Hacha y Machete
USA (Boston)
www.hymstyle.com
Hacha y Machete was Boston’s first professional New York style On 2 salsa dance company. The group was formed in 2000 by four friends with the intent of inspiring others, youth in particular, to dance. Currently HYM’s performances and award-winning classes in salsa and mambo are well known throughout the New England and abroad for their innovative and dynamic choreography, exclusive body language, and the highest caliber of dancers.
Dedication and passion has earned the group spots on some of the world’s most prestigious salsa and mambo congresses in a number of countries, from Italy and Germany to Brazil and Turkey. Hacha y Machete has shared the stage with famous salsa performers such as Sonora Carruseles, Willie Colon, Frankie Negron and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.
Hacha y Machete’s dancers interpret music in a way that speaks to and moves people. They say their mission is sharing passion for dance as an art form and vehicle for self expression, self improvement, and personal growth. The group’s name, meaning Ax and Machete, comes from the popular song written by Emilio Padron. It speaks about the urge of being united as people are stronger together than on their own.
Ieva and Elena, the founders of SalsaSisters, first met Hacha y Machete in 2007 in Prague. “After seeing their performance we became obsessed with the idea of inviting them to our salsa festival in Vilnius. They are incredible people, the world-renowned stars yet kind and ingenuous. They are passionate social dancers with a really outstanding style of self-expression.”
Company managers, Burju Hurturk Perez and her husband Victor Perez, have won awards for their outstanding instruction. Burju was born in Turkey and later moved to NewYork before finally settling down in Massachusets. She is a professional dancer, choreographer and director. Her background includes modern and Latin dance, hip hop, and rhythmic gymnastics. Burju is the main judge at the World Salsa Championships and has her own line of funky dance shoes. Her husband, Victor, is one of HYM’s founders and Burju’s dance partner.
Iris de Brito
Angola - UK
www.irisdebrito.com
www.studioafrolatino.com
A two-time UK salsa champion, in 1999 and 2003, Iris teaches in the UK and abroad. After moving from her native Angola, she took extensive training at the London Studio Centre and with the late William Louther. Currently her artistic interests cover jazz, contemporary and street dance, as well as salsa and kizomba. As a dancer, she took part in films and video clips featuring Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Robin Williams, Henrique Iglesias, and participated in a number of other projects of music and dance.
“I believe you can not put me in a box. I have enjoyed learning and performing different styles of dance so far and have used all these influences in my movement expression. Perhaps my mixed heritage has reflected greatly in the way I interpret dance. I am far from involving myself in salsa and other dancing just as part of a fashion fad. Dance and styles evolve continuously and I want to be part of this,” Iris says.
Nuno Campos
Portugal - UK
www.studioafrolatino.com
Iris' partner Nuno was born in Lisbon, Portugal and started dancing at the age of 17.He trained at the London Studio Centre where graduated with distinction in Contemporary dance, in 2000. He has received several awards and scholarships in contemporary dance, and has worked with choreographers such as Darshan Singh Buller and Rafael Bonachela.Nuno has also worked with the Henri Oguike Dance Company as a dancer and later (2005) also as a Rehearsal Directo
He has also danced for Leona Lewis as well as television work such as BBC “Strickly Come dancing”, and assisting Henri Oguike on “So you think you can dance”.Nuno has also dedicated a lot of his time teaching Pilates, which he excels.As a teacher he teaches in leading schools such as London Studio Centre, London Contemporary Dance School and The Laban Centre, and most recently joined Body work company and English National Ballet School.
His dedication to dance makes him search in many fields and has been involved in other types of dancing such as Flamenco, Cape Verdian dance and music, Salsa and the now Kizomba.
Mouaze
France (Paris)
www.mouaze.com
Mouaze Konate is known as one of the biggest salsa artists in France. A very charismatic person, an excellent showman, a great choreographer, his style, his technique and his teaching is unique. In 2004, he went to the university in Puerto Rico where he learned more about salsa whereafter he went to New York to work together with Eddie Torres. His performances are of a high quality. Nowadays, Mouaze is THE ChaCha King.
Moe Flex
United Kingdom
www.moeflexdance.com
Moe Flex is one of the most exciting, inspiring and entertaining choreographers on the international Latin dance scene today! With the biggest smile in salsa, his boundless enthusiasm for dance is impossible to ignore and he has gained his reputation through sheer determination and talent. As a leading authority in the field of dance, rhythm and body movement, Moe's unique style of teaching is now recognised Internationally and he takes his workshops and shows to congresses and events all over the world.
By adding his own personal touch to everything he does, Moe makes every dance experience a positive and memorable one and always leaves you wanting more. He really is an inspiring and motivational role model for all performing artists and celebrities and has worked with the likes of Rolldeep, Tim Westwood, 50 cent, Blu Cantrell, Craig David, Guy Ritchie & Madonna.
Aistė & Arthur Gontijo
Brazil (Uberlandia)
Arthur Gontijo, who has been passionate about Latin rhythms from early age, began to dance in 2005. He was a member of the Bailar Dance School, one of the most important dance training organisations in Uberlandia, Brazil. Here he learned samba, gorro, zouk, bolero, tango, lindy hop, salsa and other Latin dances.
In 2008, Arthur moved to Sao Paulo where he continued developing his dancing and teaching skills. He specialised mainly in salsa and samba de Gafieira, his teachers being internationally known masters such as Douglas Mohmari (Conexion Caribe Dance Company), Rodrigo Oliveira and
Karina Carvalho (Clube Latino), Marcelo Cunha and Karina Sabah (A2).
In 2009, Arthur had a six-month dance experience in London at the Latin Dance Academy where he had a chance to learn from world-renown teachers such as Super Mario and Susana Montero. In London, he also performed with the Latin Ice Dance Company directed by Aistė Kalabuchova.
Aistė trained as a professional dancer in Lithuania before moving to London in 2002. She has quickly built herself a reputation as an outstanding salsa teacher and performer. Her stage appearances include performances with the all-girl group Duende and partnerships with Mauro Casali, and Shaan. She learned from big international names, such as Joe Davids, Susana Montero,
Super Mario, and Andrea Stewart.
Since 2009, Arthur and Aistė have been teaching and performing in London (UK), Dublin (Ireland). They have been living in Uberlandia since December 2009 and have taken part in a number of major dance congresses in Brazil. In 2010, they where teaching and performing at Zouk Explosion, and Uai Zouk in Uberlandia, First Rio Salsa Congress in Rio de Janeiro, 7th Brazil Salsa Congress in Sao Paulo, Bsb Danca, and Ladies Congress in Brasilia. Last year, they took part in many of these festivals again and travelled to several others.
Because of their knowledge and passion for dance, they offer a variety of Latin dance classes such as forro, zouk, tango, bolero cha-cha-cha, and bachata. However, they mainly specialise in salsa and samba de Gafieira.
Currently Arthur and Aistė are directors and choreographers of the Latin Ice Dance Company and founders of the Inovadanca Academy.
Mark-Anthony Sheppard
Canada (Toronto)
Mark-Anthony originally from Toronto has performed and conducted salsa workshops all over the world and in 2005 he formed his new dance company called MAS Mambo Dance Company.
He has a deep passion for music and dancing which can be seen on the dance floor and stage. He’s very creative, and demonstrates a high level of musicality when he dances. Mark-Anthony’s technique, body movements, control, creative shines, turn patterns. He specialize in dancing On2 but he also dances On1 which makes him a unique talent in the salsa world and he continues to strive for excellence.
He has recently relocated to Stockholm, Sweden where he has trained a new group dancers to represent MAS Mambo.
Always remember, without salsa music…we won’t be dancing to its beautiful sound, please show the musicians who keep us on the dance floor your appreciation!
Susie
Stockholm (Sweden)
Susie lives in Stockholm where she currently teaches salsa- and styling classesat the dance company Stockholm Salsa Dance. She has been dancing with Mark-Anthony since 2009 when she formed part of his Stockholm based dance group MASMambo. With MAS Mambo and Mark-Anthony, Susie travels to congresses all overEurope, performing and teaching.
It was when Susie was living in Barcelona between the years 2001-2002, that shefound her passion for salsa. She took classes with back then the biggest dancecompany in Barcelona- BCN Salsa Dancers, participated in various congresses andalso got to experience great concerts of Marc Anthony, Oscar de León, Los VanVan and more. She was also seen on the dance floor at every salsa club in the city,dancing her heart out!
Since then Susie has continued to develop her dancing. In 2005 she performed forthe first time at a large salsa event, International Salsa Festival in Hamburg, with thedance company Stockholm Salsa Dance that she already by then formed a part of.She was also co-founder of the all girls dance group Spinderellas, which between theyears 2007-2009 performed at several international salsa events and clubs.
Susie is still found on the dance floor at all times and she has never lost her lovefor improvisation and playfulness that most characterizes her style. In her classesshe likes to focus on expressing yourself through the dance, musicality and bodymovement. She loves to share the passion she has for the latin music and dance.
"Dance for me is a way of living and a universal language that connect people."
Susie looks forward to returning to Vilnius Salsa Festival for the second time andexperience the same great atmosphere as last year!
Richie
The Netherlands
Richard (known as Richie) Umejei, born in Lagos Nigeria, has always loved dancing. This passion started in Nigeria at an early age. Richie participated and competed in various street dance competitions in the early 80’s at the age of 12. He started dancing salsa socially in 1997 at El Centro, Amsterdam. He attended numerous salsa congresses and festivals all over Europe and the USA(Chicago, Boston, Washington and NY).
He started out dancing the salsa Cuban style, then learned the LA style and finally started dancing mambo on2 during the NYNJ salsa congress 2004. This salsa congress he claims is the best congress he ever attended.
What is unique about Richie is that he has never had any salsa lessons nor ever followed any salsa workshop in his life. He loves watching the great salsa teachers teach and instruct their pupils on how to dance.
Richie has his own unique style of dancing. He got his inspiration from watching famous salsa artists; Eddie Torres (GURU) for his calm and calculating way of teaching and dancing; Frankie Martinez due to his classic moves, creativity and musically; Leon Rose for his crafty salsa and technique; Patrick Mussendijk for footwork; Juan Matos for his flamboyant and elegant style and of course Paul Baarn and Magna Gopal for their musically and interpretation of salsa music which makes them one of the best in the salsa scene in the world of salsa. Richie has so far performed at various salsacongresses, festivals and salsa galas in the Netherlands and abroad, the sky is looking brighter for Richie in the salsa scene.
He can be found dancing salsa socially in places like, Haarlem perron 3, Salsaventura Den Haag, Casa Loca Utrecht to mention a few.
Richie has always love dancing and has comfort in doing it with pleasure and a big smile. He likes to play with the music. He is known for his friendly and spontaneous approach towards people and salsa dancing.
His motto is: be happy and stay positive!
Anna Bagdasarian / SalsaLovers
Latvia (Riga)
www.salsalovers.lv
Anna started dancing salsa a few years ago. During this short period of time she has become probably the best salsa dancer and teacher in her country. After she left professional theatre, she dedicated herself to salsa.
Anna, who has travelled to many places for salsa, has been learning from the best teachers in the Czech Republic, France, Spain, Denmark, Germany and many more. Students love her outgoing personality, which is full of passion and vitality, and her ability to communicate warmly which lead to dynamic and interesting lessons. After 3 years of teaching at VivaLaSalsa with her dance partner, she established her own salsa School "SalsaLovers".
Donatas Chlebinskas
Lithuania (Kaunas)
www.salsakaunas.lt
“SalsaKaunas” įkūrėjas – Donatas Chlebinskas – salsos mokytojas, šoko visą gyvenimą. Jaunystėje ir vaikystėje skynė pergales pramoginių šokių varžybose, vėliau tapo Break Dance, Hip-Hop ir kitų JAV gatvės šokių šokėju ir mokytoju (2007 laimėjo Baltijos šalių taurę solo kategorijoje), kol pagaliau atrado salsa. Ja susidomėjo gyvendamas Portland Oregon. Ten žengė pirmuosius salsos žingsnius, ten šoko karštose diskotekose, lotynų amerikiečių apsuptyje, skambant gyvam salsos ritmui. Vėliau metus salsos žinias gilino Madride, šokdamas su šou grupe „Pombayira”, keliaudamas po salsos festivalius Ispanijoje bei Vokietijoje, vedė klases II-ajame tarptautiniame salsos festivalyje, Vilniuje.
Pastaruoju metu su savo mokiniais, subūręs grupę “Tiene Tumbao” pasirodė 2009 Varšuvos salsa festivalyje, 2010 London Stars of Salsa festival, 2010 Warsaw Salsa Spring Break ir daugelyje kitų festivalių ir renginių.
„Salsa iš tikrųjų yra gardžiausias prieskonis mano gyvenime ir noriu juo dalintis su visais, manančiais, kad salsa gali apversti rutiną aukštyn kojom”, sako Donatas.
Karolis Barčius
Lithuania (Klaipėda)
Karolis Barčius is a professional choreographer and dancer. At his private dance school in Vilnius, he teaches jazzfunk, LA hiphop, and New York salsa as well as kizomba and bachata. He started dancing at the age of seven but later was compelled to leave the professional stage due to a serious injury. It took more than six years for him to fully recover before returning to the world of dance and getting acquainted with salsa. It was salsa and related dances that gradually became his overwhelming passion. He worked in different dance companies abroad and took lessons with world-renowned masters such as Eddie Torres and Frankie Martinez.
“Dance is a passion and engine of my life, I can not imagine myself without dance,” says Karolis who became the silver medallist at the 2010 Baltic Salsa Championship.
Gintas Palionis
The Netherlands (Rotterdam)
Gintas started dancing in Lithuania in the first LA and NY style salsa school SalsaSisters. Once he received solid salsa foundations, he remained committed to developing his technique and improvised a lot. When dancing, Gintas pays careful attention to his partner. To him it is essential that after the dance both parties are happy and satisfied.
Currently, Gintas lives in the Netherlands where he continues to develope his dancing skills. However, he enjoys coming back to dance in Lithuania, as well as participates in numerous salsa festivals in Europe.
His first salsa teacher Ieva Dadurkaitė says that it was already easy to see his talent and ability to dance during innitial lessons. He attended classes with effort and commitment and participated in all salsa events in Lithuania. Dutch salsa school allowed him to develop as a performer, but in the process his desire to dance cannot be stressed enough.
In the Netherlands Gintas attended „SalsAventura“ – the largest and most famous dance scool in the country which also trains dance instructors. Gintas took part in one of these trainings and had a chance to teach salsa in the Netherlands. This festival will be his debut as an instructor in Lithuania.
Rasa Verseckaitė
Lithuania (Šiauliai)
Rasa started dancing in 2004 when she went to study in the United States. She was a member of University of Richmond African dance group NGOMA in Virginia, USA. However, her exposure to various dance styles such as dancehall, soca, hip-hop, kwaito, reggaeton, and so on stems from clubbing and parties in US, Europe, and Africa. She acquired salsa foundations also in US and with Salsa Sisters. Currently, Rasa lives in Lisbon and is enjoying a unique blend of African and latin dances, spending her evenings in kizomba, semba, funana, kuduro, and samba parties. Here she started taking Kizomba and Mbalax classes.
While studying in US Rasa was attending Zumba fitness and took Zumba instructor‘s certificate. Zumba (www.zumba.com), dance fitness, was a perfect match for Rasa’s wide interests as it mixes various dance styles together. But most of all she enjoys Zumba’s approach and philosophy – dance can be accessible for all, ideal performance is not the goal, most important is to enjoy yourself without even noticing you are exercising. Also zumba is for all regardless of dance or fitness experience or age!
Now Rasa is giving Zumba classes in a state subsidized social neighbourhood of Lisbon. Her trademarks are careful selection of music, variety of styles used, catering to experience and ability of her students, and a smile.
Information about other instructors will follow shortly.
