2022 Dance Teacher Awardee
Meet 2022 Dance Teacher Awardee Yvonne Gutierrez!
Gutierrez, heralded flamenco, salsa and Spanish dance artist and educator, has built her reputation as an ambassador for creative connection in the arts. The daughter of Cuban immigrants, she considers her roots key to her soul connection with dance. She began taking ballet with Coco Ramírez (sister of Tina Ramírez, founder of Ballet Hispánico, a teacher she found “motivating and vivacious.” Later, she studied flamenco and Spanish dance at Ballet Hispánico, joining the Junior Company (1978–88) and serving as rehearsal director for the Junior Company (1988–91), and also as an instructor at the Ballet Hispánico school (1985–91, 2014 – mid 2022). While training intensely with Eddie Torres, in 1996 she began teaching Salsa On2 Eddie Torres Technique. She was also a dancer and instructor with Flamenco Latino (1999–2014), a professional flamenco performance and educational organization.
Gutierrez’s work extends beyond traditional studio teaching and event performances by tailoring dance experiences to the needs of the community’s marginalized groups. At the Abrons Arts Center, a social services agency in NYC's Lower East Side, she instructs all ages and experience levels in resident enrichment classes. From 1990–2008, Gutierrez’s Henry Street Settlement students joined forces with the agency’s counseling program under Lillian Anglada’s leadership to “share hope in programs of love in the time of AIDS" using music and dance as a form of healing, bringing real improvement to the quality of the life for everyone involved.
Learn more about Gutierrez and her incredible contributions to dance education at www.dance-teacher.com! 🌟
Congratulations, Yvonne! #DTAwards2022💚
📸: Gutierrez with students at the Little Island Music & Dance Festival; photo by O. Gutierrez
📝: Bridgit Lujan
Yvonne Gutierrez is a New York–based Afro-Latinx artist of Cuban descent whose work celebrates the richness, passion, and cultural legacy of Salsa, Spanish Dance, and Flamenco. Recognized as one of the distinguished honorees by Dance Teacher Magazine, Gutierrez has dedicated her career to inspiring students of all ages through performance, education, mentorship, and community engagement.
Rooted in the “Tina Ramirez Legacy” and the Familia Networking Approach, Gutierrez combines strong technical training with a deeply personal and inclusive artistic vision. Her work is guided by an emerging organic approach that encourages authentic expression, cultural connection, and the natural evolution of movement through study, practice, and performance. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes discipline, creativity, empowerment, and self-discovery through dance.
Beyond traditional studio instruction and stage performance, Gutierrez develops meaningful dance experiences tailored to the needs of diverse and marginalized communities. Her work spans classes, workshops, choreography, private coaching, mentorship, and community-based programming, creating opportunities for individuals to explore dance as both an art form and a transformative personal experience.
Through The Ms. Yvonne Dance Experience, Gutierrez continues to share her passion for dance with audiences and students everywhere, fostering connection, creativity, and cultural appreciation across generations. Get connected!
The Ms. Yvonne Dance Experience - Accessible/Adaptable to all ages.
for Every Student no matter what level
“I believe that in a world of modern maladies music and dance is one of the best remedies. I teach my students how to make the most of their talents and feel empowered to make a difference for their own personal growth.”
My Background
An Afro-Latina of Cuban Heritage Yvonne Gutierrez, Veteran Instructor: Flamenco & Salsa on2 Eddie Torres Technique.
Ms. Yvonne, the artist, teacher, dancer, performer. A former member of Flamenco Latino for over ten years (since 1992). Her freelancing has exposed her to multiple venues. Highlights included: the Duke Theatre on 42nd Street, Thalia Spanish Theatre, Colorado Dance Festival among many others. Her past experiences also includes numerous performances with Stringbeans, a Latin Brazilian Jazz Band under the direction of concert, recording artist and arranger Annette Aguilar. Prior companies include AllNations Dance Company, Eddie Torres Dance Company, Luis Montero Spanish Dance Company as well as Ballet Hispanico's Junior Company. In Urban Ballet Theatre’s Season 2003 she performed as a guest artist in a duet with the late Danny Tidwell. Under director/choreographer Luis Montero she appeared as guest artist in the Wilmington Opera House for a production called RAICES the history of Flamenco (Delaware).
In the world of Mambo/Salsa, Ms. Yvonne has been rehearsal director/choreographer of the New York Copacabana Dancers and instructor at their official school, Dance On 2 Studio. "Herencia" her youth dance company started at the COPA when it was re-invented on West 34th Street. To her credit are various performances with accompaniment by the legendary Tito Puente, which also included a tour to Italy (under the direction of Eddie Torres). Currently as a teacher/educator she has workshops and master classes, some which focus on the feminine style while keeping the Afro-Cuban base. She was the original choreographer of the Latin/Flamenco sections of the "Party Scene" in Act one the Nutcracker in the Lower at the legendary Henry Street Harry du Jur Playhouse (for ten years).
"Dancing to the Music from the Soul."
Flamenco/Salsa/Dunham, Teacher
1991 – Present
Personal Coaching/Mentorship
2006 – Present
“Flamenco: Olé con Olé.”
Mi Herencia.
Aspire to Inspire Positivity
It all begins with “the student” “teacher” connection. Maybe you want to change into something more. A teaching method to share through projects and opportunities. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story makes a difference.
