Xiomara Salinas was born in the Afro-Colombian port of Buenaventura and raised in Cali, Colombia. As a young girl she began studying Afro-Colombian dances, such as Cumbia, Mapale and Currulao. In Cali, the “Salsa Capital”, she studied Salsa- Colombian Style, Jazz, Ballet and Modern with Maria Sanford, a renowned dance academy, and began appearing on TV. in the “Show de Las Estrellas”. Later in the US. Xiomara continued studying dance at School of the Arts. There, she was awarded a full scholarship to study dance at Mills College summer program.

Now she also dances Samba, Belly Dance and Flamenco. She began appearing in US. TV, such as MTV music/dance videos. Xiomara returned to Colombia to acquire her degree in Dance and Painting. She was also named Queen of Colombia in Carnaval 2004, and founded “Xiomara Dance Co. She is currently teaching Afro-Colombian Dance and Salsa- Colombian style at ODC. Dance Commons, SF., considered the most prestigious dance studios in the Bay Area. Filled with passion and talent, Xiomara continues captivating audiences around the US. WEBSITE