About Us
Welcome to Virazón Dance Company based in Milwaukie, Oregon!
Founded in 2023 by Tara Blackman and Branden Morgan, Virazón was born from a shared love of salsa and mambo. Our mission is to bring the joy, history, and artistry of Latin dance to our local community through classes, performances, and social connection.
Our Story
Branden began his salsa journey in 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has since trained in New York and internationally. After moving to Portland, Oregon in 2015, he joined Vitalidad Movement Arts Center under the mentorship of Carolina and Jamal Rahima, where he began teaching and performing. He later trained and performed with On2ourage Dance Company (directed by Eder Avila) in Los Angeles. Over the past decade, Branden has focused on helping dancers build confidence through the art of social dancing—breaking down the fundamentals of salsa musicality, rhythm, and technique. A professional percussionist and fluent Spanish speaker, Branden brings a deep musical understanding to his teaching.
Tara began her salsa training at Vitalidad Movement Arts Center in Portland, Oregon, also under the guidance of Carolina and Jamal Rahima, and later immersed herself in New York’s vibrant salsa scene. Since then, Tara has performed with Baila Ladies (Portland, directed by Dahiana Oliver), On2ourage Dance Company (Los Angeles, directed by Eder Avila), and currently dances with Miraqui Dance Company (San Diego, directed by Natasha Tia). She is passionate about the music, movement, and cultural roots of salsa and is skilled in both lead and follow roles.
Together, Tara and Branden bring their combined experience to Virazón, offering classes, workshops, and performances that emphasize connection, musicality, and community. They are dedicated to nurturing the Portland and Milwaukie salsa scene—teaching, performing, directing teams, and inspiring dancers to grow both on and off the dance floor.
