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teacher for a BIO
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Kelly Ficarra
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Jessica Simpson
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Darryl V. Williams
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Angel Ortiz
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Erasto Bernard
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Katherine
Endres
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Luis &
Mary Ann Rosa
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Beatriz
Cisneros
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Lisa Paternoster
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Dragan Ranitovic
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Manuel Rojas
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Eddie Q
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Hernan Brizuela
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Latifa
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Alfred Pena
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Rueben Edwards
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Abigail Davila
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Raul and Michaella Avila
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Maria Jose Sosa
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Halima
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Chuck Fetta
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Elvis Rodriguez
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Simone Ousset
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Dorie Wexler
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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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