About Us

Semeneya is the number one recommended Salsa dance studio in San Antonio Tx. The unique teaching method offered has given Semeneya the sterling reputation for creating dancers with passion.

The idea for Semeneya started back in 1999 when owner Lee Rios began giving salsa lessons in his small apartment. Soon, he was so flooded with requests that he had to move his small dance operation to a humble studio space.

Then in 2010, Rios saw his dream of creating a European style school here in San Antonio. That could provide not only dance instructional space, but also entertainment and an apparel store materialize with the grand opening of a new 7,000 square foot, multi-level master studio on Starcrest.

“I feel the new Semeneya Dance Studio really reflects my vision of having a place that can truly touch, move and inspire people of all walks of life through dance,” says Rios. “We are becoming a close knit family with one thing in common, a love for dance and of course for salsa.”

Semeneya has four full time instructors and two part time instructors on staff. The studio offers beginning, intermediate and advanced lessons in Salsa, Bachata, Merenge, Cha-Cha, Cumbia, Mens/Ladies Styling, Mambo, Cuban Salsa, Balroom Dancing, East Coast Swing, Lindy and Hip Hop. The studio also has several traveling/performance dance teams for all ages.

Another element of Semeneya that was important to Rios was creating a “home like” and cozy feel. That was achieved with the coffee and snack bar, which provides not only sustenance but also doubles as a gathering spot before and between classes, allowing students to get to know each other as well as socialize with the instructors.

“I’m always an advocate of a healthy lifestyle,” claims Rios. “But above everything else, I want people to feel like when they come here they’re part of our family not just another student in a class. That’s why we invite our students out. We regularly have outings to local salsa clubs, where people can have a good time and laugh and smile, really feel the music and awaken their passion for dance. We do more than just teach dance steps, we’re awakening the soul.”