Home Town: Caguas, Puerto Rico

Occupation: Scientist at Eli Lilly

Educational Background:

Tenure with SNBSDC: 1st Season

Kiara was submerged into Salsa dancing from an early age as a way to connect with her ancestors and her culture. In college, she started training formally in Ballet Escenario studio in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, focusing on Salsa and Bachata social and partner work dancing. What began as a hobby, quickly turned into 7 years of dedicated learning, training, and performing. She is a member of Allure Dance and Fitness, where she performs Salsa and Bachata across the Midwest. She recently studied intensively in Matanzas, Cuba- including Cuban dance styles such as Rumba, Son, Casino/Salsa, Danzon, and Orisha dances. She has also studied Afro Caribbean cultures and rhythms during her travel to the Dominican Republic. Kiara has always been passionate about storytelling and portraying her heritage from the diaspora. She loves merging genres like Rumba and Bomba in her dance storytelling while honoring what brought her to dance in the first place- home.