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Clubstyle Salsa On1 and On2

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All New! Hot!.....Pole Dancing

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Men's Salsa Styling and Technique Mini Course

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LA Style Salsa Casino

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Bellydance.."All the right moves" Workshop

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Int/Adv Salsa On2 4 Week Course

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Ladies Latin Styling Mini-Course

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Mind and Body Wellness Workshop

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Wedding Couples Crash Course

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ZUMBA...Ladies Night Out - the sequel.

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Hustle..All levels

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Patio de Tango

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  ABOUT RHYTHMS & SOUL

 

Click on the teacher for a BIO

Kelly Ficarra

Jessica Simpson

Darryl V. Williams

Angel Ortiz

Erasto Bernard

 

Katherine Endres

 

 Luis & Mary Ann Rosa

 

 

Beatriz Cisneros

 

Lisa Paternoster

  Dragan Ranitovic

 

Manuel Rojas

 

 

Eddie Q

 

Hernan Brizuela

 

Latifa

Alfred Pena

 

Rueben Edwards

 

Abigail Davila

 

Raul and Michaella Avila

Maria Jose Sosa

 

 

Halima

 

Chuck Fetta

 

Elvis Rodriguez

 

 

Simone Ousset

 

 

 

Dorie Wexler

 

 

 

Introducing Kelly...

Rhythms & Soul Dance Studio owner, performer and choreographer, Kelly Ficarra, has a dance background which includes years of formal training in Jazz and Ballet. She has a BA Degree in Theater and Communication and has been dancing professionally for 15 years.

A registered member of the NDCA, Kelly's Latin training was cultivated by numerous influences such as Eddie Torres, Addie Diaz and Israel Martinez. A seasoned performer on stage and television, she has performed with Taino Dance Theater in, "Raices.. A New Beginning" at Newark Symphony Hall, The New York Salsa Congress, The Puerto Rican Day Parade, "Colombian comedian, K-Liche" at Natives Theater, "Raices Cultura Latina" at Natives Theater, "Stardust Dance Weekends" and she has appeared regularly on weekly TV shows such as the Metro Channel's "Club La Bomba" with Sophia Vergara and Fuji Production's "Seize The Night". Kelly has also won first place in Hustle USA's 'Salsa Division'.

An established Latin dance instructor, Kelly’s style is best described as graceful and precise, emulating much of her jazz technique in her dancing. She specializes in teaching Latin styling and turns.


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Introducing Jessica...

Jessica Ojeda started dancing at the age of 7. She was part of a Bronx after school program taught by Eddie Torres, which lead to many performances including one with the late and great Tito Puente. At the age of 18, Jessica took up another style of salsa called "Rueda" and later became a dance instructor for Salsa Heat Dance Studio in Orlando.

She has performed at numerous events in Florida, including performances on the Latin TV show Caliente. Jessica competed and placed 3rd in the 2002 IDO US Salsa Championships in Orlando.

Upon moving back to New York, Jessica re-visited her Mambo roots and had the pleasure of studying with Razz M Tazz's Angel and Addie Rodriguez.

She continues to perform and teach salsa "On 1" and "On 2" throughout the greater New York area. Currently, her teaching schedule includes the Bronx, Manhattan, and at Rhythms and Soul Dance studio in Long Island. She is a member of the World Salsa Federation.

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Introducing Darryl...

Darryl V. Williams is a dance and fitness instructor with over over 20 years of study. In 1984 he began the study of Wu Su Kung Fu in which he achieved the third degree of training. The balance and coordination necessary for this demanding martial art lead him to train in modern dance, and in 1993 he became a principle dancer for Hunter College Dance Company. Several years later, Darryl's training expanded to include Tai Chi, Yoga,Chi Kung, a Chinese system of breathing and concentration exercises connected with the martial arts, and Ballroom Dancing.

Currently, Darryl is teaching and choreographing throughout the New York metropolitan area He is a certified instructor with the World Professional Dance Teachers Association and a member of the World Salsa Federation.

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Introducing Beatriz...

Beatriz Cisneros, born in Buenos Aires, started ballet when she was 9 and by the age of 21 graduated as a Professor of "Superior Classical Dance Study". From 1993 to 2000, Beatriz was an organizer of "Soirées Tango" ("Tango Nights") in Buenos Aires where she also performed.

Beatriz studied with such distinguished dancers and teachers as Eduardo Arquimbau, Nito y Elba, Fabian Salas, Gustavo Naveira, Osvaldo Zotto, Damian y Nancy and "Junior" Cervila.  She has performed in shows including “Tango y Vida" at the Merkin Concert Hall, in "El Abrazo" ( a documentary Tango film), and for the Argentine Embassy in Washington, D.C. to name a few. She has been teaching in the New York Tango community for the past 3 years and is currently touring in Europe.

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Introducing Angel...

NY Salsa "Maestro" Angel Ortiz, specializes in teaching Salsa "On1" and "On2". Angel travels world-wide as an International guest instructor, performer and choreographer. Precision footwork, style with technique, versatility, and quality instruction, defines his career in Salsa.

Angel began his Salsa/Mambo training "On2" in New York City with Eddie Torres in 1989. He then served six years (1990-1996) as a principle dancer with the Eddie Torres Dance Company. Formerly trained in Jazz dance and ballet, Angel has incorporated these elements of dance to create his style of dancing Salsa with the New York influence. He has been consistently teaching at International Salsa Congresses and Festivals since 1997.

 

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Introducing Luis & Mary Ann Rosa ...

World Hustle and Salsa Champions, Luis  & Mary Ann Rosa, have been teaching and performing together since 1998.  Luis started hustle dancing in the streets of the Bronx, and Mary Ann in the streets of Brooklyn. Luis was a featured dancer in the film, Center Stage, and has been awarded a lifetime achievement award by the LA Salsa Congress for his contribution to Latin Music & Dance. Mary Ann had a background in gymnastics and was a featured dancer in the  film, Summer of Sam, and Diega. Together, they started the explosive professional team of the, Latin Dance Connection.
 

Their titles include: International Hustle and Salsa Competition; Theater Arts Division, World Hustle Championships, World Open Hustle Division, & Professional Hustle Division. They are the World Hustle Dance Champions for 2004, and  were voted favorite dance couple in Ron Bess's Dance Talk Newsletter for 2003.  Most recently, Luis and Mary Ann were featured on the Christina show.

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                                                  Introducing Alfred...

Alfred is a competitive International Latin dancer who has trained with Victor Kanevsky, Andrew Phillips and Sergey Nabatov.  He teaches Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Samba, Jive and Paso Doble. Alfred focuses on beginner dancers who would like to make their way into competitive dancing or total beginners who would like to know what it takes to lead or follow anyone on the dance floor.  Besides dancing, Alfred is a math tutor, working with students from simple addition up to variable calculus.

 

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Introducing Lisa...

Lisa "Sparkles" Paternoster, an NDCA Certified Instructor has been teaching and performing for 7 years all across the tri-state area.  She teaches all styles of partner dancing including ballroom, Latin, Hustle and Swing.  Her competitive credits include: Second place at Zachary's Open Dance contest (2006), Fourth place World Hustle Dance Championships (2006), Third place regional van McCoy Hustle Contest (NYC 2003), Second place Northeast Championships at the Imperial Star Ball (American Rhythm 2004).  "Dancing is not only a passion of mine, I consider it a gift

 

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Introducing Hernan...

Hernan Brizuela, known in NYC for his tanguero style of tango, was born in Mendoza, Argentina.  Dance was always part of his life.  As a young child, he studied Argentinean folk dance for many years.  At the age of ten, he was introduced to the tango by his family.  From then on he continued to dance tango socially. occasionally performing in the local bars of his home town.

Hernan came to NYC in 2000 and began studying with Ceasar Coelho of "Forever Tango". He was able to combine the tango he learned from his family with the traditional salon tango to form his own unique style. Currently Hernan teaches and performs throughout NYC and Boston.

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Introducing Eddie Q...

Edward Quiros was born in Manhattan, NY. His parents came to NY at an early age from Puerto Rico.  He began studying music with the piano at the age of 10 years old and later, at the age of 12, Eddie switched to the guitar and has evolved into an accomplished jazz guitarist.  Eddie formed and was director of his musical group, Progression, with the fusion of elements of be-bop, funk, Latin jazz and R & B. 

Eddie has been teaching and performing Salsa since 1995.  He teaches a variety of styles including New York style on 2, Palladium 2, breaking on one, breaking on three, breaking on four, and cha-cha on two as well as cha-cha on one. Eddie Q does attribute his musical background as being a major force in his ability to capture the rhythmic understanding of this dance.

His moto: “You have to pay your dues” meaning: You have to” practice”.   I am directing my comments to the person that wishes to develop into a strong salsa/mambo dancer. Eddie is also the publisher of Salsa and More  Magazine.

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Introducing Simone...

Simone is the former owner and director of The Simone Dance and Fitness Centre. Simone has extensive dance experience for over 20 years having studied Ballet, Pointe, Ballroom, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Hip Hop. She has been a guest performer at the following venues; Disney World, Fl., the Orange Bowl Halftime Show, Madison Square Garden , Great Adventure Theme Park , annually in the Nutcracker Ballet and at numerous community events on Long Island. In 2000 she won the Danny Ruvolo Memorial Dance Scholarship Award. In March of 2007, she and her former dance partner Job Sanchez took first place in all twelve of their ballroom dances at Tri-State Challenge..

Simone has worked with children as young as 2 years old through adults and senior citizens and has extensive background in working with children with special needs. She is a member of the National Dance Association, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports, The National Dance Council of America, Inc and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.  Recently, Simone has been honored in both “Who’s Who Among America ’s Teachers” and “Who’s Who Among America’s Students”.

Currently, Simone is the Assistant Director and instructor of ballroom dance for Victor Kanevsky’s Kaiser Dancesport, in addition to combination children’s classes and adult ballroom dance for the Glen Cove YMCA and is an auditor for StarQuest International, a dance competition company.

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Introducing Elvis...

Elvis Rodriguez was born and raised in the BedStuy community of Brooklyn, NY. Half Puerto Rican and Half Dominican, he has the best of both worlds as some people would say. Coming out of Brevoort Projects he was always influenced to all genres of music; Hip-hop, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Reggae, etc. Growing up in a Christian home, he became in touch with gospel music, contemporary Christian, Worship and Praise. Through the years in church, he started showing an interest in playing music. By the age of 7 he already picked up drumsticks and started playing the pots and pans at home. By age 8 he became the drummer for his local church. As the years went by he picked up other instruments and taught himself how to play them as well; keyboard/piano, bass, guitar, congas, bongos, timbales He was also the director and arranger for a Christian band U4C (United for Christ) for  3 years.

 Ready to “Discover a new realm of dancing”, Elvis decided to move on to a new scene...Salsa. He’s studied at Lorenz Latin Dance Studio and also performed with their dance team. His credits include the Boston Salsa Congress, DC Salsa Congress, CT SalsaFest and the NY Salsa Congress. In March 2006, Elvis was chosen to dance for Aventura in MSG for their God’s Project Tour. He is currently dancing with Signatura Dancers of Tumimambo under the new direction of Jesse Yip. Elvis has also been teaching for Tumimambo Dance School instructing in all levels of Salsa.

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Introducing Chuck...

Chuck Fetta has been teaching and performing hustle and ballroom for the past 30 years.  He has competed in both Hustle and Ballroom Competitions winning titles as The Mid United States Dance Champions and a Spot on the popular TV dance show "Dance Fever". Chuck has danced in International Modern Competitions. His coaches include: Pierre Dulaine, Bobby Medeiros, Brian & Christie McDonald, Sandra Fortuna, and Ron Montez.

In 1986 Chuck started a business that he still runs today. "The Office Furniture Warehouse" is a well known supplier of commercial furniture in the N.Y. and Long Island area. He continues to work in the dance industry, most recently playing a Principal Dancer for the 2007 release of "Enchanted" a Disney movie starring Patrick Dempsey. Chuck is also the publisher of the monthly social calendar, “The Rhythm Express” and he runs the popular website “Dancin.com”

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                                     Introducting Raul and Michaella Avila...

Raul and Michaella Avila, “the salsa experts”, will be with us May 12th for the Ultimate Salsa/Mambo Timing Workshop. They are co-owners of Ifa Dancenter in Westchester County, NY.  Ifa Dancenter boasts the most comprehensive on2 Salsa program in the area. They’ve shared their love and expertise of salsa music and dance with thousands of students for over 10 years.  Performance credits include the World Salsa Congress in San Juan, PR.  Michaella also co-hosts Vintage Salsa with DJ Henry Knowles, Westchester’s only weekly salsa party.

Raul and Michaella have recently produced, “Mastering Salsa/Mambo Timing” an interactive CD and e-book for all salsa dancers - claimed by many instructors and students worldwide to be the best timing tool on the market!  Their Timing Workshop, running successfully for over 5 years, has produced dramatic results in students’ understanding of salsa/mambo timing.  For more information on their studio, workshops and products, visit their website at www.dancesalsa.net.
 

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Introducing Rueben...

Rueben L. Edwards has been dancing and choreographing for the past 20 years. He has toured with numerous recording artists as well formulated the dance companies of “Underground Dance Project” and “Light, Camera… Dance!” His dance style is a mixture of Hip Hop, House and African. Rueben’s motto, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it.”

 

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Introducing Latifa... 

Latifa originally began belly dance as a fun way to exercise. Soon after she became a member of "Project Cheer" (Serena Studios) performing at hospital and senior centers. In 1993 she traveled to Egypt and danced on stage at Sahara City.  Latifa has performed at the 9th Avenue Street Festival in Manhattan. She has appeared not only in cable TV shows, such as "That's Incredible Weird" and "PM Magazine" but also in the movie "Don't Mess With My Sister" as a body double for the leading lady.  For the past 17 years Latifa has performed at the annual New York Renaissance Faire. She currently teaches privately and also at Renata Studios. 

                                                  

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Introducing Halima...

Halima has studied Middle Eastern Dancing from such Masters as Serena, Jousry Sharif and others.  She has danced onstage in Egypt in Sahara City.  Belly Dancing has been nothing by an exciting life full of adventures and experiences.  Her most memorable performances have been at the “New York Renaissance Fair” where she’s danced for the past 17 years. Halima has toured Europe, Canada and the U.S. with the “Adaptors Dance Movement Co.” For five years she has performed as a Serena Dancer at Lincoln Center, Central Park and the 9th Ave Fair.  As an original member of the troupe “Project Cheer” currently called “Mystical Motion”, Halima performed at hospitals and nursing homes.  She was the dance choreographer for the film, “Don’t Mess With My Sister” by Meir Zarchi and her television credits include “PM Magazine” hosted by Matt Laur and dancing for Regis Philbin.

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Introducing Dragan...

Dragan Ranitovic, a native of Yugoslavia, has been teaching ballroom dancing for over 20 years. In Yugoslavia, he has been training groups of dancers for competition and performances in all ten dances (International style), and he widely performed throughout the country. In the United States, Dragan studied all ten dances in American style, as well as Hustle, Salsa and Argentine Tango.

Trained in classical ballet, jazz and tap, his understanding of movement makes his teaching unique. His broad knowledge of the different styles and techniques of ballroom dancing (International and American, smooth and latin), coupled with his compassion for teaching, both in group classes and private lessons, offer an unmatched opportunity for learning and improvement.

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Introducing Manuel...

Manuel Rojas, of German and Colombian heritage, was born in Kansas City. He has extensive training in Ballet, Modern, Ballroom and Latin dance. He has danced professionally with the Missouri State Ballet, Alvin Ailey Repertory Theatre, Forever Swing and Tango Fusion, to name just a few. He has toured South and North America with his partner as the "Speciality Cabaret Latin Act" on the Norwegian Crown cruise line. Manuel has also toured China and Japan as the lead role in a Tango Ballet, "Murder in Buenos Aires".
Through the years, he has lived in Germany, Colombia and South Africa choreographing, performing and competing. He loves and excels at many different styles of dance, and he is thrilled to share his enthusiasm and skills with his students at Rhythms & Soul.

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Introducing Abi...

Abigail Dávila has always had a passion for dance and began her salsa dance career in 2003. Originally from Connecticut, Abigail lived in Montreal for a few years where she studied ballet. She later moved to Philadelphia, where she began taking salsa lessons with several salsa instructors from Art In Motion and Barbara Capaldi at Atrium Dance Studio. Since then she has furthered her training in New York City with elite dance instructors, including Eddie and Maria Torres.

In a short time, Abigail has broadened her skills and is becoming a more talented dancer with an elegant and energetic style. Now having joined Rhythms and Soul studio, Abigail is excited about the next milestone in her dancing and teaching career. She specializes “On 1” and in Ladies’ Styling.

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Introducing Maria Jose...

Maria Jose will be substituting for Hernan Brizeula for the next 3 weeks while Hernan is performing in "Let's Speak Tango" at the Amercian Theatre of Actors in NYC.  Maria Jose was born in Mendoza,Argentina. She started Tango dancing with professional teachers in Mendoza and then travelled to Buenos Aires to learn with the best Tango instructors, including: Ricardo Barrios y Eugenia Ramirez, Vanina Bilous, Mario Burnissen, Aurora Lubiz y Jorge Firpo, Milena Plebs, Pablo Veron, Meina Brufman, Nito and Elva, Facundo and Kely, to name a few.
 
 She organized milongas and tango workshops in Mendoza, and in 1998, she co-founded "El Farolito": Tango Association to promote and diffuse the Tango.
 
 She performed: at the annual Harvest Festival Celebration in Mendoza for 3 years, and appeared in various TV programs. She and her partner were the lead couple with the orchestra Tango y Punto. She danced in a theatre piece called "Balateun tango Matilde". She also took part in shows and workshops for: the Department of the Goverment of Mendoza, Las Sillas Theatre, Aconcagua Hotel, and more.
 
 At the beginning of 2001, she moved to New York to teach at various dance studios and milongas. She has performed at La Guardia Community Collage, at the Public Theatre with Tav Falco, at the Wing Theatre, some TV programs, etc.
 
 At the present time, she teaches at private lessons, groups lesson, special workshops at Stepping Out Studios. Maria Jose also DJ's the well known milonga at La Nacional.

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Introducing Erasto...

In order to truly learn to dance Salsa, you must delve into the music. Our resident congero and Latin Music Workshop instructor, Erasto Bernard is a former member of "Ricardo Marrero and the Group". He is a veteran of many recordings and performances. His biggest thrill was when he and the band performed along with the Temptations at the Ali-Fraizer "Thrilla in Manilla" (in the Philippines). To find out when the next Latin Music Workshop with Erasto will be held, click here.

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Introducing Dorie...

Springs Salsa & Dance Fitness owner and Certified Fitness Professional, Dorie Valentin Wexler, has a background rich in latin roots, freestyle dancing, and motivational counseling.  With a variety of certifications and training in Salsa On2, Zumba, Hatha Yoga, Aerobic Group Training, and Weight Loss Consulting, her style as well as knowledge lends to the unique nature of this one of a kind salsa & fitness studio.

 A native of New York with roots founded on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, Dorie has been influenced by the styles of Kelly Ficarra, Edie, Salsa Freak, Israel Martinez and her latino roots.   In addition to Dorie's experience on the dance floors of NYC, she has assisted in the development and promotions of various salsa workshops, events, and shows. Dorie is our Colorado correspondent. 

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