Instructors

New Orleans, LA native duane Wrenn was born to dance. Learning Salsa as a young adult at the age of 25, duane quickly excelled and now dances as if he as has always known that Cuban blood flows within his veins. President of the successful Energetic Soul Dance Studios in Clawson, MI, duane is a highly recognized Fitness Consultant with a B.S. degree in Exercise Science from the University of New Orleans.

After working as a Personal Trainer to the stars duane has focused on teaching the world about the history, beauty and art of the Cuban dance forms. He now resides in Royal Oak, Michigan where he has put his vast knowledge and experience to use developing several unique classes from dance to aerobics and strength training.

Continuing his extensive research and training within the Cuban dance forms, duane has created a unique and effective dance program to teach the foundations of modern Salsa. The style of dancing duane teaches has its roots in Cuban Dance froms.

duane created a Salsa aerobic class with an accompanying video aptly named Energetic Salsa™. He is also the creator of Soul°sa™, which combines linear and circular styles of Salsa dancing.

This is what duane refers to as "Mi receta y mi sazon" or "My recipe and my seasoning." duane strives to spread his passion for Afro-Cuban Salsa (Casino) style dancing and its roots. His background ranges from Folkloric to Popular dances such as: Dances of the Orisha, Afro Cuban Rumba, Danzón, Son, Mambo, Cha cha cha', Casino, Rueda de Casino, Capoiera and Break Dancing.

Mike and Simona:

From Portland to Philadelphia, to Honolulu to Houston - Mike and Simona are spreading their love of Casino Salsa. Rumbanana's fearless leaders ... it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. With decades of teaching, performing, and partying experience - these two lead the team in a whirl of mayhem around the world.

They started Rumbanana Salsa Group in January 2000 as a way to promote Cuban Salsa dancing in the Pacific Northwest. Both have been dancing, performing, choreographing and teaching Salsa for more than 12 years. Their focus for the past 8 years has been Casino Style Salsa. By carefully studying Cuban dancers, as well as key dancers from Miami, Mike and Simona have brought true Casino Salsa to hundreds of people around the world.

Rumbanana Salsa Group makes its home in Corvallis, Oregon. It's our headquarters for all the wild mayhem we get into. We promote Cuban music and dance by shaking our a#$es off all over the world. Seriously, we love Cuban Salsa (Casino), Rueda de Casino and are totally addicted to Timba. UNA BULLA!

Background: Rumbanana officially launched in Corvallis in the winter of 2005 after living and partying in Eugene, Oregon for several years.

Members: We're about 20 to 30 in number (depending if it's field season ... we miss ya Randy; or travel-the-world season... we miss ya Jeff). And we have a ton of honorary members around the world who have earned Rumbanana status with their wild antics, partying and getting banned from amusement parks.

About Nick:

For over 14 years, Nick was a martial arts and movement instructor. Partner dancing and Salsa were a natural progression. For the past 10 years, Nick has been teaching Salsa and in particular, Cuban style Salsa, bringing to it his existing concepts of connection, balance, and fluidity.

Nick combines decades of Cuban tradition with modern movement concepts of space, timing, and flow.

Presently, he teaches club-style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, cha cha cha, son, and several martial arts. Most recently, Nick returned from intensive study with Yanek Revilla in Santiago de Cuba.

Nick has trained and taught all over the U.S., including extended periods in Miami, New York, and Texas. He has also taught in Hawaii and Caracas and throughout California. He has taught at numerous salsa congresses, festivals and cruises and is the co-star of "The Quick And Dirty Guide To Salsa, vol. 4". Nick teaches Casino and Rueda de Casino classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond at festivals and events across the Americas.

Nick is the co-director of Salsa Vale Todo and the co-producer of the SF Salsa Rueda Festival.

About Serena:

Serena is co-director of Salsa Vale Todo and Rueda Vale Todo.
She has been trained in many styles of dance including ballet, tap, Afro-Haitian, and Afro-Brazilian. Serena has studied from master instructors in New York, Brazil, Los Angeles, Miami, Cuba, and San Francisco. Most recently she has returned from intensive study with Yanek Revilla in Santiago de Cuba.

Currently she performs in local samba dance companies and with Salsa Vale Todo. Serena teaches regular Casino and Rueda de Casino classes in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond at festivals and events across the Americas.

She is continuing her studies of the roots of Cuban Salsa including Son, Danzon, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, and Afro-Cuban Folkloric dances. Serena is the co-producer of the SF Bay Area Salsa Rueda Festival.

Damon Webber is the founder of Rueda4fun.com and the director of Casineros que Son Son.

Salsa is a huge part of his Panamanian culture. He learned to dance salsa "freestyle" with his grandparents and family friends at an early age while listening to old school soneros like Angel Canales, Bobby Valentin, Ismael Rivera and many others. In 1997 he was introduced to rueda de casino by his then girlfriend who is now his wife.

His first instructor was Tomas Montero who taught him that rueda is and should always be fun! Damon danced with Tomas for the next couple of years until he was no longer able to teach the class. In 1999 Grupo Ban RRA RRA of Santiago Cuba began touring the US and thanks to Kay Torres he was fortunate to continue his training with Ban RRA RRA via group and private lessons. This continued from 1999 into the early years of the new millennium. During their absence he continued to train under David Lennamen who we call "El Padrino de Casino" for his understanding of the culture of rueda as it is in Cuba.

Damon began teaching rueda de casino formally in 2004 in West LA. He continues to share his knowledge of salsa, rueda de casino and their cultures, with his students and the great people he instructs at workshops.

Damon continues his casino education by exchanging information with many of the excellent Casino instructors that will be teaching in Atlanta. Currently Damon continues to direct Casineros que Son Son, is in his third year of dental school at UCLA and he and his wife are proud parents of their two year old daughter.

Español:

Comienzan con el movimiento de la salsa casino en 1999, luego fundó una escuela de salsa casino exclusivo y ritmos latinos. Varios años más tarde tomar la decisión de ampliar sus horizontes en la enseñanza de la danza y la decisión de cambiar de una escuela de salsa a una escuela integral de entonces surge un nuevo y ambicioso proyecto, el Centro Integral de Danza, la escuela dedicada a recopilar tantos estilos de la danza una lugar. Enseñamos salsa estilo cubano, LA, new York, jazz, flamenco, belidance, ritmos tradicionales, afrocubano, ballet,tango entre otros. También somos promotores de la salsa casino más respetados del movimiento en Venezuela, y los productores de la mayor competición de Venezuela. Festival de Salsa

English

They start with the casino salsa movement in 1999, then founded a school of exclusive casino salsa and Latin rhythms. Several years later decide to expand their horizons in dance education and the decision to switch from one school to a comprehensive school salsa then comes an ambitious new project, the Integral Center of Dance, the school dedicated to collect as many styles of dance a place. We teach salsa Cuban, LA and New York style, jazz, flamenco, belidance, traditional rhythms, Afro-Cuban, ballet, tango and others. We are also promoters of the most respected casino salsa movement in Venezuela, and the most competitive producers in Venezuela. Festival de Salsa Casino.

Marianela "Malita" Belloso was born on December 30, 1975, in Caracas, Venezuela, and has been dancing flamenco for over twenty five years. She started dancing flamenco when she was only six years old, and by the time she was nine she was already performing on television and in major flamenco stage productions with Siudy Quintero Dance Academy – the largest flamenco dance academy in Venezuela. Along with her extensive flamenco training, Malita has also studied tap dancing for nine years, and performed with Salsatlanta, a professional salsa dancing troupe, for five years. Malita brought her dancing skills to Atlanta in 2000, where she met flamenco guitarist Farzan Kendrick and formed the flamenco performance company Caló Gitano. Since that time, Malita has become well known for her energetic, fun, passionate, authentic, and skillful performances that transport audiences straight into the cultural heart of Spain.

Malita's ability to mesmerize audiences comes not only from her inherent "duende," but also from her acquired knowledge of flamenco and her ability as an educator to convey that knowledge and the beauty of the dance to others. Besides being a highly trained dancer, Malita is also a certified school teacher with a Master's Degree in Spanish Culture and History. Malita obtained her Master's Degree in Salamanca, Spain, in 2005, where she continued to dance flamenco even while she was earning her degree. With her skills as a dancer, knowledge of flamenco and its cultural roots, and experience as a professional educator, Malita brings the same passion, fun, authenticity, and dedication to her flamenco classes that she brings to her flamenco performances.

Ricardo's specialty is teaching beginning and intermediate students solid basics and thereby deepening their dancing experience. He does this by enhancing what they already know by developing the ability to dance comfortably on various counts by listening to the music, understanding the rhythm, and keeping time to partnership dance with confidence, sensuality and "old school" elegance.

Ricardo Hayes, born in Philadelphia and raised in California, and Beatriz Golden-Hayes, originally from New York, met while attending a dance class in Northern California in 1989. They enjoyed dancing together so much, they decided they wanted to keep dancing together forever. Their eclectic mix of Latin American dancing incorporates styles borrowed from New York, Puerto Rico and Cuba and blends elements of Son, Rumba, Bolero and Cha-Cha-Cha in their repertoire. They also teach Danzón, the national dance of Cuba, Danzón-Cha and Danzón as danced in Mexico.

They performed with the Ava Apple Dance Company of San Francisco and were among the dancers featured in a video for the singer, Linda Ronstadt. Ricardo Hayes has been teaching Danzón, Son, Salsa, Cha Cha Cha and Merengue over a 20 year span and Beatriz has co-taught and assisted him over that period. They have taught at various venues in The San Francisco Bay area as well as in Atlanta such as the YWCA in Virginia Highlands, the Decatur School of Ballet, Several Dancers Core, The Sanctuary Night Club, Michon's dinner and dance restaurant, Morehouse College, Georgia State University, and various high schools to name a few. They also have given private and group lessons as well as demonstrated their smooth style of dance at numerous private parties and dances in the Atlanta area.

Their list of performance credits are long and varied and include such venues as: TV Channel 20, TV Channel 25, Hayward Local Channel 3, Annual San Francisco Carnival, Latin Festival of Atlanta, Atlanta Arts Festival, 1996 Para-Olympics Games Closing Ceremony and the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education. Ricardo traveled to Cuba in 1998 where he studied with dance and drumming maestros Vocal Baobab. He also studied Danzón and Danzón-Cha under the tutelage of the Habanero Cuban maestro and musician, Roberto Borrell, in The San Francisco Bay Area as well as other teachers in La Habana, Cuba. Ricardo and Beatriz are avid fans of the history of Cuban music and dance, and their enthusiasm for the authenticity of Latin dancing is infectious.

About Christopher Rogicki

Christopher Rogicki was born in NJ and started dancing at age 10.
During college, he was first exposed to Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino, Timba and Son, studying with prominent Casino schools and teachers in the US and abroad, from Miami, Havana and Santiago de Cuba to Washington D.C., California, Spain, and Switzerland.

During his senior year, Chris directed MEZCLA, the Latino Performing Arts group at Brown University, which taught and performed at various venues, expos, and televised events throughout New England.

Upon returning back to the Tri-State area for grad school at Columbia University, Chris pursued a degree in Linguistics with a specialization in teaching and how adults learn. Combining an extensive pedagogical background with his love for Cuban music and dance, Chris has designed and implemented an extensively progressive Rueda de Casino curriculum at Salsa International, NYC's premier Latin school of dance which specializes in all styles of Salsa. There, he is the director of the Cuban program, teaching four different levels of Casino/Rueda and occasional workshops on shines/body movement, partner work technique, and Salsa Triples.

Proficient in leading and following both Cuban and Miami-styles, he is responsible for teaching and spreading a unique fusion of universal, core-Casino moves which enable his students to develop a well-rounded knowledge and appreciation of the music and dance. Known for his unique style of choreography and really pushing the limits, Chris is also the founder and director of ¡Fuákata!, currently the only Rueda performance group in the Tri-State area.

About Evelyn Ramirez

Born to Cuban and Puerto Rican parents in NYC, Evelyn has been dancing Salsa for many years. She has most recently studied Cuban Salsa with Chris at Salsa International for two years, and is considered to be one of his most advanced leaders. She has also danced in Salsa International's performance group, Fuákata, and currently collaborates with Chris on performances. Evelyn continues to teach Rueda, Cuban-style partner work, and Bachata footwork throughout the US, most notably in New York City, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Puerto Rico, and California. While Evelyn enjoys teaching and performing, her main passion lies in dancing Salsa socially.

Sheila Sampath has been teaching and promoting Salsa in Atlanta for 10years. The pioneer of bring "Salsa Socials" to life in Atlanta, she has the longest running social for almost 8 years now which runs on the principle of bringing people together in dance and comraderie. She also founded the 1st on2 dance school and student performance team which resulted soon in widespread awareness of New York Style on2 . She continues to pursues Salsa as a serious passion currently running her Socials and teaching at a local Salsa nightclub.

Sheila works full-time for a Healthcare IT company with her strong suit in Operations. She holds a Bachelors in Business Administration and Masters in Health Services Administration and is pursuing her Doctorate in Health Policy. She teaches Adjunct in the Health Management School for a local University.

Sheila has been exposed to music her whole life beginning with classical Indian instruments, dance and most recently classical Indian voice. Her passion for music comes from a family of musicians. Her unique blend of east meets west shows in her style on the social dance floor and her past performance team body movement and interpretation of music.

Her workshops are normally tailored to including simple movements that allow both men and women to "play" with the music no matter what style of Salsa is being danced. She also teaches club style patterns and shines on1 and on2 with these movements. Her focus is for the dancer at any level to remember that dancing is one's expression of the music vs. simply dancing moves…..her favorite quote is from Mario B (Salsa Fever on2-New Jersey)……."Do NOT move 2 the Music…Let the Music Move U"

Natives of Jefferson City, MO and Lawton, OK respectively, Steve and Renate share a home in the Greater Atlanta area. Both enjoy full-time employment with a major insurance company – Renate having over 30 years with the company and Steve with 4 years tenure. Prior to his arrival in Atlanta, Steve spent 13 years active duty in the United States Army, serving as a Human Resource Officer in various command and staff positions. Renate is a graduate of Southern Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Business Administration. Graduating with honors with B.B.A (Accounting) and M.B.A degrees from Texas Christian University (TCU) in Ft. Worth, TX, Steve was also a Distinguished Military Graduate at TCU and received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from TCU's Army ROTC program.

What Renate and Steve truly enjoy is what they do outside their full-time jobs. Both of them have been active as Group Fitness (GF) Instructors for over 10 years. Renate and Steve have distinguished backgrounds not only as GF instructors but also in athletics. Renate has won several awards in running and triathlons while Steve excelled at the national and international level in swimming, running, and triathlons since age 12. Both met while located in Columbia, SC, serving as GF instructors at the Ft. Jackson fitness facility. Upon hearing Salsa for the first time, both were instantly drawn to the dance, music and Latin culture. For the next 10 years, Renate and Steve acquired the dance skills informally at numerous Latin dance venues, congresses and social events. As luck would have it, their paths led them concurrently to Atlanta and introduction to Julian Mejia, SALSAtlanta and the world of Casino and Afro-Cuban dancing. Julian's passion, enthusiasm and personality and the spirit of dance company was immediately contagious -- Renate and Steve just could not go a week without attending the Sunday lessons and dancing with fellow SALSAtlanta's students at many of the local salsa venues. Thanks to Julian's tutelage and guidance, Renate and Steve are now instructors and performers with SALSAtlanta. If this isn't enough to keep them busy, both still continue their passion as GF instructors. Renate is the GF Assistant Department Head and Master Instructor with Life Time Fitness. Steve enjoys serving as a GF instructor at Life Time Fitness and LA Fitness.

I graduated from Georgia State University in 2003 with a BA in Business Mgt.

Soon after, I met someone name Julián Mejía at Tongue and Groove in Buckhead at his regular Wendsday Class, I started my course the following Sunday and the rest is history. I was addicted to Casino since day one.

I have been apart of SALSAtlanta since October 2003 and have not regretted one day of it.

I have traveled the world seeking professional instruction from some of the top Cuban dancer in the world...

The knowledge I have learned I pass on to anyone who is interested in learning and becoming a better overall dancer, someone who dances to the music, who loves the music.

I won first place in the 2007 Vancouver singles contest and second in the 2007 Miami Salsa Singles Competition. I hope to continue learning in the different Cuban rhythms so I can enhance my abilities thus pass it on to others....

Director of SALSAtlanta in Buford, Georgia, born and raised by cuban-chinese parents. Since he was a teenager in Miami he has been a fan of Latin music and dance. When he became involved with Salsa Lovers Dance Studios in Miami in 1996, he went from observer, to instructor, and finally performer and choreographer with his first steps in Rueda-Casino style salsa.

Michael, also known in the latin music community as "chino-casino", began to perform and compete in some of Miami?s most popular night clubs like Club Mystique, Bermuda Bar, Bongo's, and Palladium. He also performed on such popular latin television programs like "Caliente" and "Sabado Gigante" for Univision.

He danced on television and live on stage for world known artists like Oscar De Leon, Celia Cruz, El Gran Combo, Frankie Negron, Tito Rojas, Willy Chirino, Grupo Niche, Victor Manuelle, and Los Adolecentes.

He has choreographed and performed on stage at several festivals for Budweiser and Presidente including the annual world know festival Calle Ocho.

He was also involved in organizing the "Worlds Largest Rueda" in downtown Miami where more than an estimated 800 people gathered to dance a rueda on Biscayne Blvd.

He has also performed in many Salsa Congress and taught workshops to thousands in Miami.

Julián Mejía, born in Manizales Colombia. Started to dance salsa at the age of 17. His interest in Cuban music started at age 9 and since then, Cuban, Classical and classic Rock have been his passion.

Julián moved to Miami in 1995 and soon after started learning Casino with Ramani Nicola (Salsa-Casino Dance Studios) and Henry Herrera (Verdaderos Reyes de la Salsa Dance Studios).

During his time in Miami, Julian traveled to Cuba as he was interested in learning more about the culture and the music of the island.

In 1999, Julián moved to Atlanta and under the name of SALSAtlanta, started the only Casino school and Casino performance group in Georgia. More than 6,000 students have passed through his classes in Atlanta and Athens, Georgia.

Julián also conducts salsa classes in different clubs in the greater Atlanta area. Julián has contributed to spreading the Casino style in Atlanta and beyond by conducting workshops in different cities around North and South America.

In 2007 was recognized during the 6th Annual International Salsa Congress in Miami by the school Salsa Lovers with the "Alex Award" for his contribution to the world of Latin Dance.

He also helps spread the salsa with his website, SalsaCasino.com, and is co-founder of SalsaPower.com, SalsaSpaces.com and webmaster of LatinCoolNOW.com.