Born in Bogotá, Colombia in 1975, Edwin Roa grew up in a very artistic atmosphere. His interest in dance began during his teenage years and even though his initial studies where focused on textiles, dancing was more than just a pastime for him.

From the beginning he was fascinated with the study of social dances. By experiencing the night club scene he had the chance to explore and develop his skill as a leader.  As is to be expected, learning in this kind of environment presents some limitations.  Although he learned a lot about musical interpretation, momentum and improvisation, it was difficult for him to develop a clean technique of motion.  Therefore his desire for improvement motivated him to explore other forms of dance.

Roa came to the United States in 1995, and in the winter of 1997 he was presented with the opportunity to work in a small ballroom dance studio in Virginia .  However, after two years, it became evident to him that his possibilities for progression were very limited.  Therefore in the year 2000, Roa decided to leave the ballroom business and began taking independent dance classes at various dance academies, allowing him to experiment with solo dances, such as modern dance, jazz and ballet.  By 2001 he became a company member of the Latin Ballet of Virginia in Richmond , where he taught and perform until the winter of 2003.  It was during this year that Roa organized a performing group named ETNIA (ethnic) as a way of introducing Zabor, his method of teaching partner dancing, to the community.  It was by working with this group that he had the chance to meet Amberlyn Sasser, whom by 2004 became Roa’s professional dance partner.  Learning and sharing his vision for Zabor, they were awarded first place in the 2005 Carolina Classic Professional Show Dance Competition in Raleigh, North Carolina .

Throughout his professional career, Roa’s work has been influential to many.  In 2000, he helped create the Charlottesville Salsa Club.  He was also the co-founder of the University of Virginia ’s multicultural group, back in 2001.  And in 2002, he created and directed Rhythms of the Soul, a musical play about ballroom dancing.  He has also performed with different groups, offered independent instruction at different colleges and universities including the College of William and Mary, the University of Virginia (UVA), the University of Richmond (UofR) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), as well as taught at different dance academies, such as the Latin Ballet of Virginia, the Jessica Morgan School of Dance, Bon Air Dance and Pilates, the Village Dance Studio, the Adult Dance Camps in Richmond, Virginia, Phoenix Dance Studio, Regency Dance Academy, and the Dance Space, among others. 

In January of 2005, along with the University of Richmond ’s music department, Roa went to Cuba to participate in the creation of a documentary.  There he researched the development of social dancing and the many styles of interpreting movement, particularly in salsa.

Roa is 100% dedicated to the development of couple dancing.  And although he embraces and admires all forms of partner dance, his goal is to contribute to the development and teaching of the social style, with hopes of continuing the improvement of his skills as a teacher and above all as a dancer, because, as he says, “A teacher is only a higher level student, for there is always room for improvement.”