Carisma Dance

Authentic cultural representation with class, poise, and never vulgar.

Isabel Montiel
FOUNDER

Isabel De Montiel is the founder and director of Carisma Dance Academy, based in Redwood City. With over 18 years of dance experience, she specializes in working with beginners, children and seniors (60+) and creating a welcoming, inclusive space for all body types, skill levels and backgrounds.

A Certified Image Consultant and lifelong artist, Isabel blends Latin dance with personal development—helping students build confidence, poise, and a powerful presence both on and off the dance floor. She is trained and experienced in Salsa, Brazilian Samba no Pé, Bachata and other Latin dances. A native Brazilian, she brings not only her dance expertise but also deep cultural knowledge and the rich meaning behind Samba and other rhythms. Isabel brings warmth, clarity, and deep care to every class.

Through Carisma, Isabel is building a movement of empowerment through dance—where everyone is welcome to show up, grow, and shine.

OUR STORY
The story of Carisma is the story of Isabel and Cristina, two sisters who grew up in Rio, Brazil and now call California their home; whose passion for the ancient dance form of Samba and their love for Brazil culminated into this warm, welcoming dance academy in the heart of the Bay Area. Their story spans two continents and so does the story of Carisma.

Dancing, rhythm and beats are an integral part of Brazilian life, Isabel’s first introduction to dance, like most Brazilians, was early on in life at the street (dance) parties - as a way to hang out with old friends and make new ones - she realized early on that to her Dance was Happiness and A Way of Life. She taught herself many Latin dance forms like Zumba, Flamingo, Hip-Hop, Samba, Salsa, Bachata among others and soon started formally competing internationally and performing as a professional dancer. After years of being part of the glamorous world of professional Salsa dancing, an injury brought her back to her roots - Samba. Isabel had always enjoyed teaching and nurturing young talent, and while the world of dance is a glamorous one, it can also be an unforgiving one in the form of impossible body standards and cut-throat competition that it demands of its practitioners - so when Isabel and Cristina came together to lay down the foundation for Carisma; they wanted to create a warm welcoming studio where students of all shapes, sizes and color felt at home and where one came to learn, to build confidence as much as to hang out with friends, both old and new.

Our moto is Movement | Poise | Confidence.

The academy strives to impart excellence to its students in a safe, encouraging environment under the nourishing guidance of her teacher Isabel.

Clean, dry, level dancing space.