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LETTERS, TESTIMONIALS, & HONORS

Here are special honors that have been awarded to Barb Bernstein:

Chosen to teach a workshop and perform at the prestigious Miami Salsa Congress (8/2007) which draws Salsa dancers from all over the world!  Bernstein and her team were also selected to perform at the 2008 Puerto Rico Salsa Congress and the 2008 New York Salsa Congress.  In addition, many years the team performed at the Washington DC Salsa Congress.

Received the Third Annual Tribute to Women in Salsa Award (received 3/31/04) for "outstanding dedication to the promotion of a vibrant Salsa community." Given by Eileen Torres, a well-known promoter of Latin cultural events.

Hired to judge at the first and second annual Salsa Rueda Congress of the Americas (11/04 and 11/05) in a contest for The World Amateur Salsa and Rueda Championships.

Hired to teach a Mega-Class and judge at an International Rueda Competition in Vancouver, Canada (4/05).

Hired to teach several workshops, present a Casino Rueda performance, and judge a competition at a big, Multi-Dance Event sponsored by International Dance Productions (10/05).

Chosen to judge in the fall of 2004 and 2005 at the Montgomery County High School Latin Dance Competition in which dance teams of all the county schools compete in many categories---Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Folkloric Dance, Group Presentations, etc.

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Dear Barbara,

While I'm at it, thank *you* for always going out of your way to make everyone in your classes feel welcome and wanted. I have greatly appreciated the support you and others have shown my friends when they come with me, and I have seen you consistently doing the same for every other new face in the crowd. In case you weren't sure, it *is* noticed and appreciated!
Until later,
Tiara

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Barb,

I wanted to tell you that my friend loved your class. He said that you had a great rapport with your students and he liked that. I have to agree. You also broke things down nicely. I just wanted to let you know. Too often we don't hear the nice things people say about us.
Have a great one,
Patti

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Hi Barb:

You are so sweet! I really enjoy your class and I like you very much and all the students in it. You have a nice teaching style that helps everyone relax and feel good about participating. That's exactly what a good instructor is all about! Barb, I think you're doing a great job with both the teaching and the performances. And besides, I enjoy dancing with you, so I know we'll always be in touch!:-).
See you soon.
Mark

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Barb,

    Thanks for helping me earlier today.  As I have told you time and time again, you are a light in the salsa community.  Your welcoming nature is wonderful; I love you for this and think you are a very talented dancer and a wonderful person.  I am lucky to call you my friend.

xoxo
Dakota
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Dear Barb,

I just wanted to write to tell you how much I enjoyed your website and how helpful I found your instructional videos. I dance Casino and Rueda on the London club scene.. I went looking for Rueda clips on the internet and thought that yours were brilliant! They really are some of the best instructional stuff I've seen (in any style) - so please, please, do a DVD as I can't travel all the way to DC to attend your classes every week!! I know plenty of people on the London Rueda scene who would buy it. loads of the London teachers do DVDs now but no rueda as of yet.

Sincerely,
Sonia

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OMG, Barbara,

You are just too much, incredible!!  Your personal touch, your professionalism and character have me just awestruck.

How refreshing it is to encounter an instructor such as yourself with so big a heart and passion and so much genuine care and concern for each student, individually. It has been my greatest pleasure taking Rueda lessons with you and yours, absorbing what I may of the material, having the time of my life. I do hope someday to grasp enough to implement it well, whether for fun on the dance floor or for even greater fun in a performance. I am encouraged as well by your provision of the videos demonstrating the rueda move that so captivated me when I saw it performed on the Health Fair video. You are first class, 5-star, without question.

You are absolutely amazing and you remain in my warmest thoughts and my best/highest regard.
Demetrius

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Hi Barbara,

I just wanted to say thankyou from the bottom of my heart for everything! I
feel like you really opened up the doors to the "salsa world" for me, and I
will never lose that. Also, I really appreciated developing a friendship
with you these past few months. Your studio has become like a family for me.
I have made so many amazing friends, and have learned so much. Thanks again
for coming to my going away party.

Mike

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Hi Barb,

That class on Sunday was a lot of fun! I really liked it when I got you for a partner, you are as smooth as silk.
Rob

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Dear Barb,

It is so great hearing from you. Words can not express how much I appreciate you keeping in touch. The passion of dancing and the fellowship with kindred spirits enhances the quality of my life.
Your commitment to the art and to all of us, deserves to be made public ;for all to know how you continue to make a significant difference - a very good part of life. I know it certainly helps me to keep the faith. Thank you for all you do...Diane

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Hello Barb!

I just wanted to let you know that the party was a huge success! Rita and Eric and were fabulous, both their dancing and their interactions with the teenagers. The kids loved the demos and they all participated eagerly in the lessons -- and they actually looked pretty good by the end of the hour.

Thank you for your help and for sending such wonderful teachers. We really enjoyed it!

Heather

(Note: This letter was from someone who hired DanceInTime to teach at a birthday party as a surprise for the "birthday boy!")
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Dear Barb,

We enjoyed class so much.  Casino y Rueda is even more beautiful to look at than I had imagined reading
reading about it and seeing clips in a movie.   Thanks to you and the class members for introducing us to it. 
Christina

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Barb,

I want to thank you so much for including me in the (women's) group.  Barb, you are so wonderful and you have put together a great team of beautiful ladies!  Thanks for all your hard work and great leadership!

Charlotte

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Dear Ms. Bernstein,

I would like to personally thank you for your interest, support, and participation, in our (office) observance of Hispanic Heritage Month on October 13, 2006 and for your group's beautiful dance performance. It enhanced our comprehension of the Hispanic Americans' participation in contemporary American society....

Again, many thanks for your outstanding presentation.

Sincerely,

Pauline

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Good morning Barb,

Your group performance was phenomenal. Really enjoyed seeing some of the members that we had not seen in a long time and meeting new people as well. I look forward to seeing you on the dance floor soon.

Take care,
Kamallata

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Hi Barb,

Just want to thank you once again for everything; helping and spending time w/me in practicing and polishing some salsa moves. There are few instructors that are humble and go out of their way in helping others to progress. Definitely I won't forget where I came from or how I got started, nor will I ever. Even though I can't see or spend time w/everyone as much as I used to-everyone is still apart of me in my heart.
Hector

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Hi Barb---

          Just thought I'd let you know that you have shattered a dearly held belief that, as a Cuban, made me feel a certain uniqueness: that only Cubans and, perhaps Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, could dance Salsa.  Have I led a sheltered life or what?!  But I forgive you.  I sort of enjoy having my preconceptions shattered.  Life is full of wonderful and unexpected discoveries. 

          From my first "Rueda de Casino" class with you, I knew not only that you were an excellent teacher but also a dancer who felt the music as deeply as I did, and who danced to it with the true gusto of a Cuban.  I would say that you must have been Cuban in a former lifetime.  Your love of the music and culture seems to me to come from some long ago memory being culled from timelessness, like a dream so vivid you'd swear you are living in a parallel universe.  

         Thank you for shattering this preconception, for helping propagate a very positive and joyful aspect of our culture---and for your warmth, encouragement, and all-around "givingness" to all of us.  And on a more personal note, thank you for making it possible for me to relive the incredible joy of doing what makes my heart and soul sing.

Carinos mil,

Gilda

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Hi Barb!

I wanted to thank you for hosting a great party last Friday night! I had such a great time at the Embassy, and then the "icing on the cake" at your party! (and literally great cake too!) It was an honor to dance with all the great dancers that were there. Your food was wonderful too, thank you again for all of your hard-work in putting the whole night together.
Thanks again! Have a wonderful day!
Mary Ann

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Dear Barbara:

It was a real pleasure to present "Bailes Caribenos." The event was great and everybody had a lot of fun while learning new dance moves.
It was a real success.
Best regards.
Ignacio Duran
Mexican Cultural Institute

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Hey! I just wanted to let you know how much I truly enjoyed all the practices and rehearsals and learning all those new moves this weekend! I am so glad to have this awesome opportunity to do what I love with such an awesome group of people! I look forward to continuing to dance with everyone and continuing to learn even more rueda steps after the show! Thanks for all your tips and suggestions to help me improve my steps. Fell free to share this message with the group...I really enjoyed meeting everyone...they're all so nice, and they're a fun bunch of people! Thanks again!
Ilene

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Dear Barbara,

I wanted to write you a longer letter, but you know how I am, always in a hurry. The performance and dance lesson was wonderful. Your group is very good and very nice. Thank you again for such original and nice event.
Best regards.
Dolores Repetto
Mexican Cultural Institute

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Dear Barb,

Thanks for explaining and demonstrating the dance steps in class. You make what look to be impossible moves accessible to a novice. Your sense of humor and kind nature set students at ease. It is delightful to be in your class.
Katherine

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Hi Barbara,

I had a great time at the party and hope there will be others in the near future. (There was plenty of room, and I could both hear and see everyone--plus, EVERYone was there to dance I don't think it gets much better than that!) :D
Tiara

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hi barb,

just wanted to say thanks for hosting the social last night. it was nice, relaxing, and enjoyable to meet new people. you did great with the mixer. that was wonderful. i hope to be there again when you have the next one.
take care.
pesay :-)

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Dear Barbara,

Your manner in class immediately put me at ease as you patiently went over steps until I became comfortable with them. You seem to know how much one can absorb in a particular session, and had the class continually reviewing moves while also moving on to ever more complicated ones.
Thanks for your dedication!
Chester

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Hi Barbara!

Just wanted to let you know that I have viewed the entire (instructional video) tape I bought from you and it is well worth the money and then some. The tape is very well done and very explanatory. Thank yous to your cast members. They are so very well accomplished. Last but not least my compliments definitely go out to you for being so knowledgeable, so explanatory, so demonstrative with Rueda. Not just on the tape but also in class.

Harold!

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Hey Barb,

take care and keep dancing with the same sincerity and sabor as always. You are such a great person and your direction and guidance is so comforting to all of us. thank you for everything.

maya

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Hi Barb,

I just wanted to thank you for ALWAYS being so friendly when I see you; it is really nice that you have made an effort to introduce me to other Baltimore salseros. Your website is great, by the way, I really like all the pictures of performances! Remind me when you are performing next and where. Have a great day and thanks again for being such a warm person!
Smiles :)

Heather

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Dear Barbara,

My name is Raymond and I teach Casino de Rueda in Toledo, OH. I love how you broke down the moves on your website. Here we retooled one of the moves. The Siete Richmond we liked but it did not give us enough to play with just teased us. We decided to make the 2nd siete a siete con Moderno to have a little fun with it. Thanks for the wonderful website. Hopefully we will all see each other in Miami and have a huge circle to play with.
Thanks again,

Raymond

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Barbara

This is great. Thank you very much for your over and above service in printing out the "gift certificate" for dance lessons so I could give it as a Christmas gift. I am in the service business and it is always a pleasure working with someone who is enthusiastic and good at what they do. Look forward to meeting you!

Peter

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Hi Barb,

 

I am writing on behalf of a friend.  He is interested in private salsa instruction.  You are the best teacher around so naturally my first recommendation was you.  Do you teach privately?

Thanks.

Marta

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Dear Ms. Bernstein,

Thanks you for the wonderful Dance in Time Sundays on Stage program on October 17, 2004.  The audience loved the performance, and especially enjoyed participating in the program.  Even with the large number of dancers, the performance was well organized and ran smoothly.

We look forward to working with you again in the future.  Than you very much for the great program.

Sincerely,

Hedra

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Barbara Bernstein produced a Latin dance show for our Institute last fall which was very well received and showed spirit, flare, and skill. The dancers demonstrated all the major Latin dances.

After the performances, some dance steps were taught to the audience, followed by general dancing. The performers warmly mingled and danced with everyone in the audience. We had Telemundo on hand to cover the event and do an interview with Ms. Bernstein and myself. It was a wonderful evening.

In terms of background and ethnicity, the dancers were a varied group. I must say it is remarkable to see that our Latin dances are performed at such a sophisticated level by people who are not themselves Latino! This is a wonderful thing to see and we plan to have her perform here again.  

Thank you very much.

Ignacio Duran, Director of the Mexican Cultural Institute

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Dear Barbara,

Thank you for helping us celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in such a special way this year!  It was a treat for customers and employees alike. Your services made this so easy--we would love to work with you again in the future.

Michelle

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Barb,

Thanks for the excellent program last week.  You and your colleagues were entertaining, enlightening, and professional...and getting the crowd involved was an added bonus.  Glad that you enjoyed it as much as we did.

Ken; Commanding General of Walter Reed Army Medical Center

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A sincere and genuine heartfelt thank you for your wonderful classes and performances as a part of the 2005 World Dance Festival....The event was a huge success. The interim chancellor of the college told me the Gala event was the best performance she had seen at the school in her 20 year tenure.  People are already asking about next year's festival...Thank you for your professionalism, talent, dedication, and knowledge.

Sincerely,

Christian

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Dear Barb,

You are a terrific instructor!

Thanks for allowing me to join the group last Sunday. I had a blast.

Rosemary

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Dear Barb.

I enjoyed your class the week before. Very nice. You are very generous, thank you so much! I couldn't believe how much time you are putting in, and how enjoyable you make your classes.

Looking forward to the next ones, don't want to miss them.

 

Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year to you and yours, stay warm and safe..

A.

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Dear Ms. Bernstein:

We received outstanding compliments and comments in regards to the performance. It truly was a success.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Rachel; Fort George G. Meade

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Barb -

Just wanted to say this one more time:
This was so much fun today!!! Thanks again for the opportunity! You're the greatest!! :oD

Anka

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Thanks Barb,

The pleasure is actually mine. First of all your class seems to be the only one where I actually retain stuff, I have tried a couple other things in the past and they don't seem natural. And for 2-3 hours every week, at Rueda class, I can actually let loose and just have fun!

Mekka

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HI BARB,

    I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR FORWARDING ME THE INFORMATION.  I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP WITH REGARDS TO THIS, MORE THAN WORDS COULD SAY.  I HAVE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED WITH YOU.  I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY. 

 

THANKS AGAIN,

DR. CHRYSTAL...

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Barbara,

Thanks so much for the encouragement.   I would like to say that I think you are a very good instructor. You're patient and at times fast, but you're GOOD!!!!! I like your style.

Teresa

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Hey Barb,

I got to interact with a few of the local dancers and I danced
sooo much! Once again thank you so much. Your info has truly
made my salsa experience here in Baltimore very
memorable.

Nick

Barb,

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I plan to come to class as often as I can. 

 

Keep doing what you're doing because you're bringing alot of people alot of happiness.

 

All the best

 

Ivy

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Barb,

Thanks so much. I really enjoyed your lesson and the
advanced moves were very inspirational.  But much
practice as you suggested lies ahead until I can dance
with a little of the amazing grace and finesse you
have acquired over many years.

Looking forward to Saturday.

Name Withheld!

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Want to Contact Us?

To Reach Barbara Bernstein: 1.  Call: 301-464-6244 or 301-980-6043.  If there is no answer, leave a message with your phone and email.  (Please speak slowly and clearly so that your call can be returned!  Thanks.) 2.  Email:  BarbBtalks@aol.com. To reach anyone else at DanceInTimeProductions: Please email the above address and indicate who your letter is for.  It will be forwarded to the appropriate person.