Salsa Rueda Festival Instructors

	duane Wrenn and Maribel Vasquez New Orleans, LA native duane Wrenn was born to dance. Learning Salsa at 26 years young, duane excelled quickly and now dances as if he has always known Cuban blood flowed in his veins. President of the successful Energetic Soul Studios in Clawson, MI. duane has a B.S. degree in Exercise Science and is a highly accredited Fitness Consultant. After working as a Personal Trainer to the stars duane has focused mainly on developing his unique dancing style. He now resides in Detroit, Michigan. Over the last six years duane has put his knowledge and experience to use developing several unique classes from dance to aerobic and strength. With over 500 special appearances both locally and abroad his experience and track record speaks for itself. duane created a Salsa aerobic class with an accompanying video aptly named Energetic Salsa™. This basic video teaches its viewers 7 main variations of the basic salsa steps. duane is also the creator of Energetic Soul°sa™ where he combines linear and circular styles of Salsa dancing. This is what duane refers to as "Mi receta y Mi Sazon." Since the Energetic Salsa Video duane has produced three more instructional DVD's. Soulsa Adapt-Ability part I and II, and Con Alma I. For more information click on any DVD title in products section. duane is considered one of the top instructors of Afro-Cuban Salsa (Casino) style dancing in the Midwest . His background ranges from Cuban Rumba, Son, Capoeira, and Break dancing. duane specializes in Casino style dancing with an Energetic Soulsa Twist.
	Manuel Suarez Manuel is the Founder of both 7 Potencias in Havana and CultuCuba in Oakland,CA The 7 Potencias Company was founded in Havana, Cuba on September 13, 1999, by Manuel Suarez, general and artistic director. Although the 7 Potencias Company has not existed for long under this name, its individual members have worked with each other for many years as members of other dance companies, and prior to that, as students at the various dance schools. This high degree of cumulative professional experience, and the investigative work which has gone into the development of the company's own artistic work, has gained 7 Potencias quick acceptance and support by the Cuban public. Just recently in November 2002, 7 Potencias won first place in the prestigious Wemilere Festival in Guanabacoa, Cuba. CultuCuba is an organization founded by Manuel Suarez with the primary objective of promoting Cuban culture and developing relationships with other societies of the world. Through this multicultural institution, CultuCuba not only strives to promote Cuban traditions, but also all other traditions that participate in these cultural exchanges.
	David Huo David Huo is engaging in teaching, publicizing Cuban Salsa for more than 10 years who is honored to be the king of the Cuban Salsa in China. He taught Cuban Salsa in a program made and broadcasted in CCTV in 2003. He is also the main founder of “Casa De David” Club in 2004 which is the most famous dancing place for salseros in Beijing. With his brilliant and excellent dancing, David won the champion in International Salsa Festival in Havana in 2005. He established the first Cuban band “Alli Na’ma” in China.
	Julian Meija Julián Mejía studied Casino-style Salsa in Miami, where Casino Salsa is king. He began teaching Casino-style Salsa when he moved to Atlanta in July of 1999; SALSAtlanta grew out of these classes. Julián now conducts classes in all levels: from a basic beginners class for individuals who may never have danced before, to a fast-paced advanced class. Over 1500 people have attended his classes and workshops within the past year.
	Sidney Weaverling and Ryan Mead Sidney Weaverling is a longtime contributer to of the currently thriving Cuban-style salsa scene in the SF Bay Area, with more than 10 years of experience as a teacher, performer, and choreographer. Apart from her remarkable proficiency with Cuban popular dance, she has extensive knowledge of Brazilian and African styles. Expert in both following and leading, she has given salsa and rueda workshops across the United States and internationally. She has studied at the Escuela Nacional de Arte (ENA) in Cuba with the Caribbean Music and Dance program, and hosted study trips for her students at myriad schools in Miami, notably SalsaLovers and Salsa Racing. A natural dancer and a thorough teacher, Sidney not only has a beautiful and fluid style of movement – she has the teaching experience and attention to detail that enable her to effectively and efficiently transform and inspire dancers at any level. Ryan Mead was studying jazz percussion at the New England Conservatory when he took his first trip to Cuba, and his life was changed forever. He became an avid student of Cuban music and dance, both popular and folkloric, making several more trips to Cuba (most recently on a grant from Stanford). Fluent in Spanish, he has studied Cuban and Miami-style salsa and rueda in Washington DC, Miami, and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Ryan has been teaching salsa and rueda classes for more than 3 years, and he is known for his friendly, patient teaching style and energetic, creative calling. While he has internalized an impressive repertory of turn patterns and body movement, his greatest strength as a dancer and instructor is his musicality; most recently he has been innovating a vocabulary of rhythmic calls and steps to aid dancers in the understanding and interpretation of Cuban music.
	Sandra Moro Sleeper Sandra Moro Sleeper, a Cuban American originally from Miami, has been dancing Casino in Austin since 1999. She's been dancing the dances of her culture for more than 30 years. She is the Founder and Director of Street Salsa in Austin, Texas. Street Salsa wishes to empower all to dance and experience the music, rhythms and cultures of Cuba.
	Ramon Ramos Alayo Ramon Ramos Alayo is known and respected throughout the Bay Area as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and as the artistic director of the Alayo Dance Company. He began his dance life at age eleven in Santiago de Cuba, and went on to recieve his master's degree in contemporary and folkloric dance and dance education from the National School of the Arts in Havana. He was the principal dancer in Danza del Caribe and the Narcisco Medina Contemporary Dance Company, and has performed throughout Cuba, Europe, Canada, Belize, and the U.S. In 1997 Ramon moved to the U.S. and began his professional career in the Bay Area. He has performed with a number of the Bay Area's most respected choreographers, such as Robert Henry Johnson, Kim Epifano, Sara Shelton Mann, and Zaccho Dance Theater, and is currently a member of Robert Moses' Kin. Ramon teaches Cuban popular dance, Afro-Cuban Modern dance and children's movement classes at a number of dance schools. In 2003 he founded CubaCaribe, an organization which promotes Cuban cultural and artistic programs and produces Cuba Camp, an annual summer dance camp. His own company, the Alayo Dance Company is known for its unique fusion of Afro-Cuban modern, folkloric, and popular dance presented theatrically.
	Royland Lobato
	Yismari Ramos Tellez Yismari Ramos Tellez graduated from the National School of Art in Havana, Cuba in 1992, with a degree in modern and Afro-Cuban folklore dance. For six years, Yismari worked as one of the key dancers for the Tony Menendez Dance Company, which performed in Cuba, Russia and Italy. She later went on to become one of the senior dancers of the Ballet de la Television Cubana in Havana, where she regularly performed on television, in video clips and in live shows for some of the top bands in Cuba, Musicals, and in international productions in Spain, Ecuador, Panama, and Switzerland. Yismari has also worked with Lady Salsa, an internationally renowned group, performing Cuban son, mambo, cha-cha-cha, and salsa in Australia, New Zealand and Germany. She has taught dance to children in Cuba and EUA for years, and has also taught numerous Cuban Dance workshops in Canada and Europa
	Marcos Ravelo Born in Havana Cuba, Marcos Ravelo, owner and founder of Havana Cuban Dance Studio, chose to make Calgary, Alberta his home in 2001. The transition from Cuba to Canada took place with nothing but high hopes of carrying on the long standing family tradition of sharing the gift of authentic Cuban dance with others. Marcos has taught dance in workshops across Canada in Cities like Montreol, Toronto, Vancouver etc, He has brought his style of dance to cities in USA and foreign countries like Jamaica and Bahamas, His latest work was at the Vancouver International Rueda Congress 2008, where his lessons were taken by hundreds of students and dancers including the best Salseros and Casineros in the world. Since then, Marcos has had the opportunity to showcase some of his energizing and innovative choreography in countless local events, including Calgary’s ExpoLatino, Heritage Day, Vancouver Salsa International Rueda Congress 2007,2008, Calgary's International salsa congress, Lailac Fest, Mosaic Fest, Internatinal Dance Day,Sun and Salsa, Fiestaval and many other events incluiding the Guinnes World Record, largest dance lesson in the world. Marcos Ravelo has also had the honour of opening for local and world renowned musical groups including Pachanga, Puerto Rican Power, Grammy Nominees Maraca, Chuchito Valdes and Grammy Winner Igancio Berroa, La Maquina, La Sonora Dinamita ,Cubanito, Grammy nominees Oscar De Leon,Tres de la habana, Eddy-k ,Grammy Winner Los munequitos de matanzas, Grammy Winner Yoruba Andabo, Grupo Niche, Dayron y El Boom, Mayito Rivera, Joe Arroyo, Los hermanos Flores and Nina Sky. In January of 2007, along with some of his advanced students, Marcos was asked to grace the main stage of the Jack Singer Concert Hall in conjunction with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Soon after, Marcos entered the “So You Think You Can Dance Calgary” dance competition, placing first in the Latin dance category. Marcos Ravelo has continued to make a name for himself and his studio in Calgary as well as internationally, leaving those in his path with an unappeasable hunger for the taste of true Cuban culture!
	Salsa Nick and Serena For over 14 years, Nick was a martial arts and movement instructor. Partner dancing and salsa were a natural progression. For the past 9 years, Nick has been teaching salsa in the San Francisco Bay Area. Nick combines decades of Cuban tradition with martial arts concepts of connection, balance, and flow. Presently, he teaches club-style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, cha cha cha, son, and several martial arts. Nick has trained and taught all over the U.S., including extended periods in Miami, New York, and Texas. He has also taught in Hawaii, and all over California. He has taught at numerous Salsa Congresses, festivals and cruises and is the co-star of "The Quick And Dirty Guide To Salsa vol. 4". Nick is a co-director of Salsa Vale Todo and co-organizer of The SF/Bay Area Salsa Rueda Festival. Serena has been dancing professionally since 2000. She has been trained in many styles of dance including ballet, tap, and jazz. Most recently she feel in love with salsa and Brazilian dance. Serena has trained in New York, Brazil, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. Currently she performs in local samba and salsa dance companies and teaches dance at the YMCA. Serena is a Co-Director of Salsa Vale Todo and co-organizer of The SF/Bay Area Salsa Rueda Festival San Francisco 2009. Currently she performs with the samba company, Energia do Samba and Salsa Rueda with Salsa Vale Todo. Serena has shared the stage and opened for Olodum, Elba Ramalho, Jesus Diaz y Su QBA and Jorge Ben Jor.
	Mike and Simona From Portland to Philadelphia, to Honolulu to Houston - Mike and Simona are spreading their love of Casino Salsa. They started Rumbanana Salsa Group in January 2000 as a way to promote Cuban Salsa dancing in the Pacific Northwest. Both have been dancing, performing, choreographing and teaching Salsa for more than 12 years. Their focus for the past 8 years has been Casino Style Salsa. By carefully studying Cuban dancers, as well as key dancers from Miami, Mike and Simona have brought true Casino Salsa to hundreds of people around the world. Their teaching ranges from small classes to 100+ people workshops. Not only are their workshops and classes filled with meaningful information, but they also make it fun and exciting to learn. Teaching venues have included their own classes in the Northwest, as well as workshops at national events, such as the Houston Salsa Congress, Palm Springs Salsa Congress, Chicago International Salsa Congress, Philadelphia Salsa Congress, Honolulu Salsathon, Summer Salsa Extravaganza in Palm Springs, NW Salsa Congress, Salsa Rueda Congress in Miami and many others.
	India Gomez I was introduced to salsa music and dance by a friend in 2000. The second I saw the teachers dancing in the club, I knew I had to learn. I started taking private lessons that week and went to every class I could find. I danced every day, I knew immediately that I had found one of the greatest loves of my life. It became clear to me that not only did I want to dance for my own self expression, but that I wanted to offer this gift to others. I started assisting Salsa instructors in the Bay Area in 2001 while continuing my dance education.After almost two years of training (private lessons, workshops, and dance troops), and teaching salsa, I decided to go to Cuba and immerse myself in the culture that contributed so much to Salsa. During my stay, I met family, studied at the University of Havana and danced every day and night.I came home a different dancer and infinitely inspired as a student and as a teacher. Cuba was only the beginning. Since then I have taught classes, workshops, private lessons and special events in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Petaluma, Sonoma etc. I have danced and performed in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York.
	Chris Rogicki Christopher Rogicki was born in NJ and started dancing at age 10. During college, he was first exposed to Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino, Timba and Son, studying with prominent Casino schools and teachers in the US and abroad, from Miami, Havana and Santiago de Cuba to Washington D.C., California, Spain, and Switzerland. During his senior year, Chris directed MEZCLA, the Latino Performing Arts group at Brown University, which taught and performed at various venues, expos, and televised events throughout New England. Upon returning back to the Tri-State area for grad school at Columbia University, Chris pursued a degree in Linguistics with a specialization in teaching and how adults learn. Combining an extensive pedagogical background with his love for Cuban music and dance, Chris has designed and implemented an extensively progressive Rueda de Casino curriculum at Salsa International. Combining Cuban and Miami-styles, he is responsible for teaching and spreading a unique fusion of universal, core-Casino moves which enable his students to develop a well-rounded knowledge and appreciation of the music and dance. Known for his unique style of choreography and really pushing the limits, Chris is also the founder of ¡Fuákata!, the Rueda performance group at Salsa International, located in midtown Manhattan.
	Issac and Mary Isaac Kos-Read and Mary Massella met on the dance floor in 2001 in Los Angeles at the Cuban dance club Zabumba and have been tearing it up around the world since then, winning 1st Place at the World Amateur Cuban Salsa Championship at the 2005 Salsa Rueda Congress of the Americas (both the couple casino competition and Mary with Timbea in the rueda competition) and triumphing at a Casa de la Música dance competition in 2006 in Havana, Cuba. Their style of dance is a fusion of various Cuban rhythms such as son and rumba, with much inspiration and guidance from the Cuban group Ban Ra Ra; old-school "Latin" ballroom style and the dances of Mary's native Guatemala; folkloric dances from throughout Latin America thanks to the influence of Susan Cashion and Los Decanos de Stanford; as well as hints of jazz and ballroom gleaned from over a decade of training in places such as Chile with Chilean Mariano Arraigada, Mexico with Cuban Ivan Naranjo, and in the Bay Area with teachers such as Colombian American Gary Johnson. Today Mary is active in the all-female Afro-Cuban group Las Que Son Son while Isaac continues leading the Salsa by the Lake gathering on Oakland's Lake Merritt, both offering occasional private and group lessons, and always seeking to contribute their energy to the Cuban salsa scene in the Bay Area, Los Angeles region, or wherever their travels take them, including Beijing, China and Washington, DC.
	Yussef Breffe My name is Yussef Breffe. I recently came here from Europe where I had the opportunity to share my artistic and professional knowledge about my culture and its tradition of dance. I am Cuban and taught my Cuban rhythms and dance tradition for almost 10 years in my hometown of Havana. I was also able to work for 5 years in Europe with dance companies such as Via Danza, Key 2 cuba, and Minerva. I lived in Italy for the last 3 years and gave dance classes and workshops. I also performed salsa, rueda, rumba, son, and afro-cuban folkloric in nightclubs and parties in Bologna and Milan. In Italy I took classes with Esmil Diaz, a dancer and master (and graduate of the National Institute of Arts in Cuba), and I worked with young talents from the National Folkloric School of Cuba (Folklorico Nacional de Cuba). I would love to teach my country's rich dance and rhythmical culture, whose tradition stems from african, haitian, and spanish roots and which has evolved into the salsa, rueda de casino, and timba that we dance today. But we cannot forget the son and rumba that are still present in our culture and which are also the base of the modern dances I have mentioned.
	Jose Barroso Born in Havana, José Francisco Barroso’s childhood was enveloped in Cuba’s rich artistic and spiritual environment. At a very young age Barroso was dancing the popular Cuban styles of son, casino, rueda, and rumba. Barroso describes these movements as an expression of everyday life in Cuba and as a symbol of the vibrancy of the Cuban people. As a teenager, Barroso competed and was recognized throughout Havana for his skills in the American forms of hip-hop and break dance. Literally discovered dancing on the street corner in Havana, Barroso was mentored by director of Cuba’s Compania Folklorica Raices Profundas, Juan de Dios Ramos, and rapidly began his journey and career in Afro-Cuban dance. Immersed in the dance and music tradition of his ancestors, Barroso delved ever deeper into the significance and roots of his culture. Today, director and choreographer José Francisco Barroso is regarded as among the foremost authorities on Afro-Cuban dance, music, and folklore. His extensive training and dedication yield Barroso accreditation as an Omo Ayán, master of the consecrated Bata; Palo ÑaÑganaga, keeper of knowledge in the Congolese tradition; Omo Elegba, priest of the Orisha Elegbá; and Awo Ifa, high priest of Orunmila. Barroso was a California Arts Council Artist-In-Residence Grant recipient for the years 1995-2000, teaching extremely popular classes for children and adults, in arts centers, community centers, and public schools, and is a 2006 recipient of the ACTA Living Cultures Grant Program. In addition to private dance studios, Barroso has held residency at several universities and colleges such as Stanford University, California State University Sacramento, San Jose State University, Humboldt State University, San Francisco State University, New College of San Francisco, Laney College, and Mills College. Barroso continues to expand and exhibit his already impressive knowledge of Yoruba traditional practices by studying and collaborating with numerous Cuban and African masters of drum, dance and culture.
	Victoria-Hadar Victoria-Hadar began studying dance at the age of 5 with studies in ballet, jazz, Classical Ballroom and Flamenco. She holds a degree from the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and a Master degree from CUNY. Victoria-Hadar has specialized in Latin dance for more the 18 years. Learned in Cuba and Europe, She has participated in international Salsa events and Salsa congresses around the globe and taught international and nationwide workshops in Europe, The Mediterranean, Canada and across the USA, from NY to Alaska. Currently Victoria-Hadar is teaching at “You Should Be Dancing” Dance Center in Manhattan, NY, where students love her entertaining and considerate teaching style. Victoria-Hadar founded and has performed for the last Six years with her students dance group "Bailatina" in National and Local events including the Lincoln Center for the performing arts, Havana Film Festival NY Gala, WB11 Hispanic Parade, Chelsea Piers, the Lower East side Festival, Club Copacabana and Club SOB’s in NYC; in an NBA game and the Hispanic day in Washington DC; the Re-Opening of Philadelphia’s main library in PA, at the “Hoboken Arts and Music festival” and the Cuban Independence day celebration in NJ and in the biggest Cuban yearly event of the north Atlantic region – “the Mamoncillo”.
	Ninoska Cumaraima and Javier Rosillo Ninoska and Javier started dancing salsa casino in 1999.They soon afterwards founded a school to exclusively teach casino salsa and Latin rhythms. Several years later they decided to expand their horizons in dance instruction and change from being a school dedicated to only one style of Salsa to a school dedicated to gathering as many styles of dance one place.This new and ambitious project was called The Integral Center for Dance. They are also promoters of the most respected casino salsa instructors and events in Venezuela, and producers of the biggest competition in Venezuela: The annual Venezualan Festival Salsa Casino.
	Jennifer Gonzales, Saoco D.C. Jennifer started dancing salsa rueda 10 years ago when she was looking for a good spot for salsa lessons. After having dabbled in lessons on1 and on2, salsa rueda is what stuck! After taking a short time off to have a child, Jennifer looked up her old friends and started working on the website for SAOCO DC. SAOCO DC is the premiere salsa rueda group in Washington DC and has most recently competed in the 2008 Miami Rueda Congress and performs throughout the Washington DC area. That lead to attending the 2006 Miami Rueda Congress which lead to more dancing and eventually performing with SAOCO DC. One night, when SAOCO DC needed a teacher, Jennifer stepped in to teach the beginner session. She loved it! Now, almost two years later, she routinely teaches rueda with SAOCO DC as well as on her own at various studios. She has instructed classes of up to 60 people as well as small groups of only 3-4 people. For the San Fransisco Rueda Festival, Jennifer will be teaching a 'Group Moves' class designed for beginners.
	Leslie Vazquez and Reinier Fernandez (CMV con Ritmo-Mexico City) Rey Fernandez was born in La Havana Cuba. Even though he decided to study Veterinarian Medicine, he was passionate about Cuban Salsa & Timba, this passion bring him to participate in some Cuban Salsa Contests in La Havana, getting recognition because of his creative way to dance. He moved to Mexico City 6 years ago, and after a year, he started to instruct Cuban Salsa with Luis Martinez, el Indio, the first & one of the most important promoters of Cuban Salsa in Mexico. Leslie was born in Mexico City, since little girl, she demonstrated love and a great talent for dancing. After complete a Computer Systems Degree, she decided to dedicate part of her time to her passion, to dance, specially, Cuban Salsa. Since 2000, she learned Casino with Luis Martinez, whom after a couple of years, invited her to be part of his Team of Instructors. Over the last 5 years, Leslie has studied Rumba, Son, Afro Cuban Dance and Casino in La Havana Cuba & Mexico City. Rey & Leslie started a life together as Couple & Dance Partners 4 years ago, they got 1st place as Dance Couple in several Cuban Salsa Competitions in Mexico and also they represented Mexico in the 1st International Cuban Salsa Competition Melia Baila, in Varadero Cuba in 2005, getting the 1st place as well. Both have been teaching, performing & choreographing Cuban Salsa for more than 4 years. In 2004, Rey & Leslie invited a group of friends passionate about Cuban Salsa to create CMV con Ritmo. The name of the group came from the name of the Countries where all members came from: Cuba, Mexico & Venezuela. Over the last 4 years, CMV has participated in some international Salsa Events such as Salsa Rueda Congress in Miami in 2006, Cuba Baila in Vancouver in 2007, Baila en Cuba in La Havana in 2007, Cubamemucho in Munich in 2008 & recently in the 2nd International Cuban Salsa Congress in Mexico City last June. In 2007, Rey & Leslie created their own Cuban Salsa Academy located in Mexico City with a lot of success. Their experience like International Cuban Salsa Instructors started in Vancouver last year, in Munich last March and proximately in the 5th Salsa Rueda Congress in Miami next November.
	Ahmed Selim has been teaching dance since the age of 13 and is currently director of the Starlight Ballroom Dance Studio, in New Hyde Park, NY with his wife Katherine. Introduced to Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino in 1997 by a latin dance coach from Miami he acquired a new found love for the style. Since then he has started the first program of its kind in the area dedicated to bringing Cuban style salsa to the public eye as well as incorporating Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino into all of the programs at their dance studio, which is a first for any ballroom/latin dance studio; and it is also part of a vocational ballroom dance teacher training program which they offer. Having trained under the supervision of such talents as Sally Hammond, Lance Westergard, Elham El Amir, Sonia Quinones, Orlando Pena and Didio Barrera Katherine brings a diverse style and expert training to her students. Her dance styles include Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Middle Eastern Belly Dancing and Ballroom & Latin Dancing. In addition, Katherine is one of Long Island's premiere dance fitness instructors teaching Zumba Fitness, Salsa Suelta and Cardio Ballroom. Although her primary home is Starlight Ballroom Dance Studio, she teaches both ballroom dancing and dance fitness at various locations on Long Island and recently became a teaching artist for American Ballroom Theater's Dancing Classrooms. Over the past 25 years Ahmed and Katherine have taught, choreographed and performed throughout the US and abroad, with numerous appearances ranging from ART TV, A&E, Cablevision, Fox News Channel and Womens Entertainment.

duane Wrenn and Maribel Vasquez

New Orleans, LA native duane Wrenn was born to dance. Learning Salsa at 26 years young, duane excelled quickly and now dances as if he has always known Cuban blood flowed in his veins. President of the successful Energetic Soul Studios in Clawson, MI. duane has a B.S. degree in Exercise Science and is a highly accredited Fitness Consultant. After working as a Personal Trainer to the stars duane has focused mainly on developing his unique dancing style. He now resides in Detroit, Michigan. Over the last six years duane has put his knowledge and experience to use developing several unique classes from dance to aerobic and strength. With over 500 special appearances both locally and abroad his experience and track record speaks for itself.

duane created a Salsa aerobic class with an accompanying video aptly named Energetic Salsa™. This basic video teaches its viewers 7 main variations of the basic salsa steps. duane is also the creator of Energetic Soul°sa™ where he combines linear and circular styles of Salsa dancing. This is what duane refers to as "Mi receta y Mi Sazon."

Since the Energetic Salsa Video duane has produced three more instructional DVD's. Soul*sa Adapt-Ability part I and II, and Con Alma I. For more information click on any DVD title in products section. duane is considered one of the top instructors of Afro-Cuban Salsa (Casino) style dancing in the Midwest . His background ranges from Cuban Rumba, Son, Capoeira, and Break dancing. duane specializes in Casino style dancing with an Energetic Soul*sa Twist.

Manuel Suarez

Manuel is the Founder of both 7 Potencias in Havana and CultuCuba in Oakland,CA

The 7 Potencias Company was founded in Havana, Cuba on September 13, 1999, by Manuel Suarez, general and artistic director. Although the 7 Potencias Company has not existed for long under this name, its individual members have worked with each other for many years as members of other dance companies, and prior to that, as students at the various dance schools. This high degree of cumulative professional experience, and the investigative work which has gone into the development of the company's own artistic work, has gained 7 Potencias quick acceptance and support by the Cuban public. Just recently in November 2002, 7 Potencias won first place in the prestigious Wemilere Festival in Guanabacoa, Cuba.

CultuCuba is an organization founded by Manuel Suarez with the primary objective of promoting Cuban culture and developing relationships with other societies of the world. Through this multicultural institution, CultuCuba not only strives to promote Cuban traditions, but also all other traditions that participate in these cultural exchanges.

David Huo

David Huo is engaging in teaching, publicizing Cuban Salsa for more than 10 years who is honored to be the king of the Cuban Salsa in China. He taught Cuban Salsa in a program made and broadcasted in CCTV in 2003. He is also the main founder of “Casa De David” Club in 2004 which is the most famous dancing place for salseros in Beijing. With his brilliant and excellent dancing, David won the champion in International Salsa Festival in Havana in 2005. He established the first Cuban band “Alli Na’ma” in China.

Julian Meija

Julián Mejía studied Casino-style Salsa in Miami, where Casino Salsa is king. He began teaching Casino-style Salsa when he moved to Atlanta in July of 1999; SALSAtlanta grew out of these classes. Julián now conducts classes in all levels: from a basic beginners class for individuals who may never have danced before, to a fast-paced advanced class. Over 1500 people have attended his classes and workshops within the past year.

Sidney Weaverling and Ryan Mead

Sidney Weaverling is a longtime contributer to of the currently thriving Cuban-style salsa scene in the SF Bay Area, with more than 10 years of experience as a teacher, performer, and choreographer. Apart from her remarkable proficiency with Cuban popular dance, she has extensive knowledge of Brazilian and African styles. Expert in both following and leading, she has given salsa and rueda workshops across the United States and internationally. She has studied at the Escuela Nacional de Arte (ENA) in Cuba with the Caribbean Music and Dance program, and hosted study trips for her students at myriad schools in Miami, notably SalsaLovers and Salsa Racing. A natural dancer and a thorough teacher, Sidney not only has a beautiful and fluid style of movement – she has the teaching experience and attention to detail that enable her to effectively and efficiently transform and inspire dancers at any level.

Ryan Mead was studying jazz percussion at the New England Conservatory when he took his first trip to Cuba, and his life was changed forever. He became an avid student of Cuban music and dance, both popular and folkloric, making several more trips to Cuba (most recently on a grant from Stanford). Fluent in Spanish, he has studied Cuban and Miami-style salsa and rueda in Washington DC, Miami, and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Ryan has been teaching salsa and rueda classes for more than 3 years, and he is known for his friendly, patient teaching style and energetic, creative calling. While he has internalized an impressive repertory of turn patterns and body movement, his greatest strength as a dancer and instructor is his musicality; most recently he has been innovating a vocabulary of rhythmic calls and steps to aid dancers in the understanding and interpretation of Cuban music.

Sandra Moro Sleeper

Sandra Moro Sleeper, a Cuban American originally from Miami, has been dancing Casino in Austin since 1999. She's been dancing the dances of her culture for more than 30 years. She is the Founder and Director of Street Salsa in Austin, Texas.

Street Salsa wishes to empower all to dance and experience the music, rhythms and cultures of Cuba.

Ramon Ramos Alayo

Ramon Ramos Alayo is known and respected throughout the Bay Area as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and as the artistic director of the Alayo Dance Company. He began his dance life at age eleven in Santiago de Cuba, and went on to recieve his master's degree in contemporary and folkloric dance and dance education from the National School of the Arts in Havana. He was the principal dancer in Danza del Caribe and the Narcisco Medina Contemporary Dance Company, and has performed throughout Cuba, Europe, Canada, Belize, and the U.S. In 1997 Ramon moved to the U.S. and began his professional career in the Bay Area. He has performed with a number of the Bay Area's most respected choreographers, such as Robert Henry Johnson, Kim Epifano, Sara Shelton Mann, and Zaccho Dance Theater, and is currently a member of Robert Moses' Kin. Ramon teaches Cuban popular dance, Afro-Cuban Modern dance and children's movement classes at a number of dance schools. In 2003 he founded CubaCaribe, an organization which promotes Cuban cultural and artistic programs and produces Cuba Camp, an annual summer dance camp. His own company, the Alayo Dance Company is known for its unique fusion of Afro-Cuban modern, folkloric, and popular dance presented theatrically.

Royland Lobato

Yismari Ramos Tellez

Yismari Ramos Tellez graduated from the National School of Art in Havana, Cuba in 1992, with a degree in modern and Afro-Cuban folklore dance. For six years, Yismari worked as one of the key dancers for the Tony Menendez Dance Company, which performed in Cuba, Russia and Italy. She later went on to become one of the senior dancers of the Ballet de la Television Cubana in Havana, where she regularly performed on television, in video clips and in live shows for some of the top bands in Cuba, Musicals, and in international productions in Spain, Ecuador, Panama, and Switzerland. Yismari has also worked with Lady Salsa, an internationally renowned group, performing Cuban son, mambo, cha-cha-cha, and salsa in Australia, New Zealand and Germany. She has taught dance to children in Cuba and EUA for years, and has also taught numerous Cuban Dance workshops in Canada and Europa

Marcos Ravelo

Born in Havana Cuba, Marcos Ravelo, owner and founder of Havana Cuban Dance Studio, chose to make Calgary, Alberta his home in 2001. The transition from Cuba to Canada took place with nothing but high hopes of carrying on the long standing family tradition of sharing the gift of authentic Cuban dance with others.

Marcos has taught dance in workshops across Canada in Cities like Montreol, Toronto, Vancouver etc, He has brought his style of dance to cities in USA and foreign countries like Jamaica and Bahamas, His latest work was at the Vancouver International Rueda Congress 2008, where his lessons were taken by hundreds of students and dancers including the best Salseros and Casineros in the world.

Since then, Marcos has had the opportunity to showcase some of his energizing and innovative choreography in countless local events, including Calgary’s ExpoLatino, Heritage Day, Vancouver Salsa International Rueda Congress 2007,2008, Calgary's International salsa congress, Lailac Fest, Mosaic Fest, Internatinal Dance Day,Sun and Salsa, Fiestaval and many other events incluiding the Guinnes World Record, largest dance lesson in the world.

Marcos Ravelo has also had the honour of opening for local and world renowned musical groups including Pachanga, Puerto Rican Power, Grammy Nominees Maraca, Chuchito Valdes and Grammy Winner Igancio Berroa, La Maquina, La Sonora Dinamita ,Cubanito, Grammy nominees Oscar De Leon,Tres de la habana, Eddy-k ,Grammy Winner Los munequitos de matanzas, Grammy Winner Yoruba Andabo, Grupo Niche, Dayron y El Boom, Mayito Rivera, Joe Arroyo, Los hermanos Flores and Nina Sky.

In January of 2007, along with some of his advanced students, Marcos was asked to grace the main stage of the Jack Singer Concert Hall in conjunction with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Soon after, Marcos entered the “So You Think You Can Dance Calgary” dance competition, placing first in the Latin dance category.

Marcos Ravelo has continued to make a name for himself and his studio in Calgary as well as internationally, leaving those in his path with an unappeasable hunger for the taste of true Cuban culture!

Salsa Nick and Serena

For over 14 years, Nick was a martial arts and movement instructor. Partner dancing and salsa were a natural progression. For the past 9 years, Nick has been teaching salsa in the San Francisco Bay Area. Nick combines decades of Cuban tradition with martial arts concepts of connection, balance, and flow. Presently, he teaches club-style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, cha cha cha, son, and several martial arts. Nick has trained and taught all over the U.S., including extended periods in Miami, New York, and Texas. He has also taught in Hawaii, and all over California. He has taught at numerous Salsa Congresses, festivals and cruises and is the co-star of "The Quick And Dirty Guide To Salsa vol. 4".

Nick is a co-director of Salsa Vale Todo and co-organizer of The SF/Bay Area Salsa Rueda Festival.

Serena has been dancing professionally since 2000. She has been trained in many styles of dance including ballet, tap, and jazz. Most recently she feel in love with salsa and Brazilian dance. Serena has trained in New York, Brazil, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Francisco. Currently she performs in local samba and salsa dance companies and teaches dance at the YMCA.

Serena is a Co-Director of Salsa Vale Todo and co-organizer of The SF/Bay Area Salsa Rueda Festival San Francisco 2009. Currently she performs with the samba company, Energia do Samba and Salsa Rueda with Salsa Vale Todo. Serena has shared the stage and opened for Olodum, Elba Ramalho, Jesus Diaz y Su QBA and Jorge Ben Jor.

Mike and Simona

From Portland to Philadelphia, to Honolulu to Houston - Mike and Simona are spreading their love of Casino Salsa.

They started Rumbanana Salsa Group in January 2000 as a way to promote Cuban Salsa dancing in the Pacific Northwest. Both have been dancing, performing, choreographing and teaching Salsa for more than 12 years. Their focus for the past 8 years has been Casino Style Salsa. By carefully studying Cuban dancers, as well as key dancers from Miami, Mike and Simona have brought true Casino Salsa to hundreds of people around the world.

Their teaching ranges from small classes to 100+ people workshops. Not only are their workshops and classes filled with meaningful information, but they also make it fun and exciting to learn.

Teaching venues have included their own classes in the Northwest, as well as workshops at national events, such as the Houston Salsa Congress, Palm Springs Salsa Congress, Chicago International Salsa Congress, Philadelphia Salsa Congress, Honolulu Salsathon, Summer Salsa Extravaganza in Palm Springs, NW Salsa Congress, Salsa Rueda Congress in Miami and many others.

India Gomez

I was introduced to salsa music and dance by a friend in 2000. The second I saw the teachers dancing in the club, I knew I had to learn. I started taking private lessons that week and went to every class I could find. I danced every day, I knew immediately that I had found one of the greatest loves of my life. It became clear to me that not only did I want to dance for my own self expression, but that I wanted to offer this gift to others. I started assisting Salsa instructors in the Bay Area in 2001 while continuing my dance education.After almost two years of training (private lessons, workshops, and dance troops), and teaching salsa, I decided to go to Cuba and immerse myself in the culture that contributed so much to Salsa. During my stay, I met family, studied at the University of Havana and danced every day and night.I came home a different dancer and infinitely inspired as a student and as a teacher. Cuba was only the beginning. Since then I have taught classes, workshops, private lessons and special events in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Petaluma, Sonoma etc. I have danced and performed in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York.

Chris Rogicki

Christopher Rogicki was born in NJ and started dancing at age 10. During college, he was first exposed to Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino, Timba and Son, studying with prominent Casino schools and teachers in the US and abroad, from Miami, Havana and Santiago de Cuba to Washington D.C., California, Spain, and Switzerland. During his senior year, Chris directed MEZCLA, the Latino Performing Arts group at Brown University, which taught and performed at various venues, expos, and televised events throughout New England. Upon returning back to the Tri-State area for grad school at Columbia University, Chris pursued a degree in Linguistics with a specialization in teaching and how adults learn. Combining an extensive pedagogical background with his love for Cuban music and dance, Chris has designed and implemented an extensively progressive Rueda de Casino curriculum at Salsa International. Combining Cuban and Miami-styles, he is responsible for teaching and spreading a unique fusion of universal, core-Casino moves which enable his students to develop a well-rounded knowledge and appreciation of the music and dance. Known for his unique style of choreography and really pushing the limits, Chris is also the founder of ¡Fuákata!, the Rueda performance group at Salsa International, located in midtown Manhattan.

Issac and Mary

Isaac Kos-Read and Mary Massella met on the dance floor in 2001 in Los Angeles at the Cuban dance club Zabumba and have been tearing it up around the world since then, winning 1st Place at the World Amateur Cuban Salsa Championship at the 2005 Salsa Rueda Congress of the Americas (both the couple casino competition and Mary with Timbea in the rueda competition) and triumphing at a Casa de la Música dance competition in 2006 in Havana, Cuba. Their style of dance is a fusion of various Cuban rhythms such as son and rumba, with much inspiration and guidance from the Cuban group Ban Ra Ra; old-school "Latin" ballroom style and the dances of Mary's native Guatemala; folkloric dances from throughout Latin America thanks to the influence of Susan Cashion and Los Decanos de Stanford; as well as hints of jazz and ballroom gleaned from over a decade of training in places such as Chile with Chilean Mariano Arraigada, Mexico with Cuban Ivan Naranjo, and in the Bay Area with teachers such as Colombian American Gary Johnson. Today Mary is active in the all-female Afro-Cuban group Las Que Son Son while Isaac continues leading the Salsa by the Lake gathering on Oakland's Lake Merritt, both offering occasional private and group lessons, and always seeking to contribute their energy to the Cuban salsa scene in the Bay Area, Los Angeles region, or wherever their travels take them, including Beijing, China and Washington, DC.

Yussef Breffe

My name is Yussef Breffe. I recently came here from Europe where I had the opportunity to share my artistic and professional knowledge about my culture and its tradition of dance.

I am Cuban and taught my Cuban rhythms and dance tradition for almost 10 years in my hometown of Havana. I was also able to work for 5 years in Europe with dance companies such as Via Danza, Key 2 cuba, and Minerva. I lived in Italy for the last 3 years and gave dance classes and workshops. I also performed salsa, rueda, rumba, son, and afro-cuban folkloric in nightclubs and parties in Bologna and Milan.

In Italy I took classes with Esmil Diaz, a dancer and master (and graduate of the National Institute of Arts in Cuba), and I worked with young talents from the National Folkloric School of Cuba (Folklorico Nacional de Cuba).

I would love to teach my country's rich dance and rhythmical culture, whose tradition stems from african, haitian, and spanish roots and which has evolved into the salsa, rueda de casino, and timba that we dance today. But we cannot forget the son and rumba that are still present in our culture and which are also the base of the modern dances I have mentioned.

Jose Barroso

Born in Havana, José Francisco Barroso’s childhood was enveloped in Cuba’s rich artistic and spiritual environment. At a very young age Barroso was dancing the popular Cuban styles of son, casino, rueda, and rumba. Barroso describes these movements as an expression of everyday life in Cuba and as a symbol of the vibrancy of the Cuban people. As a teenager, Barroso competed and was recognized throughout Havana for his skills in the American forms of hip-hop and break dance. Literally discovered dancing on the street corner in Havana, Barroso was mentored by director of Cuba’s Compania Folklorica Raices Profundas, Juan de Dios Ramos, and rapidly began his journey and career in Afro-Cuban dance. Immersed in the dance and music tradition of his ancestors, Barroso delved ever deeper into the significance and roots of his culture. Today, director and choreographer José Francisco Barroso is regarded as among the foremost authorities on Afro-Cuban dance, music, and folklore. His extensive training and dedication yield Barroso accreditation as an Omo Ayán, master of the consecrated Bata; Palo ÑaÑganaga, keeper of knowledge in the Congolese tradition; Omo Elegba, priest of the Orisha Elegbá; and Awo Ifa, high priest of Orunmila. Barroso was a California Arts Council Artist-In-Residence Grant recipient for the years 1995-2000, teaching extremely popular classes for children and adults, in arts centers, community centers, and public schools, and is a 2006 recipient of the ACTA Living Cultures Grant Program. In addition to private dance studios, Barroso has held residency at several universities and colleges such as Stanford University, California State University Sacramento, San Jose State University, Humboldt State University, San Francisco State University, New College of San Francisco, Laney College, and Mills College. Barroso continues to expand and exhibit his already impressive knowledge of Yoruba traditional practices by studying and collaborating with numerous Cuban and African masters of drum, dance and culture.

Victoria-Hadar

Victoria-Hadar began studying dance at the age of 5 with studies in ballet, jazz, Classical Ballroom and Flamenco.
She holds a degree from the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and a Master degree from CUNY. Victoria-Hadar has specialized in Latin dance for more the 18 years.

Learned in Cuba and Europe, She has participated in international Salsa events and Salsa congresses around the globe and taught international and nationwide workshops in Europe, The Mediterranean, Canada and across the USA, from NY to Alaska.

Currently Victoria-Hadar is teaching at “You Should Be Dancing” Dance Center in Manhattan, NY, where students love her entertaining and considerate teaching style.
Victoria-Hadar founded and has performed for the last Six years with her students dance group "Bailatina" in National and Local events including the Lincoln Center for the performing arts, Havana Film Festival NY Gala, WB11 Hispanic Parade, Chelsea Piers, the Lower East side Festival, Club Copacabana and Club SOB’s in NYC; in an NBA game and the Hispanic day in Washington DC; the Re-Opening of Philadelphia’s main library in PA, at the “Hoboken Arts and Music festival” and the Cuban Independence day celebration in NJ and in the biggest Cuban yearly event of the north Atlantic region – “the Mamoncillo”.

Ninoska Cumaraima and Javier Rosillo

Ninoska and Javier started dancing salsa casino in 1999.They soon afterwards founded a school to exclusively teach casino salsa and Latin rhythms. Several years later they decided to expand their horizons in dance instruction and change from being a school dedicated to only one style of Salsa to a school dedicated to gathering as many styles of dance one place.This new and ambitious project was called The Integral Center for Dance. They are also promoters of the most respected casino salsa instructors and events in Venezuela, and producers of the biggest competition in Venezuela: The annual Venezualan Festival Salsa Casino.

Jennifer Gonzales, Saoco D.C.

Jennifer started dancing salsa rueda 10 years ago when she was looking for a good spot for salsa lessons. After having dabbled in lessons on1 and on2, salsa rueda is what stuck! After taking a short time off to have a child, Jennifer looked up her old friends and started working on the website for SAOCO DC. SAOCO DC is the premiere salsa rueda group in Washington DC and has most recently competed in the 2008 Miami Rueda Congress and performs throughout the Washington DC area. That lead to attending the 2006 Miami Rueda Congress which lead to more dancing and eventually performing with SAOCO DC. One night, when SAOCO DC needed a teacher, Jennifer stepped in to teach the beginner session. She loved it! Now, almost two years later, she routinely teaches rueda with SAOCO DC as well as on her own at various studios. She has instructed classes of up to 60 people as well as small groups of only 3-4 people. For the San Fransisco Rueda Festival, Jennifer will be teaching a 'Group Moves' class designed for beginners.

Leslie Vazquez and Reinier Fernandez (CMV con Ritmo-Mexico City)

Rey Fernandez was born in La Havana Cuba. Even though he decided to study Veterinarian Medicine, he was passionate about Cuban Salsa & Timba, this passion bring him to participate in some Cuban Salsa Contests in La Havana, getting recognition because of his creative way to dance. He moved to Mexico City 6 years ago, and after a year, he started to instruct Cuban Salsa with Luis Martinez, el Indio, the first & one of the most important promoters of Cuban Salsa in Mexico. Leslie was born in Mexico City, since little girl, she demonstrated love and a great talent for dancing. After complete a Computer Systems Degree, she decided to dedicate part of her time to her passion, to dance, specially, Cuban Salsa. Since 2000, she learned Casino with Luis Martinez, whom after a couple of years, invited her to be part of his Team of Instructors. Over the last 5 years, Leslie has studied Rumba, Son, Afro Cuban Dance and Casino in La Havana Cuba & Mexico City. Rey & Leslie started a life together as Couple & Dance Partners 4 years ago, they got 1st place as Dance Couple in several Cuban Salsa Competitions in Mexico and also they represented Mexico in the 1st International Cuban Salsa Competition Melia Baila, in Varadero Cuba in 2005, getting the 1st place as well. Both have been teaching, performing & choreographing Cuban Salsa for more than 4 years. In 2004, Rey & Leslie invited a group of friends passionate about Cuban Salsa to create CMV con Ritmo. The name of the group came from the name of the Countries where all members came from: Cuba, Mexico & Venezuela. Over the last 4 years, CMV has participated in some international Salsa Events such as Salsa Rueda Congress in Miami in 2006, Cuba Baila in Vancouver in 2007, Baila en Cuba in La Havana in 2007, Cubamemucho in Munich in 2008 & recently in the 2nd International Cuban Salsa Congress in Mexico City last June. In 2007, Rey & Leslie created their own Cuban Salsa Academy located in Mexico City with a lot of success. Their experience like International Cuban Salsa Instructors started in Vancouver last year, in Munich last March and proximately in the 5th Salsa Rueda Congress in Miami next November.

Ahmed Selim has been teaching dance since the age of 13 and is currently
director of the Starlight Ballroom Dance Studio, in New Hyde Park, NY
with his wife Katherine. Introduced to Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino
in 1997 by a latin dance coach from Miami he acquired a new found love
for the style. Since then he has started the first program of its kind
in the area dedicated to bringing Cuban style salsa to the public eye as
well as incorporating Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino into all of the
programs at their dance studio, which is a first for any ballroom/latin
dance studio; and it is also part of a vocational ballroom dance teacher
training program which they offer.

Having trained under the supervision of such talents as Sally Hammond,
Lance Westergard, Elham El Amir, Sonia Quinones, Orlando Pena and Didio
Barrera Katherine brings a diverse style and expert training to her
students. Her dance styles include Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Middle
Eastern Belly Dancing and Ballroom & Latin Dancing. In addition,
Katherine is one of Long Island's premiere dance fitness instructors
teaching Zumba Fitness, Salsa Suelta and Cardio Ballroom. Although her
primary home is Starlight Ballroom Dance Studio, she teaches both
ballroom dancing and dance fitness at various locations on Long Island
and recently became a teaching artist for American Ballroom Theater's
Dancing Classrooms.

Over the past 25 years Ahmed and Katherine have taught, choreographed
and performed throughout the US and abroad, with numerous appearances
ranging from ART TV, A&E, Cablevision, Fox News Channel and Womens
Entertainment.