Thomas Guerrero & Santo Rico Thomas Guerrero started dancing socially in 1991. He was recruited from the social scene by Wilton Beltre in 1995 and became one of the original members of Santo Rico Dance Co. Upon being recruited Thomas had no prior dance training. Most of his training came through learning choreography and eventually performing with Santo Rico Dance Co.
As a professional dancer Thomas, now Director and President of Santo Rico, has only danced for said company, from their first local performance at "Gozamba," a Dominican Festival in Washington Heights, NY, to teaching and performing at venues across the globe, spanning 3 continents and over 17 countries. Tomas' achievements include becoming one of the stars of the world famous off-Broadway Comedy Dancical, "Latin Madness," and also performing in prestigious venues such as The Hyatt Hotel, The Conneticut Convention Center, Salsa Congresses all around the world, and Madison Square Garden alongside several Salsa superstars, like Tito Puente, Oscar De Leon, Marc Anthony, Papo Luca y La Sonora Ponceña, La India, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor Manuelle, Raulin Rosendo, Jose Alberto "El Canario", Johnny Pacheco, Norman Headman, and performing and choreographing for Hip Hop Superstar Eve's video of her hit single, "What Y'all Want" in 2000.
Thomas is also the pioneer of the world-famous "Santo Rico" spinning technique used by Salsa lovers all over the world.
Super Mario
Super Mario, also known as the "Million Moves Man", is fast becoming the most recognisable figure on the UK salsa scene. He has taught at a large number of respected salsa festivals around the world and has helped to put London "style" on the salsa map. Super Mario is based in London, and has been dancing salsa since 1998. He specialises in Cross Body style, dancing on the "1", focusing mainly on Moves and combinations, with a lot of emphasis on Leading Techniques. This London salsero has made a name for himself with his smooth style, endless unique combinations, and his amazing presence on the dance floor. www.millionmovesman.com
Jessica Ortiz Jessica began performing at an early age with the Starlite Dance Studio. Dancing and teaching for over 9 years, Jessica then began performing around the world as part of a Latin dance duet with Juan Matos.She has danced with Abakua of Frankie Martinez since January 2005 also she currently performs with the Yamulee Dance Company and is part of a new Dance Duet with Adolfo Indacochea.
Lori Perez Lori has been performing for five years. She began at the age of 15 with Young Ambition with which she danced for three years. She is now dancing with the Abakua Latin Dance Company for two years. Recently she has been traveling the world partnering with Frankie Martinez, director of Abakua. Lori has also just completed her second year at New York University.
Hacha Y Machete
Turkish salsa dancer meets Puerto Rican Salsero, and it was love at first dance. Well, the story goes something like that. Victor grew up in Lawrence MA in a household that adored salsa and mambo music. Burju grew up in Queens NY surrounded by Puerto Rican and Dominican friends. They met through an amateur dance group formed at Boston University whose main objective was putting together a choreography for the school’s annual Latino talent exhibition. Victor was recruited among a few other non-BU students to help in the project. Burju and Victor became dance partners. Amidst their dancing a romance began to bloom and the rest is history. Today, Victor and Burju are engaged and soon to be married. Talk about “Unity Through Salsa”… ? www.hymstyle.com
Team members coming to Brit Salsafest: Burju Hurturk
Victor Perez
Hector De Jesus
Sasha Jimenez
Tito and Tamara
Ortos J. Gutiérrez Ortiz, better known as Tito Ortos, was born in Santurce on December 26, 1974. After finishing a Natural Science Bachelor's Degree in the University of Puerto Rico. Tito started his carrer as a Salsa Dancer by his parents initiatives. Also he is an outstanding dancer of other genres such as: Jazz, Merengue, "Bomba y Plena", Rumba, Modern Dance, among others. Since then, he has visited more than 30 cities worldwide giving performances and classes, with his wife and dance partner Tamara Livolsi. They both participates yearly in congress around the world.
Tamara Livolsi,
Tamara was born in Argentina on February 24, 1978, but was raised in Puerto Rico, she inherited from her mother the art of dancing. With more than 20 years exsperience, trained in various dance disciplines like: jazz, ballet, hip hop and others, makes her a versatile dancer and instructor. She has worked for artists like: Luis Fonsi, David Bisbal, Manny Manuel, Ednita Nazario , Yuri y Wilkins among others.
Both of them have participated in various television commercials, dance videos and movies such as, "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights", Yellow, El Cantante: Hector Lavoe y American Gangster, as dancers. Also they own and operated Rhythms Dance Studio, with Danny Lugo choreographer. www.titoortos.com
Rudy & Barbara
Rudy De Los Angeles Acosta began to dance Salsa/Mambo On2 in May of 2003 with Mario B from New Jersey. With Mario B he learned the basic On 2 steps and mastered the timing and technique that was needed in order for him to be able to social dance and within 6 months he began his journey as a mambo dancer in NY.
He knew he wanted to be performer when he went to his first salsa congress (Los Angeles West Coast Salsa Congress 2004). He watched a lot of great shows and realized that he wanted to be on stage showcasing the same talent that was growing around the world. He became a dancer for Mario B. in the summer of 2004 when he put together his group “Plan B” (Salsa FeverOn2 Dance Academy) Rudy danced for his group for 2 years. He was also given the opportunity to teach at Mario's school. Rudy has had the pleasure to share the stage with Mario B. and performed in many events. With all the events he's been to with Mario B he was also able to assist in teaching and organising workshops.
A little over a year later, Rudy was inspired to take some classes with some of the top instructors in NY such as Frankie Martinez, Yamulee Dance Company and Santo Rico Dance Company. For 8 months, Rudy also trained with Franklin Diaz, a young pioneer in the NY mambo scene.
Rudy is currently working with Barbara Macioce from Roma, Italia. They met in NY 11/2 years ago dancing and Rudy has since moved to Italy to pursue their dancing partnership. They will be traveling to the states and in Europe for numerous events and congresses showcasing their talents as one couple united through the love of the music and dance we all know as Salsa!
Barbara Macioce Barbara attended her first Cuban salsa course with Franco Restuccia from Roma, Italia in October of 1998. After 4 months of training in his classes, Barbara was asked to join his dance group called Azucar Lindo where she remained until 2001. With his group, she was trained in Puerto Rican style salsa and performed both Cuban and Puerto Rican style choreographies in many Italian cities.
In 2002, Barbara began taking numerous types of Caribbean dances such as Cuban style with Arnay Ferreiro, Salsa Puerto Rican style with Gabriele Giannattasio, Puerto Rican Ladies styling with Alessandra Lo Piero and finally Mambo New York style On2 with Jayson Molina. Once Barbara started training with Jayson, she realized that this was the path she wanted follow to become a mambo dancer.
In January 2004, Barbara moved to New York with the drive to study under Eddie Torres and his dance company. For 2 years she travelled back and forth to New York from Italy to train with Eddie and dance for his company, but unfortunately she couldn’t stay to work with Eddie because her visa didn't allow her to stay in NY for a longer period than 3 months. Witha hope that her visa situation might be resolved she remained in NY for a period training with Thomas Guerrero and Santo Rico Dance Company but eventually realsed that it was not going to be possible to stay in NY and she returned to Italy.
In the mists of all this, travelling back and forth, Barbara was able to start her own all-girl dance company in Rome called Almamambo.
Barbara returned to New York in the summer of 2006 to train and perform with Rudy in numerous events, socials and night clubs…..including the 2006 New York Salsa Congress. They are now in Italy teaching and performing and will be attending events as instructors/performers in the United States and Europe.
Susana Montero
Susana Montero, is one of the principal stars of British Salsa. Why? Simply because of her vast knowledge of dance and salsa, her sheer dancing skills, and her excellent teaching abilities, which have men, women and teachers coming back class after class. All this wrapped up in one of the most likeable personalities around.
This has all helped to make Susana one of the most sought after Salsa teacher/dancers in the UK.
Past achievements include winning the British Championship and the coveted Bacardi Competition, including a chance to perform to one of the most prestigious audiences in the Salsa world, at the Congresso de Bacardi in Puerto Rico, where Susana and her dance partner Leon Rose received one of the loudest and longest standing ovations of the entire week, after their debut performance. www.monterouk.com/
Edie 'The Salsafreak'
Edie has taught and performed in over thirty different countries throughout Europe, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Middle East, and Asia. Edie's contribution to Salsa was recognised with the International Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Paul Young at last year's UK Congress. She also received Best International Instructor at the British International Salsa Festival 1999 and was the Guest of Honour at the Curacao Salsa Festival 2000.
She has taken first place in numerous dance competitions, including the famous Mayan competition out of Los Angeles, California, and the International Salsa and Hustle Pro Salsa Championships in Miami, Florida. She has appeared on television, film, and radio, and co-stars in 15 instructional Salsa videos on the world market. www.dancefreak.com
Leon Rose
Leon Rose is one of the freshest innovators on the UK Salsa scene. His inspirational style generates enthusiasm and commitment to the art of Salsa dancing as demonstrated when he won the 2000 UK Bacardi Salsa and 2001 Salsa Club competitions.
He was born and educated in London and comes from a Caribbean background where he learnt to appreciate a wide variety of good music from an early age. During these years, Leon attended The Anna Scher Theatre School, which led to many appearances on stage, popular children's shows to several televised dramas.
Leon has performed salsa on television and stage, from appearances with Enrique Iglesias on Top of the Pops (BBC) and The Des O'Connor Show to The Royal Albert Hall in aid of Princess Diana Landmine Fund, Hackney Empire and various prestigious venues around the UK and the rest of the world.
As a choreographer and Salsa instructor Leon enjoys every aspect of dancing from encouraging the novice to working with the advanced and inspiring the best. Leon has taught several workshops around Europe including some of the big festivals. His natural exuberance and Salsa spirit ensures that to see him in action - Salsa is Life. www.salsalife.co.uk
Neeraj Neeraj Maskara has been dancing salsa for about 7 years. His background in dancing has been mainly Jazz Ballet. He has become increasingly popular in the salsa scene for his vibrant shows and excellent teaching. As an instructor, he is known for his originality, precision and clear explanation of everything he teaches. As a performer, he always manages to capture the audience with his choreography and expression. He not only demonstrates cool moves, dynamic body movements and great choreography but he also manages to leave a lasting impression on you with his friendly and fun-loving personality. Don’t miss out this opportunity of attending his classes!!!
Candice & Lautaro
Lautaro
Lautaro Arino´s success was first prompted with Club Latino, Sweden, and
their routines ”Thriller”,”Aladdino Latino”,”M.A.S.H.”, and then with Sacuye
Latin Dancer (which he co-founded), with “Vogue”,”Aves Maria”,Baila que
Baila”,”Fosse Mambo”,and “Mix Show”. His group won the 2002 Albert Torres
Annual European Salsa Team Competition in Haarlem, Holland, and he is the
2nd place winner of the Swiss Championship 2004.
One rare strength Lautaro possesses is his knowledge in both, Casino, the
Cuban Salsa and Cross Body Style Salsa. Starting off as so many did, dancing
Cuban Salsa he has never stopped developing it and masters both styles. He
also has a passion for Cha Cha Cha, and Son. Having more than six years of
teaching experience he loves to share the tricks and secrets he has learned
around the world. His greatest strength, however, is his diversity in being
able to teach many different styles and disciplines of Latin and AfroCuban
dances.
Candice
Candice was born in Hong Kong, but grew up in the Hispanisized island of the
Phillipines, where she grew up listening to Spanish folk music and dancing
Rural/Barrrio and Maria Clara folk dances such as Bagol, Basulto, Paseo de
Lloilo, and Carinosa. From a young age she did ballet, jazz dancing, and
then progressed to The Art of Striptease and hip-hop, and was always active
in the performing arts. She has currently returned from Havana, Cuba, where
she has been studying Cuban Cabaret dancing. Candice started dancing salsa
5 years ago and has been addicted to it ever since. Candice’s strongest
characteristic in her dance is her strong sexuality and sensuality, which
comes from her love of music and dance, and is expressed in her movement.
She has a seductive nature on the dance floor, which is both flirtatious,
and intoxicating. Candice has starred as a salsa dancer on "Dance", a pilot
TV show on Channel 4, A music video for Groove Factory,"Human Instinct" a
programme for the BBC, "Auf Wiedersein, Pet" for the BBC, amongst other
televised appearances.
She is also the British Salsa Champion of 2003, and a two year consecutive
place winner of the Tropicana Salsa Championships.
Candice's strength is in her diversity of being able to dance and teach all
styles of salsa (Cuban and Cross Body) with her partner Lautaro,and also her
LADIES STYLING classes, which she can conduct for both Cuban and Crossbody
dancers. www.bailattelo.com
Jaime Jesus & Lil Liz Jaime Jesus & Little Liz of Latin Dance Australia, have taken the salsa world by storm. Rated as 2 of the worlds best Instructors and performers, they have been contracted to teach and perform in 2006 at no less than 20 international events all throughout Asia, Europe and the America’s.
Famous for their LDA Style salsa, world class teaching and performances, Jaime and Liz are without a doubt Australia’s most sort after Salsa dancers. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cePpEJNZvGw –
Big Spenders Created in December 2004 by three friends in Paris, Big Spenders holds his name to pay homage to the famous New York choreographer Bob Fosse.
Big Spenders is now the union of 6 passionate dancers of Salsa New York Style, all of them coming from different influences: Jazz, Ballet, Modern, also traditional afro-Caribbean, or afro-Ecuadorian.
So many backgrounds are a huge source of inspiration.
They juggle with the styles and for now created 3 completely different choreographies:Masai, Diamond, and Moliendo Café.
Also lovers of parties… see you soon on dance floors.
Irene Miguel
Professional dancer, trained in classical ballet, contemporary, jazz and hip hop. She lived and worked in London and New York for 13 years. She has been dancing and teaching salsa since 1993.
She trained with the best international teachers in cuban style, on one salsa and mambo, includying Homero Gonzales, Eddie Torres, Jason Molina, Seaon Bristol, Frankie Martinez and Nelson flores.
Irene has been dancing and teaching all over the world for over 12 years and has both performed and taught at the most important salsa congresses includying Puerto Rico ( 2000/2001 ) where she danced as Seaon Stylist´s dance partner and Edgard del Rosario´s. She has worked in Londres, Nueva York, Grecia, Suiza, Suecia, Cuba, Republica Dominicana, Dinamarca, Paris, Miami, Argentina, Madrid , Murcia, amongst other places.....
Irene has performed with some of the best international dancers includying Leon Rose, Tamambo, Dean Maynard, Angel Ortis, Seaon Bristol , Edgard del Rosario, Susana Montero, Laith Sami, Carlos Aragon and Gustavo Pinat
- European Champion.
- International Judge for the Bristish Salsa Championship, Club Salsa UK, -Congreso Bacardi Paris, and offical Judge for the The International Salsa Open.
- UKA qualified.
Salsa Dance Squad
Salsa Dance Squad is the biggest show team from Holland, Internationally best known for their original and theatrical shows. The leaders of the group, Eric & Lina, are two very creative dancers who inspire audiences everywhere with their shows. They recently received 2 life-time achievement awards at the UK Salsa Congress 2005 and the West Coast Salsa Congress 2005 in Los Angeles. They always have high expectations and work hard to achieve their goals.
At the Brit Salsafest in 2006 they performed the Masquerade Ball, a beautiful mix between ballroom and Salsa danced to a blend of classical music and salsa, which was a huge success and destined to be performed at The Winter Gardens.
Emma Moore
Having danced from an early age, Emma went on to study dance full time at The London Studio Centre for Performing Arts. Graduating three years later, she worked for a number of touring dance companies at home and abroad as both a choreographer and performer.
Drawing on both her dance background salsa has become a way of life for Emma who, along with her dance partner Mushi, has travelled the world performing, teaching and DJing. In 2002, Emma and Mushi were honoured with an award for the Most Inspiring Newcomers and in 2003 were invited by Susana Montero to judge the British Salsa Competition. Emma also features on Susana Montero's Ladies Styling video sold worldwide.
Emma currently teaches and DJs at Salsology, the UK's largest club night. www.salsology.com
Swing World Champions, they are the promoters of a new salsa style called “SalsaSwing”, where sexy movements are mixed with swing and lindy acro elements.They made a huge impact in their first appearance at the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress in 2004, After that Los Angeles, NewYork/New Jersey, London, Switzerland, Milan, Portugal, Paris, Tampere, Rome, Madrid, Chicago and many more of the most important salsa and swing Congresses in the World.
They have used their knowledge of Jazz, Tap, Swing, Acro, Classic, Latin, Hip Hop to create a new Style based on the concept the music give you all the informations about Style, Choreography and right Interpretation. So if you know different dances you have more possibilities to follow the music rhythm variations.
Their classes are a mix of power and sensuality at the same time, classic technique combined with energy, fantasy and a unique capacity to follow the music with spectacular improvisations.
Marchant Birch Marchant Birch was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. He has been living in England since 2000. Trained from an early age in Ballroom and Latin American, he is a much sought after mambo/salsa performer and teacher both in the UK and internationally. Marchant has achieved success with a number of different dance partners over the years. Most recently, his dynamic partnership with Miriam Oppel culminated in their winning the Best UK Dance Act award at the UK Salsa Congress 2006. Their ëTake Fiveí show also received high acclaim from the mambo king himself, Eddie Torres.
In 2005, Marchant founded Alchemy Dance Company, an ongoing project which incorporates mambo, ballroom, and classical jazz techniques. In 2006 he started the Alchemy Dance Academy which provides the opportunity for the general salsa public to improve their dancing by way of the Alchemy method of dance training. It is pioneering the Alchemy Way that is now Marchant's main focus, by developing both the dance company and academy.
Salsa Dance Squad
Salsa Dance Squad is the biggest show team from Holland, Internationally best known for their original and theatrical shows. The leaders of the group, Eric & Lina, are two very creative dancers who inspire audiences everywhere with their shows. They recently received 2 life-time achievement awards at the UK Salsa Congress 2005 and the West Coast Salsa Congress 2005 in Los Angeles. They always have high expectations and work hard to achieve their goals
Mark Anthony
Mark-Anthony was born in Trinidad and Tobago and moved to Toronto Canada 1988. He was first introduced to salsa in 1999 and became a salsa addict soon after that. He co-founded Mambo Tribe Salsa Dance Company in 2003 and has since become one of the premiere performer’s and instructor’s coming out of Canada. He has achieved great success with his various dance partners from Canada, Israel and Europe and his latest partnership with Elena Poutanen of Sweden will surely entertain audience’s world wide.
Without salsa music we can’t express ourselves on the dance floor so let us show our appreciation to the musicians who are keeping the salsa music alive.
Elena Poutanen - Sweden Elena has been dancing since she was 6 years old and have competed in and won many Latin Ballroom competitions worldwide. When she started dancing salsa she incorporated her various dance styles which includes Flamenco and Latin Ballroom and this combination it made her a more complete dancer. A few years later Elena became a member Sacuye Latin Dancers of Sweden. As one of Sweden’s premiere salsa dancer and instructor, Elena has performed and taught at various worldwide salsa events and was also featured on one of Leon Rose’s instructional DVD collection. Elena has a great passion for dancing and she can always be seen on the dance floor right to the end.
Nicky and Gormack
Nicky & Gormack met in London after they had both been dancing for almost 2 years (Nicky Cuban and NY style, Gormack Cuban style). Nicky quickly introduced Gormack to NY style and consequently they decided to form the appropriately named company “The Salsaholics” and spread the word about NY style back up in Nicky’s home town of Leeds. Since then, their addiction has led them to teach all over the UK. Their reputation for teaching technique in a fun yet comprehensive way is now wide spread. Teamed with Gormack’s creative and unusual moves they are now 2 of the North’s most sought after teachers.
They stepped away from performing for a couple of years when they became parents, but are now launching themselves back on the stage… and will be performing and teaching at The Cannes Salsa Festival in addition to other key UK events throughout the year.
Whilst having no professional dancing background, they have both spent most of their teenage years dancing (R & B, Hip Hop, Ceroc etc) and this is reflected in their unique style. Teamed with their sense of fun, their passion, their background (Gormack is French/African) and their training (Irene Miguel, Edgard Del Rosario, Super Mario, Susana Montero, Leon Rose, Ramiro, Nelson Flores, Seaon Bristol, Frankie Martinez, Juan Matos and Eddie Torres… just a few of their teachers!) this talented couple are definitely ones to watch out for…whether dancing NY Style, Cuban Style, on1 or on2!!!!!! www.thesalsaholics.com
Mel C
Mel first started dancing salsa in February 1999 and after only a few months, she started assisting Mauricio Reyes (Founder of Latin Motion) with his Intermediate/Advanced classes. In the December of 1999 she taught her first beginners class for Latin Motion and her teaching career started from there.
Mel specializes in teaching all levels of salsa from beginners to advanced, ladies styling and is known for her footwork and body movement. She has taught all over the UK and Europe, at congresses and numerous weekend events.
She has trained with Special Tee, Nelson Flores, Frankie Martinez and Eddie Torres to name but a few.
She formed Carpe Diem Dance Company in 2003 and the group has performed in UK and Europe at some of the biggest salsa events in the world, including the UK Salsa Congress and the British Salsa Congress.
Mel choreographs all of the Carpe Diem shows and is supported by Alicia Greated.
Lossie and Gareth
Laucinda aka Lossie was trained at the London Studio Centre where she studied Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary Dance, Music and Theatre. It was during this time that she performed in the West End and toured with a Theatre Company. She has been teaching, performing and choreographing dance for 16 years with a wide variety of people. She started teaching and performing Salsa in 2000.
Gareth studied Flamenco at the ‘Greenwhich Dance Agency’ in London. He received a BA Honours Degree in Dance covering a variety of dance related topics including choreography, anatomy, contact improvisation, stage production. He performed in various shows including the Edinburgh Festival. He then went on to train at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance where his studies included, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Contemporary Music. Gareth started teaching & performing Salsa in 2002.
Together they have trained with several Mambo / Salsa teachers & performers, including an ‘Arts Council’ funded training week in 2003 with Frankie Martinez & private training with Emma & Mushi. They are continuously investing in their training & recently spent a week in New York. They teach ‘New York Cross Body ‘On2’. Together, they run the ‘Encuentro Latino’ Dance Company in York. www.encuentrolatino.co.uk
Franklyn and Brigitte
Brigitte said au revoir to France and came to live in Sunny Manchester 15 years ago. But every cloud has a silver lining (even Mancunian ones) and whilst here Brigitte discovered salsa. Now there’s no looking back and Brigitte is hooked on Salsa for life!
Dance has always been part of Brigitte’s life, having spent most of her teenage years dancing ballet, jazz and rock’n’roll.. her parents said to study more, but twinkle toes knew better.
She currently teaches with Franklyn, her dance partner, at Copacabana’s in Manchester. Their classes are fun, funky and very popular. Although high pitched commands are her trademark, no helium is used and except for the odd bruised toe and black eye, no one is usually hurt in her classes.
Brigitte and her dance partner are well known in the Salsa world and are regularly invited to teach at many venues and congresses in the UK and abroad. www.salsacrazy.co.uk
Alicia Greated
Alicia developed a passion for dancing from the age of two and a half when she started learning ballet. The Academy of Ballet (Edinburgh) awarded her a scholarship of excellence through which she continued to develop her classical ballet skills. Her interest in performing started when she danced in various performances at the Kings Theatre (Edinburgh) and performed with the Royal Scottish Ballet in the Nutcracker Ballet.
Alicia has studied and worked in various places in the UK and internationally. Through these experiences she broadened her interests in music, dance and movement and experimented with many different styles and approaches, including African dance, hip-hop and capoeira. Alicia has also had an ongoing love for playing music.
Teaching Experience
In 1996 Alicia had her first real taste of salsa when she attended her first beginner’s class while working in Brazil. In 2000 Alicia gained her (OCR) Royal Society of Arts Certificate in Teaching Exercise to Music. She began teaching aerobics and salsa at the University of Birmingham when she was studying for her PhD - this when her interest in salsa developed. Inspired by Mel C’s interest in ladies styling and emphasis on body movement, Alicia sought to develop these aspects of her dancing.
Alicia has taught for Latin Motion in Birmingham since 2001. She has worked with MelC for many years both performing with Carpe Diem and teaching with Mel C in venues in the UK and abroad. She also taught at the last two UK Salsa Congresses. Alicia qualified as a teacher of dancing (Club Salsa) with the United Kingdom Alliance (UKA) in 2005.
Alicia specialises in teaching beginners’ fundamentals and ladies styling/body movement.
Lee & Shelley With their combination of infectious enthusiasm and technical partnerwork, Lee and Shelley represent some of London’s hottest new talent.
Both are established performers in their own right. Shelley has taught with SuperMario and trained and performed with Iris de Brito and her Latin Soul Sisters, the Manhattan Mambo dancers and Richard Marcel, with numerous appearances on National TV including the Kiss FM Urban Music Awards. Lee has worked with the South of England Latin Formation Team (the British Champions), appearing at the Royal Festival Hall, and the Diablo Dance Company. Lee also worked with Iris de Brito to choreograph sections of the musical El Barrio. Shelley and Lee are both members of the Leon Rose Project.
As a dance partnership, Lee and Shelley perform and teach around the UK and Europe, with highlights including Move It Dance London Olympia 2006, the Salsa UK Congress 2005, Britfest 2006, Mambocity Five Star 2005 and 2006, London Latinfest 2005 and congresses in Austria, France and Spain. Their shows are guaranteed to bring high energy and a sense of fun to any event. Teaching as a couple, they place importance on demonstrating and explaining concepts of leading and following in particular.
Shelley and Lee are available for group and individual salsa lessons, from partnerwork to shines and styling, and are able to teach both “On 1” and “On 2”. Bookings range from choreographies and advanced lessons at established salsa nights to corporate events with a Latin twist, fun “ice-breaker” lessons and funky shows. www.leeandshelley.co.uk
Moe & Angelique Since forming their unique dance partnership in February 2006, Moe Flex and Angelique have never looked back! They have already brought three distinctively individual shows to the top dance floors of the UK and Europe, and there is a lot more to come! Their most recent performance, the internationally acclaimed "Lovers Feud", a unique fusion of comedy, Cuban body movement and top level salsa partner work, first performed at London's famous 'El Grande' and the UK Congress 2006, is scheduled for worldwide performances including Barcelona, Cyprus, India, Israel and Hong Kong in 2007.
Moe Flex is a former UKA British Champion and British Threesome Champion and the UK's recently crowned 'Most Popular Cuban Teacher 2006'. The man with the biggest smile in salsa, Moe's boundless enthusiasm and passion for dance are impossible to escape! Moe teaches, choreographs and performs salsa, his inimitable la rueda and animation throughout the UK and Europe. Moe also has extensive reggaeton, hip hop, locking, bachata, cha cha cha and On2 skills and has worked with acts such as Blu Cantrell, RDB, Ruthless and Roll Deep as well as appearing in last summer's sensational salsa musical 'El Barrio'.
Angelique is highly qualified in freestyle, Ballet and Modern dance. After just four months dancing salsa, Angelique became UK Amateur Champion and went on to perform and teach throughout the UK , both solo and with top male partners before undertaking further extensive On2 training in New York . Angelique is the founder of Seraphim Dance Company, an all female group which has toured Europe over the past two years including performances at the Gothenburg Congress, Cadiz Congress and the opening of the first Brit Salsa Fest. Having initially trained and taught with Susana Montero and Super Mario, Angelique specialises in On2 and is a well known teacher of ladies styling, body movement and musical interpretation.
Combining their outstanding dance skills in such a wide variety of disciplines with their mutual energy and enthusiasm for teaching and performing, and with new shows debuting in 2007 alongside their existing club filling performances, Moe Flex and Angelique are one of the most original, dynamic and passionate dance partnerships on the circuit today.
Jason & Shemayne Parkinson Jason & Shemayne Parkinson are “Dance with Passion” with their wealth of experience in the dance world they are the answer to most of your dancing needs.
Jason Parkinson started dancing at early age and soon found his way to a local dance school in Preston. By the age of 12 he was competing in the open to world championships at Blackpool and by the age of 14 he won his first of 5 British World open and British National titles as part of the Preston formation team. Jason along with his wife Shemayne also competed as a couple with great success.
Over the years Jason and Shemayne have appeared T.V many times including shows such as Blue Peter, Come Dancing, Euro Sport,Granada Reports,Strictly come dancing for children in need for BBC Northwest tonight and most recently along with Shemayne and his son Connor on BBC Breakfast Time discussing the recent revival of ballroom dancing and will soon be appearing on ITV's “Where the heart is “.
Jason has also represented the U.K in World & European championships in Germany & Norway and has toured Japan and performed for HRH Prince Andrew.
Jason & Shemayne retired from competing in 1998 and focused their time on teaching and have taught thousands to dance since.
In 2005 Jason & Shemayne were very honored to be asked to organize events and also teach in the most famous ballroom in the world; The Tower Ballroom in Blackpool. They are now recognized as the resident teachers there and organize TOWER INFERNO one of the biggest salsa nights in the country. They also run some of the biggest salsa classes in the north of England. For more info see www.dancewithpassion.co.uk.
Joel & Alina Joel & Alina are the directors and teachers of Tangomanchester, an organisation which plays an important role in promoting and popularizing Tango in the Manchester area.
Joel started studying Tango seven years ago, after being for many years an enthusiastic Salsa dancer. Very quickly, Tango became his main passion, which he vigorously pursued by traveling intensively to study with the best Maestros worldwide, including several trips to Buenos Aires. In 2002, he founded Tangomanchester.
Alina came to the world of Tango from a musical background. Her classical training as a pianist helped her appreciate the subtleties of Tango Music and enhance her interpretation of the dance rapidly. She started Tango with Joel, and recently became his partner in dancing and teaching. Together they travel extensively to keep up with the latest development of modern Tango.
Their bi-weekly classes (and milongas) are among the most attended and appreciated and attract people from well beyond Manchester. The techniques they teach emphasise functionality, naturalness, dynamics and playfulness, and are designed to allow the dancers to effectively master and enjoy both Traditional Tango as well as Tango Nuevo, and to merge them with fluidity. www.tangomanchester.co.uk.
