Confirmed teachers
for SSC2009
Maykel Fonts & Kirenia Cantin, Cuba
Maykel is recognized as one of the best Cuban style dancers in the world. He has a broad repertoire, and in his recently opened school in Milano, Maykel Fonts Academy, he teaches, afro, rumba, jazz, classic, contemporary, flamenco, hip-hop, tango, bachata, son, cha-cha, salsa and also percussion.
Maykel together with Cuban dancer Kirenia Cantin, made no less than three brilliant appearances on the SSC2008 stage. They received a standing ovation from the astounded Friday audience.
Maykel Fonts & Kirenia, Rumba workshop end performance, 2007
Tito & Tamara, Puerto Rico
www.titoortos.com
Both Tito and Tamara have participated in various television commercials, dance videos and movies such as, "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights", Yellow, "El Cantante: Hector Lavoe y American Gangster", as dancers. They also own and operate Rhythms Dance Studio, together with coreographer Danny Lugo.
Tamara has more than 20 years of dance experience and she is trained in dances like jazz, ballet, cha-cha and hip hop.
Tito choreographed the "Bomba" and "Cha-Cha-Cha" routine in Ricky Martin's appearance in Miss Universe 2001 and the Celia Cruz "Azúcar" Special in Miami in 2003. He has also choreographed artists like Víctor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Michael Stuart, El Gran Combo, Richie Rey and Bobby Cruz.
Tito & Tamara, Palladium show, USA 2006
Junior & Emily, San Francisco, USA
Despite their young years, they have participated in numerous congresses all over the world. Emiliy is renowned for her high-speed spins where she spots so fast the eye can barely register her head turning. They have guest appeared in the Havana Night Show, the best Latin show in Las Vegas. They were choreographers on the hit TV show So You Think You Can Dance" choreographing the Mambo, and have also done promotions for the hit TV show "Dancing With The Stars" (not broadcasted in Sweden).
Junior and Emily are the youngest dance couple in the world to lead their own professional dance team Amicitia Dance. With their own unique, exciting and heart-pumping style of dancing they have swept stages around the world.
Their participation in the SSC2008 was greatly appreciated. With good spirits and superb teaching skills, they contributed to the success of the congress and the friendly atmosphere. Junior's contribution to the Sunday prank will be long remembered.
Junior & Emily, Salsa World Championships, 2nd on2, Las Vegas, dec 2006
Patrik & Fabian, Sweden & Argentina
Their SSC2008 Friday show was such a success they were asked by Albert Torres to perform again on Saturday. According to reliable sources, they are now batching in invitions from congress all over the world, among others from Los Angeles and Barcelona.
Yamulee, New York, USA
wwww.yamulee.com
Yamulee have their own, very popular dance school for all levels, as well as children, in the Bronx, NYC. They dance on 2, and their style has been described as very energetic Bronx Street Style of dancing, filled with series of spins, turns combos, counter turns and hand changes. The guys have a very strong and aggressive lead. Women training under Perrones' style of mambo often become multiple spinning experts out of pure necessity and practice.
Salseras Dance Company, Gothenburg
www.salserasdancecompany.com
All dancers of the group are a vital parts of Scandinavian Salsa Congress, not only for their much appreciated shows and workshops, but also for their devoted work in the congress organization all year around.
The theme of their latest choreography is from the Musical Chicago. An eye-catching composition with swift and imaginative position changes, colourful clothing and fast paced salsa mixed with street-jazz.
Salseras Dance Company, Chicago show, Kungstorget Gothenburg 2007
Stockholm Salsa Dance, Stockholm, Sweden
www.stockholmsalsadance.com
Harvey Anturi left Colombia for Stockholm 15 years ago to study chemical engineering. Dance has been a part of his life since childhood. He won his first salsa competition 1993 together with Miriam Ponce de Leon who started dancing only one year earlier. Together they started the now dissolved Club Latino Dance Company, which represented Sweden in the grand Puerto Rico salsa competition 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Through Stockholm Salsa Dance Harvey cooperates with Adriana Mendes to increase the awareness of salsa and Latin culture in Sweden, and together they also work to cross-promote the congresses in Stockholm and Gothenburg respectively.
Viviana & Ricardo, Colombia
In 2006 Viviana & Ricardo were invited by Albert Torres to tour through the U.S and perform in all the major salsa cities: Los Angeles, New York, San Fransisco and Las Vegas. Thereafter they have received invitations from several Salsa Congresses all over the world.
Viviana & Ricardo have become the number one Colombian pair in the fiercest of competition. There are excellent salsa couples in abundance in Colombia in general and the city of Cali in particular. The result board from the 2006 World Junior Salsa Championship in Miami says it all, Colombian pairs in the first 6 places!
The couple gave several fantastic show during the SSC2008. And for the first time, Colombian salsa has been properly introduced in Sweden. For this we are all very greatful! For you unlucky ones who missed their classes, don´t worry, they will be back for SSC2009!
Viviana & Ricardo, Salsa World Championships, 1st Cabaret, Las Vegas, dec 2005
Edwin Rivera, New York, USA
Edwin Rivera is highly recognized for his performing, teaching and choreography skills. His ability to explain the most intricate of details, impeccable teaching techniques and amicable personality are some of the reasons why he has become one of the most sought after instructors. Owing to his teaching skills, humbleness and energetic personality, Edwin was immediatly taken to the hearts of all congress participants. We look forward to his return next year!
Edwin himself attributes all of his success to his mentor, the late David Melendez. He says: “I am the man that I am today because of you. Everything that I do will be in your honour." Edwin is a man of modesty who doesn’t like to talk much about himself, but rather what he loves: “Music & Dance is what truly reflects and defines who I am, my given moods, my hopes, my desires, my dreams and even my fears.” It will be his first visit to Sweden.
A Coreography by Edwin Rivera to Tito Puentes, 2006
Salsa Sabrosa, Lund, Sweden
www.salsa-sabrosa.com
The school embraces and teaches all Salsa styles and also other dances like Reggaeton, African dance and Samba. They try to give their students a broad repertoire that will work just as well in Sweden as in, lets say, Latin America or New York or wherever you would want to dance.
Lisa has been dancing Jazz since the age of ten. In 1998 she started with Salsa. Robin has been dancing Street dance, Disco, Foxtrot, Waltz and Tango, and he too started with Salsa in 1998. They both love to work with body movement/technique in combination with movement across the dance floor. Another detail always in focus is timing. Their main goal with their efforts is to try to give joy, spontaneity, energy, companionship and body knowledge to people wherever they go.
No other school brings so many students to the Scandinavian Salsa Congress. Without them the congress might not exist. So, thank you Lisa and Robin and all students of Salsa Sabrosa for helping us making the congress possible!
Robin & Lisa, Swedish Championships, 2006