Carmen R. Guynn, a St. Louis native, is a distinguished stylist, instructor, and advocate for Latin/Afro-Latin culture, with over 25 years of experience in the arts. As a versatile artist, Carmen excels in all Afro-Latin dances. She was crowned Miss Salsa St. Louis in 2002 and has performed both nationally and internationally. As Founder, Owner, and Artistic Director of Almas Del Ritmo Dance Company LLC, Carmen directs multiple dance teams within the company and founded the first St. Louis Touch Franchise from Island Touch Dance Academy.
In 2010, Carmen founded the St. Louis International Salsa/Bachata Congress, an event that has left a lasting impact on the city's cultural landscape by embracing Afro-Latin music and dance. Her teams and productions have been featured on shows such as MTV MADE and Welcome to Sweetie Pies. Carmen has also choreographed for productions like SOY YO! I Am Me, Afro-Latina Suite, and A Call 2 Conscience’s A Post-Racial America Vol. 2. Currently, Carmen is performing in Rock of Ages as the principal “Justice Charlier” at Alfresco Art Center and has earned Award winning performances in her acting in The Color Purple and In the Heights.
In addition to her artistic career, Carmen is a passionate advocate against human trafficking. She led the Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation, and works with organizations, and the Missouri Attorney General to combat trafficking, using dance as a tool for raising awareness.
Carmen is a Christian who values her faith and family. She is also a motivational speaker, life/business coach. She is a member of Hispanic Educational Cultural and Scholarship Fund, and Safe Dance Spaces. She holds a B.S. in Biology with a minor in dance from Webster University, an MBA from Fontbonne University, and a certificate in Evidence-Based Coaching from Fielding Graduate University. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Follow @dancers.making.moves on Instagram and Facebook and learn more about the artists involved in this project at www.dancersmakingmoves.com.
