Colombian salsa champion Francy Barahona has gone through a challenging journey that led her to direct CaliSabor, a prominent salsa academy in Paris. Diving from the vibrant atmosphere of Colombia to the grand stages of Europe, the dancer reflected on her heartfelt story in a conversation with Colombia One.
Born in Cali, known as the World Capital of Salsa, Barahona recalls that from a very young age she loved dancing salsa at adult parties. Her passion emerged in her childhood neighborhoods of Siloé and Lourdes, in a city where salsa is not just music, but the outcome of musical evolution and cultural appropriation spanning decades.
In her early days, the dancer didn’t see a clear path to professionalizing her skills, as she explains:
“In the dance schools of Cali, in the neighborhoods, I danced and competed for fun, but I never wanted to make a living from dancing. It wasn’t my dream, and I always tried to avoid living off of dance but sometimes you can’t fight fate.”
Colombian salsa dancer Francy Barahona reflects on life before her Paris triumphs
For many years, Barahona dedicated herself to train with the salsa lovers community, who, like her, danced out of passion and lifestyle:
“In Cali, dancing salsa and competing is normal, it’s like eating. We were a generation that loved to compete. It was natural. We didn’t live off dance. They paid us with a sandwich and a soda. We worked other jobs to invest in our costumes. That’s the reality of an artist in Colombia,” Barahona recalled about her beginnings.
The Colombian woman spent several years as a university student, financing her studies in Business Administration and Accounting through bank loans. Later, she worked in various companies and even created her own laser and ink business. However, high taxes and low income prevented her from achieving the stability she sought.
Clinging tightly to her passion, Barahona persevered through long days of perfecting her strikingly powerful steps. Despite the stigma–women dancers often looked down upon or considered “rough people,”– a great opportunity eventually came knocking:
“One day, at the bilingual school Diana Oese, I went to perform a show and the school owner fell in love with me. She said, ‘Wow, incredible, I’ve never seen anyone dance like that, I want you to be the teacher at this school’ — And I said, ‘With kids? By dancing? I’m not going to teach rich kids to dance, I don’t want that, it sounds boring,’” she recalls.
However, she decided to take the job, and the kids captured her heart: “I was a teacher at that school for 10 years. I was the most loved teacher. The kids showed me that even though they lived in Cali, they were not close to salsa culture. There’s a big social gap; salsa in Cali was for the underprivileged.”
Still passionate, Barahona kept competing and around 2008 she earned her first major recognition at the World Salsa Open. She traveled to Puerto Rico to compete for Colombia and soaked in the energy of many European dancers.
Years later, she opened a dance school in Cali—but a partner’s betrayal eventually drove her away from the community. Nevertheless, during a traditional party in her hometown, a European bussinesman invited her to teach at a hostel. Barahona accepted, seizing the opportunity to earn money and build new connections.
A first trip to Europe would end up meaning a new life
Later on, she was invited to join the folklore group “Danzar” for a European tour. After the tour ended in Madrid, Barahona was at Barajas Airport when an idea came to her—one that would change the course of her life.
“I hadn’t planned it, I hadn’t thought about it, but I told my dance partner, whom I love: ‘I’m staying.’ I had 100 euros, 3 leggings, four pantyhose, four shirts. Everyone got on the plane, and I stayed.”
With a mix of fear and determination, she called a friend who convinced her to move to Paris–a city she found gray and starkly different from the vibrant colors of Colombia
A few days later, Francy connected with a major figure in the salsa scene—a DJ who helped her land a job as an entertainer in a nightclub. It was no easy adjustment.
“I’m a dancer from Cali, there we train during the day and sleep eight hours to keep our muscles rested and avoid injuries. Here, I worked from midnight until seven in the morning. It was horrible,” she recalls.
While teaching Zumba and continuing to train, she endured mistreatment from locals and faced numerous challenges as a foreigner trying to find her place.
Two major opportunities paved the way for a Colombian salsa dancer in Paris
After years of sweat and tears, dancing in the streets of Paris and showcasing her artistic work in several shows, she qualified to compete in the French Dance Federation’s SBK Salsa Championship. Barahona went on to become the French solo and partner champion more than six times.
Furthermore, one day a close friend stepped in to help her organize a salsa caleña masterclass— a turning point in her journey as she sold out every spot.
This famous dance style, faster than traditional salsa, gained momentum when—according to legend—a vinyl record was accidentally played at a faster speed during a party in 1960s Cali. That unexpected moment created a unique energy that became the city’s hallmark and a driving force for many Caleños like her.
Colombian appeal —which tourists discover through its beautiful landscapes and rich culture— would later help the teacher to establish a succesful academy in Paris, called CaliSabor. Nevertheless, Barahona, a strong and happy woman, recalled facing many challenges and stigmas along the way.
“They thought Colombian women were just like in the narconovelas, women who didn’t work, only pretty. I proved otherwise. As a teacher, champion, and with a high-level team,” she said.
The dancer also participated in Got Talent España, the Spanish edition of the global talent show franchise and has been involved in TV projects in France. Today, she enjoys a calm life with her military husband and travels around Europe teaching.
Francy Barahona on Colombian culture and future goals
Barahona is already widely recognized for salsa caleña in Europe and says that the perception of Colombia is becoming increasingly positive thanks to efforts like hers, “I bring people to Colombia. I don’t charge them anything; the problem is many of them end up staying to live. I go with 30 and come back with 25 each time,” she says with a big smile on his face.
Barahona doesn’t just dream of training dancers but of building a bridge to transform lives. “I’d like to create a connection between France and Colombia to help kids like me, from the favela, underprivileged kids… and get them out of there,” she says firmly, imagining a future where she can sponsor young talent.
The Colombian sees salsa as a way to help others and hopes to establish herself as a cultural manager. She believes that beyond personal success, what matters most is putting your heart into your work and never forgetting where you come from.
“If I could, a girl from Siloé to a dance school in Paris, anyone can. And if someone tells you no, great–because you’ll want it even more,” the dancer enthusiastically encourages as wrap up our heartwarming and sincere conversation.