We had the good fortune of connecting with Roberto M. Siam Fernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roberto M., we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
The ballroom dance industry has always been perceived as a closed community by outsiders. On the contrary, our industry is one of the most welcoming and highest quality of service provided. We welcome and encourage every person to take that step into what has been wrongly instituted as an uncomfortable place within. Dance is a form of expression through movement of our own feelings. People don’t realize that ballroom dancing is an art form that is learned from scratch, at any age, and with different purposes such as; social, competitive, therapeutic, and hobby form.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We live in Miami where most people vacation! There are many different locations to go out and have a great time. From amazing dinners to social dancing spots. You have a veriaty of entertainment places to choose from. Of course, we always recommend and encourage social dancing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I believe success happens for two reasons, first the desire within ones self and second the surrounding people who help influence your path. My ballroom dancing career started in an uncertain place, until I landed in a studio with people who helped me and guided me to learn everything I know today. Within this studio I had the pleasure to work with a man who I consider my career mentor Bryan Philips. In the eight years I worked at this studio I found friends who became family, Luis, Denise & Denisse, Krisztina, and Emilie. We all started our careers within the same time frame and have all developed into successful dance instructors, professional competitors, and studio owners. Also, in this place I found my special person, my wife Andrea Rodriguez who has always been by my side through good and bad, making sure I stay focused on my path.

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