Ashley for about three years. Most of that was ballroom, some
was Salsa. Ashley is effervescent, pretty, and smart. She helped me feel
enthusiastic about learning. I am a scientist who asks technical questions.
What I mean is, I sometimes stop the lesson to try to get my mind clear
about a movement. A lot of teachers don't have the patience to work with me.
Bless her heart, Ashley can switch gears and do it. Ashley and I once
competed Pro/Am -- she was patient and a fine companion throughout the
process. Ashley gets my highest recommendation.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Fun, Good communicator
"Ashley is Wonderful"
Adam Miller Review of
Ashley McKenna,
June 14, 2009
Ashley is very patient and was great at explaining things and keeping it
fun. I'm going to take more lessons with her immediately!!
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Fun to learn with her"
Marsha and Dominic Review of
Ashley McKenna, June 12, 2009
She has a broad knowledge of dances. Great personality and always fun having
classes with her.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Encouraging, Patient, Fun
"Ashley was my lifesaver!"
Luis & Elvira Navas Review of
Ashley McKenna, June 04, 2009
Although my husband and I had been dancing for many years, our moves were
always the same, until we met Ashley. She took charge right away and made an
impact immediately on our dancing. She was patient and always gave us
encouragement with a great big smile. We looked forward to her classes.
We've been taking classes in multiple studios now but always remember and
use the fundamentals that she taught us. Ashley is wonderful and I highly
recommend her to anyone looking to get out there on the dance floor with
confidence.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Ashley is full of life & a great teacher"
Subrata Dalal Review of
Ashley McKenna,
June 04, 2009
While I was in Houston, she was my dance teacher for about two years. Her
teachings helped me to get a better quality of life & a very enjoyable
source of exercise.
I'm back in Canada - very often I wish I was in Houston again.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart, Funny,
Good communicator
"Excellent whether beginning or advanced student"
Bill Fowler Review of
Ashley McKenna,
June 04, 2009
My wife and I took lessons in ballroom dancing from Ashley McKenna for
several years, so we formed a very good learning relationship. She was
knowledgeable and capable in all our areas of interest, intuitive to my many
problems and very patient.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"A fabulous instructor"
Miguel Ayala Review of
Ashley McKenna,
May 24, 2009
I had a few friends try to teach me how to dance Salsa but I just couldn't
get it. Than one day I went to Ashley McKenna's class to watch and some how
Ashley conviences me to try it. After taking Ashley's salsa class I knew I
could learn to dance salsa. If Ashley was still teaching in Houston, I would
still be taking class from her, she is very patient, encouranging, and
really wants her students to learn. Ashley is a great teacher!
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Great Teacher"
Jennifer and Peter B. Review of
Ashley McKenna, May 24, 2009
My husband and I have been students of Ashley for 5-years. I had dance
experience, my husband did not. She worked with us by catering her teaching
method to bring both of us to a new level of experience and enjoyment. She
is an excellent teacher, coreograher and dancer. We look forward to seeing
her and learning from her. Her bubbly personality and professionalism is a
wonderful combination. She made us feel part of a community of dancers. See
you on the dance floor!
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"She's the best!"
Stan Romney Review of
Ashley McKenna,
May 18, 2009
She's instructed me and my son for many years and I've always loved
everything she's done. She's all you could ask for, patient, smart, witty,
fun, everything I need in an instructor. She's able to adapt learning and
routines to my ability yet still get me to improve and learn. I've never had
more fun with any other instructor.
- Pros:
- Helpful, Engaging, Encouraging, Smart,
Patient, Funny, Fun, Good communicator
"Practical, professional and versatile"
Adeniyi Olaiya Review of
Ashley McKenna, May 18, 2009
I am an avid social dancer who explores many dance floors : Salsa, Hustle,
West Coast Swing, Ballroom, Bachata etc. Ashley was the perfect choice as a
private instructor when I lived in the NY/NJ Metro area. She gave excellent
(and honest) feedback and great dance tips that helped me improve my frame ,
connection and dance technique. We were able to work on my salsa, hustle and
some Ballroom (Latin) for which I got great value. I currently compete in
hustle (so far always placed in top 4), WCS and plan to do some salsa too! I
still do a private "tune up" on my dancing with Ashley whenever I pass
through New York.
- Pros:
- Encouraging, Smart, Patient, Fun, Good
communicator