Bios

The October 2009 Super Salsa Weekend (Oct. 24th & 25th) instructors are some of the the most sought after talents on the salsa scene. These dancers have performed on stages world wide and established their reputations as the best of the best. What you’ll learn from them this weekend will put on the path to mastering technique and style that can take you from starring in the clubs to performing on stage.

 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Salseros of this caliber do not come around often so get it while the gettin’s good. Also, each workshop session is only $10! Normally workshops like these would cost at least twice as much. But though all of the volunteer effort of the YA Salsa team we are able to offer them at a huge discount.

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Joby "Brava" Martinez

Joby Brava established her reputation as one of Salsa's top dancers in the nineties as a pioneer of the "LA Style". Her credits as a performer and choreographer include headlining stage, TV, music video credits and she is well know for her outstanding club and social dancing as well.

More than just a great dancer, Joby Brava has inspired and trained some of the best dancers in the salsa world including Edie the Salsa Freak who describes her start with Joby in this article.

"When this strangely hypnotic tropical beat (Salsa) came on, I watched in amazement as all the dancers got onto the floor. I became entranced by the rhythm and found my heart racing faster with every beat. I was absolutely thrilled to just be there. This sexy, sleek model-type woman (Joby) stepped on the dance floor. She exuded confidence and style like no other woman out there. For the next five minutes, my eyes were completely affixed just watching her. I didn’t know her name, I didn’t know who she was, but one thing is for sure, that woman changed my life from that point forward."

Edie the Salsa Freak

Check out Joby's website at www.jobybrava.com

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Korikoa

Young and Gen who together form "Korikoa" should be familiar to YA Salsa fans - they last visited us in 2007 and made a great impression with their fluid and precise performance style and great workshops. They named their dance company (Kori-Koa) to represent the mixing of Korean and Québécois cultures in life and through dance. Their extensive resumes on the dance floor include membership as a principle dancers in Mambo Tribe and SaltiMambo and appearances at major world salsa events.

Check out their website at www.korikoa.com/

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Jay Stylz

Jay's credo is "If it ain't sexy, don't do it." His dancing and teaching styles blend body isolations, salsa, afro-cuban and just the right touch of sex appeal. Sometimes described as "smooth as glass", Jay brings great musicality and tremendous enthusiasm to the salsa scene. In his "100 hour" dance weeks, Jay teaches classes at his studio, trains other performers, performs and shows off his considerable skills in the clubs.

Check out Jay's Salsa Mobile and his website at www.dfwsalsa.com

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Caribbean Swing

Caribbean Swing also known as Swing Caribeño formed in 1998 are one of Chicago's most established salsa and latin bands. With several albums to their credit, they are noted for their foundation in Puertorican roots music, strong female lead singer and jazzy complements from their eight piece ensemble.

Our June 2009 instructors are world renowned salsersos as well as friends and supporters of YA Salsa. Lee Rios and Lisa Vargas have earned reputations as dynamic performers as well as top notch social dancers by performing and teaching salsa all over the globe and developing excellent dance teams.  We have hand selected them because they bring not only an outstanding repertoir of technique, creativity and communcation skills, they are also fun and energetic!

Just some of what they will teach includes not only a flashy move or two (thats a given) but technique that will make you a more efficient dancer either on the dance floor or the stage. 

Check out their website at www.semeneyaballroom.com

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Salseros of this caliber do not come around often so get it while the gettin’s good. Also, each workshop session is only $10 and the masters class $20! At a congress or other event, workshops like these would cost at least twice as much. But though all of the volunteer effort of the YA Salsa team we are able to offer them at a huge discount and bring them to your doorstep.

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Lee Rios

Lee Rios stands out not only as a feature performer and instructor but also as top notch social dancer.  He posesses an amazing ability to incorporate a wide variety of styles, flashy turns and tricks into both his stage performances and improvizations.  Many will remember his April 2008 visit to Detroit where he and Laura Geldys performed with only a single practice session - truely impressive for both of them.  Founder and Director of the Seeneya Dance Company in San Antonio Texas, Lee brings with him over 15 years as a performer, choreographer and instructor in salsa and latin dance.

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Lisa Vargas

Lisa Vargas is the female artistic director of Semeneya Dance Company, Semeneya Semi-pro team and Student team. She has a background in Mexican folklorico, and jazz, but has pursued Salsa for the last 5 years. Lisa is best known for unique styling, ability to follow and energy on the stage.

Lisa will focus on helping followers understand the keys to developing expressive styling and creating a unique presense on the floor.

 

The Super Salsa Weekend instructors are some of the most renowned salsa dancers and performers in the world as well as friends and supporters of YA Salsa. These dancers have gained notoriety over the years by competing, performing, or teaching salsa all over the globe. But this is not like Dancing with the Stars… It’s better! What you’ll learn will put on the path to mastering that fun, smooth, sexy & hip street style that you will find in salsa nightclubs and socials all over Detroit, Ann Arbor and the world.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Salseros of this caliber do not come around often so get it while the gettin’s good. Also, each workshop session is only $10! Normally workshops like these would cost at least twice as much. But though all of the volunteer effort of the YA Salsa team we are able to offer them at a huge discount.

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Andy Cruz
Andy Cruz is well known as a performer and choreographer for both adult and youth groups and a sought after instructor at salsa events worldwide.

"I started my dance company in 1998 when I was 17 years old in the heart of Humboldt Park. The Puerto Rican barrio of Chicago. That is the neighborhood I love and that gave me the first stages I ever got to perform on. Dancing has always been my passion and my outlet to release my frustrations and my fears. Now 17 years into my career I have become an international performer and instructor. I have performed and instructed at dance conferences throughout the USA and Europe.

Cruz' unique and energetic dance style includes the the combination of two dances that he learned on the streets of Chicago, Mambo and Hip-Hop which he terms Mambo Hip-Hop. His stage experience includes work with salsa legends such as Duplessey-Monic Walker, Yesenia Peralta, Jorjet Alcocer, Lori Ana Perez and now partner Mambo Diva Griselle Ponce


Check out his website at www.andymambo.com

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Griselle Ponce
Griselle Ponce was born for the stage. An award winning dancer she is an accomplished instructor and choreographer and model with many credits. Known for her exceptional styling on the dance floor she regularly is featured as an instructor at major world salsa events with her Ladies Styling workshops. As a partner with Andy Cruz she is a feature performer at many of the worlds biggest salsa congresses and festivals. As well she has many magazine (Nutrivida, FHM, GQ, The Source & Latin Vibe), TV and music video appearances with notables including Jennifer Lopez, Ashanti, Kinito Mendez, & Don Omar.

Her Ladies styling workshop will teach sexy and elegant techniques for decorating your dance technique and creating a presense on the floor.

Check out her website at www.griselleponce.com/

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Micah & Kathy
Micah and Kathy, were very popular instructor at the February 2006 YA Salsa Social and are back by popular demand. Founders of Mambofodadaz Dance Company, they are two of the Midwest's most sought-after performers and instructors on the salsa circuit. Known for their musical choreographies, crisp footwork, fast hand changes and super-fast intricate turn patterns, these two have been traveling and delivering their unique style of Salsa both locally and abroad. Initially self taught, Micha has developed into a top dancer and with his partner Kathy's light and graceful styling they are truely spectacular to watch.

Check out their website at mambofodadaz.com

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Gordon & Julissa
When Gordon Neil and Julissa Cruz take the stage, you never know what will happen - they have been flooring audiences worldwide with their exceptional creativity, musicality and choreography.

Many of the YA Salsa team members have had the privilege to learn from and perform with Gordon and he is certainly a Detroit favorite. They have choreographed for stage, film, and television and have taught and performed with luminaries such as as Gilberto Santa Rosa, Charlie Cruz, Ruben Blades, Mala Fe, Larry Harlow, & Grupo Niche, and Afro Cuban with Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Cuba. As well Gordon choreographed and performed for the the film "Mano".

Their styles are rich in influences including hip hop, tap, musical theater, modern, jazz, Afro Caribbean and they bring an unusual ability to communicate their exceptional technique to the rest of us with humor and flair. Gordon's Body Movement workshop is absolutely a "must do' workshop and his emphasis on musicality will truely open your eyes.

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Adrian & Laura
Adrian Tenorio has quickly emerged as one of the premier Salsa/Mambo instructors and performers in the Midwest. He has taught and performed all across the U.S. and internationally with the world renowned Descarga Caribe Dance Company from Chicago. Adrian is always sure to captivate his audience with quickness, fluid body movement, and raw flavor. That is what makes him one of the Salsa world's promising young stars.

Laura Flores has been dancing with Descarga Caribe for over 4 years. She has taught and performed nationally and internationally with this world renowned dance company and is also a certified American Ballroom instructor.

Recent winners of the 2008 Bacardi Salsa Championships at Nacional 27, this is an opportunity to work with dancers at the top of their game.