All-Star Salsa Events

Santo Rico, NYC

The dance school Santo Rico and its charismatic head instructor Thomas Guerrero are highly renowned in the salsa metropolis of New York. Since its establishment in 1995 they have been the „standard-bearers“ of the New York Style On2 style that has inspire the world’s salsa community. Santo Rico performance history spans 5 continents, 25 countries and over 40 US cities .Today, they're recognized for their dazzling choreographies and their world-famous "Santo Rico spinning technique".

Ataca & La Alemana: Tampa, FL

Jorge Burgos (Ataca Jorgie) and Tanja Kensinger (La Alemana) first became dance partners in 2008 in the hopes of becoming one of the newest couples to be featured in the Salsa scene. To their surprise they've become one of the most recognized couples in the world in the Bachata scene. With their first routine "Te Extrano" having over 10 million hits on YouTube by July 2010, Jorge and Tanja have traveled the world showcasing their bachata routines along with their innovative bachata workshops known as Touch Bachata. Nevertheless, Ataca and La Alemana are also rising stars in the Salsa community, with a high energy breakout solo routine and have performed with Jayson Molina's Rompecabezas and the UMDA pro team.

Liz Lira: Los Angeles, CA

Liz Lira, the "Rose of Salsa," was born in La Paz, Bolivia, and immigrated to the United States at the early age of eight. She capture her first major salsa dance championship at the Mayan World Salsa Championships in the summer of 2002. Liz has recently had the honor of choreographing the semi-finals and finals routines for Mark and Shawn, the first-place winners of Dancing With the Stars, Season 8 and assisted in choreographing the group hustle routine for Dancing With the Stars Season 9. In December of 2009, she won first place at the 4th Annual World Salsa Championships, making her a 6-time World Salsa Champion and 7-time US Salsa Champion.

Serena Cuevas, San Diego, CA

With a combined 14 years of dance training including ballroom and salsa and 8 years of teaching experience, Serena has created a unique name for herself. She trained with the best then founded Deseo Dance Company in 2008. Her style incorporates Salsa & Mambo technique with highlights from Jazz & Modern dance. Serena is most known for her ladies styling, detailed body movements and fast solo spins.

Gordon Neil: Atlanta, GA

A native of the island of Jamaica, Gordon Neil was born to Caribbean rhythms. It is that birthright which has bound him so closely to the dance and music of the islands. A performer from childhood, Gordon has been on stage since the age of 9, and hasn't let up since. His background and education as a dancer (which includes varied influences and genres such hip hop, modern, jazz, Afro Caribbean, tap, musical theater, contemporary, and others), has lent itself to making Gordon Neil one of the most internationally acclaimed choreographers and performers in Latin dance. He has choreographed/performed for television, film, and stage, and has worked for some of the most celebrated recording artists of our day, such as Earl Klugh, Grupo Niche, Ruben Blades, Larry Harlow and the Latin Legends of Fania, Fruko y sus Tesos, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and others. Gordon also teaches and performs around the world in places such as Germany, French Guyana, Puerto Rico, Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, Los Angeles, France, China, and several others.

Joby Brava: Atlanta, GA

Joby was born in New York City of Dominican parents. Her family then moved her to California where she began her dance career at the age of 19 with Modern, Jazz, Ballet and Hip-Hop. During this time, she spent three years in an Orange County Theater Dance Company “On Common Ground”. In 1994 Joby’s dance career took a sharp turn when she co-founded the first Salsa dance company in California, Salsa Brava. With her artistic direction, electrifying choreography, and technical teaching skills she was able to mesmerize many audiences in over 40 different countries. This put herself on the map and became one of the top Salsa dance companies in the world. Establishing a mix of Latin with her technical background she became known as a pioneer of what is now considered “L.A. Style Salsa”.

She has trained many from beginner aficionados of dance to working with artist in videos, movies, television, film, and stage shows. A few such as Rita Moreno, Jimmy Smits, Tito Puente, Thalia, Jennifer Lopez, Chayanne, Vanessa Williams, Tito Nieves, Quincy Jones, Donnie & Marie, Rosanne Bar, and The Four Tops.

Joby Brava has been blessed to receive prestigious awards such as:

• Washington D.C. “Women of Salsa” 2005 Recognition Award
• Tropicana-Club Latino, Milano 2005 Special Recognition Award
• Sabor Magazine’s “Best Dance Company Award 2001, 2002, & 2003”
• Sabor Magazine’s “Best Female Dancer in L.A. 2001”
• Albert Torres Productions’ “Lifetime Contribution Award 2001”
• Congreso Bacardi 2001 “Contribution to Salsa Culture”
• Mayor Jeremy Harris of Hawaii for “Outstanding efforts to promote culture exchange between Hispanic Community & Hawaii” 2001

Joby ‘Brava’ Productions currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia training, teaching, performing, choreographing and consulting. Specializing in Salsa on1, Mambo on2, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha, Caribbean Cardio for Kids to adults. She also has 8 instructional DVDs and is the face of the up and coming workout ‘Havana Nights” seen in Target and Walmarts near you.

Darlin Garcia: Philly, PA

Darlin’s creativity and love of salsa is evident in his sizzling and fast-paced choreographies. He is Director and lead choreographer of Art in Motion Latin Dancers. He has danced and performed in Philadelphia, nationally and internationally, and has been in several competitions, winning 3rd place at the ESPN World salsa championships.

Leslie and Jorge of Bachata Caliente, Los Angeles, CA

This energetic couple was featured at the recent Canada Salsa Congress. Who would have guessed that their workshop was the most well attended one out of all the other salsa workshops? There were between 20-77 in any salsa workshop. Leslie and Jorge had over 200!!!! They are excellent teachers and have been travelling and competing together all over the world.

Rodney Rodchata Aquino, San Francisco, CA

A top organizer of bachata festivals all over and with over 150,000 subscribers in his newsletter and over 30,000 friends combined in myspace, twitter, tribe and facebook, Rodney Rodchata Aquino is a popular Latin Dance instructor, promoter and lecturer in the world. He was the first man in history to ever organize the very 1st international bachata festival in USA (Reno Bachata Convention, SF Bachata Festival), and co-organize Lithuanian Bachata Festival, DC Bachata Congress, and soon in Hawaii, Seattle and Puerto Vallarta. Solely responsible for revolutionizing bachata dance in USA, RODCHATA, as bachateros intimately calls him, has been in the Latin Dance scene for over 15 years and is considered the foremost authority in the bachata dance, both Dominican and Modern styles.

Jose & Mariana: New York/Mexico

BIO COMING SOON

Jennifer "Mambonita" Campos: Miami, FL

Jennifer “Mambonita “ Campos has been dancing since 2000. Her unique style & charisma, along with her endless passion and love for dance has made her one of the most sought after Instructors in Florida. Jennifer has also performed for major artists like the Gypsy Kings and Will Smith. Her unique fusion of her two loves, salsa and belly dance has created a style that is sexy, fun, and distinctive. Jenny has given workshops in Washington DC, Atlanta, and more. Her performance at the Flava Invasion rocked the house, and we are excited to have her in DC again!

Alejandro and Kathy: Los Angeles, CA

In only their first year of partnership Alejandro Rey and Kathy Reyes have established themselves as the premier Bachata dance couple in Los Angeles. Together they have entertained thousands across the United States with their championship style of "Urban Bachata", a powerful fusion of Hip Hop, R&B and Bachata. With a captivating chemistry onstage and undeniable swagger, these two define the term stage presence as soon as they set foot onto any dance floor. Their Bachata workshops continue to draw big numbers and Alejandro's Lap Dance workshop titled "4 The Ladies" continues to be a Congress favorite attracting hundreds of participants at every Bachata Festival.

Earl “Go Go “ Rush: Washington, DC

Earl Rush has been doing some type of dancing for the 35 years . His dance training runs the gamut from Hip Hop to jazz , tap, Afro Cuban , Ballet , tango and more, He has performed on stage with Jazz guitarist Jonathan Butler , Parlimment Funkadelic, Los Hermanos Moreno, Eddie Palmieri and Spanish Harlem Orchestra . His last last 15 years have been spent dancing Salsa and mambo and teaching for the last 10 years.at every major University and Night club in the Washington, DC area.. He is also the founder of www.stuckonsalsa. com and President of StuckOnsalsa.