CARMEN R. GUYNN

Carmen is a dancer, choreographer, educator, speaker, advocate, and entrepreneur with more than twenty-five years of experience promoting Afro-Latin dance, cultural awareness, leadership, and community engagement. A St. Louis native, she is recognized for her distinctive teaching style, artistic excellence, and passion for empowering others through movement and personal development.

Trained in Afro-Latin dance as well as tap, jazz, modern, and hip-hop, Carmen has performed and taught throughout the United States and internationally. A former Miss Salsa St. Louis (2002), she has been a featured instructor and performer at numerous Salsa Congresses and festivals, sharing her expertise in partnering, footwork, ladies styling, body movement, and performance technique.

As the founder and Artistic Director of Almas Del Ritmo Dance Company, Carmen has trained dancers of all ages and backgrounds while creating opportunities for artistic growth and cultural exchange. She is also the founder and Executive Producer of the St. Louis International Salsa/Bachata Congress, a groundbreaking event that has helped establish St. Louis as a destination for Latin dance and culture while attracting performers, instructors, and attendees from around the world.

Beyond the dance floor, Carmen has used her platform to serve her community through education, coaching, and advocacy. After a successful career in engineering, she transitioned into full-time work combating human trafficking as the leader of the Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation (CATE), collaborating with community organizations, service providers, and state leaders to raise awareness, strengthen resources, and support survivors. 

A certified ZIN ZUMBA® instructor, life and business coach, teaching artist, motivational speaker, and community leader, Carmen holds degrees from Webster University and Fontbonne University, along with certification in Evidence-Based Coaching from Fielding Graduate University.

Grounded in her Christian faith and commitment to service, Carmen continues to inspire others through the arts, leadership, advocacy, and education—using every stage, classroom, and conversation as an opportunity to uplift, empower, and give voice to those who need it most.