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Salsateca Dance School

All Europe

The best Salsa clases for you available in ALL Europe!

Salsateca Dance School is a Latin American-dance school with its principal studio in London. It offers Salsa and Bachata classes for beginners, improvers, intermediate and advanced students at venues in central, north and south London.

SALSATECA was founded in 1992 and since then it has firmly established itself as a leader in the Salsa scene in London. It has also branched out internationally with presence in Slovenia, Croatia and Lebanon.

In addition to offering classes, SALSATECA also organizes various special events and social dance nights, and sponsors festivals to promote the amazing music and dance of Latin America Salsateca’s international team of professional teachers will inspire you with enthusiasm and passion for the true Latin American sound and dance moves. Our teaching technique is the result of hard work, research and extraordinary experience combining styles from across the world including Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Panama, Dominican Republic, New York, Spain, Italy and Africa.

Everyone is welcome to join us in experiencing the pleasure of dancing

Dj’s, performers and teachers for corporate events, special shows and more, hen parties and ‘one to one’ lessons

Salsateca Ljubljana

Address: Koprska ulica 52, Ljubljana
Tel: 070/800-099
http://www.salsateca.si/kontakt/

Salsateca Zagreb

Lokacija: Olimp fitness centar, Zadarska 80 – kriianje Zagreba?ke avenije i Selske ceste, veliki neboder preko puta Lidla, kvart: Kneiija
olimpfitness.hr

Salsateca Lebanon

SALSATECA Dance School Lebanon has been incorporated in 2006 by Pierre Lahoud, the owner representative in Lebanon who is recognized as one of SALSATECAs international team of certified professional teachers.

After dancing in Lebanon for several years, Pierre has chosen to pursue his passion for Latin American dancing at an international level by receiving rigorous and extraordinary training in London hence getting certified from London.

What?

Pierre will inspire you with enthusiasm and passion for the true Latin American sound and dance moves. His dancing and teaching experience comprises of Salsa, Latin American dance (Cha-Cha-Cha, Bachata, Merengue, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive, etc. and Ballroom Dancing (Slow Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Fox Trot, Quick Step, etc.. .).

How?

Salsateca Dance School Lebanon invites you to join us in experiencing the pleasure of dancing in a Latin-American dancing class featuring the Cross Body LA Style also known as the Puerto Rican Style.

Beirut, Lebanon
Tel +961 3 585 785

[email protected]

Yamila Viana a Versatile Dancer

North America / USA / New York

In 20 years of uninterrupted artistic career, Yamila Viana continues up to be news because she climbs the peak of success again, this time with the National Championship trophy USA Tango.

To her 36 years old, this attractive native Argentine of Posadas city in the Misiones providence in Argentina, daughter of a Teacher and Journalist and the only one of a brother and a sister who studied the dance, she has proven to be a superhuman in her profession, in the way of see the life, family and work; and although at the moment she’s waiting for a new project then put in the foreground again shows us the strength to assimilate the peculiarities of being an immigrant talent that has managed to conquer the American market of Dance.

“I told my mom: I want to be a dancer”

Since an early age, Yamila hasshown a big strength and unwavering decision to dedicate to this profession, taking this decision one day when she watch the Anglo-Saxon TV series “Fame”.

“When I was 5 years old I already wanted to be a dancer.

At that age, I remember I told mymom: I want to be a dancer”.

In all honesty, at the beginning, neither herself knows what she would face devote herself entirely to this career. It was whole days studying dance in the Dance School of Misiones province. Already, at 9 years old, she was already studying 3 disciplines of dance: Folklore, Character and Ballet.

Yamila Viana - Photo 1 — Yamila Viana – Photo 1

At fifteen years old, Yamila with her much disciplined lifestyle participated in national competitions inside of her native country, and with her particular style began to feel a passion for the main flag of seduction, the Tango. Acquiring professional knowledges of this dance in her first trip to Rosario (City seems to Buenos Aires) in Argentina.

“l tumed my trip, I got fascinated and I told my mom: I am going to train and after I am going to live to Buenos Aires”. And so it was, it was time and I moved to Buenos Aires”.

Once settled in the capital of Argentina, she received classes in the old studio on the corner of couple of the moment Roberto Herrera and Vanina Vilous. And despite she never had the partner of dance and she always be a free student, this didn’t prevent her to achieve complete perfection of the technique of Tango.

Yamila Viana - Photo 2 — Yamila Viana – Photo 2

From the hand on her roommate Victoria Hidalgo (First dancer of the Argentina National Contemporary Ballet), Yamila knew the tropical dance Salsa too, devoting for not less one year to this rhythm in El Salson, the Salsoteca biggest of Buenos Aires (Argentina), where she exhibited her creative and rhythmic choreography dance with the swing of her hips.

However, in the mid-98 she decided to join thecast of the National Ballet Argentine getting almost all the singles (leading roles) and implementing a very strong technical, and during with that important company exponent of the dance 10 years.

After meeting this last professional challenge, Viana achieved nothing less than the work as artistic director of Tango since 2008 to 2010, in Venice and Rome (Italy).

Yamila Viana - Foto 3 — Yamila Viana – Foto 3

Albeit, this story didn’t stay there, Yamila decided to face another personal and professional challenge to move to New York (USA) in August 2010. “This is the city where I want to live. Here I am way I want”, she said.

For this new opportunity, Yamila had big and creative ideas, designing a new project called La Milonga Zinc Bar with live music every Sunday for 3 years in a Jazz club that allowed, thanks to its good acoustic, enjoy of the melody and Tango dancing.

Likewise, in 2015, with her artistic genius, style, technique and authority go up to the podium to win her partner Ivan with the first place in the National Championship Argentine Tango of that year, the only one authorized for Buenos Aires (Argentina) carried out at the headquarters in San Francisco (USA).

Yamila Viana - Foto 4 — Yamila Viana – Foto 4

To Yamila this championship was a great challenge. “In the ballet I represented Argentina in the world, now with this award I represent the USA for a year; it was like an ambiguity move to the other side, but, dancing Tango. Thus, I don’t feel so betrayer of the motherland hahaha. ”

Of course, this dancer rated for a lot of people as the best dancer of Tango in USA, she’ll open this 2016 a Tango School with a program of weekly workshops and she will continue to give private and group lessons to everybody who feel that desire and passion to learn Tango.

Yamila Viana transpires the testimony of a long history. Her dance has been a catalog of versatility and wonder, and now being coach and choreographer transmitting her knowledge to new dancers who want to get a place in the competitive area of dance in Broadway and Hollywood.

Yamila Viana - Foto 5 — Yamila Viana – Foto 5

This genius of the Tango has done wonders in the ballet, Tango and contemporary dance in her native country. Latin America, Europe and USA wanted to confirm her talent and thereafter devoted her to tattoo her name on the universal history of dance. And there is the greatest of her exploits:

The Tango turned into rnassive applause from the ordinary citizen Yamila Viana is a dancer of all. And how not, if her grace covers a technique comparable only with the best dancers of the world.

Yamila Viana - Foto 6 — Yamila Viana – Foto 6

Recently, she recorded a film in Los Angeles called Tango Shalom. The story? A Rabbi who falls in love for a dancing girl.

Definitively, Yamila is a dancer with a versatile talent than generating admiration for everybody who knows the world of the dance, specially, the Tango.

Russian composer, artistic director, and saxophonist Yaacov Mayman conquers New York

We are truly happy to spend time with Grammy-nominated composer, artistic director, and saxophonist Yaacov Mayman, whom we had the opportunity to interview by email about the most significant aspects of his career and the legendary figures with whom he collaborated with on stage and in the studio.

Next, we will talk about some of the pivotal moments of his brilliant career to date.

Yaacov Mayman playing the saxophone live. Photo taken by Al Gor

How Yaacov first became interested in music

Yaacov, who is originally from Russia and lived in Israel for many years, decided he wanted to play the saxophone by hearing Charlie Parker for the first time. His sound, freedom, and imagination opened a whole world in front of him he just had to explore fully.

However, his musical foundation did not begin there, but in his native Moscow, where he used to attend classical music concerts from a very young age. He originally wanted to be a singer, but was not admitted to the Central Music School. Instead, he was accepted into the cello class at his local music school. That was the beginning of his formal musical education, and later jazz led him to the saxophone.

In addition, his mother is an artist and his father is an engineer. Most of his family worked in technical fields. He grew up with both creativity and discipline around him, and music became his own way of expressing those qualities.

First professional experience

His first professional concert experience as a saxophonist was playing with a big band. Before that, he had performed on cello with his music school orchestra, so he already knew the feeling of being onstage with other musicians. But playing jazz in a big band was a new experience: the energy, the rhythm, and the chance to express his own voice through improvisation.

It taught him that he has to listen to the whole band, understand his role, and be ready when his moment comes. Those early experiences gave him a foundation that he still carries with him today.

Yaacov Mayman playing with Valery Ponomarev — Yaacov Mayman playing with legendary jazz trumpeter Valery Ponomarev

Collaborations with other great artists

Throughout his 30-year career in the industry, Yaacov has collaborated with renowned figures such as Benny Golson, Joe Lovano, Bill Evans, Randy Brecker, and the Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Afro Latin Big Band. He notes that working with musicians of that caliber is an education in itself.

Their phrasing, discipline, and command of the stage taught him to listen more closely and respond naturally. Each has a personal musical voice, and being around them encouraged him to keep developing his own.

He also learned that a powerful sound requires not only warmth and sensitivity, but also strength. It is all about how a phrase is shaped, how space is used, and how honest communication is. Trust between musicians grows from preparation of those sharing the stage at that moment.

Iconic venues

Yaacov has performed at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall, Birdland Jazz Club, and Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, though he sees his career as a series of important moments rather than one single turning point. Playing at Carnegie Hall carries a special sense of history and responsibility. At Birdland and Dizzy’s, he feels close to the living tradition of jazz, while a festival such as the Red Sea Jazz Festival brings that music to an international audience.

For Yaacov, building a musical life in New York has been the larger turning point. It brought him into contact with extraordinary musicians and audiences who know and love this music. Those experiences helped him grow in confidence and made him want to keep reaching higher.

Yaacov and bobby Sanabria — Yaacov Mayman, Bobby Sanabria, Rufus Reed and George A Johnson Jr. rehearsing for MADEinNY Jazz Gala Concert

Yaacov as artistic director of the Made in NY Jazz Competition and and the Made in New York Jazz Festival

Yaacov explains that what attracted him to the digital format was the possibility of hearing talented musicians wherever they lived. There are wonderful artists around the world who cannot easily travel to New York or reach the people who could help their careers. An online competition gives them a way to be Heard and creates connections that can lead to live musical collaborations.

As Artistic Director, he is interested in more than technical skill. I listen for an individual voice, musicality, creativity, and feeling. Technique matters, but I want to hear the person behind the notes.

In the case of the festival, artists share the stage, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.

Community Concert Network Inc.

Another important role for which Yaacov stands out is serving as president of the non-profit organization Community Concert Network Inc., which is dedicated to bringing jazz cultural programs and events to underserved communities in New York. This has become a profoundly meaningful initiative for him, as he believes live music should be available to people regardless of their income.

Often, the price of a ticket or the difficulty of traveling to certain venues hinder access to great live music, which directly inspired the creation of this project. On this matter, he states the following:

“New York has an extraordinary musical culture, and I want more of its communities to share in it. Bringing concerts into local centers lets us meet people where they are and make the experience welcoming and personal.”

Yaacov is the president of the non-profit organization Community Concert Network Inc.

Zach Phillips brings us the latest news on The NAMM Show

After several attempts, we finally had the honor of speaking with NAMM’s Director of Member Services, Zach Phillips, who made room in his schedule to chat about all the work he and his team have been doing for NAMM, the educational part of the organization, and their annual event, The NAMM Show.

Zach Phillips from NAMM — NAMM’s Director of Member Services, Zach Phillips posing for the camera

Zach’s Experience as a musician

Before Zach shared everything related to NAMM, we wanted to learn a bit about his previous career as a musician. He made it very clear that he was a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and singer. Even though he now devotes most of his time to NAMM, he keeps writing songs, recording music, and releasing albums.

With regard to his favorite genres, he loves hip-hop, but the types of music he usually plays are Americana and folk rock—which, in his own words, are not quite as interesting or complex as salsa.

He was also part of a band called Zach and The Walkins, but the music he releases today is under his own name and distributed on Spotify and other streaming services.

The Origins of The NAMM Show and Its Mission

On the subject of NAMM, Zach began by explaining that NAMM is a non-profit organization at the service of the music, the sound, and the entertainment industry. Its primary mission has been to strengthen the industry and promote music-making since its founding in 1901, meaning that it has celebrated its 125 years of having been created.

Zach playing the guitar at the NAMM Show — Zach Phillips singing and playing the guitar during The NAMM Show

The organization was created by a group of piano retailers, and its first trade show took place in 1909. While the founders are no longer living, they left a legacy that is still carried on the shoulders of those who are taking the project forward today.

The association provides many services for its members, the largest being The NAMM Show. The 2026 edition had an attendance of more than 60,000 people, more than 1,600 exhibitors and nearly 5,500 brands. In essence, NAMM remains an association passionate about music and the strengthening of the industry, something Zach does not see much to change.

One of the key things The NAMM Show continues to promote is the opportunity to network and stimulate innovation in the industry. It is a platform to offer new products and help brands expand their market presence. It also features a very important educational component containing around 250 sessions and panels covering ideas, strategies, and practices aimed at improving attendees’ performance.

Why Zach Decided to join NAMM

The reason why Zach decided to join NAMM was the mission it offered. Strengthening the industry and promoting music are two vital causes for the artist, who joined NAMM in 2012. Before that, Zach worked as a trade journal editor, which led him to connect with NAMM to lead professional development and educational programs. Since then, his role has evolved. Today, he oversees member programs that include networking, music industry history, and career management within the industry, among other areas.

The association provides education 365 days per year. One such tool is NAMM U Online, where those interested can access classes and articles on how to get better and better in the business. Similarly, it has sessions focused on teaching everything about music store inventory and using social media to promote the music business and brand marketing.

Another program is TEC TRACKS, where students can learn everything they need to know about mixing and audio engineering directly from prominent producers and artists who share their expertise.

The NAMM Show

The 2027 NAMM Show will take place in four months, specifically, from January 26 to 30 next year. For this upcoming edition, Zach and the rest of the NAMM team have begun to meet into at the organization’s offices a month ago, but the funny thing is that they are already working on the 2028 edition 16 months in advance.

In other words, they are not only preparing for the upcoming show throughout the previous year, but they are also working on the next two trade shows simultaneously. On this subject, Zach stated the following:

“The planning process includes everything from engaging the brands to make the most of, of the show platform, to, you know, building out the education program by, by finding the most talented speakers and thought leaders, and also planning hundreds of events at the NAMM Show. It’s, it’s, it’s… It is more than a year-round effort. it’s a tremendous feat that we do. NAMM staff’s only about 45 people, but we’re working on this year-round because it’s a big event.”

Zach also told us that, from 2027, the Bass Magazine Awards will move to The NAMM Show and be hosted in the Convention Center Arena. NAMM is also collaborating with a group called Backline Talk, which will present its own awards at the show as well.

Obviously live music could not miss. The Bands At NAMM program gives groups and singers the opportunity to submit their applications to the association to be selected to perform during the event. The lineup for next year’s show has not been announced yet, so we will be waiting for those names.

The NAM Show at the Convertion Center — The NAMM Show will be held at The Anaheim Convention Center in 2027

Buena Vista Social Club The Musical is making it on Broadway

Buena Vista Social Club The Musical is a new Broadway musical entirely inspired by real facts that form part of the history of the iconic musical group Buena Vista Social Club, which took the world by storm in the 1990s.

It was inevitable that the ambition of this important chapter of Latin music would result in a tribute that introduces new generations to what this cultural phenomenon represented to so many around the world at the time. This is how was born the idea to create Buena Vista Social Club The Musical, a show that arrives on the stages to represent the events that led to the creation of one of the most iconic orchestras in Cuba and the rest of the continent.

Buena Vista Social Club The Musical's performances — One of the Buena Vista Social Club The Musical’s performances

How Buena Vista Social Club The Musical Begins

This whole story began in 1996 with a recording made at EGREM studios in Havana, Cuba. Such material would end up becoming a global hit, which also resulted in an Oscar-nominated documentary and the rebirth of prominent names in Cuban music who, because of the lapse of time, had been forgotten.

Now, decades later, all those memories evoked by Buena Vista Social Club have finally found a way to return to life through the Cuban-American writer and playwright Marco Ramírez, who based his work on a dual-timeline structure that connects youth, adulthood and old age in the characters.

This project is the product of a desire to translate the spirit of the album created in 1997 to New York’s theatrical language. After hard work by the entire team involved, the play had its world premiere at the Atlantic Theater Company in 2023. At the time, the sale of tickets was extremely successful, and specialized critics praised the blend of live music, storytelling, and Afro-Cuban dance.

After having achieved numerous nominations and theater awards, the production started to make its way to Broadway, consolidating itself as one of the most ambitious Latin shows in New York.

Mel Semé as Ibrahim Ferrer and Natalie Venetia Belcon as Omara Portuondo — Mel Semé as Ibrahim Ferrer (adult version) and Natalie Venetia Belcon as Omara Portuondo (Adult version)

Narrative Structure of the Musical

‘‘Buena Vista Social Club The Musical’’ is set in Havana in the 1950s and Havana in 1996. In the 1950s, the Cuban capital was enjoying its golden era of orchestras, nightclubs, and radio stations prior to Castro’s rise to power. In this period of time, the show includes topics such as youth, love, racism, and cabaret music.

1996 comes next with several veteran musicians who gather in a recording studio in Havana. There, the musical explores themes of forgiveness, reunion, nostalgia, redemption, and the immortality of art.

The story is largely based on the experiences of key figures such as Omara Portuondo, Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Eliades Ochoa, and Rubén González. These experiences were deeply tied to the political and cultural in Cuba underwent through the 1990s.

Repertoire Used in the Musical

One of the most important elements of the musical is its exquisite soundtrack, which accompanies the characters’ most significant moments. Among them is “Chan Chan,” performed by Compay Segundo. This son cubano song serves as the common thread for most of the story, evoking both the land and a journey simultaneously.

Ashley De La Rosa as Omara Portuondo (youth version)

In the case of “Dos Gardenias” by Isolina Carrillo, it was originally a song to tenderness and hope inspired by a student of the pianist who gave her two gardenias as a thank you. In the show, it serves as background music to portray the melancholy of Ibrahim Ferrer’s brilliant performance.

“Veinte Años” by Omara Portuondo reflects the sadness of heartbreak, the nostalgia of fading affection, and the non-existent possibility to revive a past that is left behind forever. Lyrics more than fitting to reflect on the elapsed time and missed opportunities.

For those who want to dance and enjoy, songs such as “Candela” and “El Carretero” let the energy, dance, and percussion take the spotlight on stage.

Recent Changes

Last month, it was reported that American actress with Cuban roots Gina Torres will give life to Omara Portuondo from October 13 to November 29, 2026. The character’s original actress and Tony Award winner, Natalie Venetia Belcon, will be absent during this period due to her participation in the revival of ‘‘In The Heights’’.

For The artist, who is also widely known for her roles in Firefly and Suits, this project has a lot of meaning due to her parents’ origin. Torres noted that the character of Omara Portuondo and the repertoire she will perform represent a direct connection to her roots, her childhood, and the conception of home he learned as a girl.

It is important to mention that the actress not only gives a tremendous display of talent in television drama, but also possesses classical vocal training. She graduated from the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and made her debut in the early 1990s.

With this incorporation, the team involved in Buena Vista Social Club The Musical aims to bring interpretive strength, elegance, stage presence, and dramatic depth to her role as Omara Portuondo.