Joanna Meinl began her dance training 20 years ago in Miami, FL studying ballet, jazz and hip-hop and went on to New York University where she studied anthropology and world dance. Upon moving to the West Coast, Joanna began studying the enthralling art of Kathak, North Indian classical dance, with Pandit Chitresh Das at San Francisco State University and in 1999 earned a B.A. in Dance Ethnology. She has been a performing member of the Chitresh Das Dance Company (CDDC) for ten years now and has toured both nationally and internationally, including three trips to India, with the company. An active participant in community events and arts education she teaches Kathak as well as ballet, modern and creative movement in youth programs and schools throughout the Bay Area. Joanna began Salsa dancing six years ago and trained in Ballroom, Latin and Swing Dance at Dance Arts Studios in San Rafael. For the past five years she has been competing on the national West Coast Swing circuit and currently competes at the Champion level. She has won several WSDC competitions including 1st place at Phoenix GPSDC 2006, Seattle Easter Swing, LAPD, Fresno Dance Classic 2007, Bridgetown Swing 2008 and South Bay Dance Fling 2009.