Starting her dancing journey at the age of 3 years old. Ms.Bowens who is a classically trained ballet, tap, and Jazz Dancer, has studied with Gloria Jeans' Dance Company (Home Of The Worid Tap Dance Champions) for over 16 years. This is where Alisa obtained her Dance Masters Of America (DMA), Professional Teaching Certificate.
In College (Northeastern University, Boston, MA), Alisa majored in Criminal Justice, but loved the dance class that she attended every Tuesday and Thursday. After college, she went home to join the family business, a General Contracting firm in which she ran for almost 11 years.
Alisa needed an outlet, stress-reliever, some unwind-time, so in 1998, she decided to take a Latin "Salsa" dance class. Instantly, Alisa was addicted to the music, the movements, the life and spirit of Salsa dancing. After a few classes, endless practices, and a scuffed-up kitchen floor; Alisa and her then dance partner started performing at Local parties, Corporate Events, Dance benefits, senior homes etc....Alisa's passion for Salsa started to become noticed by everyone in the Community. She quickly became known as "La Morena Que Baile Salsa"( The Woman That Dances Salsa). Alisa who is African-American, was assumed to be of Latin decent, either Dominican or Puerto Rican, because she danced salsa and spoke Spanish with a "crisp latin accent". Many admired the fact that she represented a piece of their Latin culture and others Appreciated the fact that you need not be Latin to Dance Salsa.
In the fall of 2000, Alisa started teaching at Southern Connecticut State University for the Multi-Cultural Center. This began her career as a Latin Dance Instructor. Alisa then started promoting "Latin Nights" at various Nightclubs and Restaurants. She teaches a 1 hour class and then students and patrons of these establishments enjoy a DJ for the rest of the night. Alisa, almost overnight, has a devoted following of Salsa Dancers who enjoy her patient teaching ability, her warm personality, and her "Let Me Entertain You", "Broadway" style of Dance.
In September of 2002, Alisa opened Alisa's House of Salsa I, Studio Of Latin Dance, in New Haven, Connecticut. Her grand opening was a hugh success and her studio location is now known as the "Moving Billboard Downtown ", because of the entertainment provided by the open glass windows. In the Winter of 2003, Alisa's House Of Salsa II, opened in Waterbury, Connecticut. And in The Summer of 2004, Alisa's House Of Salsa III opened their doors in Hartford, Connecticut. Entertainment is provided by Alisa's House Of Salsa Professional Dance Company, the Latin Heat Dance Team. Since the House of Salsa has been open, there have been more than a 1000 pairs of feet to walk through her doors.
Performance History:Alisa has opened for Grammy-Award Winner Rueben Blades, She was the lead Back-Up Dancer for M & M Recording Artist Hector-Bonet (Bronx, NYC). Currently Alisa is a Choreographer/Dancer/Performer with the Concert Tour of Morning, Noon, and Night, Featuring A.W. Nardi (West Palm Beach, FLA). She has opened for Jose Alberto "El Canario", and has been on the show bill with Huey Dunbar, Brenda K. Starr, Tito Nieves, Tiempo Libre, Eddie Palmieri, India (Salsa Palooza Tour), Spanish Harlem Orquestra, & Dee Dee Bridgewater (Summer Concert Series). She has also been an Accompany Dancer for Mi Cata (Afro-Latin Salsa band) and Marion Meadows, Jazz Saxophone player.