jena Alma

Jena (she/they) is a multi-passionate Indo-Lokono-Afro-Guyanese artist who grew up on Turtle Island. She is grateful to have been a part of Tkaronto’s Salsa community for the last 20 years, playing many roles along the way including student, volunteer, instructor, coach, team director, performer and competitor. Jena is a trauma & social justice informed peer support worker and facilitator who believes in community and the importance of community care. It is very important to her to create safer, more inclusive and equitable spaces where historically excluded groups and individuals are seen, included, celebrated and empowered. As someone with lived experience of neurodivergence, chronic pain and disability, Jena is passionate about exploring the arts as medicine and making movement and dancing as accessible as possible for all bodies.

With a background in theatre, Jena is a storyteller known for her unique way of emoting and expressing through movement. Her first love was Hip Hop, and fusion is usually inevitable in her creative expression. Though she has spent many years training in a studio environment, Jena still very much considers herself a street dancer at heart. 

Jena has trained and taught for many years in several Afro-latin dance forms including Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha, Pachanga & Afro-Latin Funk, as well as several other Caribbean and Street Dance styles. As both a leader and follower, Jena is fascinated with the mechanics, intricacies, nuances, and social aspects of partnered dancing.

Jena is the 2019 World Rising Star Bachata Classic Champion (with partner, Jason Ng), and a 2019 Canadian Team Bachata Champion (with Steps Dance Company). She also holds multiple titles as both a Rising Star & Pro Female Salsa Soloist. In 2011, Jena was featured on the 4th season of "So You Think You Can Dance Canada," as a top 70 finalist. She is proud to have trained under some of the best in our extended international community including Tamara Livolsi & Tito Ortos, Samantha Scali & Adriano Ierpoli, and Anya Katsevman, and humbled to have represented some of Toronto’s leading dance companies including: School of Mayhem, Latin Energy, Dance to Live, Korikoa, New Skin, Steps, Amora, Carnival Spice & now - her new home at Araguacu.

Jena joined the Araguacu family in 2024 via the Flow Team. She is elated to be continuing her learning journey, getting back to the basics in a new and profound way, and expanding her knowledge of the roots and history of the dance styles she has loved for so much of her life under the leadership of our Director, Kimberly Ramos. She is so thrilled to have been embraced and welcomed by the Araguacu community and to be returning to teaching.

Whether in class or at a social, Jena can’t wait to share a dance with you soon!