Charismatic and full of energy, Giana Montoya, will inspire you to be all you can be. Giana is a dance professional who fuses her skills in musical theatre, Latin, jazz, modern, and flamenco, creating powerful, emotional, and sexy performances and choreography. She has traveled around the country teaching, performing, and choreographing and now has finally opened up her own dance studio in Sacramento!

I recently took a private lesson with Giana and I have to say that this girl really, really knows her stuff. All we did was go through the basic step and cross body lead, but I was truly blown away by her technique. It changed my perspective on salsa in Sacramento. Definitely keep Giana in mind if you are contemplating about private lessons.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I'm originally from Arizona, however I've lived in Japan, Malaysia, Los Angeles, and of course, Sacramento.

Q: How long have you been dancing?

A: I've been dancing since I was a little girl and I'm 22 now so.... a pretty long time. However, I've been dancing professionally for 5 years.

Q: Where did you go after you left Sac?

A: When I left Sacramento I went off to college in Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University as a Theatre/ Dance double major and developed my craft and technique in dance and teaching.

Q: Who have you danced with, which competitions have you competed, and with whom?

Q: Achievements in Salsa?

A: I love to teach so my biggest achievement is being honored as being my students teacher. In terms of awards Jack and Jill competitions are to me, a bigger challenge than choreographed routine competitions. Winning the HSF "So you think you can dance" Jack and Jill Competition (San Jose) in 07 with Orlando Felix and coming in the top two in 06 and 08 was really exciting for me. I also enjoy freelancing with great dancers. This year I partnered up with John Narvaez (the owner of Salsamania dance company in SF) for a routine, so I got to learn his style. That was a big honor for me to be asked. I also taught the Master Latin Class for the Northern California Dance Conservatory and Nick Lazzarrini from "So You Think You Can Dance" took my class (he was also an instructor). After, he gave me a big hug and said "Damn, you're hardcore!"... That felt pretty good:)

Q: Do you generally tend to date other dancers? Would you ever date a bad dancer?

A: Yes I am afflicted with dating other dancers, especially my dance partners. It just kind of happens when you spend that much time together working on something creative with the same focus in mind which is to create beauty. However, in general I date artists and creatives whether it be actors, dancers, or musicians. It's sexy to me when someone spends many years and blood, sweat, and tears, developing and perfecting his/her craft.

Q: It's just like the way actors/actresses are always hooking up in Hollywood because they work on the same movie set together. Date any famous stars that you are able to mention?

A: Yeah basically. It's even harder in the dance world because not only are you working together emotionally but partner dancing is so physical. And then there's that crazy thing called 'chemistry'. It's a recipe that cannot be resisted. Date any famous stars?... Well Topher Grace from "That 70s Show" asked me out at the gym, but I said no because I was dating my dance partner at the time! I'm still regretting that one...

Q: Haha, Topher Grace..."That 70's Show" was great! Any chance that we may see you on TV in the future, in "So You Think You can Dance?" or "Dancing with the Stars" perhaps?

A: Definitely with "So you think you can dance". Maybe next year. I keep putting it off but my family keeps pushing me to do it so maybe next year...

Q: Goals and Aspirations?

A: To take my students and Sacramento salsa to the next level in technique, style, and performance. I eventually soon want to start a ladies performance team ( I already have the choreography ready:)). Personally, I'm working with an amazing partner that I feel blessed to be with, and we are busy training and developing ourselves as a partnership. For the past nine months we have been working together that is where most of my energy has been; I know we really have something special to share and I know it will be something no one has seen before. I have never been this excited about the creative process before and I just can't wait until we can be on the stage. Stay tuned!