iWantToDance Glossary of Terms and Salsa Dictionary
Overview
Welcome to the iWantToDance Glossary of Terms and Salsa Dictionary, we aim to provide a comprehensive breakdown of not only all of the salsa terminology you should be familiar with and their meanings and a complete breakdown of the primary moves and name variations you can expect to come across in the UK salsa scene, but also the teachers, performers, national events and influences that have both made the dance what it is today, but also those that now carry the flag forward and push Salsa to new limits of style, influence and enjoyment across the On1, On2 LA Style, New York Style and Cuban Style salsa scenes.
Glossary of Terms
The glossary itself in a huge list arranged by Style
Salsa Terminology |
LA Style |
Cuban |
On1 NY |
|---|---|---|---|
Cross-body lead |
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Reverse cross-body |
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Copa |
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Reverse Copa |
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Hook Turn |
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Enchufe |
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Enchufe Doble |
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Sombrero |
Terminology |
Description |
|---|---|
aguinaldo |
folkloric music typically associated with Christmas |
bastonero |
a danza director who decided how many couples would dance on each dance and the position of each dancer |
bolero |
a slow, lyrical musical genre, referred to as a ballad in English, that is sung and danced and completely different from the Spanish counterpart. The bolero appeared in the last part of the 19th century. For a complete description, see the bolero genre page |
bomba |
a music genre for dance unique to Puerto Rico but with roots in Africa ; also a barrel-shaped drum of Afro-Puerto Rican origin, similar to but shorter than the Cuban tumbadora ( conga drum). See complete description on the bomba page. |
bombardino |
a brass musical instrument that sounds similar to a trombone; typically used in danzas See complete description on the instruments page. |
bongos |
a percussion musical instrument consisting of two small drums attached to each other and played while held between the knees. The bongos were developed from similar African drums. Originally, the bongo's drum heads (skins) were tacked-on, but later a system of tuneable hardware was attached. Bongos today are made of fiberglass as well as wood See complete description on the instruments page. |
bordonua |
a musical instrument adapted from classical Spanish guitar and often used to perform a "seis", either with or as a compliment to a guitar |
buleador |
low-pitched bomba drums providing supporting rhythm in a bomba |
charanga |
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conga |
a type of drum, also known as the tumbadora, adapted from Africa ; originating as a solid, hollowed log with a nailed-on skin. Eventually, tuneable hardware was added and today, conga drums are made out of fiberglass as well as wood. See complete description on the instruments page. |
cha-cha-cha |
A very rhythmic genre of music for singing and dancing, and derived from the early Cuban danzón-mambo. It was created by violinist Enrique Jorrín, who named the style upon hearing the scraping sounds of dancers'feet. The cha-cha-chá eventually became a separate musical style based on the montuno section of the danzón with congas. |
conjunto |
A specific style of instrumentation developed around 1940, derived from the septeto ensemble, consisting of guitar, tres, contrabass, bongos, three vocalists (who play hand percussion such as maracas and claves), and two to four trumpets. The piano and the tumbadora were added by legendary tres player Cuban Arsenio Rodriguez |
clave |
Clave has two meanings: |
claves |
Two round, polished sticks which are used to play the clave patterns |
contradanza |
a music genre and precursor of the danza, meaning: "counter dance" (a word derived, according to some, from the English "country dance"). This was a very rigid dance, a "figures" dance, in which the dancers had to do specific movements |
cua |
The principal pattern in the Puerto Rican genre (and rhythm) known as bomba |
cumbia |
a music genre from Colombia popular dance rhythm from Colombia but also popular in Chile , Mexico and other Latin American countrues. |
danza |
a music genre for dance, developed in Puerto Rico and derived from the waltz. See complete description on the danza page. |
danzón |
a music and dance genre developed in the late 19th century, which is derived from the European court and country dances, as well as the contradanza and the danza. The instrumentation which generally interprets this style is known as the charanga orchestra, featuring strings and flute with a rhythm section. |
decima |
A ten-line, octosyllabic verse, typically the main part of what is known as "jibaro" or folk music. It is probably the earliest music genre that blends African rhythms with the lyrics and melody from the traditions of Western Europe |
descarga |
an impromptu jam session, improvisation |
fua |
sticks struck on a resonant surface; see also: clave |
guaguancó |
a musical genre developed in Cuba and a precursor to salsa, featuring a polyrhythmic structure using a 2/3 clave, and danced by male-female couples (in its traditional folkloric setting). The typical instrumentation includes: tumbadoras (congas) or cajones (boxes), palitos (sticks) or cucharas (spoons), claves, and marugas (shakers). |
guaracha |
A lively and highly danceable music style with lyrics, originating in Spain . Characterized mostly by its rhytm, it is generally played with a bolera section in 2/4 time and a clave section in either 6/8 or 3/4 time, although the order of these sections is sometimes reversed. Typically, a guaracha ends with a sensual rumba section. La Negra Tomasa composed in the 1940's, is an interesting (only vocals and percussion), example of this genre. Another example is Corneta sung by Daniel Santos. The guaracha came to Puerto Rico from Cuba in the mid-19th century, and developed into the jíbaro style that most closely approaches contemporary Latin dance rhythms. |
a notched, hollowed-out gourd, which was adapted from a pre-Colombian instrument, played by scraping with a metal tool with multiple tynes |
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habanera |
precursor to the danza, from the name of Cuba 's capital city, La Habana. The habanera was danced by couples in a very free, improvisational manner |
jibaro |
a term used to describe a Puerto Rican peasant; anyone from the countryside |
mambo |
a musical genre from Cuba and precursor to salsa; also referred to as montuno. The mambo was a dance style popular in New York City from the 1930s through the 1950s, and is strictly instrumental. See mambo page for more detailed information. |
maracas |
percussion musical instrument made of a gourd filled with pebbles or dried beans and mounted on handle; used in pairs See the instruments page for more detailed information. |
merengue |
the second part of the danza, consist of anywhere from 16 to 132 measures, but also refers to the a musical genre from the Dominican Republic but quite popular in Puerto Rico and throughout Latin America . Typically, it is accompanied by a small accordion, a two headed drum called the 'tambora', and a singer who plays the güiro, and has a syncopated duple meter. See merengue page for more detailed information. |
montuno |
a section of music, originating from Cuba and a precursor to salsa. It features a call and response between the lead singer and chorus; the piano often has a repeated "vamp" or musical line |
nueva ola |
meaning "new wave", refers to a period in Puerto Rican popular music in the 1970's typified by folkloric elements. The best known exponents were Haciendo Punto en Otro Son, Danny Rivera, and Lucecita Benitez. |
pachanga |
The 1960s incarnation of the chachachá, still played by the charanga bands. Its signature is a conga pattern called "caballo" (literally meaning "horse"). |
pandereta |
a small hand-held drum, similar to a tambourine, and used in folk music genres such as the plena |
parranda |
lively holiday parties that stroll from house to house singing aguinaldos and usually accompanied by musical instruments |
paseo |
the first part of the danza, which usually consisted of 8 measures, and lacked a rhythmic base but served as a tonal introduction |
plena |
a musical genre developed in Puerto Rico ; see complete description on plena page |
requinto |
a musical instrument adapted from classical Spanish guitar |
rumba |
there are several ways to describe rumba. It is a generic name for commercialized versions of guarachas, plenas and sons performed primarily for non-Latino audiences of the mid 20th century United States. In Cuba , it refers to a secular folkloric music and dance style (of African origin) as well as a kind of 'attitude'. Often these are accompanied by conga drums, claves, a lead singer and a chorus with call-and-response singing both in African and Spanish languages. For more detailed information, see the rumba page |
salsa |
a musical genre developed in Puerto Rico combining musical genres and traditions from American jazz, Cuban son and African rhythms |
salsa vieja |
the earliest salsa music; salsa that was performed during the earliest period of salsa music and usually associated with pioneers such as Larry Harlow, Johnny Pacheco, Ray Barretto, Roberto Roena, Willie Colón, Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez, Ismael Miranda, Héctor LaVoe and the Fania All Stars. |
salsero |
someone who sings or performs salsa music |
santeria |
Santería is a Spanish term meaning saint worship and describes a religion originated by the Yoruba people in Africa but practiced throughout much of the Caribbean including Puerto Rico . The term was used to disguise the religeous practices from their Catholic masters. See El Boricua page for more detail. |
son |
a musical genre from the Cuba that is intended to be danced. It developed in the eastern part of Cuba (Oriente province) and reached Havana , in the west, around 1909. Its musical structure combines African and Spanish elements. Although there is a great variety in its instrumentation, it is traditionally played by a tres accompanied by a güiro and bongos. It is the foundation of modern salsa. There are several hybrids of Son, including Son-montuno, Afro-son and Guajira-son. |
son montuno |
A son that begins on the coro section, so there is no largo or "verse" to it. According to musicologist Andres Alen and his brother Olavo, the verse section shows the influence of European music. The coro/soneo section shows the African influence. |
subidor |
high-pitched bomba drums providing dialogue with the dancers in a bomba |
Taíno |
the name of the indegenous Indian tribe that populated Puerto Rico during pre-Colombian times |
tambor |
a general term describing any of many different types of drums |
timbales |
percussion musical instrument |
trés |
a musical instrument adapted from classical Spanish guitar; also referred to as a triple, which has three pairs of strings; |
triple |
a musical instrument adapted from classical Spanish guitar; also referred to as a "trés" |
tumbadora |
a type of conga drum from Cuba ; larger than the bomba. |
vihuela |
a five stringed musical instument similar to the lute and quite common in Spain and other parts of Europe , reaching the height of its popularity in the 16th century. The vihuela is tuned A-D'-G'-B-E and today is only used in mariachi bands. |
The Movers and Shakers, Influential on the Salsa Scene and Famous to the People
A list of the people who make the scene what it is, was and shall be, the names to know and why.
The Who's Who |
Origin | What they move and what they shake! |
|---|---|---|
| Brigitte & Franklyn | DUP | Brigitte said au revoir to France and came to live in Sunny Manchester 15 years ago and whilst here Brigitte discovered salsa. She currently teaches with Franklyn, her dance partner, at Copacabana’s in Manchester. Their classes are fun, funky and very popular. Although high pitched commands are her trademark, no helium is used and except for the odd bruised toe and black eye, no one is usually hurt in her classes. Brigitte and her dance partner are well known in the Salsa world and are regularly invited to teach at many venues and congresses in the UK and abroad |
| Candice & Lautaro | DUP | Lautaro Arino´s success was first prompted with Club Latino, Sweden, and their routines ”Thriller”,”Aladdino Latino”,”M.A.S.H.”, and then with Sacuye Latin Dancer (which he co-founded), with “Vogue”,”Aves Maria”,Baila que Baila”,”Fosse Mambo”,and “Mix Show”. His group won the 2002 Albert Torres Annual European Salsa Team Competition in Haarlem, Holland, and he is the 2nd place winner of the Swiss Championship 2004.
One rare strength Lautaro possesses is his knowledge in both, Casino, the Cuban Salsa and Cross Body Style Salsa. Starting off as so many did, dancing Cuban Salsa he has never stopped developing it and masters both styles. He also has a passion for Cha Cha Cha, and Son. Having more than six years of teaching experience he loves to share the tricks and secrets he has learned around the world. His greatest strength, however, is his diversity in being able to teach many different styles and disciplines of Latin and AfroCuban dances. Candice started dancing salsa 5 years ago and has been addicted to it ever since. Candice’s strongest characteristic in her dance is her strong sexuality and sensuality, which comes from her love of music and dance, and is expressed in her movement. She has a seductive nature on the dance floor, which is both flirtatious, and intoxicating. Candice has starred as a salsa dancer on "Dance", a pilot TV show on Channel 4, A music video for Groove Factory,"Human Instinct" a programme for the BBC, "Auf Wiedersein, Pet" for the BBC, amongst other televised appearances. She is also the British Salsa Champion of 2003, and a two year consecutive place winner of the Tropicana Salsa Championships. Candice's strength is in her diversity of being able to dance and teach all styles of salsa (Cuban and Cross Body) with her partner Lautaro,and also her LADIES STYLING classes, which she can conduct for both Cuban and Crossbody dancers |
| Edie 'The Salsa Freak' | DUP | Edie has taught and performed in over thirty different countries throughout Europe, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Middle East, and Asia. Edie's contribution to Salsa was recognised with the International Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Paul Young at last year's UK Congress. She also received Best International Instructor at the British International Salsa Festival 1999 and was the Guest of Honour at the Curacao Salsa Festival 2000.
She has taken first place in numerous dance competitions, including the famous Mayan competition out of Los Angeles, California, and the International Salsa and Hustle Pro Salsa Championships in Miami, Florida. She has appeared on television, film, and radio, and co-stars in 15 instructional Salsa videos on the world market. |
| Emma Moore | DUP | Drawing on both her dance background salsa has become a way of life for Emma who, along with her dance partner Mushi, has travelled the world performing, teaching and DJing. In 2002, Emma and Mushi were honoured with an award for the Most Inspiring Newcomers and in 2003 were invited by Susana Montero to judge the British Salsa Competition. Emma also features on Susana Montero's Ladies Styling video sold worldwide |
| Hacha Y Machete | DUP | Victor grew up in Lawrence MA in a household that adored salsa and mambo music. Burju grew up in Queens NY surrounded by Puerto Rican and Dominican friends. They met through an amateur dance group formed at Boston University whose main objective was putting together a choreography for the school’s annual Latino talent exhibition. Victor was recruited among a few other non-BU students to help in the project. Burju and Victor became dance partners. |
| Inaki Fernandez | SELF | Inaki as born in the North or Spain but grew up in Madrid. He moved to London in 2004, bringing with him several talents, including experience in Argentinean Tango, Salsa and Bachata. In london, Inaki joined the Diablo Dance Company, winners of the Salsa-UK 'Salsa Olympics', dancing energetic routines conbining hip hop, jaz and salsa. From there he moved to dancing 'On2', and ni 2005 he joined teh Leon Rose Project and has since performed with this group. Inaki has extensive experience in teaching and performing salsa and tango, but he is also becoming famous for Bachata. His unique style in this dance form combines flirtatiousness with energy and intensity. As 'Spanish Bachata Champion', Inaki has been dubbed 'King of Bachata' and recently teamed up with Susanna Montero. |
| Irene Miguel | DUP | Professional dancer, trained in classical ballet, contemporary, jazz and hip hop. She lived and worked in London and New York for 13 years. She has been dancing and teaching salsa since 1993. She trained with the best international teachers in cuban style, on one salsa and mambo, includying Homero Gonzales, Eddie Torres, Jason Molina, Seaon Bristol, Frankie Martinez and Nelson flores. Irene has been dancing and teaching all over the world for over 12 years and has both performed and taught at the most important salsa congresses includying Puerto Rico ( 2000/2001 ) where she danced as Seaon Stylist´s dance partner and Edgard del Rosario´s. She has worked in Londres, Nueva York, Grecia, Suiza, Suecia, Cuba, Republica Dominicana, Dinamarca, Paris, Miami, Argentina, Madrid , Murcia, amongst other places..... Irene has performed with some of the best international dancers includying Leon Rose, Tamambo, Dean Maynard, Angel Ortis, Seaon Bristol , Edgard del Rosario, Susana Montero, Laith Sami, Carlos Aragon and Gustavo Pinat - European Champion. - International Judge for the Bristish Salsa Championship, Club Salsa UK, -Congreso Bacardi Paris, and offical Judge for the The International Salsa Open. - UKA qualified. |
| Jaime Jesus & Lil Liz | DUP | Jaime Jesus & Little Liz of Latin Dance Australia, have taken the salsa world by storm. Rated as 2 of the worlds best Instructors and performers, they have been contracted to teach and perform in 2006 at no less than 20 international events all throughout Asia, Europe and the America’s.
Famous for their LDA Style salsa, world class teaching and performances, Jaime and Liz are without a doubt Australia’s most sort after Salsa dancers |
| Jason & Shemayne Parkinson | DUP | Jason & Shemayne Parkinson are “Dance with Passion” with their wealth of experience in the dance world they are the answer to most of your dancing needs.
Jason Parkinson started dancing at early age and soon found his way to a local dance school in Preston. By the age of 12 he was competing in the open to world championships at Blackpool and by the age of 14 he won his first of 5 British World open and British National titles as part of the Preston formation team. Jason along with his wife Shemayne also competed as a couple with great success. Jason & Shemayne retired from competing in 1998 and focused their time on teaching and have taught thousands to dance since |
| Jessica Ortiz | DUP | Jessica began performing at an early age with the Starlite Dance Studio. Dancing and teaching for over 9 years, Jessica then began performing around the world as part of a Latin dance duet with Juan Matos.She has danced with Abakua of Frankie Martinez since January 2005 also she currently performs with the Yamulee Dance Company and is part of a new Dance Duet with Adolfo Indacochea |
| Johnny Vasquez | ||
| Juan Matos & Fogarate | ||
| Laith Sami & Diablo | ||
| Lee & Shelley | DUP | With their combination of infectious enthusiasm and technical partnerwork, Lee and Shelley represent some of London’s hottest new talent. Both are established performers in their own right. Shelley has taught with SuperMario and trained and performed with Iris de Brito and her Latin Soul Sisters, the Manhattan Mambo dancers and Richard Marcel, with numerous appearances on National TV including the Kiss FM Urban Music Awards. Lee has worked with the South of England Latin Formation Team (the British Champions), appearing at the Royal Festival Hall, and the Diablo Dance Company. Lee also worked with Iris de Brito to choreograph sections of the musical El Barrio. Shelley and Lee are both members of the Leon Rose Project. As a dance partnership, Lee and Shelley perform and teach around the UK and Europe, with highlights including Move It Dance London Olympia 2006, the Salsa UK Congress 2005, Britfest 2006, Mambocity Five Star 2005 and 2006, London Latinfest 2005 and congresses in Austria, France and Spain. Their shows are guaranteed to bring high energy and a sense of fun to any event. Teaching as a couple, they place importance on demonstrating and explaining concepts of leading and following in particular. |
| Leon Rose | DUP | Leon Rose is one of the freshest innovators on the UK Salsa scene. His inspirational style generates enthusiasm and commitment to the art of Salsa dancing as demonstrated when he won the 2000 UK Bacardi Salsa and 2001 Salsa Club competitions Leon has performed salsa on television and stage, from appearances with Enrique Iglesias on Top of the Pops (BBC) and The Des O'Connor Show to The Royal Albert Hall in aid of Princess Diana Landmine Fund, Hackney Empire and various prestigious venues around the UK and the rest of the world. As a choreographer and Salsa instructor Leon enjoys every aspect of dancing from encouraging the novice to working with the advanced and inspiring the best. Leon has taught several workshops around Europe including some of the big festivals. His natural exuberance and Salsa spirit ensures that to see him in action - Salsa is Life |
| Lori Perez | DUP | Lori has been performing for five years. She began at the age of 15 with Young Ambition with which she danced for three years. She is now dancing with the Abakua Latin Dance Company for two years. Recently she has been traveling the world partnering with Frankie Martinez, director of Abakua. Lori has also just completed her second year at New York University |
| Lossie & Gareth | DUP | Laucinda aka Lossie was trained at the London Studio Centre where she studied Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary Dance, Music and Theatre. It was during this time that she performed in the West End and toured with a Theatre Company. She has been teaching, performing and choreographing dance for 16 years with a wide variety of people. She started teaching and performing Salsa in 2000.
Gareth studied Flamenco at the ‘Greenwhich Dance Agency’ in London. He received a BA Honours Degree in Dance covering a variety of dance related topics including choreography, anatomy, contact improvisation, stage production. He performed in various shows including the Edinburgh Festival. He then went on to train at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance where his studies included, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Contemporary Music. Gareth started teaching & performing Salsa in 2002. Together they have trained with several Mambo / Salsa teachers & performers, including an ‘Arts Council’ funded training week in 2003 with Frankie Martinez & private training with Emma & Mushi. They are continuously investing in their training & recently spent a week in New York. They teach ‘New York Cross Body ‘On2’. Together, they run the ‘Encuentro Latino’ Dance Company in York. |
| Marchant Birch | DUP | Trained from an early age in Ballroom and Latin American, he is a much sought after mambo/salsa performer and teacher both in the UK and internationally. Marchant has achieved success with a number of different dance partners over the years. Most recently, his dynamic partnership with Miriam Oppel culminated in their winning the Best UK Dance Act award at the UK Salsa Congress 2006. Their ëTake Fiveí show also received high acclaim from the mambo king himself, Eddie Torres.
In 2005, Marchant founded Alchemy Dance Company, an ongoing project which incorporates mambo, ballroom, and classical jazz techniques. In 2006 he started the Alchemy Dance Academy which provides the opportunity for the general salsa public to improve their dancing by way of the Alchemy method of dance training. It is pioneering the Alchemy Way that is now Marchant's main focus, by developing both the dance company and academy |
| Mark Anthony & Elena Poutanen | DUP | First introduced to salsa in 1999 he became a salsa addict soon after that. He co-founded Mambo Tribe Salsa Dance Company in 2003 and has since become one of the premiere performer’s and instructor’s coming out of Canada. He has achieved great success with his various dance partners from Canada, Israel and Europe and his latest partnership with Elena Poutanen of Sweden will surely entertain audience’s world wide Elena has won many Latin Ballroom competitions worldwide. When she started dancing salsa she incorporated her various dance styles which includes Flamenco and Latin Ballroom and this combination it made her a more complete dancer. A few years later Elena became a member Sacuye Latin Dancers of Sweden. As one of Sweden’s premiere salsa dancer and instructor, Elena has performed and taught at various worldwide salsa events and was also featured on one of Leon Rose’s instructional DVD collection. Elena has a great passion for dancing and she can always be seen on the dance floor right to the end |
| Mel C | DUP | Mel first started dancing salsa in February 1999 and after only a few months, she started assisting Mauricio Reyes (Founder of Latin Motion) with his Intermediate/Advanced classes. In the December of 1999 she taught her first beginners class for Latin Motion and her teaching career started from there. Mel specializes in teaching all levels of salsa from beginners to advanced, ladies styling and is known for her footwork and body movement. She has taught all over the UK and Europe, at congresses and numerous weekend events. She has trained with Special Tee, Nelson Flores, Frankie Martinez and Eddie Torres to name but a few. She formed Carpe Diem Dance Company in 2003 and the group has performed in UK and Europe at some of the biggest salsa events in the world, including the UK Salsa Congress and the British Salsa Congress. Mel choreographs all of the Carpe Diem shows and is supported by Alicia Greated |
| Michael Pottinger | ||
| Moe & Angelique | ||
| Morry | ||
| Mushi Noor | ||
| Neeraj Maskara | DUP | Neeraj Maskara has been dancing salsa for about 7 years. His background in dancing has been mainly Jazz Ballet. He has become increasingly popular in the salsa scene for his vibrant shows and excellent teaching. As an instructor, he is known for his originality, precision and clear explanation of everything he teaches. As a performer, he always manages to capture the audience with his choreography and expression. He not only demonstrates cool moves, dynamic body movements and great choreography but he also manages to leave a lasting impression on you with his friendly and fun-loving personality |
| Nicky & Gormack | DUP | Nicky & Gormack met in London after they had both been dancing for almost 2 years (Nicky Cuban and NY style, Gormack Cuban style). Nicky quickly introduced Gormack to NY style and consequently they decided to form the appropriately named company “The Salsaholics” and spread the word about NY style back up in Nicky’s home town of Leeds. Since then, their addiction has led them to teach all over the UK. Their reputation for teaching technique in a fun yet comprehensive way is now wide spread. Teamed with Gormack’s creative and unusual moves they are now 2 of the North’s most sought after teachers.
They stepped away from performing for a couple of years when they became parents, but are now launching themselves back on the stage… and will be performing and teaching at The Cannes Salsa Festival in addition to other key UK events throughout the year. Whilst having no professional dancing background, they have both spent most of their teenage years dancing (R & B, Hip Hop, Ceroc etc) and this is reflected in their unique style. Teamed with their sense of fun, their passion, their background (Gormack is French/African) and their training (Irene Miguel, Edgard Del Rosario, Super Mario, Susana Montero, Leon Rose, Ramiro, Nelson Flores, Seaon Bristol, Frankie Martinez, Juan Matos and Eddie Torres… just a few of their teachers!) this talented couple are definitely ones to watch out for…whether dancing NY Style, Cuban Style, on1 or on2 |
| Oliver & Luda | ||
| Osbanis & Iris | ||
| Santo Rico | DUP | Thomas Guerrero & Santo Rico Thomas is also the pioneer of the world-famous "Santo Rico" spinning technique used by Salsa lovers all over the world |
| Susana Montero | DUP | Susana Montero, is one of the principal stars of British Salsa. Why? Simply because of her vast knowledge of dance and salsa, her sheer dancing skills, and her excellent teaching abilities, which have men, women and teachers coming back class after class. All this wrapped up in one of the most likeable personalities around.
This has all helped to make Susana one of the most sought after Salsa teacher/dancers in the UK. Past achievements include winning the British Championship and the coveted Bacardi Competition, including a chance to perform to one of the most prestigious audiences in the Salsa world, at the Congresso de Bacardi in Puerto Rico, where Susana and her dance partner Leon Rose received one of the loudest and longest standing ovations of the entire week, after their debut performance |
| Swinguys | DUP | Swing World Champions, they are the promoters of a new salsa style called “SalsaSwing”, where sexy movements are mixed with swing and lindy acro elements.They made a huge impact in their first appearance at the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress in 2004, After that Los Angeles, NewYork/New Jersey, London, Switzerland, Milan, Portugal, Paris, Tampere, Rome, Madrid, Chicago and many more of the most important salsa and swing Congresses in the World.
They have used their knowledge of Jazz, Tap, Swing, Acro, Classic, Latin, Hip Hop to create a new Style based on the concept the music give you all the informations about Style, Choreography and right Interpretation. So if you know different dances you have more possibilities to follow the music rhythm variations. Their classes are a mix of power and sensuality at the same time, classic technique combined with energy, fantasy and a unique capacity to follow the music with spectacular improvisations |
| Tony Lara | SELF | DJ Tony has been on the salsa scene for a while. He comes from a very strong Spanish Flamenco background. His main attention in salsa was to learn to dance on '2' with style and speed. He started DJing in November 2000, whenever he plays he always provides the very best in up tempo salsa At this years West Coast Congress, Albert Torres the world biggest Salsa Promoters will be presenting DJ Tony with an honoured award for his contribution to Salsa DJing |
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