Native of Lawton, OK, Renate has been a Lead Instructor of SALSAtlanta since 2009 and co-directs the SALSAtlanta Performance Group with her husband, Steve. Both met while located in Columbia, SC, serving as Group Fitness instructors at the Ft. Jackson fitness facility...and at the same time, Renate stumbled upon Salsa for the first time. She was instantly taken by the dance, music and Latin culture. She began to acquire her skills informally at dance venues, congresses and social events. and began to acquire her skills informally at dance venues, congresses and social events.
Renate's full-time employer transferred her to Atlanta in 2004 when she met Julian Mejia, SALSAtlanta and the world of Casino and Afro-Cuban dancing. Under Julian's tutelage, she became versed in the history and music of Cuban popular and Afro-Cuban dancing. Renate's talents in these genres were further enhanced and strengthened after training with renowned Cuban dance companies such as Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, Sabor DKY, Ballet Folklorico Babul Guantanamo de Cuba, Cutumba Ballet Folklorico Santiago de Cuba, Raices Profundas, Ban Rarra, Tierra Kaliente, and Ife-Ile Afro-Cuban Dance. Her strongest influences include Maestras Kati Hernandez, Ana Llorente, and Neri Torres, as well as Maestro Felix (Pupy) Insua, Roberto Borrell, and Ricardo Hayes.