Elisa Rosales: Building a Dance Community Rooted in Culture and Passion

lasaventurasdearac
Jul 16
2 min read

Salsa and bachata dancer and instructor Elisa Rosales

Elisa Rosales is a proud third-generation Mexican-American with deep roots in Monterrey, San Luis Potosí, and Corpus Christi, Texas. Her love for dance was born from her cultural upbringing—being constantly surrounded by quinceañeras, bailes, and family celebrations during her teenage years. From age 15 to 20, she found herself immersed in the rhythms of her heritage, unknowingly laying the foundation for her future.

After college,Elisa moved to Massachusetts in 2012 to pursue further studies in a different field. Far away from home and feeling isolated in a new environment, she discovered a salsa night at a local restaurant and a nearby dance studio. There, she found more than just a hobby—she found a welcoming community that made her feel seen and celebrated. Dance quickly became her passion. She joined a dance team, began training in various styles and techniques, and attended festivals and conferences to improve her skills and understanding of Latin dance.

Instructor Elisa Rosales Perfoming Dance

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Elisa returned to Wichita, Kansas. It was there that fate stepped in—she met miguel Santana, her now-husband and dance partner. Miguel, originally from Puerto Rico, also grew up with an innate love for Latin music, especially salsa and tumbao. Their mutual passion for dance and Latin culture brought them together both on and off the dance floor.

When Elisa returned to Wichita, she noticed something missing—a vibrant, welcoming Latin dance community like the one she had experienced in Massachusetts. Together, she and Miguel decided to create that space themselves. In 2021, they founded Baila Wichita, a studio and community project rooted in Latin dance, culture, and connection. Elisa gave her first performance at LatinFest that year, marking the beginning of a new chapter.

Miguel and Elisa in their dance Studio dancing Bachata

By 2023, Baila Wichita opened its brick-and-mortar location in Wichita. Today, Elisa and Miguel teach salsa, bachata, merengue, and cumbia. Their studio has also grown to include other talented instructors offering styles like hip-hop, adult jazz, and adult ballet. Baila Wichita

isn’t just a studio—it’s a home for anyone who wants to move, connect, and celebrate the richness of Latin culture through dance.