Salsa Rueda Festival Instructors

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Instructors list subject to change at this point due to Visa issues and other unforseable problems

Home - Ticket Prices - Register - Hotel Whitcomb - Instructors -Music- Schedule -Vendors-Instructors Track

Instructors list subject to change at this point due to Visa issues and other unforseable problems

	Madeline Rodriguez Madeline Rodriguez is a graduate from the National School of Arts in Habana, specializing in afro-cuban dance, principle dancer of ballet in Cienfuegos. She is now a resident of France and directs the school Cubanadanse in Paris, where she also a dancer, choreographer, and teacher in all forms of Cuban and Afro-cuban dance. She is also a performer at the Cubamemucho dance congress and has appeared at multiple shows and congresses around the world.
	Roberto Borrell bio from Roots of Timba Project Roberto Borrell learned traditional and popular Afro-Cuban dance, percussion, and song from master musicians and dancers while growing up in la Havana Vieja, Havana, Cuba. He is a respected dancer and percussionist of Afro-Cuban Yoruba, Abakua (Calabar), Rumba, Arará (Dahony), and Palo (Congo). He also a master dancer and teacher of Cuban popular dance styles such as son montuno, danzón, and cha cha cha. Mr. Borrell led the Afro-Cuban folkloric group Kubata in Cuba for 10 years before coming to the United States in 1980, where he founded a new company under the same name. Kubata, then based in New York City, performed Roberto’s productions for 10 years in many major East Coast venues, such as the Smithsonian, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. He also was founder and musical director of the famous New York-based Son Grupo, part of Kubata productions. Borrell danced in the front line of the Folklorico Nacional de Cuba for several years and, in major United States venues, has performed and recorded both as a dancer and percussionist, with legends such as Tito Puente, the Machete Ensemble, Chocolate Armenteros, “Cachao” Lopez, and Richard Egües. Mr. Borrell was the co-founder, percussionist and musical co-director of the 11-member Orquesta la Moderna Tradición, one of the only ensembles in the United States that is dedicated to the performance of classic Cuban dance music: son, guaracha, cha cha cha, and especially the lilting grooves of the danzón.
	Susana Arenas Pedroso Susana Arenas Pedroso is an internationally recognized Cuban Folkloric and popular dancer. Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Ms Pedroso began her career in dance at age twelve, studying at Casa de Cultura in Havana and at the National Folkloric Group of Havana. She danced professionally for seventeen years in Cuba with popular, folkloric and theatrical performing groups including Tierra Virgen, Alafia Ire, Oche Olorun, Oriki, Clave y Guaguanco, Oba Wemilere, Rumberos de Cuba, and Raices Profundas. Since her arrival in the United States in 1998, Ms Pedroso has performed and choreographed numerous pieces that have been exhibited throughout the United States, Mexico, Cuba and Hong Kong with companies such as Omo Ache, Omo Oddara, Ban Rarra, Ire Ile, Alayo Dance Company, and Obini Ashe. IN 2005 Ms Pedroso was a soloist and choreographer for Jarocho, touring throughout Mexico. They received first place three times for Performance of the Year in Mexico. In 1999 ms Pedroso founded two her own dance companiesl Saudunga Cubana, that specialized in Cuban Popular dance, and Olorun, that specialized in Cuban Folkloric dance. IN 2004 Ms Pedroso decided to join the two troups, establishing Arenas Dance Company. Arenas Dance Company has experienced much success under Ms Pedroso's direction. IN 2005 Ms Pedroso produced and choreographed the evening length piece, Yo Soy Cuba that featured both traditional folkloric and popular dance. The show was greeted with a great "hurrah" and all four performances sold-out. She remounted the piece in 2006 due to the demand. Arenas Dance Company performed at the Ethnic Dance Festival in 2006 and 2007. Her 2006 piece, "Dos Aguas" was awarded with High Honors at the Festival, recognized as on of the top three performance of the Festival. Arenas Dance Company has also performed at Chico State, Yerba Buena, Herbst Theater and La Pena Cultural Center, to name just a few venues.
	René Dennis Thompson René Dennis Thompson has been a professional dancer for 27 years,20 of those years as an instructor and choreographer.He began his career in Cuba in 1973 with a small role as an actor in the popular Theater Company,"4 de Abril" under the direction of Tito Junco.Many other amateur theaters and dance companies helped him develop his artistic vocation...In the early 1980's talent hunters discovered Rene's versatility as a musician, singer,song writer and a great Afro-Cuban dancer, performing with several well known choreographers,directors and dance companies,further developing his unique style. His energetic and charming dance got the attention of famous choreographers and directors from all over the world,performing Afro-Cuban and popular Latin dance in many music videos and movies with popular US and international artists including Will Smith,John Leguizamo,Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine... Born and trained in Cuba,René brings a wealth of knowledge of music and dance and its cultural context to his audience.He teaches the uniquely Cuban steps of Salsa,Chachachá,Rumba,Mambo,Cabaret and many other traditional Cuban Rhythms;and always includes the "HEART" of the Cuban Style which has its foundation in Africa and Spain as well as his homeland of Cuba...
	duane Wrenn duane Wrenn, the man behind Energetic Soul Studios, is an exuberant and exciting personality. Earning himself a degree in Bio-Mechanics from the University of New Orleans, duane quickly found his stride in the fitness industry by developing unique and thorough workouts through a variety of different methods, like spin classes and exercise “boot-camps.” His personable and sunny disposition found him a range of exclusive opportunities to expand his abilities, from a position as a resident instructor at the famed Canyon Ranch in Arizona to touring with Diana Ross as her and her entourage’s personal trainer. At the turn of the millenium, one fateful night at the Rialto Theater in Tucson, duane found his true passion: Salsa. Immediately falling in love with the dance, he spent all of his spare time studying and training this sultry, yet graceful art. Such an aerobic and exhilarating dance, he saw its potential as an exercise regime. Applying all he’d learned thus far, he developed a single set of steps with a handful of variations, calling it Energetic Salsa. After releasing a video and spreading the word all over the country, duane began to shift away from the fitness world and immerse himself in Salsa. Making his way from coast to coast and beyond, duane found major differences in the style of dance in Salsa clubs from region to region, even city to city. Irritated by the lack of continuity and the arbitrary restrictions he felt within each area, he took it upon himself to solve the international problem. Enter Soul°Sa: a simple set of movements and steps based on the footwork from his Energetic Salsa workout, allowing anyone to Salsa with anyone else, anywhere. Distilled from years of training and study, Soul°Sa not only gives any novice much-needed technique, but also finds one’s own dancing soul, creating and developing a personal style for every Soul°Sa student.
	Ramani Nicola Ramani was born in Ecuador, loves to teach and dance Salsa. His first choreography was at the age of 17 for his sister's Quinces. He began to teach in 1992 with Jerry Haramboure at Club Mystique. Ramani created and developed what is known as the "Basics" format used in all Salsa-Rueda Schools in Florida today. In 1996 he founded Salsa Casino Dance Studios, with locations in Miami, South Beach and Coral Gables. Ramani is known for a unique style of choreography showcasing Rueda formations visually more impressive than traditional styling as well as for his ability to succesfully call a Rueda with dancers of different levels. He is well known and respected in the Salsa Community, due to his philosophy of cooperation with other schools. He was awarded the Cuban Pete Award of Lifetime Achievement 2003!
	Julian Meija Julián Mejía, born in Manizales Colombia. Started to dance salsa at the age of 17. His interest in Cuban music started at age 9 and since then, Cuban, Classical and classic Rock have been his passion. Julián moved to Miami in 1995 and soon after started learning Casino with Ramani Nicola (Salsa-Casino Dance Studios) and Henry Herrera (Verdaderos Reyes de la Salsa Dance Studios). During his time in Miami, Julian traveled to Cuba as he was interested in learning more about the culture and the music of the island. In 1999, Julián moved to Atlanta and under the name of SALSAtlanta, started the only Casino school and Casino performance group in Georgia. More than 6,000 students have passed through his classes in Atlanta and Athens, Georgia. Julián also conducts salsa classes in different clubs in the greater Atlanta area. Julián has contributed to spreading the Casino style in Atlanta and beyond by conducting workshops in different cities around North and South America. In 2007 was recognized during the 6th Annual International Salsa Congress in Miami by the school Salsa Lovers with the "Alex Award" for his contribution to the world of Latin Dance. He also helps spread the salsa with his website, SalsaCasino.com, and is co-founder of SalsaPower.com, SalsaSpaces.com and webmaster of LatinCoolNOW.com.
	Nick and Serena About Nick: For over 14 years, Nick was a martial arts and movement instructor. Partner dancing and Salsa were a natural progression. For the past 10 years, Nick has been teaching Salsa and in particular, Cuban style Salsa, bringing to it his existing concepts of connection, balance, and fluidity. Nick combines decades of Cuban tradition with modern movement concepts of space, timing, and flow. Presently, he teaches club-style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, cha cha cha, son, and several martial arts. Most recently, Nick returned from intensive study with Yanek Revilla and Casino.com in Santiago de Cuba. 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 , Venezuela, Mexico and throughout 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 teaches Casino and Rueda de Casino classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond at festivals and events across the Americas. Nick is the co-director of Salsa Vale Todo and Rueda Vale Todo and the co-producer of the SF Salsa Rueda Festival. About Serena: Serena is co-director of Salsa Vale Todo and Rueda Vale Todo. She has been trained in many styles of dance including ballet, tap, Afro-Haitian, and Afro-Brazilian. Serena has studied from master instructors in New York, Brazil, Los Angeles, Miami, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela and San Francisco. Most recently she has returned from intensive study with Yanek Revilla and Casino.com in Santiago de Cuba. Currently she performs in local samba dance companies and with Salsa Vale Todo. Serena teaches regular Casino and Rueda de Casino classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond at festivals and events across the Americas. She is continuing her studies of the roots of Cuban Salsa including Son, Danzon, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, and Afro-Cuban Folkloric dances. Serena is also the co-producer of the SF Bay Area Salsa Rueda Festival.
	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.
	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
	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.
	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.
	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.
	Chris Rogicki and Evelyn Ramirez About Chris - Christopher Rogicki was born in NJ, and during college, he was first exposed to Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino, Timba and Son. He has studied with prominent Casino schools and teachers throughout the US and abroad, from Miami, Havana and Santiago de Cuba to Washington D.C., California, México, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland. Chris is the former director of MEZCLA, the Latino Performing Arts group at Brown University, where he taught and performed at various expos and televised events throughout New England. Upon returning to NYC, Chris designed and implemented an extensively progressive Casino and Rueda curriculum at Salsa International, NYC's premier Latin school of dance which specializes in all styles of Salsa. There, he is the director of the Cuban program, offering five different levels of Casino and Rueda on a consistent, weekly basis since 2006. Check us out at www.salsainternational.net. About Evelyn - Born to Cuban and Puerto Rican parents in NYC, Evelyn's love of dance grew through her study of Cuban Salsa. Evelyn has been dancing with Chris Rogicki since 2007, collaborating and choreographing with him on various dance projects, including ¡Fuákata!, the NYC based Rueda de Casino performance team. She also teaches Cuban dance at Salsa International in NYC. Evelyn is best known for her ability to competitively lead and for fluidly mixing styles of salsa. She continues to teach Rueda de Casino, Cuban-style partnerwork, and Bachata throughout North America, most notably in New York City, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, California, Canada, and Puerto Rico. While Evelyn enjoys teaching and performing, her main passion lies in dancing socially.
	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.
	Javier Rosillo Comienzan con el movimiento de la salsa casino en 1999, luego fundó una escuela de salsa casino exclusivo y ritmos latinos. Varios años más tarde tomar la decisión de ampliar sus horizontes en la enseñanza de la danza y la decisión de cambiar de una escuela de salsa a una escuela integral de entonces surge un nuevo y ambicioso proyecto, el Centro Integral de Danza, la escuela dedicada a recopilar tantos estilos de la danza una lugar. Enseñamos salsa estilo cubano, LA, new York, jazz, flamenco, belidance, ritmos tradicionales, afrocubano, ballet,tango entre otros. También somos promotores de la salsa casino más respetados del movimiento en Venezuela, y los productores de la mayor competición de Venezuela. Festival de Salsa They start with the casino salsa movement in 1999, then founded a school of exclusive casino salsa and Latin rhythms. Several years later decide to expand their horizons in dance education and the decision to switch from one school to a comprehensive school salsa then comes an ambitious new project, the Integral Center of Dance, the school dedicated to collect as many styles of dance a place. We teach salsa Cuban, LA and New York style, jazz, flamenco, belidance, traditional rhythms, Afro-Cuban, ballet, tango and others. We are also promoters of the most respected casino salsa movement in Venezuela, and the most competitive producers in Venezuela. Festival de Salsa Casino.
	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.
	Luis Rafael Martínez Cancio (EL INDIO) Pionero de la Salsa cubana en México.//Graduado de la Escuela Profesional de Instructores de Arte (EPIA) de Villa Clara Cuba.//Especialista en folclore cubano (Casino, Rumba, Yoruba,Son, Mambo, Chachacha, etc) Coreógrafo, profesor y director de la compañía de baile "TIMBA CASINO"// Productor y director general del "Congreso Internacional de Salsa Cubana de la Ciudad de México". //A compartido el escenario con grandes de la salsa como: Gilberto Santa Rosa y Oscar de León. //Coreografió en México la canción "No me dejes de Querer" para Gloría Estefan. //Participo en el video clic, "Mi vida es cantar" de la gran Celia Cruz.
	Kati Hernandez Kati Hernandez was born and raised in, Cuba, where she began her dance training at the age of 9. Kati received her masters in modern dance from the prestigious Artes school in Havana, with an additional degree in teaching, and further concentration in the field of folklorico. Ms. Hernandez is trained in many different forms of Cuban, Modern, and International styles of dance, with an exceptional knowledge of dance history, and experience in choreographing many dance forms. Kati began her performance career in Habana, while still attending the arts school, sharing the stage with master Cuban jazz musicians, such as Bobby Carcases and Chucho Valdes. Ms. Hernandez performed with the legendary Afro-Cuban singer Mercedita Valdez. She was also privileged to dance with the renowned choreographer Santiago Alfonso from Tropicana, and perform in the International Bienal of Habana with the visual artist Manuel Mendive. These early unique experiences revealed her intricate and versatile style. Beginning her international career, Kati Hernandez was chosen as a representative of Cuban dance, touring Spain for six months with Manolito Sibonet y Su Trabuco (popular orchestra). She also toured with Cuban productions in Portugal, the Bahamas, and Costa Rica. To perform and Instruct. Kati resided in Costa Rica for 5 years where she established her career as a teacher and a choreographer, also expanding her range as an actris and dancer/choreographer for television. During this time, Kati also donated her time and skills to different charities for women and girls in Central America. Kati Hernandez is a gifted, enthusiastic and inspiring teacher and dancer, dedicated to spreading the treasures of her Afro-Cuban roots in the United States. Among her recent projects, Kati choreographed for a performance with the Pomona College Afro-Cuban Drumming Ensemble, as well as the teatrical production, "Healing Mars". She has recently performed with master percussionists, Francisco Aguabella, and Lazaro Galarraga. She also performed in an extraordinary unification of Cuban music and dance in Los Angeles at the Cuban Festival, "El Padre de la Patria" with a great producer and musician, Luis Eric Gonzalez. As a performer, choreographer, and teacher Kati Hernandez is truly an illustrative vision of her her heritage in an endless high-energy celebration of Cuban dance and music.
	Victoria-Hadar Victoria-Hadar's style is defined by its Musicality, Sensuality and Playfulness. Specialized in Cuban dances for more then 18 years, instructor, performer, choreographer Victoria-Hadar began studying dance at the age of 5 with studies in ballet, jazz, classical ballroom and flamenco and has danced ever since. Learned Traditional and Popular Cuban dances in Cuba with top instructors including with the Cuban national dance company Ban Rra Rra, she taught in many Salsa events and congresses Internationally in Europe, the Caribbeans, and Canada and across the USA, from NY to CA and Alaska. Graduate from Wingate Institute for Physical Education and a Master degree from CUNY, Victoria-Hadar applies both known and her original approaches to educate students. With her enthusiasm and enormous amount of knowledge students love her entertaining and considerate teaching style. Since 2002 She is the director of the Cuban program at “You Should Be Dancing” NYC’s premier Dance studio. Victoria-Hadar founded and has performed for the last Eight years with her students group "Bailatina" in National, Local and Televised events. Her motto - Dance for your Body & Soul! Happy Dancing!
	Patricia Martinez Patricia Martinez conceptualized the now ten-member dance ensemble in the fall of 2008. Born and raised in an Afro-Venezuelan community on the Central Coast of Venezuela, Patricia was trained in traditional dances, ballet, flamenco and jazz. She was exposed to salsa early in life because it was simply part of the culture. When she moved to Los Angeles, Patricia began learning Rueda de Casino from Rueda in the Park, the premier local Cuban Salsa group. Today, Patricia is a popular instructor of Rueda de Casino. Classes are held at Zabumba in Culver City as well as other venues.
	Denmis Bain Denmis Bain was born August 9th in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He grew up always surrounded by love which helped to stimulate his passion for the arts. Denmis was taught at a young age that happiness comes from within and the importance to live life to the fullest. He has embraced this concept and strived to pass on his love for life and express his happiness through dance. Denmis received the majority of his formal training in Cuba. He attended Regino Eladio Voti en Guantanamo, Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana and was a part of Conjuncto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba. He has expertise in afro cuban dance, folklore, ballet, jazz, modern dance, contemporary ballet, tap dance, hip hop, choreography and singing. Denmis has choreographed for such people as, Kenny Ortega, Siegfried & Roy, Emilio Estefan, Manuel Mendive, Havana Nights Dance Company and the Latin Grammys. He has performed on "Don Francisco Presenta", "Cosa Nostra" and with groups such as "Orichas", "Calle 13", "Los Van Van", "Bamboleo", "Pacho Alonso" and "Issac Delgado". Denmis is probably most known for his work with the Havana Nights Dance Company. He toured and performed in more than 16 different countries and was a lead dancer in about 450 performances of "Havana Nightclub - The Show". The performances received standing ovations and outstanding reviews from critics and audiences all around. The tour ended in Las Vegas, Nevada with the intentions of returning back to Cuba afterwards. Political hostilities between the U.S. and Cuba landed all 53 performers in the middle of a dispute that forced them into making life changing decisions. In 2004 Denmis Bain was a part of the largest mass defection in the United States and the entire cast requested and were granted political asylum. Denmis has remained in the U.S. ever since, fulfilling his original goal of performing and touching the hearts of anyone he could.
	Alex Burris Alex Burris was first introduced to Rueda and Cuban salsa in New Orleans, Louisiana 11 years ago. He soon began teaching and performing throughout the city with Cervantes - Fundacion Hispanoamericana de Arte. In 2005 he moved to Houston and started teaching at local clubs and dance studios. He formed a dance team that has performed at various charities, the Puerto Rican and Cuban Festival, and other events. He is the founder and choreographer of Houston Rueda.

Madeline Rodriguez

Madeline Rodriguez is a graduate from the National School of Arts in Habana, specializing in afro-cuban dance, principle dancer of ballet in Cienfuegos. She is now a resident of France and directs the school Cubanadanse in Paris, where she also a dancer, choreographer, and teacher in all forms of Cuban and Afro-cuban dance. She is also a performer at the Cubamemucho dance congress and has appeared at multiple shows and congresses around the world.

Roberto Borrell

bio from Roots of Timba Project

Roberto Borrell learned traditional and popular Afro-Cuban dance, percussion, and song from master musicians and dancers while growing up in la Havana Vieja, Havana, Cuba. He is a respected dancer and percussionist of Afro-Cuban Yoruba, Abakua (Calabar), Rumba, Arará (Dahony), and Palo (Congo). He also a master dancer and teacher of Cuban popular dance styles such as son montuno, danzón, and cha cha cha. Mr. Borrell led the Afro-Cuban folkloric group Kubata in Cuba for 10 years before coming to the United States in 1980, where he founded a new company under the same name. Kubata, then based in New York City, performed Roberto’s productions for 10 years in many major East Coast venues, such as the Smithsonian, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. He also was founder and musical director of the famous New York-based Son Grupo, part of Kubata productions. Borrell danced in the front line of the Folklorico Nacional de Cuba for several years and, in major United States venues, has performed and recorded both as a dancer and percussionist, with legends such as Tito Puente, the Machete Ensemble, Chocolate Armenteros, “Cachao” Lopez, and Richard Egües. Mr. Borrell was the co-founder, percussionist and musical co-director of the 11-member Orquesta la Moderna Tradición, one of the only ensembles in the United States that is dedicated to the performance of classic Cuban dance music: son, guaracha, cha cha cha, and especially the lilting grooves of the danzón.

Susana Arenas Pedroso

Susana Arenas Pedroso is an internationally recognized Cuban Folkloric and popular dancer. Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Ms Pedroso began her career in dance at age twelve, studying at Casa de Cultura in Havana and at the National Folkloric Group of Havana. She danced professionally for seventeen years in Cuba with popular, folkloric and theatrical performing groups including Tierra Virgen, Alafia Ire, Oche Olorun, Oriki, Clave y Guaguanco, Oba Wemilere, Rumberos de Cuba, and Raices Profundas. Since her arrival in the United States in 1998, Ms Pedroso has performed and choreographed numerous pieces that have been exhibited throughout the United States, Mexico, Cuba and Hong Kong with companies such as Omo Ache, Omo Oddara, Ban Rarra, Ire Ile, Alayo Dance Company, and Obini Ashe. IN 2005 Ms Pedroso was a soloist and choreographer for Jarocho, touring throughout Mexico. They received first place three times for Performance of the Year in Mexico. In 1999 ms Pedroso founded two her own dance companiesl Saudunga Cubana, that specialized in Cuban Popular dance, and Olorun, that specialized in Cuban Folkloric dance. IN 2004 Ms Pedroso decided to join the two troups, establishing Arenas Dance Company. Arenas Dance Company has experienced much success under Ms Pedroso's direction. IN 2005 Ms Pedroso produced and choreographed the evening length piece, Yo Soy Cuba that featured both traditional folkloric and popular dance. The show was greeted with a great "hurrah" and all four performances sold-out. She remounted the piece in 2006 due to the demand. Arenas Dance Company performed at the Ethnic Dance Festival in 2006 and 2007. Her 2006 piece, "Dos Aguas" was awarded with High Honors at the Festival, recognized as on of the top three performance of the Festival. Arenas Dance Company has also performed at Chico State, Yerba Buena, Herbst Theater and La Pena Cultural Center, to name just a few venues.

René Dennis Thompson

René Dennis Thompson has been a professional dancer for 27 years,20 of those years as an instructor and choreographer.He began his career in Cuba in 1973 with a small role as an actor in the popular Theater Company,"4 de Abril" under the direction of Tito Junco.Many other amateur theaters and dance companies helped him develop his artistic vocation...In the early 1980's talent hunters discovered Rene's versatility as a musician, singer,song writer and a great Afro-Cuban dancer, performing with several well known choreographers,directors and dance companies,further developing his unique style. His energetic and charming dance got the attention of famous choreographers and directors from all over the world,performing Afro-Cuban and popular Latin dance in many music videos and movies with popular US and international artists including Will Smith,John Leguizamo,Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine... Born and trained in Cuba,René brings a wealth of knowledge of music and dance and its cultural context to his audience.He teaches the uniquely Cuban steps of Salsa,Chachachá,Rumba,Mambo,Cabaret and many other traditional Cuban Rhythms;and always includes the "HEART" of the Cuban Style which has its foundation in Africa and Spain as well as his homeland of Cuba...

duane Wrenn

duane Wrenn, the man behind Energetic Soul Studios, is an exuberant and exciting personality. Earning himself a degree in Bio-Mechanics from the University of New Orleans, duane quickly found his stride in the fitness industry by developing unique and thorough workouts through a variety of different methods, like spin classes and exercise “boot-camps.” His personable and sunny disposition found him a range of exclusive opportunities to expand his abilities, from a position as a resident instructor at the famed Canyon Ranch in Arizona to touring with Diana Ross as her and her entourage’s personal trainer.
At the turn of the millenium, one fateful night at the Rialto Theater in Tucson, duane found his true passion: Salsa. Immediately falling in love with the dance, he spent all of his spare time studying and training this sultry, yet graceful art.
Such an aerobic and exhilarating dance, he saw its potential as an exercise regime. Applying all he’d learned thus far, he developed a single set of steps with a handful of variations, calling it Energetic Salsa. After releasing a video and spreading the word all over the country, duane began to shift away from the fitness world and immerse himself in Salsa. Making his way from coast to coast and beyond, duane found major differences in the style of dance in Salsa clubs from region to region, even city to city. Irritated by the lack of continuity and the arbitrary restrictions he felt within each area, he took it upon himself to solve the international problem. Enter Soul°Sa: a simple set of movements and steps based on the footwork from his Energetic Salsa workout, allowing anyone to Salsa with anyone else, anywhere. Distilled from years of training and study, Soul°Sa not only gives any novice much-needed technique, but also finds one’s own dancing soul, creating and developing a personal style for every Soul°Sa student.

Ramani Nicola

Ramani was born in Ecuador, loves to teach and dance Salsa. His first choreography was at the age of 17 for his sister's Quinces. He began to teach in 1992 with Jerry Haramboure at Club Mystique. Ramani created and developed what is known as the "Basics" format used in all Salsa-Rueda Schools in Florida today. In 1996 he founded Salsa Casino Dance Studios, with locations in Miami, South Beach and Coral Gables. Ramani is known for a unique style of choreography showcasing Rueda formations visually more impressive than traditional styling as well as for his ability to succesfully call a Rueda with dancers of different levels. He is well known and respected in the Salsa Community, due to his philosophy of cooperation with other schools. He was awarded the Cuban Pete Award of Lifetime Achievement 2003!

Julian Meija

Julián Mejía, born in Manizales Colombia. Started to dance salsa at the age of 17. His interest in Cuban music started at age 9 and since then, Cuban, Classical and classic Rock have been his passion. Julián moved to Miami in 1995 and soon after started learning Casino with Ramani Nicola (Salsa-Casino Dance Studios) and Henry Herrera (Verdaderos Reyes de la Salsa Dance Studios). During his time in Miami, Julian traveled to Cuba as he was interested in learning more about the culture and the music of the island. In 1999, Julián moved to Atlanta and under the name of SALSAtlanta, started the only Casino school and Casino performance group in Georgia. More than 6,000 students have passed through his classes in Atlanta and Athens, Georgia. Julián also conducts salsa classes in different clubs in the greater Atlanta area. Julián has contributed to spreading the Casino style in Atlanta and beyond by conducting workshops in different cities around North and South America. In 2007 was recognized during the 6th Annual International Salsa Congress in Miami by the school Salsa Lovers with the "Alex Award" for his contribution to the world of Latin Dance. He also helps spread the salsa with his website, SalsaCasino.com, and is co-founder of SalsaPower.com, SalsaSpaces.com and webmaster of LatinCoolNOW.com.

Nick and Serena

About Nick:

For over 14 years, Nick was a martial arts and movement instructor. Partner dancing and Salsa were a natural progression. For the past 10 years, Nick has been teaching Salsa and in particular, Cuban style Salsa, bringing to it his existing concepts of connection, balance, and fluidity. Nick combines decades of Cuban tradition with modern movement concepts of space, timing, and flow. Presently, he teaches club-style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, cha cha cha, son, and several martial arts. Most recently, Nick returned from intensive study with Yanek Revilla and Casino.com in Santiago de Cuba. 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 , Venezuela, Mexico and throughout 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 teaches Casino and Rueda de Casino classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond at festivals and events across the Americas. Nick is the co-director of Salsa Vale Todo and Rueda Vale Todo and the co-producer of the SF Salsa Rueda Festival.

About Serena:

Serena is co-director of Salsa Vale Todo and Rueda Vale Todo. She has been trained in many styles of dance including ballet, tap, Afro-Haitian, and Afro-Brazilian. Serena has studied from master instructors in New York, Brazil, Los Angeles, Miami, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela and San Francisco. Most recently she has returned from intensive study with Yanek Revilla and Casino.com in Santiago de Cuba. Currently she performs in local samba dance companies and with Salsa Vale Todo. Serena teaches regular Casino and Rueda de Casino classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond at festivals and events across the Americas. She is continuing her studies of the roots of Cuban Salsa including Son, Danzon, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, and Afro-Cuban Folkloric dances. Serena is also the co-producer of the SF Bay Area Salsa Rueda Festival.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Chris Rogicki and Evelyn Ramirez

About Chris - Christopher Rogicki was born in NJ, and during college, he was first exposed to Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino, Timba and Son. He has studied with prominent Casino schools and teachers throughout the US and abroad, from Miami, Havana and Santiago de Cuba to Washington D.C., California, México, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland. Chris is the former director of MEZCLA, the Latino Performing Arts group at Brown University, where he taught and performed at various expos and televised events throughout New England. Upon returning to NYC, Chris designed and implemented an extensively progressive Casino and Rueda curriculum at Salsa International, NYC's premier Latin school of dance which specializes in all styles of Salsa. There, he is the director of the Cuban program, offering five different levels of Casino and Rueda on a consistent, weekly basis since 2006. Check us out at www.salsainternational.net.

About Evelyn - Born to Cuban and Puerto Rican parents in NYC, Evelyn's love of dance grew through her study of Cuban Salsa. Evelyn has been dancing with Chris Rogicki since 2007, collaborating and choreographing with him on various dance projects, including ¡Fuákata!, the NYC based Rueda de Casino performance team. She also teaches Cuban dance at Salsa International in NYC. Evelyn is best known for her ability to competitively lead and for fluidly mixing styles of salsa. She continues to teach Rueda de Casino, Cuban-style partnerwork, and Bachata throughout North America, most notably in New York City, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, California, Canada, and Puerto Rico. While Evelyn enjoys teaching and performing, her main passion lies in dancing socially.

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.

Javier Rosillo

Comienzan con el movimiento de la salsa casino en 1999, luego fundó una escuela de salsa casino exclusivo y ritmos latinos. Varios años más tarde tomar la decisión de ampliar sus horizontes en la enseñanza de la danza y la decisión de cambiar de una escuela de salsa a una escuela integral de entonces surge un nuevo y ambicioso proyecto, el Centro Integral de Danza, la escuela dedicada a recopilar tantos estilos de la danza una lugar. Enseñamos salsa estilo cubano, LA, new York, jazz, flamenco, belidance, ritmos tradicionales, afrocubano, ballet,tango entre otros. También somos promotores de la salsa casino más respetados del movimiento en Venezuela, y los productores de la mayor competición de Venezuela. Festival de Salsa

They start with the casino salsa movement in 1999, then founded a school of exclusive casino salsa and Latin rhythms. Several years later decide to expand their horizons in dance education and the decision to switch from one school to a comprehensive school salsa then comes an ambitious new project, the Integral Center of Dance, the school dedicated to collect as many styles of dance a place. We teach salsa Cuban, LA and New York style, jazz, flamenco, belidance, traditional rhythms, Afro-Cuban, ballet, tango and others. We are also promoters of the most respected casino salsa movement in Venezuela, and the most competitive producers in Venezuela. Festival de Salsa Casino.

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.

Luis Rafael Martínez Cancio (EL INDIO)

Pionero de la Salsa cubana en México.//Graduado de la Escuela Profesional de Instructores de Arte (EPIA) de Villa Clara Cuba.//Especialista en folclore cubano (Casino, Rumba, Yoruba,Son, Mambo, Chachacha, etc) Coreógrafo, profesor y director de la compañía de baile "TIMBA CASINO"// Productor y director general del "Congreso Internacional de Salsa Cubana de la Ciudad de México". //A compartido el escenario con grandes de la salsa como: Gilberto Santa Rosa y Oscar de León. //Coreografió en México la canción "No me dejes de Querer" para Gloría Estefan. //Participo en el video clic, "Mi vida es cantar" de la gran Celia Cruz.

Kati Hernandez

Kati Hernandez was born and raised in, Cuba, where she began her dance training at the age of 9. Kati received her masters in modern dance from the prestigious Artes school in Havana, with an additional degree in teaching, and further concentration in the field of folklorico. Ms. Hernandez is trained in many different forms of Cuban, Modern, and International styles of dance, with an exceptional knowledge of dance history, and experience in choreographing many dance forms. Kati began her performance career in Habana, while still attending the arts school, sharing the stage with master Cuban jazz musicians, such as Bobby Carcases and Chucho Valdes. Ms. Hernandez performed with the legendary Afro-Cuban singer Mercedita Valdez. She was also privileged to dance with the renowned choreographer Santiago Alfonso from Tropicana, and perform in the International Bienal of Habana with the visual artist Manuel Mendive. These early unique experiences revealed her intricate and versatile style. Beginning her international career, Kati Hernandez was chosen as a representative of Cuban dance, touring Spain for six months with Manolito Sibonet y Su Trabuco (popular orchestra). She also toured with Cuban productions in Portugal, the Bahamas, and Costa Rica. To perform and Instruct. Kati resided in Costa Rica for 5 years where she established her career as a teacher and a choreographer, also expanding her range as an actris and dancer/choreographer for television. During this time, Kati also donated her time and skills to different charities for women and girls in Central America. Kati Hernandez is a gifted, enthusiastic and inspiring teacher and dancer, dedicated to spreading the treasures of her Afro-Cuban roots in the United States. Among her recent projects, Kati choreographed for a performance with the Pomona College Afro-Cuban Drumming Ensemble, as well as the teatrical production, "Healing Mars". She has recently performed with master percussionists, Francisco Aguabella, and Lazaro Galarraga. She also performed in an extraordinary unification of Cuban music and dance in Los Angeles at the Cuban Festival, "El Padre de la Patria" with a great producer and musician, Luis Eric Gonzalez. As a performer, choreographer, and teacher Kati Hernandez is truly an illustrative vision of her her heritage in an endless high-energy celebration of Cuban dance and music.

Victoria-Hadar

Victoria-Hadar's style is defined by its Musicality, Sensuality and Playfulness. Specialized in Cuban dances for more then 18 years, instructor, performer, choreographer Victoria-Hadar began studying dance at the age of 5 with studies in ballet, jazz, classical ballroom and flamenco and has danced ever since. Learned Traditional and Popular Cuban dances in Cuba with top instructors including with the Cuban national dance company Ban Rra Rra, she taught in many Salsa events and congresses Internationally in Europe, the Caribbeans, and Canada and across the USA, from NY to CA and Alaska. Graduate from Wingate Institute for Physical Education and a Master degree from CUNY, Victoria-Hadar applies both known and her original approaches to educate students. With her enthusiasm and enormous amount of knowledge students love her entertaining and considerate teaching style. Since 2002 She is the director of the Cuban program at “You Should Be Dancing” NYC’s premier Dance studio. Victoria-Hadar founded and has performed for the last Eight years with her students group "Bailatina" in National, Local and Televised events. Her motto - Dance for your Body & Soul! Happy Dancing!

Patricia Martinez

Patricia Martinez conceptualized the now ten-member dance ensemble in the fall of 2008. Born and raised in an Afro-Venezuelan community on the Central Coast of Venezuela, Patricia was trained in traditional dances, ballet, flamenco and jazz. She was exposed to salsa early in life because it was simply part of the culture. When she moved to Los Angeles, Patricia began learning Rueda de Casino from Rueda in the Park, the premier local Cuban Salsa group. Today, Patricia is a popular instructor of Rueda de Casino. Classes are held at Zabumba in Culver City as well as other venues.

Denmis Bain

Denmis Bain was born August 9th in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He grew up always surrounded by love which helped to stimulate his passion for the arts. Denmis was taught at a young age that happiness comes from within and the importance to live life to the fullest. He has embraced this concept and strived to pass on his love for life and express his happiness through dance. Denmis received the majority of his formal training in Cuba. He attended Regino Eladio Voti en Guantanamo, Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana and was a part of Conjuncto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba. He has expertise in afro cuban dance, folklore, ballet, jazz, modern dance, contemporary ballet, tap dance, hip hop, choreography and singing. Denmis has choreographed for such people as, Kenny Ortega, Siegfried & Roy, Emilio Estefan, Manuel Mendive, Havana Nights Dance Company and the Latin Grammys. He has performed on "Don Francisco Presenta", "Cosa Nostra" and with groups such as "Orichas", "Calle 13", "Los Van Van", "Bamboleo", "Pacho Alonso" and "Issac Delgado". Denmis is probably most known for his work with the Havana Nights Dance Company. He toured and performed in more than 16 different countries and was a lead dancer in about 450 performances of "Havana Nightclub - The Show". The performances received standing ovations and outstanding reviews from critics and audiences all around. The tour ended in Las Vegas, Nevada with the intentions of returning back to Cuba afterwards. Political hostilities between the U.S. and Cuba landed all 53 performers in the middle of a dispute that forced them into making life changing decisions. In 2004 Denmis Bain was a part of the largest mass defection in the United States and the entire cast requested and were granted political asylum. Denmis has remained in the U.S. ever since, fulfilling his original goal of performing and touching the hearts of anyone he could.

Alex Burris

Alex Burris was first introduced to Rueda and Cuban salsa in New Orleans, Louisiana 11 years ago. He soon began teaching and performing throughout the city with Cervantes - Fundacion Hispanoamericana de Arte. In 2005 he moved to Houston and started teaching at local clubs and dance studios. He formed a dance team that has performed at various charities, the Puerto Rican and Cuban Festival, and other events. He is the founder and choreographer of Houston Rueda.