Zak Bauman

Instructor

Palomar Ballroom Santa Cruz

Zak has been on the staff at the Palomar Ballroom since 1999. Zak was classically trained in ballet, danced professionally as a modern dancer in New York and California, and happily fell into the ballroom world in 1998. Although she specializes in International Standard and American Smooth with a focus on technique and competition, she teaches the following dances to singles and couples interested in social dancing: West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, Salsa, Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Hustle, Nightclub Two-Step, and more. Zak is thrilled with the community of dancers she has brought together for her daytime group classes and looks forward to working with them daily. She has a BA in American Literature from UC Santa Cruz, and a teaching credential from SJSU. Besides teaching ballroom dance for the past 17 years, she has taught High School English in San Jose, theater and dance at a private elementary school in Santa Cruz for the past 7 years, and currently homeschools her 10 and 13 year old children, a true testament to her endless patience. She feels very fortunate to combine her two passions for teaching and dance, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring dance into the lives of so many on a daily basis!