Dancer, instructor,
and choreographer.
Chelsea Polanco has spent over 20 years performing and teaching Latin dance. This is her studio.
- Woman-Owned
- Open Every Day
Meet Chelsea
Chelsea Polanco
Owner & Lead Instructor
Chelsea Polanco is a professional dancer, instructor, and choreographer with over 20 years of dance training and performance experience. Her diverse background spans multiple dance disciplines, allowing her to bring a unique blend of technical excellence, artistry, and cultural authenticity to every class and performance.
Specializing in New York-style Salsa On2, Chelsea trained extensively with renowned salsa instructor and performer Jorday Rivera, developing a strong foundation in partner work, musicality, social dancing, and performance.
Chelsea furthered her dance education at Hunter College, where she studied dance with a focus on modern techniques including the Cunningham Technique, Graham Technique, and Limón Technique. Her collegiate training expanded her knowledge of movement analysis, choreography, and dance pedagogy, creating a well-rounded approach to both teaching and performance.
As a professional dancer, Chelsea toured internationally with the Latin Soul Dancers under the direction of Adolfo Indacochea. Throughout her career, she has performed alongside internationally acclaimed artists including Romeo Santos and Kranium.
Today, Chelsea is dedicated to inspiring and developing dancers of all levels. Her teaching philosophy combines strong technical training, musicality, confidence-building, and a deep appreciation for dance as both an art form and a means of connection.
- 20+ years training & performance
- New York-style Salsa On2
- Toured with Latin Soul Dancers
- Hunter College — Dance
A career built
on movement.
Chelsea’s path began with a commitment to training — working intensively with Jorday Rivera, one of New York’s most respected salsa instructors, before continuing her formal dance education at Hunter College.
Her career took her from the studios of New York to international stages, touring with the Latin Soul Dancers under the direction of Adolfo Indacochea and performing alongside artists including Romeo Santos and Kranium.
Polanco Dance Center is the next chapter: a space where Chelsea brings that depth of experience directly to adult students in Rockville Centre.
Our Instructors
Alongside Chelsea, our studio brings world-class Latin dance artists to the floor.
Selena Tornez
Afro-Latin Dance Instructor & Performer
Born in Queens, NY and raised in Cuernavaca, Mexico, Selena Tornez is a professional Latin dance performer, educator, and choreographer based in Brooklyn, NY. She specializes in Afro-Latin dance styles, including Salsa On1/On2, Bachata, Afro Latin Jazz, Cumbia and Latin Hustle, and has also trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Afro-Cuban, Hip-Hop, and Mexican Folklore.
A World Salsa Champion with The New York Movement, Selena represented New York at the Salsa Summit 2020. She has performed internationally across Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and appeared as a dancer In The Heights (Warner Bros.).
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Selena has recently performed with global artist Karol G, featured in the Papasito music video, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and the NFL Brazil halftime show. She has shared the stage with numerous Latin artists, orchestras, and dance groups across New York City.
She is also a member of Sekou and Friends, performing at Jacob’s Pillow, Lincoln Center, and the Guggenheim Museum, and is the founder of La Rumba Social in NYC, events that celebrate Afro Latin dance, music, and community.
- World Salsa Champion — The New York Movement
- Afro-Latin styles: Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia
- Danced in In The Heights (Warner Bros.)
- Founder — La Rumba Social NYC
Nicolas Heredia
Professional Salsa Dancer | Instructor | Choreographer
Nicolas is an accomplished salsa dancer, instructor, and choreographer specializing in New York Style Mambo, with over 15 years of professional experience in the international Latin dance industry.
Throughout his career, Nicolas has traveled extensively, teaching workshops, performing, and sharing his passion for salsa with students and dancers from different countries. His commitment to excellence, technical precision, and authentic musical interpretation has established him as a respected educator and performer within the global salsa community.
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Originally from Rosario, Argentina, Nicolas successfully founded and directed his own dance school, where he trained dancers of all levels while building and leading his own professional dance company before relocating to New York City.
Today, he is also a proud member of Adolfo Indacochea’s Latin Soul Dancers, an internationally acclaimed professional dance company known for its artistic excellence and influence in the salsa world.
As an educator, Nicolas has extensive experience teaching children, teenagers, and adults, adapting his methodology to every level—from complete beginners to advanced competitive dancers. His teaching philosophy combines strong technical foundations, musicality, body movement, and performance quality, creating an engaging and inspiring learning environment for every student.
Whether teaching in the classroom, performing on stage, or choreographing for professional productions, Nicolas continues to inspire dancers worldwide through his passion, dedication, and commitment to preserving and elevating the art of salsa.
For dancers at
every stage.
Whether you’re building a foundation or advancing your technique, there’s a place for you here.
01
Beginners
No prior experience needed. Chelsea’s teaching builds a strong foundation from day one, with attention to technique, musicality, and partner work.
02
Returners
Coming back after time away? Classes are structured to help you rebuild technique and confidence at your own pace.
03
Experienced
Advanced students benefit from Chelsea’s professional background in performance, choreography, and deep knowledge of Latin dance traditions.
Ready to find your rhythm?
Come meet Chelsea, Selena, Nicolas, and the Polanco Dance Center community. Your first class is the hardest one, after that, you won’t want to stop.