Marta Smith-Cruz is an award-winning dancer and Puerto Rican dance instructor. She is best known for giving back to the community and teaching culture and technique to adult learners interested in dance. Marta’s interest started at a young age with ballet, contemporary, and folkloric dancing in Latin America. Rooted in growing curiosity and knowledge of the dances of her childhood, Marta started teaching salsa and bachata in 2006.  She has traveled extensively to Canada, France, Mexico, Portugal, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, and throughout the United States, developing her dance skillset and engaging in her passion for dance instruction. 

As interest in partner dancing grew in metro Detroit, so did the need to establish safe learning spaces about the dances. In response, Marta founded Kizomba Tá Doce in 2012, a dance school and team focused on the Angolan-based dances of Kizomba and Semba. She later opened M&A DanceLab Studio, specializing in teaching adults in Bachata, Ballet, Detroit Ballroom, Kizomba, and Salsa dance styles, emphasizing partner connection, intention, and engagement with the music.  Marta is the Co-Director of the Bachata, Kizomba and Salsa teams at M&A DanceLab Studio.

In giving back and being dedicated to keeping the community safe and inclusive, Marta has organized several Michigan-based dance events including the annual Doce Connection Weekender, Bachata & Cocktails Weekender, Detroit Salsa Mia, Kizz Mi Bachata, and the Lansing SBKZ Festival. She has also placed as a top three World Champion in Kizomba Fusion at Euroson and the Summit Championship and in Bachata at the Summit Championship.  Additionally her Bachata and Kizomba Teams have won multiple placements at Euroson and The Summit Championship.  

When in Detroit, come check her out!