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John Erban

Europe/ Suiza / Ginebra

John Erban. The International sensation of the Tango Scene

At International Salsa Magazine, we believe that what makes someone special is their passion and love for what they do and bring to others. This is the case with John Erban, the Venezuelan tango dancer and instructor that we had the pleasure to meet this month.

Photo 1: John Erban - Tango — Photo 1: John Erban – Tango

John Erban is based in Geneva, Switzerland. He is preparing his next European tour in order to give Tango classes, shows, festivals and more. With an interesting beginning, this Venezuelan left an engineering career to follow a passion that was growing inside of him:

Dance. The Colombian influence in his family was very important to him to take that step into dance. His beginning was centered in a more Latin/Caribbean style, starting with salsa and Venezuelan folklore.

Photo 2: John Erban - Tango — Photo 2: John Erban – Tango

After many years of mastering these styles, giving shows and performances, John met the style that changed his life, Tango. Thanks to the Tango Caracas Company, this dancer started a career in the Tango scene and in 2006, after only three months of practicing with his partner in that moment, John went to the worldwide Tango Championship in Argentina and the couple could passed to the semi- final, something remarkable for a Venezuelan contestants couple.

Later, in 2007, they made it to the finals and in 2008 the couple took part again of the contest and won the 3rd place.

Photo 3: John Erban - Tango — Photo 3: John Erban – Tango

After that, many doors opened for John in the Tango scene around the world, making a dance tour in TokyoJapan, and different countries of Asia. This was a learning process for John in so many ways, because he had the opportunity to meet so many different cultures, languages, perspectives and, overall, dances.

He returned to Argentina in 2009, this time with the amazing dancer Clarissa Sanchez as his new dancing partner, but it was just until 2011, the year of victory, where they were tied in the first place with a Colombian couple After this, John’s career just got off the ground, working and dancing a lot in Argentina, having tours in United States and Europe.

Photo 4: John Erban - Tango — Photo 4: John Erban – Tango

Currently, John is working by himself in Switzerland, organizing a big Milonga once a month in Geneva, and being invited to jury, perform, Dj and teach in Festivals and other cultural events around the world. In November begins his next European tour, with confirmed countries as France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and the U.K.

Some of his awards

Representative of Venezuela in the 8th. World Tango Summit in Bariloche, Argentina 2009.
Finalist of the 7th World Tango Championship held in Buenos Aires in 2009 in the category of Salon Tango.
3rd place of the 1st World Tango Championship held in Medellín, Colombia in 2011 in the Tango Salon category.
7th place of the 1st World Tango Championship held in Medellín, Colombia in 2011 in the category of Stage Tango.
2nd place of the IX World Tango Championship held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2011 in the Tango Salon category.
5th place of the IX World Tango Championship held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2011 in the Stage Tango category.
BEST FOREIGN COUPLE OF 2011, in the IX World Tango Championship held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2011

But having a lifestyle where you have to travel worldwide makes difficult being near to your family and the ones you love and that is a lesson that John has learned after many years of working hard. “When you travel like this, you have to internalize a state of separation, and it has been very hard for me, but I’m still working on that”.

Nevertheless, John is making all to have his son with him, and being close with his family as much as he can. Future goals for John are continue traveling, working and dancing. He is also working for next year in developing his own clothing line, videoclip production and online tango lessons through his new website.

Photo 5: John Erban - Tango — Photo 5: John Erban – Tango

Travel gives him a great opportunity to learn and see all types of languages and cultures. He also wants to create a dance academy and dance company, in order to make festivals, workshops and more.

John talks about Venezuela, its current situation, Europe, the people he’s helping and more, but the most remarkable and beautiful thing is how passionate he is talking about Tango and dance in general. When you talk with him, the desire of learn to dance starts growing, he’s just inspiring.

When we asked him what is the thing that he loves the most about Tango, he says that is the energy that you want to give and show to others, the energy that you want your partner feel, the sensations, the moves…

He knows that Tango is a very strict style with specific rules and it requires a lot of discipline, but he is innovating the style, giving it his signature and personality, and that is what he wants to develop, a new way of Tango style that could captivate anyone.

Finally he gives us tips for beginners in Tango and in dance in general. “Stay humble, always. Ego is an obstacle that every dancer has to defeat. Also you need to have discipline, learning Tango and every dance is like to learn a new language, you have to practice a lot and put all you effort to achieve your goal”. The best advice from a professional.

Photo 6: John Erban - Tango — Photo 6: John Erban – Tango

John Erban is such and unique person, with so much talent and vibrant personality. To know more about him and his work, check his page https://www.facebook.com/Johnerbantango/ www.johnerbantango.com Instagram y Twitter: @johnerbantango Email: [email protected]

Sizzling Summer Nights dancer April Connella breaks silence on Orlando Delgado and her career

A while ago, we wrote a story about Sizzling Summer Nights, which is a series of outdoor performances by long-established and emerging orchestras at the Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles. However, we never had the opportunity to talk to any of those involved in the event, but that has changed in the last few days, as we have had the joy of speaking with professional dancer, dance teacher and choreographer April Connella, who will give us details on her career and professional life.

April at an event — April Connella at one of her dance events

How April became interested in dancing

April started to become interested in everything related to dancing from a young age, but the one who really introduced her in this world is Orlando Delgado, who was a salsa instructor and dancer in Los Angeles. It turns out that in this same city, someone close to Orlando saw April dancing in events by chance and told her to go to Orlando’s studio, meet him and take classes with him to reach her full potential. So she did and the connection between the two was instantaneous and, over time, they became friends and Orlando came to be someone very special in her life.

They became a dance couple, taught classes and did many events together until the untimely passing of Orlando in September 2023 due to a long battle with cancer

Sizzling Summer Nights

April was telling us that it was Orlando they really contacted to participate in Sizzling Summer Nights. One of his students in one of his dance classes, who turned out to be one of the organizers, suggested that both he and April attend these events, since the previous instructors had left, so he was looking for new ones.

Since then about eight years have passed and Sizzling Summer Nights has become one of the biggest salsa and Latin music events of the summer, largely due to the effort made by the talented duo.

Orlando and April in Sizzling Summer Nights — Orlando Delgado and April Connella at the Autry’s Sizzling Summer Nights some years ago

How Orlando’s death affected April

The dancer also confessed to us that Orlando’s loss has affected her personally and professionally, to the degree of saying that, together with him, she has lost a part of herself that feels that she will never be able to recover. Many have asked her why she does not get a new dance partner, but she finds it difficult to do that. She recognizes that there are many good dancers who could fill that spot, but finding someone she has the relationship and emotional connection she had with her previous partner is impossible. You do not get that anywhere else.

However, despite this painful loss, April knows she has to move forward in spite of everything and carry out her projects as hard as it is. In fact, one of those challenges is that April herself also happened to be sick with cancer and is in remission.

To this we must add that one of the things keeps her going is the great passion she feels for what she does and she believes that her profession is a part of her soul she cannot let die too. Not to mention that she has felt the support of the entire salsa community that knew Orlando in life and helped her to continue her work.

April and Chino Espinoza — Chino Espinoza from the group Chino Espinoza Y Los Dueños del Son and April Connella

April’s Feel Da Beat

The dance instructor explained that April’s Feel Da Beat is actually a new version of the previous dance company that was only called Feel Da Beat and was directed by Orlando. After the two meet, they not only become dance partners and best friends, but also business partners.

Then, Orlando was planning to retire at some point due to age, so he wanted his project to be in the hands of someone he could trust and that was April, whom he taught everything he knew so he could delegate what he had built so far to her. When Delgado’s health was already very frail, both he and April discussed the matter of the company and concluded that the best thing to do was to transfer it to her and change its name to April’s Feel Da Beat. After that, it was up to her to handle the project alone and adjust to this new stage without Orlando by her side.

She does not have a big team working for her right now, but she does work with many artists and dancers for the various events in which she performs.

Orlando and his friendship with April — Orlando and April had a strong friendship until the day of his death

Eddie Montalvo Iron Hands: “I’m in love with Venezuela”

We felt an unforgivable duty to publish this interview with Eddie Montalvo “Iron Hands,” as it is Swing Latino update on the biography of a musician who is more than just a friend, a godfather; he’s family, the kind that gives you friendship, that fills you with conflicting feelings and leads you to relive wonderful and unforgettable moments.

He is a living legend of our Afro-Caribbean music.

We hadn’t seen each other for many years, so I wanted to share the time with him before he left Venezuela (he was playing on Saturday, so we met on Friday and shared some time with longtime friends starting at noon), before the show. The next day he would say goodbye to Venezuelan soil. This interview will be published in two installments, and here is the first one.

– How long has it been since Eddie Montalvo last came to Venezuela?

– Let me put it this way. The last time I came to Venezuela was with Rubén Blades and Son del Solar. I’ll call it Seis, because Son was with another keyboardist, Arturo Ortiz, Robby Ameen on drums, and two trombones, Reinaldo (Jorge) and Jimmy Bosch. That was the last time, many years ago.

I’ve always loved Venezuela, it’s the honest truth. I’m in love with Venezuela, no matter what happens. I’m always grateful for it. I’ve always had many friends here.

The School of the Street

– What was your first experience in music? Why conga?

– Well, when I was very young, my parents and I would go every weekend to a party at an aunt’s house. At that time, my goddaughter, I’m not going to lie to you. The gentlemen were always well-dressed, with ties, the ladies with their eyebrows done, their hair combed, a real formality despite their humility.

Everyone was dancing at that party, and Eddie Montalvo was banging on the tables until he could say no more. That’s how they got me two metal cookie tins, and it became my first instrument.

When I was five, I asked my parents if it was possible for Santa Claus to bring me a bongo. My parents were poor, and yet, on December 25th, a bongo appeared under the Christmas tree.

A bongo that didn’t have a key, a bongo that you had to put a fire under to get the sound out.

At ten, without lying to you, I asked them if it was possible for them to buy me a conga, and my parents bought me a conga that cost 50 US dollars.

As I grew older, I started crossing the street where there was always a party of rumba players. I went down with the conga, and they asked me, “Do you know how to play?” And I said, “No,” then they said, “Well, if you don’t know how to play, you can’t sit here with us and rumba.”

I went home frustrated with the conga line because they wouldn’t let me sit in and play at the party.

It just so happened that there was a conga player who played with Héctor Lavoe, with Willie Colón, on an album called The Hustler.

His name was Héctor Andrade and he had a nickname: Bucky. He saw me every day when I came down with the conga line, and it seems he felt sorry for me and said, “Come here.” I said, “Are you talking to me?” He said, “Yes, yourself, come here!” Bucky said, “I see you here every day, and I feel sorry for you because I know you love the conga line, because you spend hours sitting on the bench watching us; I’m going to teach you the first tumbao like it’s played in rumba, street rumba.”

Because remember, my first music school was the street. My parents didn’t have the money. After Bucky taught me, he said, “Go home and practice.

When you think you’re ready, come, but I warn you, there will be about five rumberos playing the quinto. If you get tired, you’ll never play here again.”

I went to my room and practiced. When I felt God tell me to come down, that you’re ready, I went down.

Bucky looked at me and said, “How are you feeling?” And I sat down to play the tumba’o. About seven or eight rumberos played by, and I was still playing the tumba’o, tired, but I couldn’t stop playing, and that was my first experience. I learned a lot by watching the rumberos on the street. That way, I prepared myself and was able to sit with all of them, play the first part, play the second part, play the third part, and then quintate. That way, I played the grade they wanted and went down every day to sit with them.

Formal Studies

As I grew older, in my last year of school, I saw they had a Latin orchestra at a music school, but honestly, all they played was a Latin segment, but it was all American music.

The teacher was Italian. I knocked on the door of that school, and the teacher in charge looked at me and said, “Can I help you?” And I said, “I’m here because I’d like to know if it’s possible for you to let me play conga here with the Latin group.” He said, “Oh, no, no, no, look, son, I have tons of conga players here. Everyone comes here because they want to play conga. Excuse me, come see me next year.” And so I wasted all that time frustrated because I wanted to play.

Time came and school started in September. I tried again, and the teacher refused again. So I said, “No, no, no, no, wait, you promised me I could play conga here.” And seeing my insistence, the teacher asked me, “Do you really play conga?” “I think so.” Then he said, “Bring me a conga that’s in that room. I want it to play me a merengue, a cha-cha-cha, and a mambo.” I played it for him, and he said, “Wow, you have good hands, you’re starting with the Latin orchestra here,” and that’s how I graduated from hig h school at 17.

From School to Work

At that time, I went to work at the stock exchange in New York, and I didn’t like it, so I left. One day, I went into a New York club, and Joey Pastrana’s orchestra was playing.

It just so happened that someone said to Joey Pastrana, “Look, you see that skinny kid over there on the corner, that kid plays conga,” and he said to the kid, “Tell him to come over here.”

The kid came up to me and said, “Look, Joey wants you to go over there on stage.” I replied, “I don’t know Joey. And you’re telling me Joey wants me to go over there when I don’t even know him?” “Well, look, go, he’s calling you.”

I went over there, and he said, “Look, and Joey said, “Do you want to play a number with me?” And I said, “I don’t know who told you I play conga. I don’t play conga.” And he answers, “But the kids here are saying you play conga.”

And because of his insistence, I played a number. When I played the number, he said, “Do you want to play here? Because my brother, Willie Pastrana, is leaving the group.”

And when I came to see you, at 17, I was playing with Joey Pastrana. So, from then on, I went with Tony Pabón in the protest. I was with Ernie Agosto and La Conspiración, with Adalberto Santiago, Los Kimbos, even with La Diferente for a little while, just for a while; with the great Héctor Lavoe, with Pacheco, with Pete el Conde, very quickly. Then with the Estrellas Fania, and those from Puerto Rico.

– You replaced Ray Barreto in Fania, hence the nickname Manos de Hierro? Tell us a little about your experience with Fania.

– Oh, because I always had heavy hands when I played. And they called me that name: Ray Barretto, “Hard Hands,” and I, “Iron Hands.” They were the musicians, and your dad (Ángel Méndez) gave me that nickname. I’ll never forget this. I forgot to mention someone, Willie Colón, who I also played with and recorded the album “Siembra.”

Ray Barretto’s Replacement

I can’t explain how I was able to make my career in music, because, blissfully, I was in the audience at Madison Square Garden watching Fania, and I never in my life thought I’d play with the Fania Stars!

Regarding the question about whether I reviewed Barretto: before joining the Fania stars, there was Johnny Rodriguez, El Dandy.

He left, and I joined. So when I saw Barreto wanting to return, I said these words to Ray Barreto: “With all due respect to you, because you’re an icon I’ve always respected, this chair, I was just warming it up, this chair is yours.” And he said to me in English: “Eddie, we’re going to split the show. You play half the show, and I’ll play half.” And I said to him, “Ray, this seat is yours. I respect it,” and he said, “No, half and half.”

We always had a tremendous relationship. I remember when my father passed away, and Ray came and stayed with me at the funeral home for two hours. I’ll never forget it.

And I’m telling you from the bottom of my heart, one of the things I hold dear is that when Ray got sick, honestly, I wanted to go see him, and they always told me, Eddie, you can’t go because they have him in intensive care and they won’t let you in.

I was always calling mutual friends who knew if he was coming out of intensive care or not. They would tell me, “Eddie, no, hey man, don’t come because you’ll waste your time.” That’s how I couldn’t see him in his final days. It was only when he passed away that I went to the funeral home.

The same thing with your father, you know, your father for me is the friendship, and I’m not saying this because you’re interviewing me, but the relationship, the respect I have for your father, and you know, I thank your father because he was the one who made us, and I say this, of course, God made us, and with all due respect, but when it comes to the entertainment side of things, your father was the magazine that everyone bought.

When I started out in 1977, coming to Venezuela, I met your father, Ángel Méndez, Swing Latino, with Fernando, the photographer, and the truth is that the friendship was never lost.

We’ll be releasing the second part of this interview soon.

Pónle Saborrrr!

By:

cafeatlantico

Swing Latino

Giogerling Mendez

Dj. Augusto Felibertt

Also Read: The legacy of Leopoldo Pineda, the ambassador of the trombone in La Maquinaria Fania All Stars

5 years to the Son of La Salsoteca of the moment, Lavoe

Latin America / Ecuador / Quito

On April 14, 5 years ago, a trend arrived in Quito. We will talk about a space that came to fill the great void in the salsa dancers of this beautiful capital, an alternative that became fashionable, a fashion that became customary and customary has become culture, how not to refer to Lavoe the site of meeting of Salsa in Ecuador.

This great Salsoteca has the perfect environment for lovers of good salsa and bachata, a context armed with paintings of the most important figures of Latin Caribbean music in the world, many of them autographed during their visit to this palace of dance, Well attenuated colors for an incredible freshness, a first class service that makes you the main artist of the night, we are talking about a 100% safe environment full of friendly people and ready to give you a fascinating moment.

Lavoe opens its doors from Tuesday to Saturday to offer you a week full of options, Tuesdays with romantic salsa, Wednesdays with the best of salsa brava with tributes to those great salsa singers of all time, Thursdays and Saturdays with Salsa and Bachata and Fridays with concerts by national and international orchestras, every day from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. with access only for adults.

In this same order of ideas, Lavoe maintains an annual festive calendar where we can count on special events during the year, concerts, talks, great festivals of orchestras and dance schools for 3 months of the year, closing with the great anniversary party where we can delight in the best rumba of the year.

This Salsoteca has earned the affection and appreciation of all of Quito not only for its excellent services and large spaces, but also for being an icon of contribution to the professional growth of all schools in the city, generating support activities for trips and participation in festivals. and congresses in the world where they manage to position Ecuadorian talent, already demonstrated by reviewing the trajectory of this beautiful country in congresses and salsa world championships.

Lavoe makes donations and imparts a culture of union and joint work among all these academic entities dedicated to the dissemination of Latin music in the capital, all guided by its main objective, to make the visitor enjoy a space dedicated to dance.

It is incredible to see how hundreds of people can enjoy good music, share and enjoy an environment adapted to this great discipline, from a professional dance floor made of eucalyptus wood with an air chamber to protect the dancers, to the perfect selection and location of furniture, tables and chairs, leaving the entire center of the premises for the main goal to be covered day by day, to ensure that visitors enjoy an ideal space to move their bodies.

Upon entering the venue, friendly staff who are happy to be part of this project welcome you, locate you and serve you from early in the evening. impossible to take risks in a family environment and friends who already have this night space as their great dance house, you can see adults from all walks of life, dancers, dancers, relatives of dancers, parents, grandparents, families themselves complete that can easily enjoy dance shows and night shows without having to have special conditions for it.

Our friend Diego, owner and main helmsman of this festive boat, tells us “… Lavoe was created with the concept of family, of a given space for sharing and dancing for all sectors of the city, we are inclusive, everyone has a place in this my house, your house…” and boy, do they take it seriously, there are no special conditions in clothing, nor preferences of color, creed or social race, everyone is welcome, yes, the only condition is to come wanting to dance, do it well, do it wrong, whether you know it or not, don’t worry the space is ready for it.

The surprises are present throughout the night, we can see the Barthender and waiters dance with the attendees, well yes, here every human being must participate in the atmosphere, how not to do it if even the staff that works is obliged to accept their invitation to dance, and beware, accept theirs, they know how to do it, they are great characters in this space, in a moment they receive you or serve you a cocktail and in a few minutes they could be enjoying a good piece of music with you.

Attend and join the great choreography that can be performed when listening to Salsa Choque, or enjoy listening to the crowd chant a good song or the show that is put together at the bar, it is an environment for the enjoyment of all generations, grandparents , parents, children and grandchildren, all together in a space of enjoyment, that is how Cristian Pérez, the founder dancer of Lavoe, told us, he has been attending for 5 years and does not stop doing so, he says ”

… during his 5 years he refers to a meeting space of the salsero of the city, I attend up to 3 times a week since there is no cost to enter, I can come with any of my friends, we all had a great time.”

Iñaquito and United Nations is located next to the Primax gas station, you can find it on Facebook as SalsotecaLavoeQuito, website www.salsotecalavoe.com and by Phone +593 993210464 do not stop attending, join the fashion of the capital of the center of the world, be part of this beautiful experience, there are two floors of pure enjoyment Lavoe awaits you.

For more information:

WedSite: https://www.salsotecalavoe.com/
Facebook: SalsotecaLavoeQuito Twitter: salsotecalavoe

Anya Kasetvman

North America / USA /  New York

Anya Kasetvman. One Life with Latin Passion

Winner of two consecutive years, 2010 and 2009 of the Salsa World Championship in the division ON 2, kind, thoughtful, genuine, and I would add a touch of mystery in her look; so Anya Kasetvman is defined as: a dancer by profession and with a Latin passion for conviction.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 1 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 1

Coming from Ukraine, this young artist tried to conquer the world of dance very early and, VAYA, that she did it: championships (many), congresses (a lot), fashion design (uf!) And education (at all levels), these are all the awns in which Anya has been very successful always with the unconditional support of her brother and her family, thus catapulting her American dream: to be the Queen of the Salsa dance floors in the world!

She was born on August 26th, 1984 in Ukraine; this nice Virgo brought to North American lands at the age of 8th was to embark on her way to conquer dance.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 2 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 2

Grown up in Brooklyn since 1993, her childhood was relatively easy, she did not have her Ukrainian roots rooted in so she had an adaptation to her new environment much faster, although she experienced a certain degree of racism for her Russian origin, it was nothing that her parents and she couldn’t overcome. I started dancing pretty soon after we immigrated so it was easy to shut out normal life and focus on my special dance life that I had and many others didn’t.

Finding dance for young people was a hardship however. There was no ballroom dancing for children in America at the time so I am grateful that my brother Eugene katsevman helped develop and grow that industry for me to partake in, said Anya.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 3 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 3

Her brother Eugene, an outstanding dancer, has been her main ally and model to follow in terms of her learning to confront the different vicissitudes of life and in the professional field of dance: He is my teacher above all else. I learned everything I know from him some things directly some things by example and just being in his life and knowing him. He is in many ways my true role model and the one person I can always count on being a step ahead so I always have something to learn, told me Anya.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 4 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 4

She spent great part of her adolescence between happy moments and a lot of dance preparation. Being a model student for her excellent qualifications, Anya had to make the most important and transcendental decision in her life so far, which by that time could have changed her future: to decide to make a living through her passion for dancing or to follow a university career.

I would say the hardest part of my life would be the pivotal point between deciding my future whether I was good enough to make a living as a dancer or could find passion in academics which I never did although… It was very difficult to leave college and have an unknown future until I found salsa and a new path for my dance career. Commented Anya.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 5 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 5

This young dreamer entered the world of salsa fortuitously thanks to her great friend and dance partner then Luis Aguilar, a talented dancer who worked with her teaching international Latin ballroom dance at a popular dance school in Manhattan. I encouraged him to compete and make a career out of dance in return he taught me salsa so we could partner together. The dance industry seemed very open minded at the time and accepting of all race cultures and dance abilities I also saw teaching opportunities and a place for myself because of my ballroom knowledge and what I had to offer as a teacher to this new environment, said Anya.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 6 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 6

In 2007 was their first participation in a prestigious Congress of Salsa that took place in the city of New York, where they went up to the podium and occupied the surprising position of second place among a total of 10 competitors with recognized trajectories. During that same year Anya continued to participate in different state, local and world competitions, finishing that year in the fourth place among the best dancers in the world. It was a great experience for me to be an unknown dancer who could achieve success with my abilities alone without an established reputation something unheard of in the ballroom circuit. That made me fall in love with salsa. Anya Kasetvman.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 7 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 7

However, it wasn’t enough for Anya and her partner who continued obtaining titles at the different Salsa World Congresses, which they attended by taking first place in December 2009, in Florida, thanks to the precision of their steps, the cadence of their movements of shoulders and hips, multiple turns, perfect execution and technique, besides an almost perfect coordination and deep connection with his dance partner Luis Aguilar.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 8 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 8

I feel like I trained my whole life for that moment so it was truly a very special unexpected accomplishment… The second time we won was 2010. We ranked 3rd into the final so winning in 2010 felt like an even bigger surprise and accomplishment. It was truly magical coming in from 3rd place and beating the couple that dominated our division for many years before us. At that moment, I knew it was time to retire from competition because nothing could ever live up to achieving my dreams two years In a row, despite all of these obstacles. So I retired competing in 2010 and began judging shortly thereafter, said Anya.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 9 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 9

With 23 years of training and artistic career, Kasetvman is also dedicated to teaching and it’s because she possesses a unique gift that unselfishly shares with future generations of salseros of different levels that make her proud of her work and with great enthusiasm describes it in the following way: I’m blessed to share my gift of dance on many platforms and I feel very humbled to be considered amongst the top dancers in the world and performing truly makes me happy; being able to create art and share it with others, is truly a blessing.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 10 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 10

However, I feel in that field I am amongst very many and that gift is subject to many opinions and tastes. When I am teaching, coaching or directing I feel I have more reach and value on a higher level in the lives of others, even if it’s on a smaller scale. Teaching is such an important job and I truly see it as an incredible responsibility.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 11 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 11

Living my own dreams is of course an exceptional gift, but being able to help people achieve theirs and reach heights they never thought possible, truly makes me feel honored. I feel fortunate that I have learned so many different elements of dance and styles and had so many different experiences sharing those with others and helping them in their journeys no matter what they are, give me a higher sense of purpose and accomplishment. Of course I wouldn’t have been able to be the teacher I am without the stage experiences and competition results, but teaching is where I truly feel I excel and have a lot to offer a vast variety of individuals.

Kasetvman, who currently resides in Queens, NY, teaches and directs big teams of professionals, beginners, amateurs, and competitors from all areas of dance in New York city during the week and on weekends she teaches salsa lessons in other cities in the United States. The main purpose of these classes has always been to teach their students to achieve their own dreams, regardless of the obstacles they have to overcome along the way.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 12 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 12

Likewise, and in addition to this kind of personalized instruction, Anya also offers an option of instruction to student to their comfort through educational – explicative DVDs that show the mechanic of the body and how it works, technical information, mechanical association, performance and presence stage dance that allows you to understand dance skills, good habits and discipline that help give dancers a sense of style and musical performance that they can see, practice and implement instantly. A niche neglected in dance and that Anya provides with all the passion that characterizes her.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 13 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 13

This passionate and talented girl also acted for the ex-president of the United States, Barack Obama, starring in the documentary “La Época” and taught at the United Nations, great achievements that she obtained thanks to her determination, perseverance and whose work ethic was fundamental because it led her to achieve great opportunities that did not come alone, but the hand of kind people who saw in Anya the necessary professionalism of dance to carry them out and that she also took advantage of and value their years of preparation in search of excellence.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 14 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 14

With a height of 5.3, Kasetvman has achieved everything that set out to do; her foray into fashion has been a success. Her creations have been made with great imagination, elegance, mesh and luxury that accentuate the waist, provide sensuality, mobility, comfort and flexibility that increase fantasy and eroticism in the dance. When I was growing up as a ballroom dancer, it was impossible not to fall in love with the fashion and the necessity to develop a style on the dance floor.

I began designing my own dresses and enjoying the creative process along with a sense of development and identity that it provided me in the process. Ultimately, a few years later after achieving some success with my ever changing looks and many encouraging words from great dress makers and role models, I began designing for others. I have to give most credit to my brother and his dance partner. And to Vesa Hietala the premier ballroom dress maker in the world. One day he encouraged me and told me I have what it takes and I never looked back, commented Anya.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 15 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 15

Romantic, simple and addicted to all forms of beauty, talents, dreams and aspirations, Anya has made it clear that the key to success is to believe in you; surround yourself with people who support your visions and achievements, but mainly work hard for it, and never give up on your objectives and goals.

I think believing in yourself is the hardest, yet most important step to any success story. Do what you must to build confidence and earn what you want so you can feel good about it once you have it. No dream is too small or too big, if you couldn’t achieve it you would have never dreamed it. So, do what it takes get the help you need and don’t be afraid to succeed.

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 16 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 16

Each personal circumstance may teach us the lessons we need to prepare us for the future. Aim to be a better version of you, every day and stay focused on you. Everyone has their own path and their own track. Also think it is very important to remain open minded; often, our dreams come true, just not always as specifically as we had planned, so being able to recognize that you are getting what you wanted. I think helps us achieve success in the long run.

I never imagined I would be dancing Salsa when I was training to be a ballroom dancer, yet here I am living the dancers dream and working with my biggest passion in life; I wish that for everyone. ANYA KASETVMAN If you want to contact Anya or buy her DVDs visit her website www.anyakasetvman.com or follow her on Facebook www.facebook.com/anyakasetvman/

Anya Kasetvman - Photo 17 — Anya Kasetvman – Photo 17