The New Zealand Salsa Congress : : Instructors

Instructors

We’re excited to announce this year’s line up of national and international instructors!

David Zepeda & Paulina Posadas

(MEXICO)

After making their debut in New Zealand last year as relative unknowns this side of the globe, this dynamic duo blew everyone away with their incredible shows and impacting workshops. So much so that we’re bringing them back for more!

David & Paulina have taken the competitive salsa world by storm. Renowned for their intricate and creative choreographies, technique and precision, and complex lifts and tricks. With over a dozen titles from salsa competitions all over the world, they are a force to be reckoned with!

David & Paulina will also be teaching the SALSA Immersion Course on Monday June 4 so take advantage of this opportunity to learn from 2 of the world’s best.

William Teixeira & Paloma Alves

(RIO – BRAZIL)

Zouk lovers rejoice! We’ve got 2 amazing new Zouk & Samba de Gafieira couples heading our way this year to satisfy and inspire you. First up, we are pleased to bring you William & Paloma who were recently crowned Champions of the 2012 International Zouk Congress in Rio. Both have trained under the famous Alex de Carvalho and Renata Peçanha and are now making waves themselves in Zouk land.

William & Paloma will be taking the SAMBA DE GAFIEIRA (Funkeado style) Immersion Course on Friday June 1 from 10.00am so make sure you book your flights to come early.

Alisson Sandi & Audrey Isautier

(BRAZIL & REUNION ISLANDS / PERTH)

Alisson & Audrey are our second featured Zouk and Samba couple to hit our shores for the first time. Based in Perth where they have a huge following, they are well respected and in demand throughout Australia and internationally as performers and instructors in Zouk, Samba de Gafieira and other Latin dance styles.

Alisson & Audrey will be taking the ZOUK Immersion Course on Monday June 4, get on board the Zouk train!

Jaime Jesus & Josie 'La Salsera' Cote

(SYDNEY – AUST)

Always a big favourite at our Congress due to his unique talent as a world class performer, instructor, promoter, event organiser and entertainer and ability to connect with dancers of all levels, Jaime will be returning with Josie who was the 2009 pro division Australian Salsa Champion.

Jaime is a director LDA, Australia’s largest Latin dance school, and he will be on the lookout to invite NZ performance teams and couples to the 2013 Sydney Latin Festival, which he is also a director of.

Nestor Manuelian & Katrina Quintal

(SYDNEY – AUST)

Recognised as Australia's first prominent Bachata exports, Nestor Katrina have traveled the world with their funky and fun style of Bachata. In the short time they’ve been dancing together Nestor & Katrina have also accumulated an impressive number of dance titles including 2x Australian Bachata team champions, 5x Australian Salsa Champions, and to top it off the 2012 World Bachata Champions at the Hong Kong Salsa Festival.

Nestor & Katrina will be taking the BACHATA Immersion Course on Monday June 4.

Mitch Billic & Ellicia McDonald

(SYDNEY – AUST)

Mitch and Ellicia are one of Australia’s most traveled professional dance couples, having taught and performed in over 30 countries. Although they are best known recently for their stunning Bachatango shows they are also one of the most diverse couples having trained extensively combined in Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Cabaret and Burlesque.

Giancarlo & Masha Johansson

(AUCKLAND)

They are Asia-Pacific Professional Salsa Champions, current 3x NZ Pro Salsa Champions, Swedish National Salsa Championships, 2011 Australian Salsa Open Champions, and recently came 1st runner up at the World Salsa Championships at the Hong Kong. With a long list of credits and achievements to their name Giancarlo and Masha are well known and respected in NZ as international representatives and instructors. They’ve also featured on the Good Morning Show and were guest choreographers on "So you think you can Dance".

Kevin Malpas & Chelsea Mount

(ADELAIDE / AUST)

South Australian Salsa State Champions and founders of Salsa Connection Dance Studio, Kevin & Chelsea are highly regarded for their precise technique, natural styling, smooth leads and follow abilities. They were the first studio in Adelaide to introduce linear style Salsa and Mambo, and going by their motto: Beautiful Basics, Flawless Fundamentals, Terrific Techniques, that should lead to Fantastic Fun!

Carlos Galiano & Elli Torres

(BRISBANE / AUST)

Carlos & Elli are 4 times and current Australian Salsa Cabaret Champions (2008 – 2011) and their team Latin Steps Dance Company is the current Australian Team Champions. They have represented Australia as instructors / performers around the globe many times and were Australia’s pioneers of acrobatic/cabaret Salsa, exhibiting amazing lifts, tricks and aerials in their routines.

Amy Mills

(SYDNEY / AUST)

Amy is well known for her high energy Samba performances and incredible Zumba workouts, but her dance repertoire (apart from all the Latin dances) also includes HIp-Hop, Ballroom, Jazz, Belly Dance and even cheerleading (Captain: 2 years!).

Gene Segura & Tania De Silva

(MELBOURNE / AUST)

Gene & Tania are the Directors of Melbourne’s hottest Reggaeton dance company – RakaTa. Last year they came to Congress and created mayhem on the dance floors as the crowds joined in their high energy and infectious dance displays. This year they return with their Reggaeton crew so get ready to party NZ!

Maxine Buxton & Akshar Apte

(MELBOURNE / AUST)

Formerly of the DaMÉ crew, Max & Akshar are also returning this year as Acontra dance school based in Melbourne. They are well known for their love of Cuban salsa and this year they ran the ONLY Rueda workshop ever taught at the Sydney Latin Festival which was well received by the traditionally non-Cuban Rueda crowd.

Reuben Watkins & Marcela Diacono

(CHRISTCHURCH)

A regular judge at many NZ Salsa competitions, Reuben has also placed 1st at the 2007 South Island Salsa Comp 2nd at the National Latin Dance Comps & Director of 'Salsa Latina' Dance Studio. Marcela came to NZ from Argentina as a Tango teacher and performer but now teaches all Latin dance styles and performs and competes Salsa together with Reuben. Both represented NZ with their team "Salsa Sabrosa"at the 2010 Sydney Salsa Congress.

Donna & Warren Frost

(CHRISTCHURCH)

Along with her husband/dance partner Warren, Donna has represented NZ Salsa in Sydney for 4 years, led their team to 1st place 3yrs in a row at the South Island Salsa Comps, and 3rd at the NZ Salsa Nationals in 2010.

Adrian Medina

(CUBA / AUSTRALIA)

Its not hard to see why Adrian is always a big favourite and is a regular feature at the NZPSC. Born in Havana Cuba where his intensive dance training and career began alongside his career as a professional model, Adrian has performed in over 15 countries, appearing in some of the largest theatres in the world such as the Royal Albert Hall (London). His modeling experience has taken him to the catwalk with models like Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.

Adrian is best known in NZ for his high energy Cuban performances and workshops.

Debby Smits – DJ Debelicious

(BRISBANE / AUST)

Get ready to dance to the latest and hottest Latin beats every night with one of Australasia's best known and rare female Salsa DJs. Debby is also the director of Latin Energy Production and frequently travels as a much sought-after performer, instructor, choreographer, competition judge and of course DJ.

Luis Belleza – DJ Coco

(SYDNEY / AUST)

Being born in Peru meant that DJ Coco had Latin music in his blood and so has had a career as a singer and percussionist, as well as a DJ. He began teaching for various dance schools from 2006 but now runs his own school “Urban Latin Dance” specialising in Cuban Salsa, Bachata and Zouk. DJ Coco is looking forward to playing the latest tunes for you in the Zouk room.