Deblin McKnight
Co-Owners & Event Operations |
Carolina & Jamal Rahima
Co-Owners & Studio Operations |
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Deblin
Deblin McKnight thrives on the behind scenes details of making an event come to life. Her experience in event planning began at a catering company in Portland where she was the Weddings & Events catering manager. Year after year she grew the catering department by +25% and oversaw more than 85 weddings and hundreds of events annually. Known for her attention to detail and smooth events, Deblin oversaw rental selection, timelines, floor plans, vendor management and the numerous details large and small regarding the service and cuisine on event day.
In addition to weddings & events, Deblin has the honor of sitting on the Board of Directors for the Rose City Salsa & Timba Festival, an 501c-3 non profit whose mission is to bring the education, culture and joy of Latin & AfroLatin dance to the Portland community. When she isn't planning the perfect event she is out dancing in the community, attending classes and organizing the big annual festival! Finally, Deblin is co-producer at ZoukPDX Productions & PDX Bachata, whose goals are to bring amazing national and international Zouk & Bachata instructors to the Portland area for workshops and socials. Though Deblin loves all styles of dance, Bachata & Zouk has truly stolen her heart. |
Carolina, Jamal & Salma
Carolina Rahima started dancing Salsa in 2003 and fell in love with it. She grew up with salsa music in Venezuela but was introduced to a more technique oriented and challenging style upon her move the Portland area. She quickly started taking every single group and private course available and started performing in all the different performance classes that were offered. She performed with two different all women's salsa teams, the Portland Salseras and Seduced by Clave. Carolina started teaching with her dance partner Jamal under the company name Ritmo Del Alma in Vancouver, WA. Ready to increase her talent, she moved to New Jersey to train and perform with Caribbean Soul Dance Team. She has performed with the Caribbean Soul Dance Team on some of the biggest salsa stages in the world including the LA Salsa Congress and the NY Congress. She has a great passion for teaching and loves to see each student grow and do things they initially thought impossible.
Jamal Rahima started dancing Salsa in 2002 in Portland OR. He was a natural athlete, growing up playing sports and studying martial arts. Although he had never danced before, his awareness of his own body mechanics gave him an advantage in learning to dance. After his first few lessons he was hooked, and soon after was asked to join the Salsa Con Sabor performance team. Several years later he and his dance partner Carolina started teaching and performing under their own company Ritmo del Alma. Jamal won several local Jack and Jill Salsa and Bachata competitions in Portland. He has also performed a solo at the Vancouver BC Salsa Festival, Seattle Salsa Congress, Rose City Salsa Festival and at Club Cache in NY. Ready to increase his talent, he moved to New Jersey to train and perform with Caribbean Soul Dance Team while acting as assistant director for the team. As a dancer he is known for his body movement which is influenced by Afro-Cuban and Hip Hop. As a teacher he is known for being very patient and being able to explain complicated concepts in a simple way. Upon returning to Portland Carolina and Jamal decided to follow their dream and open VMAC, making sure to focus on growing an inclusive community in a space that people could call home. Salma Rahima started dancing since before being born in November 2016. She keeps improving her skills on a weekly basis. Keep an eye out for her dance class coming out soon. She is also the "real owner" of VMAC. |