Instructors
Instructors
30+ Hours of Dance Workshops featuring some of the biggest names in Salsa
The Miami Salsa Congress features a unique compilation of leading dance instructors from around the world offering the opportunity to experience a variety of styles and techniques including; Cuban Son, N.Y. Mambo, L.A. Salsa, Rueda de Casino, On1, On2 and OnClave.
No idea what we’re talking about? Not to worry… We also have a FREE Beginners Salsa Bootcamp just for you!
And don’t forget… in addition to great Salsa workshops, we also have a number of specialty classes throughout the weekend like Beachside YOGA in the mornings, ZUMBA, Hip-Hop, Bachata, and so much more. So don’t miss out on the fun and take advantage of some of the top dance instructors in the world all in one place, all for one weekend.
Confirmed Instructors
Eddie Torres | New York
Branded “The Mambo King”, Eddie’s work over the last 30 years has been the heaviest influence on what New York style salsa is today. Captivated by the dancers of the Palladium era as a teenager, he set out to learn what was then referred to as “Dancing Latin”. With no formal classes available at the time, he would have to turn to the New York club scene to learn whatever he could by watching and mimicking the pro’s. The rest, Eddie would have to piece together on his own.
Since those early years, the Eddie Torres name has become synonymous with Salsa. Today, he is credited with laying down the first concepts of structure and technique which he attributes to the mentoring of the late June Alberta, who introduced Eddie to “the language of teaching”. His style is a unique blend of moves he learned as a young aspiring dancer in New York and little of more traditional influences such as ballet, tap, flamenco and modern. He defines his style as “a true amalgamation of all those that came before him”.
Shani Talmor | New Jersey
World-renowned for her unique, sensuous styling and body movement on and off the dance floor, Shani has a powerful stage presence and a passionate love for teaching. Trained in a variety of dance styles, including Ballet and Jazz since the age of 7, and later in Hip-Hop, Samba and Afro-Cuban, Shani is an energetic and explosive dancer. Since being introduced to latin dance and culture at age 18, Shani has had the opportunitty to work with industry legends such as Imperio Azteca directed by Johnny Vazquez, Carribean Soul directed by Ismael Otero, and most recently the “Mambo King” himself, Eddie Torres.
Felipe Polanco |Puerto Rico / Paris
An iconic figure of Puerto Rican Salsa, the legendary Felipe Polanco is recognized as one of the world’s utmost authorities on “La Clave”. His elegant control and impeccable timing is thrilling to watch on stage and even more so to experience on the dance floor as is evident in the countless number of dancers who emulate the style today. Apart from working as a principal dancer and choreographer for legendary artists such as El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Roberto Roena, Cheo Feliciano, and the great Tito Puente, Felipe has also been a major feature at Salsa Congresses around the world for over a decade.
Ivette & Ignacio Murga / Hooked On2 | Miami, FL
Miami’s favorite On2 dance duo, Ignacio and Ivette Murga, or Hooked On2, is one of South Florida’s top dance companies specializing in “New York Style” Salsa On2. Featured at major dance events throughout the U.S. including Boston, Las Vegas and New York as well as countless events across their home state of Florida, their greatest satisfaction is being able to share their passion for the music with students and fans from all walks of life. Ivette’s 15 years of classical dance training, some background in Rueda/Casino and their devotion to the Mambo/Salsa style born in New York during the 70’s, creates a unique blend of elegantly syncopated foot-work combinations, effortless transitions and intricate Miami turn patterns that make the style enticing to dancers of all levels.
Ottoniel Palacios | Colombia / New Jersey
Recognized as a top Latin dance competitor, performer and instructor throughout Colombia and abroad for over 20 years, Ottoniel began his professional dance career at the early age of 16 in Cali Colombia as part of various dance groups including, Ballet de Azúcar, Crearte, Energía Solar, y La Culpa la Tiene el Son. Today, Otto directs one of New Jersey’s leading dance companies specializing in Colombian style Salsa, Otto Show Y Su Grupo Melao, which he founded in 2003. Under his direction the group has risen in the international Salsa circuit as one of the leading Colombian style groups delivering breath-taking performances at major events around the world.
Rene Gueits | Miami, FL
Founder of the internationally acclaimed dance company Salsa Lovers, Gueits is credited with being one of the principal influences in the international expansion of Salsa/Rueda de Casino during the late 90′s. Drawing from his formal ballroom and tango training, Rene combined traditional teaching techniques with the simplicity of the Cuban Rueda de Casino format to create a method for systematically guiding students through the fundamental steps of Salsa dancing. Recognized for his energetic and unique teaching style, and for his ability to engage students, he is regarded as one of the world’s top Latin dance instructors and a leader within the Salsa community.
Jayson Molina | Puerto Rico
Internationally recognized as a leader in the industry; instructor, performer and choreographer Jayson Molina, is a top touring artist consistently headlining at major dance events around the world. His contribution to Salsa is reflected in the countless groups who employ many fundamental elements of Jayson’s soulful and energetic style. Although undoubtedly due to it’s attractiveness and versatility, this is also also due in part to his work with so many dancers across the globe. When Jayson and “Sus Rompecabezas” are not delivering powerful performances on stage, he can be found mentoring the next generation of artists sharing with them his knowledge and experience to help them develop as professional dancers. Much like Eddie Torres guided Jayson Molina through his first Salsa steps at only 8 year old, Jayson has made it a priority to share his passion with those he has inspired.
Andy Cruz | Chicago, IL
Performer, instructor, choreographer and founder of Los Soneros del Swing Dance Company and international touring youth group, Los Jovenes del Swing. For ten consecutive years, Andy and his stellar troupe of performers have brought Miami event fans to their feet with powerful performances that highlight a Puerto Rican heritage and some of his home town influences like Hip-Hop, Jazz and a variety of Latin Dances. The combination has won Andy recognition as a leader in the dance community both in the US and Internationally.
Candy Mena | New Jersey
A pioneer in women’s styling, Candy began her career with New Jersey dance company, Caribbean Soul, under the direction of Ismael Otero. Soon after she would move on to work with New York mambo legend, Eddie Torres, before touring for five years with Jai Catalano as international dance duo, Jai & Candy. Since then, Candy has been featured alongside artists such as Tito Puente, El Canario, El Gran Combo, as well as, work with Juan Matos, Yamulee and Jhesus Aponte. Back in Miami for the first time since 2008, Candy brings a unique style and flavor to the stage and is revered as a styling instructor by women all over the world.
Jean Carlos Caballero | Venezuela
Founder of Social Style Dance Academy in Venezuela, Jean Carlos possesses over 20 years of experience as an instructor, performer, choreographer and promoter of Latin dance and culture throughout Venezuela and the world. A three time national champion in Venezuela in 06, 07, and 09, and first place winner of the World Salsa Open qualifier in Dominican Republic in 08, and Venezuela in 09, his formal dance training includes Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Latin-American Folkloric Dances with a specialization in Salsa. Together with his partner, Ileana Baretto, who is trained in multiple disciplines including Salsa, Ballet, Jazz, and Contemporary, their objective is to spread awareness of all areas of the arts including dance and theatre throughout underprivileged areas of their native country and beyond. His energetic and precise style has won him and his dancers recognition around the world as a top Salsa performer and choreographer.
Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlow | South Florida
World-renowned competitive dance duo, Billy and Katie are among the most in demand artists all over the world as performers, educators and adjudicators. This couple holds the distinction of versatility. Their ability to work equally well in both the partner/ballroom dances as well as theatrical dance arts has had them in demand throughout numerous dance circuits across the globe. To date, Billy and Katie are the only couple in the history of the United States to hold two concurrent World Titles in the same year.
Franklin Ayala |New York
Franklin was born and raised in New York City and has trained with some of the most prominent dancers and professional dance instructors around the world. As a dancer, Franklin has proven to be extremely versatile, excelling at teaching, performing, and competing, while also having a vast knowledge of Latin music. He was inspired by his family and his culture at an early age o to embrace Latin music, and it was this passion for the music that led him toward dance. Franklin debuted as a dancer in 1997 with the Mario Diaz Dance Review and has since been featured as an instructor and performer at some of the most well known and well attended Salsa Congress’ in the world.
Barbara Craddock |South Florida
Recipient of several accolades,Barbara Craddock, is a studied ballroom dancer who specializes in clave-based Latin dance. With a stellar professional dancing career, she progressed into producing and directing a successful series of Latin dance shows and lectures. Barbara, and famed dance partner, Pedro ”Cuban Pete” Aguilar (1927-2009), served as choreographic consultants to the Miami City Ballet’s unprecedented Latin ballet, Mambo No. 2 a.m., and were commissioned to choreograph Latin Magic, for the University of the Arts School of Dance. Barbara upholds Cuban Pete’s legacy by performing, lecturing and teaching his methodology at universities, museums, libraries, and other venues including numerous dance events and festivals across the U.S. and abroad.
Al “Liquid Silver” Espinoza | Los Angeles, CA / Miami, FL
Known as “Liquid Silver” for the fluidity of his body movements, Al Espinoza has been captivating audiences with his unique dance style since a very young age. Throughout his extensive career as a professional dancer, Al has coached and choreographed for numerous Salsa, Hip Hop and Pop-Locking groups throughout California and across the U.S. and has been featured as an instructor and performer at major events all over the globe. His style, dubbed “Pop’n Salsa”, combines elements of both Hip Hop and Salsa to create a unique blend of seamlessly flowing movements that, together with his creative choreographies, has captured the imagination of audiences around the world.
