Search Results for: Jazz Festivals

Music reviewer and photojournalist Ricky Ricardo describes his work from the last 35 years

Ricky Richardson, better known as Ricky Ricardo, is one of those important figures who should be taken notice of for his significant contribution to Latin music, even if it is often not quite appreciated by the public. The Tampa-born photographer, writer, and music reviewer has honoured us by talking about his career and experience covering events related to Latin culture and music, so we invite our readers in the beginning of the year to enjoy the revelations of our talented guest.

Ricky Richardson at the festival — Ricky Richardson at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival entrance

How Ricky got started in the coverage and review to Latin music and cultural events

First of all, Ricky thanked us for the interview and went on to tell us that he started as a photographer for a local newspaper called California Crusader News. Over time, his superiors asked him to start writing articles to accompany his photographic work, resulting in music reviews based on his attendance at numerous events and festivals throughout Los Angeles and beyond.

His work also included meetings with newspaper and magazine publishers who were always searching for content for their own publications, which led Ricky to send reviews and photos to all kinds of publications.

Major publications Ricky has worked with

Among the most important publications Ricky has collaborated with is Latin Beat, which was the main means of communication related to Afro-Cuban music. The photographer met Rudy and Yvette Mangual many times at various concerts and festivals. They met backstage at the Hollywood Bowl during the Blue Note Jazz Festival, an event he covered just like all the artists who performed there.

He also covered events in other parts of the United States, such as the New Orleans & Jazz Heritage Festival and the French Quarter Fest.

Kathy, Lázaro, and Nelson. Photo by Ricky — Kathy “La Rumbera” Diaz, Lázaro Galarraga and Nelson Rodriguez (Photo by Ricky Richardson)

In the case of Vidasalsera, Ricky first heard that name coming out of a musician’s mouth at a Puerto Rican festival in Long Beach, where he often ran into Cal Sakaniwa, the photographer and videographer for this media outlet. That is when he reached out to the webmistress of Vidasalsera.com Dena Burroughs and began providing photo galleries for her website, even though they have never met in person.

What made Ricky fall in love with Afro-Cuban music

During his childhood and youth in Tampa, Ricky was very exposed to Latin music due to the large Cuban population living in the Ybor City area, and he and several of his friends used to frequent many places and stores where this music was played.

When the young man heard Afro-Cuban music for the first time on radio stations KACE and KKGO (nowadays known as KJAZZ) was a point of no return for him. His love for this kind of music was greatly strengthened by radio programs such as Alma Del Barrio, Jazz on the Latin Side, Canto Tropical, Groove Time, and Canto Sin Fronteras. Not to mention that many international artists were constantly giving concerts at venues and festivals.

Events covered by Ricky to date

Throughout his career as a photographer, Ricky covered a huge number of events, including the Long Beach Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Central Avenue Jazz Festival, Los Angeles Street Scene, San Diego Street Scene, Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival, Watts Towers Day of The Drum Festival, Cuban-American Festival, Puerto Rican Festival, and many others.

When we wanted to know more about his experiences at these events, he replied that he felt very honored to have been able to share with established and emerging artists over the past 35 years. He also feels very lucky to have been able to witness such wonderful performances by artists who always greet him and spend warm smiles at him whenever they meet him.

Dionne, Monica, and James. Photo by Ricky — Councilwoman Dionne Faulk, Monica Bracho, Mayor James T. Butts Jr., Councilwoman, and Brendt Stallings, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Investment Officer-Inglewood Park Cemetery (Photo by Ricky Richardson)

Alma Del Barrio Fest 2025

Ricky told us that he had the honor of attending the first and second iteration of the Alma Del Barrio Salsa Festival, which took place at different locations at Loyola Marymount University. Future attendees got really excited about the current venue chosen by the organization to host the event, which is Lawton Plaza with its amphitheater, seating arrangement, abundance of grass, and the dance floor.

“I love the fact that many people get to meet and greet some of Alma Del Barrio Program Hosts (DJ’s) in person. I like the fact that Alma Del Barrio Salsa Festival attracts several generations of salseros, that are diverse, multi-cultural, and from all walks of life.,” Ricky said on the subject.

Why Ricky retired last year

Last year, Ricky finally made the decision to retire from music critics and photography after covering the Latin music scene for so many years in order to allow new generations of talented journalists to take over and keep Afro-Cuban music alive.

He is currently looking for opportunities to work in public relations and marketing for sporting events that will be held in the next three years such as the NBA All-Star Weekend, the FIFA Worzld Cup, the Super Bowl, and the Olympic Games.

Rudy Regalado. The legend of percussion

North America / USA / California

Rudy Regalado was a composer/ educator and one of the top Latin Rock Timbaleros based in the area of East Los Angeles, California during the 1970s and the second more famous Latin percussionist after Tito Puente. His legacy has been exceptional, 23 recorded albums, participated in big Festivals from USA and shared the best platforms with the best in the world. This artist was well known for his style, his contagious rhythm and eccentric presence.

Rudy Regalado was a genuine and outstanding timbales maestro; he was inspired as a child by big bands Machito and Tito Rodriguez, who were two of favorites he became interested in playing music and the Timbales.

His beginnings in this instrument go back at the end of the 1950s. During that period as s teenager, he learned to play the drum and timbales in home town (Caracas-Venezuela). For 1963 and with desire to eat the world with his music he moved to Puerto Rico and started playing in hotels and clubs in the San Juan area with Julio y su combo, the first house bands he played with in Puerto Rico’s at Hotel Caribe Hilton. They were the backup house band for all the famous musicians that performed in the Island in 1965; at the same time he studied harmony and percussion at Pablo Casals Conservatory of music.

A decade later the restless Venezuelan timbalero migrated to Southern California, where he joined playing with local jazz and Latin groups before joining with the extremely popular Latin Rock Band called El Chicano.

The timbalero of timbaleros spent twelve years with El Chicano, singing and playing the timbales in 5 albums, which was included in Top 40 hits during the 1970s with the songs “Viva Tirado” and “Tell Her She’s Lovely”. El Chicano also created the theme song for the television series Baretta, which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1978.

After, Rudy formed his own Latin Jazz All-Star / Salsa Band in 1983, which included a selected group of musician from Los Angeles. Initially known as Todos Estrellas, the band eventually became known as Chévere (aan expression of Venezuelan popular slang) and appeared at the PlayBoy Jazz Festival, Disneyland and Fiesta Broadway, among other engagements. The band also performed overseas in summer festivals in Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and throughout the European continent.

As part of an El Chicano reunion in 2009, the Timbales maestro performed during the 40th anniversary of Woodstock festival at the Golden Gate Park Music Concourse in San Francisco, where the group actually celebrated their own 40th Anniversary, and last played with them at the Greek Theatre of Los Angeles in front of over a 100,000 screaming fans.

In addition, he participated in a variety of sessions with the Zawinul Syndicate, Quincy Jones, Alphonse Mouzon, Caravana Cubana.

Rudy also toured with Aretha Franklin in charge of her percussion section, was a drummer for Los Melódicos in its 1980 tour of United States, and performed on the Tonight Show, the Nancy Wilson Show and American Bandstand. His film credits include The Skeleton Key (2005), as well as the television series Pepe Plata (1990) and Clubhouse (2004).

Héctor José Regalado better known as Rudy Regalado passed away on November 4th, 2010, in Las Vegas – Nevada, where he died from complications of pneumonia at the age of 67.

Currently, his daughter Norka Tibisay Regalado founded in 2013, the Rudy Regalado Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to provide inner city music programs with instruments and financial support. “Let no child be left behind due to lack of funds”. In February, 2014, they donated over 2500 instruments and donated $2000.00 to help with cost for instructors. Her goal is to get financial support from big companies and the community in order to reach many more music programs; she is also working on bringing music programs inside children´s hospital to help the healing process to their mentally ill children and burned survivors.

Rudy Regalado will be forever remembered as one of the greatest Latin exponents of Salsa / Jazz sound of all time, undoubtedly, The Legend of Timbales (January 29, 1943 (Caracas – Venezuela) – Covember 4, 2010 (Las Vegas – Nevada).

For additional information or to make a donation, please contac Norka Regalado at 323.270.8176 or go to website www.rudysfoundation.org/

The Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival

North America / USA /

The Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival, Aug 24-27, 2017

The Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival - 2017 — The Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival – 2017

Performances films Lectures Dance Workshops

What better way to enjoy Albuquerque’s warm summer nights than with Latin dancing!

The Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival is three days of instruction, workshops lectures and dancing under the stars. Learn at multifaceted workshops the many Latin dance styles, or for beginners the Salsa Dance Bootcamp. Music’s and concerts make it an unforgettable event.

Know the directors!

John E. Mancini:

Music and Arts have been a part of Mr. Mancini’s life since a young age, Performing in Musicals such as The Sound of Music as Maximilian Detweiler, Bubble Trouble, and in Camelot with the Albuquerque Civic Light Opera now Musical Theater Southwest. Mr. Mancini has participated in choral singing again since his youth, from elementary school through high school and college and was a member of the New Mexi-cords, the Barbershop Chorus.

He also studied professional voice with David Majoros professional Baritone from New York City. Within the past 3 years Mr. Mancini began to study dance at the Arthur Murry Dance Studio in ABQ, including smooth and rhythm forms. Mr. Mancini was introduced to Latin Club dancing about 3 years and has become an avid enthusiast. As a result of this he became actively involved with the formation and operation of Guanabana Productions, Inc. DBA the Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival.

Julie Brovko (Treasurer and Volunteer Coordinator):

Julie began dancing as a child but did not discover Latin dance until her freshman year of college. After her first salsa class, she knew she was hooked. Julie moved to Albuquerque in 2009 to start a doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of New Mexico and immediately sought out the dance community. Her work with the ABQ Latin Dance Festival started in 2010 when she volunteered to run he registration table and she has been increasingly involved ever since.

Wellington Guzman (Vice President):

Wellington hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He loves music, dancing and people. He has been involved in multiple aspects of Latin music offering in Albuquerque and New Mexico. Since moving his family to New Mexico in 1995, he’s been promoting and producing salsa and merengue music events here for the love of the genre ever since. He is a well-known radio personality on KUNM and has been DJing for over 18 years. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Wellington [yet], you will soon! He is just ½ a degree of separation from anyone and everyone here in New Mexico.

Kari Leiting (Secretary):

Kari began with vaious forms of dance at the age of four. This love of dance led to teaching in Chicago and Minnesota. While teaching dance, she discovered her interest in Latin dance. Kari moved to Albuquerque in 2009 to start the clinical psychology doctoral program at the University of New Mexico. She has enjoyed the fact that the Latin dance community is so much broader in Albuquerque than in the Midwest. Her work with the ABQ Latin Dance Festival started in 2010 when she volunteered to help monitor classes and her involvement has increased each year since.

Idalia Lechuga – Tena:

Idalia is in her second year volunteering with the ABQ Latin Dance Festival and focuses on the Marketing/PR and Government Affairs strategy. A few of Idalia’s passions are music, dance and art. She dances salsa, flamenco and Tango, which she believes are three of the most passionate dances.

She has degrees in Economics, Political Science and International Politics and is fluent in four languages: Spanish, French, Italian and English, and has traveled to fifty four countries around the world. She has studied in several countries such as Chihuahua-Mexico, Pamplona-Spain, Paris-France and at the University New Mexico, to name a few.

Idalia Lechuga - Tena — Idalia Lechuga – Tena

During her undergraduate career, she wrote an electronic academic research bool on “The Positive Effects of the Immigration Spectrumin the United States in the Economic and Political Sector, with a concentration in Latino immigration” which she has written in Spanish, French and English and has presented in coferences at Universities throughout the U.S.

Idalia loves classical music, opera, mariachi music and is an avid violinist. She has played with the Albuquerque Philharmonic when she is not too busy with the many organizations she is also a painter, mostly oil and she describes her art style as early DaVinci and late Picasso. She loves spending time with her family and her Chihuahua dog Kochinada.

Idalia is the owner of ILT International, LLC a consulting firm that offers services in Government and Political Affarirs and Marketing and PR in English, Spanish, French and Italian. She also started a winery in Chihuahua, Mexico in partnership with her father. Idalia currently serves as Communications Director with the State Programs. She has served in high level administrations and is heavily involved in local and statewide politics, international groups, and in her local community, she serves as president of her neighborhood association in the International District in Albuquerque.

Santiago Candelaria:

Santiago Candelaria sits on the board of directors of the Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival as a representative of the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC).

He has been a very proud staff member of the NHCC’s Performing Arts program for more than 11 years-an organization he’s proud to serve, humbled to represent, and grateful to be a part of. It is part of the NHCC’s work ethic and organizational culture to encourange staff to work with the community and with presenting partners in this capacity.

Service on other organizational boards by NHCC staff members in an important part of the Center’s work culture because it strengthens community bonds, continues to raise the bar for programming quality, and allows the Center to be of service to the community, both locally and at-large.

Santiago has an extensive history with social styles of dance. Previously, he was ballroom dance instructor at Strictly Dancing in Santa Fe, now the Dance Station. He worked as an instructor with High Altitude Swimg, teaching swimg and Lindy Hop and was a founding member of The Santa Fe Social Club, teaching salsa and training instructors. In Albuquerque Santiago has worked with Salsa Baby and Salsasana. He has choreographed for Fright Night, 5$ a Day, and Disco Gravy on film as well as for numerous theatrical performances.

Jessica Montoya (Director of Programming for Dancers/Performers)

Jessica is a native New Mexican born and raised in Taos, NM. She began dancing at the age of 4 years old at the Betty Winslow Dance Studio. At the age of 16, Jessica studied abroad in Valencia, Spain, where she studied Flamenco.

Upon returning, she performed dinner shows at the Historical Taos Inn and festivals around New Mexico. She also continued studying Flamenco with Maria Benitez summer programs in Santa Fe, and later with Eva Enciña & Pablo Rodarte at the University of NM. Continuing her education at UNM, she also studied Jazz (Contemporary and lyrical) and Hip Hop with the renowned Loren Fletcher Nickerson.

After graduating from UNM with a BA in Psychology / Communications and an endorsement in Performing Arts, she decided to get back into her Latin Roots and put her energy into Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha Cha and Reggaeton.

You can also find Jessica teaching Salsa skills and drills classes at Defined Fitness (Riverside) and Maple Street Dance Studio in Albuquerque, NM.

Bachata Festival 2017 in San Francisco, California

North America / USA / California

The Ultimate Bachata, Salsa, Kizomba and Zouk Experience… A Dance Convention for Beginners, Intermediate & for all levels of dancing! The 9th Annual SF International Bachata Festival

Date: JULY 21st – 24th, 2017
Bachata | Kizomba | Zouk | Salsa (4-Party Rooms)
3 days and 3 nights of dancing
Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 10am until 6am!

Photos from the 2017 Bachata Festival in San Francisco

Transform your dance skills in one weekend with these world renowned dance instructors plus a dance experience of a lifetime!

Live Band
Dance Workshops from 10am to 5pm
Performances Every Night Ÿ Social Dancing until 6am
Jack and Jill Contest prize Giveaways

SFIBF, (San Francisco International Bachata Festival) is the largest and hottest Bachata festival in the world, located in one of the greatest city in the world – San Francisco. Created by Rodney Rodchata Aquino, along with its sister event Reno Bachata Festival, they are the first Bachata festivals in the USA. It celebrates the music and dance of Bachata, preserving its roots and accepting its evolution, as well as Salsa, Zouk and Kizomba.

Festival Line-Up

More than 20 instructors, DJs and Live Band for this year’s festival!

Adam Taub (Colorado)/ Bachata:

Adam Taub is one of the few ones who have seriously studied authentic bachata (the way Dominicans dance). SFIBF is extremely proud to present him with his special music, history and dance workshops at the San Francisco International Bachata Festival – July 21-23, 2017.

Adam Taub is a documentary film director from Colorado whose films include La Quinceañera, Don Angelo, and El Duque de la Bachata. His film La Quinceañera won the 2007 award for Best Documentary at the Angelus Student Film Festival in Hollywood, California and Best Documentary at the San Diego Latino Film Festival.

Alberto & Nola (Australia) / Bachata:

Nola Komis is the Founder, Director and Principal Instructor of A Touch of Salsa Latin Dance Studios in Sydney, Australia. A Touch of Salsa runs classes in Salsa, Bachata, Zouk and Kizomba. They also offer competition courses, workshops, performance courses and more and will this year will be celebrating 11 years.

Nola Komis and Alberto Torres-Perez have been teaching together for the past five years and they are both passionate and love sharing their passion for dance. Nola and Alberto have both travelled to Athens, Geneva, New Zealand, Hawaii and all over Australia where they have taught workshops at Festivals/Congresses to packed participants and have received many great reviews for their classes.

Nola and Alberto are looking forward to being part of the San Francisco Bachata Festival in July 2017.

Emelie Andagan (Sacramento) / Salsa:

The Yemaya Salsa Dance Company was founded by Emelie Andagan & Heather Wong-Xoquic in October, 2000. Emelie learned to dance salsa after only a few years due to her extensive dance background of over 20 years and many years of experience as a ballet and jazz student, and later a teacher at the Ballet Theatre of Dover Dance Conservatory.

The troupe started as a small group of only four couples that rehearsed twice a week in various garages and practically anywhere with a smooth surface. She owns and manages Yemaya Dance Studio in Sacramento, and is the main director of Yemaya dance Company.

Luis Aguilar (San Francisco) / Salsa:

Luis Aguilar debuted in 2000 with the Salsa Mania Dance Company in San Francisco. Since then, he performed with such giants in the Latin music industry as El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, the Tito Puente Orquestra, Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto, Jose “El Canario” Alberto, Oscar de Leon, Eddie Palmieri, the Spanish Harlem Orquestra and Sonora Carruseles. In addition to his impressive performance credits, Luis has taken 1st place in many Latin dance competitions and Congresses such as The San Francisco International Salsa Congress and the Bay Area Salsa Dance Competition.

Since joining forces in 2007, Luis and Anya have become the ON 2 WORLD SALSA CHAMPIONS for the second year in a row, along with having become two time undefeated San Francisco Congress Salsa champions in ’09 and ’10, undefeated two time New York Congress champions in ’09, ’10, Puerto Rico Hustle and Salsa champions ’09, and are currently the North American Salsa Champions and two time winners of the NY/NJ salsa open. With their combined backgrounds, Luis and Anya make a dynamic duo that brings a fresh new element to the salsa dance floor.

Benga Da Beatz (Ohio) / Kizomba:

Benga is a Nigeria born international dancing sensation, with backgrounds in several African dances, ballroom dances, American dances, and latin dances. From Waltz to Tango, Makoussa to Kizomba, hip hop to west coast swing, and Irish dance to Bollywood. Benga has intensive dancing experiences all across the globe.

An Afro Beats and Afro-cuban solo performer, and a latin dance instructor well known to many now as the Da Beatz. With 26 years of African Dancing and 6 years of professional latin dancing, Benga is teaching and promoting at every Latin events possible with his own vibrant style of Fun Swagness.

Cymeone Mopao (France) / Kizomba:

Cymeone Mopao is a well-known kizomba instructor based in Paris. He is one of the first instructors to have taught kizomba in France beginning in 2009. Born into a family of musicians, he was accustomed to lots of music and quickly adapted to the dance lifestyle. As he immersed himself into dance, he became proficient in African style dances such as ndombolo and coupé décalé.

When he was 18, he joined a group of dancers called “les coeurs brisés “. From there he became interested in other Afro style dances like Zouk, Kompa and Kizomba. He gave his first Kizomba class in 2009 and became one of the most wanted instructors in international festivals. In 2010, he was the first French instructor to teach Kizomba in the United States (New York).

Bruno & Olga (Los Angeles) / Zouk:

Bruno and Olga started dancing together in November 2015 and have since taught and performed at numerous events around the country from local workshops to large international congresses.}

In 2016 they took second place in the semi-pro division of the Zouk US Open with their now well-known choreography piece “Worth It” and shortly after got featured in the “Fences” movie, that’s currently in production stage. Olga has a rich dance background in classical ballet, modern, contemporary and commercial jazz, as well as hip hop and heels choreographies. She is also an All-Star west coast swing dancer. Bruno is trained in hip hop, salsa, kizomba, tarraxinha, semba, and of course brazilian zouk.

He has been on the social dance scene of his hometown Braga, Portugal since he was 14 years old. Since his move to the US he’s been mainly focusing on zouk and kizomba, training and teaching around the country with his partner, performing in ISDC dance company for a while, and currently codirecting the Zouk team at Ivo Vieira’s Dance company and learning from the best dance professionals in the world.

Sandro (Brazil) / Zouk:

Sandro Soncini is a dancer, choreographer and dance instructor from Florianopolis, Brazil. He has studied and trained in dance for over 10 years. Sandro is experienced in many partner dance styles, and has intensively studied the concepts of body movement driven by his training in tango.

In 2010 Sandro moved to Argentina to continue to develop his dance skills and education at DNI tango school. Sandro has participated in various congresses and competitions, including BAILA FLORIPA DUO, where in 2012 together with his partner he placed 3rd.

Sandro has taught in zouk throughout Canada, United States and Brazil. Currently Sandro is living in Vancouver, Canada with a focus on promoting zouk in the Pacific North West.

Bachata Festival 2017, Tickets / Passes:

Tickets: Full Passes $200.00 Unlimited. (EXP July 15th)
Tickets at Doors: $250 Buy Your Passes in mybachatafestival.com

Location: The SF Marriott Hotel 1800 Old Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA 94010 Discounted Nightly rate of $141 a night (you must use the site – www.sfibf.com) Free Shuttle 24 hours a day.

Ottawa Salsa Convention Join Ottawa’s 2nd Annual Salsa Convention 2017

North America /  Canada / Ottawa

What does a 3-day Salsa Convention entail? It means bringing together 50 of the most nationally & internationally renowned Latin dance stars from all of over Canada, USA & Mexico to perform right here in the Nation’s Capital. With over 30 Latin dance workshops taught by award-winning performers, there will be something for all levels of dancers.

Each day of the convention is then followed by social dancing to the sounds of some of the world’s best Salsa DJs across Canada and the United States. This 3-day convention is like no other, showcasing the best of Latin dance, right in the heart of the Nation’s Capital at Aberdeen Pavilion in Lansdowne Park. Let’s celebrate Canada’s 150th together through the best of Latin dance.

Ottawa Salsa Convention - Schedule part 1 — Ottawa Salsa Convention – Schedule part 1

Ottawa Salsa Convention - Schedule part 2 — Ottawa Salsa Convention – Schedule part 2

Ottawa Salsa Convention - Schedule part 3 — Ottawa Salsa Convention – Schedule part 3

Some of the performers are…

Mario Acosta Cevallos (Edmonton):

Mario Acosta - Ottawa Salsa Convention — Mario Acosta – Ottawa Salsa Convention

Mario Acosta-Cevallos is a four time World Salsa Champion, a Canadian LatinAmerican Ballroom Finalist, and Director of the Edmonton area based SalsaVitus Dance Company. He is known for his hypnotic performances marked by high levels of grace, speed, and technical difficulty. Mario’s current projects include travelling to teach and perform, developing his dance teams and pro-ams, and creating new and exciting routines for the upcoming next year.

Ana López (Winnipeg):

For many years, Ana Karen has excelled in dance in Manitoba, nationally and internationally. She is a three-time Manitoba Dance Festival Ballet scholarship recipient, and was the featured ballet soloist at a M.D.F.

Gala showcase. She most recently placed in the “top twelve” out of 145 dancers at the international ballet competition, the Youth American Grand Prix (Y.A.G.P.), at the semi- finals in Chicago, U.S.A. for both her Contemporary solo and her Pointe solo.

Ana also won the highest overall score for all senior solos at the Canadian National Dance Championships (C.N.D.C.), for another Pointe solo, which was to be the first time the highest overall score was awarded to a ballet number in Winnipeg. Most of Ana Karen’s dance training has been done at Marquis Dance Academy after having trained for two years in the R.W.B.’s professional division.

Ana Lopez - Ottawa Salsa Convention — Ana Lopez – Ottawa Salsa Convention

During her training at Marquis, Ana Karen has won multiple Elite Gold and Gold with Honours awards for her solos, trios and group numbers for Ballet, Pointe, Modern Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Lyrical.

She has also captured both gold and silver medals at several Dance World Cups in Montreal, Vancouver and Niagara Falls. She has continued her professional development as a teacher of ballet by studying at the worldfamous American Ballet Theatre (A.B.T.) in New York, N.Y., Ana Karen most recently won the Pro-Am World Salsa Championships in Miami, Florida and placed 2nd for Bachata Cabaret at the World Latin Dance Cup in Miami, Florida.

Harold Rancano and Regan Hirose (Winnipeg):

Harold Rancano and Regan Hirose, are a Latin dance couple best known for their energetic, and acrobatic flair on stage. Based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, the flavorful couple has achieved plenty of success on a national and international level. Most notably they are the current World Champions for Bachata Cabaret having won gold at the World Latin Dance Cup in Miami, Florida; and are also the current Canadian Bachata Champions having won gold at the Canada Salsa Congress in Toronto, Ontario.

Harol y Regan - Ottawa Salsa Convention — Harol y Regan – Ottawa Salsa Convention

The couple has also competed and won various competitions in Salsa and Bachata in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Calgary, and Saskatoon. Aside from competition, the duo also directs Cubanisimo Dance Company in their hometown, where they train and coach their teams and students, 3 of which won gold at the 2015 World Latin Dance cup. They also coach and mentor various teams outside of the city by both teaching and creating choreography.

Also known for their connection and unique choreography, the couple has travelled to several festivals and congresses to share their vast knowledge of styles and various latin rhythms such as; Salsa on 1, Salsa on 2, Bachata, Pachanga, Cuban Salsa, Cha cha cha and Lifts & Tricks. Whether it’s privates, group classes or to coach teams, the couple has the experience to adapt to any teaching environment.

Lenin A Guerrero Maldonado & Roselyne Gonzalez (Cleveland , Ohio):

Lenin is proficient in rhythms such as: Salsa, Cuban Rumba, Pachanga, Bachata, Chacha, Boogaloo and Mambo. He is the director of Salcity of Angels Dance Company, one of the best and strongest dance companies in Mexico. His unique style is loved and enjoyed by audiences everywhere. It is full of energy flavor and charisma. It is not only elegant and technical but also dynamic and passionate. Lenin has been trained by several instructors including: Abel Peña (L.A.), Machito Ruiz (L.A.), Jose Aguilar (N.Y.), Jorge Martinez (Oaxaca, Mexico), Jose Chavarria (L.A.), Ernesto and Maritza (Chiapas, Mexico).

Awards:

Second place in the Euroson Latino Competition 2010 Professional Couples Category. (Mexico),
National Champion 2010 – National Competition Salsa Con Clave Professional Couples Category. (Mexico)
Second Place 2010 National Competition Salsa Con Clave Groups Category. (Mexico)
International Champion 2011 in Costa Rica Salsa Fest Professional Couples Category. (Costa Rica)
Third place in the National SalsaBachata Competition 2011(Mexico)

Lenin y Roselyne - Ottawa Salsa Convention — Lenin y Roselyne – Ottawa Salsa Convention

Experiences: Lenin has had many opportunities to travel to different countries through dancing. He is recognized internationally. He has performed at the most recognized congresses in all of Mexico and the USA. In March and April of 2014, he went on a dancing tour of 27 cities in France and 5 cities in Germany.

Most recently he traveled to Panama in 2014 and the United States in 2013 and 2014 in various cities. He now resides in the United States (Cleveland, Ohio) and travels to the principal salsa congresses in the country as well as those in Mexico. Current Projects: Team and individual training, Traveling to the major congresses in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Continue traveling all over the world through dancing.

Roberto Quaresma & Daria Novoselova (Toronto):

Dedicated and passionate duo from Toronto, Canada, Daria Novoselova and Roberto Quaresma, started dancing together about 3 years ago.

Only 3 months into their partnership, they entered their first competition at the World Latin Dance Cup in Miami in December/14 and became amateur Salsa On1 world champions. Shortly after, Daria suffered a devastating neck injury during a dance practice and had to undergo surgery not knowing if she would ever be able to dance again.

After months of recovery and wearing a neck brace, she gradually returned to the dancefloor just in time to go back to Miami to defend the couple’s championship title. Despite a very challenging year for both dancers, in December/15 Roberto and Daria became 2x amateur world salsa champions.

The comeback story inspired many and was covered by numerous newspapers, such as the Toronto Star, as well as the CBC News. Since then the couple have traveled and performed in many congresses around the world such as Los Angeles Salsa Fest, Dubai Latin Festival and Japan Salsa Congress.

They have recently returned from the World Salsa Summit competition held in Miami in January/17 with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals in various salsa and bachata divisions. Known for their flare, playfulness and charisma on stage, Roberto and Daria are part of the Latin Energy Dance Company led by Vanesa Stay.

Angelo De Torres & Kathy Dondish (Toronto):

Angelo and Kathy began dancing together since 2009. Their passion for Latin dancing has led them to start competing and performing together. They are the 2011 Chim Pum Callao Congress and the Canada Salsa Congress Bachata Champions and were finalist at the Toronto Bachata Festival.

They enjoy travelling and sharing their passion for dance and have performed at international events such as the All Star Salsa European Cruise and the Israel Salsa Congress. Together they have developed a unique style of bachata, have taught hundreds of classes and workshops, and have choreographed numerous routines for both professionals and amateurs alike. Angelo De Torres is a professional dancer and choreographer and has had a love and appreciation for music since a very young age.

The diverse forms of expression inherent in Salsa, Bachata, Pachanga and Latin Hustle are what captivated him to learn and share his passion.

Angelo y Kathy - Ottawa Salsa Convention — Angelo y Kathy – Ottawa Salsa Convention

He has extensive training with respected international instructors such as Billy Fajardo, Katie Marlow, Nelson Flores, Tito Ortoz, Tamara Livolsi, Francesco Scalvenzi and Milko Succi.

Angelo has been teaching and dancing since 2008 for Steps dance studio under the direction of Jennifer Aucoin and is now a co-owner/director of Steps Dance Studio Inc.

Kathy Dondish has had the passion for dance at an early age, when she took her first ballet class at the age of 6 and trained in gymnastics at age 11. Her love for Latin dancing only grew stronger as of 2007 and hasn’t stopped since. Today, she is a performer, teacher and competitor. Having trained with top Toronto dancers as well as internationally has increased her drive to share her love on stage and in the studio.

Hiram and Briia (Toronto):

Hiram and Briia have been dancing together for about a year in a half! In 2012 they joined Cadence Dance Academy and they been traveling and performing with them all across North America ever since. They have been traveling together in North America for showcases and teaching workshops.

Briia comilang started dancing at the age of 4 since then she had traveled for showcases around the world. Train in ballroom, ballet, hip hop, contemporary! She strives to become an all-around dancer.

Hiram y Briia - Ottawa Salsa Convention — Hiram y Briia – Ottawa Salsa Convention

Now Briia is a professional salsa dancer and a Canadian representative amateur ballroom dancer who’s traveled to China, Spain, and Italy for many competitions! Now she continues to strive to the top by teaching, choreographing and sharing her passion with others! Hiram’s love of dance has been evident in Mexico since he was a young child.

He began training Modern Jazz and Contemporary before he decided to migrate to Canada where he trained in Jazz, Ballet, Acrobatics and Hip Hop. He later partnered and competed with, 4x Salsa World Champion, Paulina Posadas. The dynamic duo went on to win 1st Place in different national competitions

Adriano Ieropoli and Samantha Scali (Montreal):

Adriano Ieropoli and Samantha Scali are professional dancers based out of Montreal, Canada.

In 2009, at age fourteen they began their partnership by teaching locally and performing for various stage productions, concerts, festivals and salsa congresses. In 2015, they started competing internationally and founded Novaera Productions their very own dance studio in Montreal. That year, Adriano won his first world title in the same gender division and he is now the current world champion in the men solo division.

Adriano y Samantha - Ottawa Salsa Convention — Adriano y Samantha – Ottawa Salsa Convention

Adriano and Samantha are the first Canadian couple to have won a world title in the Professional Salsa On2 division, having placed first at the 2017 World Salsa Summit.

Team Same Gender México

You can see know all of the performers in their official website http://www.ottawasalsaconvention.ca and all the information you need to know.