Web site designed and managed by Zeanie Yoon

Star VIPs

PARTIAL LIST - This List is Never Up-To-Date.
Please Visit Back for Updates.

Angela J. Quiroz
Riverside, California, U.S.A.

Director of Danzanna Productions.

Angie has been dancing for 24 years and teaching and choreographing for 12 years. She was trained by some of the best teacher’s. She started at Debra Kaye Dance Studio under the direction of Debra Kaye. She went on training with Johnnie Smith, Joe Tramaine, Kalvin Latimere, Terry Russel, Jackie Sleight, Eddie Garcia, and Christopher Jones from the hit movie, “You got served”, just to name a few. She has won numerous awards as well as her competitive teams. She was a Cheerleader all four years of High school and was a Cheer coach for Poly High School and Loma Vista Middle School in Riverside, CA. She started dancing salsa in 2001. She was trained by Jo Quinones, Jose Santoyo, Alfredo Figueroa, and Gloria Otero. She took 3rd place in the professional category of the 2003 mayan world salsa competition and took 1st place at numerous local competitions including jack and jill competitions as well. She became known for her creative choreography. She is currently the Director of Danzanna Productions, specializing in Salsa, Cha-Cha, Merengue, and Bachata.

Quiroz has been attending Salsa Extravaganza last 5 years, and we are proud to feature her as one of the main instructors of the event this year.

Camile Yannantuono
"Michael & Camille" of "Positive Energy Dance Company"
San Diego, California, U.S.A.

Co-director of Positive Energy Dance Company.

Camille Yannantuono started training in gymnastic when she was 9 years old, competing for the Girls Club in Santa Barbara Ca. It wasn't until her last year in high school when she joined a Lindy Hop team, called the Swing Kids. After graduating high school she spent 1 year as a college cheerleader and than headed out to join the Marine Corps, it wasn't until her last year in the Marines in 2001 that Camille was introduced to Salsa. Her first night out dancing at the La Jolla Marriot in San Diego, Camille meet her partner Michael Saltus, the very next day they decided to start practicing. After 3 months they entered their first amateur competition and won 1st place. Camille and Michael premiered in the show "Soul Train", dancing Salsa to hip hop. After 4 years of dancing together, they started their team "Positive Energy" in Jan of 2005. They decided to make it a dance company to allow for their love of fusion dancing- Currently they have a Salsa/Argentine Tango, Salsa/Waltz and currently they are working on a Salsa/West Coast swing routine.

Carmen Bambaren
Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S.A.

Director of Ritmo y Sabor.

Detailed bio coming soon on this confirmed staff.

Christina Haggerty
"Mike & Christina" - Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Mike has been dancing in the Los Angeles salsa scene since 1992. Christina's love for salsa brought her to Los Angeles in the year 2000. Mike and Christina met each other in Salsa In The Mix dance group where they traveled and performed for 5 years. These two choreograph dynamic dance numbers that combine many music and dance styles with lively salsa music and choreography. Their styles range from mysterious heavily themed routines such as Vogue (Salsa in the Mix), to more traditional salsa and Cha Cha Cha routines. All their shows captivate the audience with hair-raising tricks, lifts, dips and turn combinations.

Their hard work and dedication have paid off with performances in television & films; most recently seen on the CBS series "CANE." They love to travel to Salsa festivals, professional competitions and events all over the United States and abroad; their latest tour was to The Philippines, Thailand, and Australia. Currently, they keep busy performing and teaching in and out of Los Angeles to share their knowledge and spread their passion for music and dance.

Salsa Extravaganza is proud to present Christina and Mike every year at both Summer and New Year's Salsa Extravaganza.

Cindy Roberts
Steppin' Out Dance Studio
Riverside, California, U.S.A.

Detailed bio coming soon on this confirmed staff.

Damon Webber
Rueda4Fun
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Founder/Director of Rueda4fun.com.

Detailed bio coming soon on this confirmed staff.

Duane Wrenn & Maribel Vasquez
Energetic Soul
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

New Orleans, LA native Duane Wrenn was born to dance. Learning Salsa at 26 years young, duane excelled quickly and now dances as if he has always known Cuban blood flowed in his veins. President of the successful Energetic Soul Studios in Clawson, MI. Duane has a B.S. degree in Exercise Science and is a highly accredited Fitness Consultant. After working as a Personal Trainer to the stars duane has focused mainly on developing his unique dancing style. He now resides in Detroit, Michigan. Over the last six years Duane has put his knowledge and experience to use developing several unique classes from dance to aerobic and strength. With over 500 special appearances both locally and abroad his experience and track record speaks for itself.

Duane created a Salsa aerobic class with an accompanying video aptly named Energetic Salsa™. This basic video teaches its viewers 7 main variations of the basic salsa steps. Duane is also the creator of Energetic Soul°sa™ where he combines linear and circular styles of Salsa dancing. This is what duane refers to as "Mi receta y Mi Sazon."

Since the Energetic Salsa Video Duane has produced three more instructional DVD's. Soul*sa Adapt-Ability part I and II, and Con Alma I. For more information click on any DVD title in products section. Duane is considered one of the top instructors of Afro-Cuban Salsa (Casino) style dancing in the Midwest . His background ranges from Cuban Rumba, Son, Capoeira, and Break dancing. Duane specializes in Casino style dancing with an Energetic Soul*sa Twist.

Esteban Conde
Newport Beach, California, U.S.A.

Esteban Conde is a full time Professional Dance Instructor certified by DVIDA, a professional teacher organization governed by The National Dance Council of America (NDCA). Both nationally and internationally, Esteban is recognized in the social Latin scene as one of the best dancers/instructors for his originality and style characterized by his display of fast and fluid footwork that accents his strong and smooth upper body movement and projections. He is well known for his assertive and smooth lead as well as originality of moves.

Born in Argentina, Esteban has been social dancing in the Latin scene for the last 8 years where he has provided instruction in many of the major Latin Dance venues, namely in Utah and California, for the last 5 years. He has choreographed and been featured in many dance productions for social, private, and community events due to his knowledge and expertise in dances such as Salsa, Cha-cha, Social Latin Dance, Argentine Tango, Waltz, American Tango, Swing, Rumba, and Hustle to name a few.

Esteban divides his time traveled to teach, perform and judge in many cities of the nation like Houston (TX), New York (NY), Salt Lake City (UT), Las Vegas (NV), San Francisco (CA), Sand Diego (CA), and Denver (CO), to name a few. He has performed and conducted group classes for many large companies such as Orbit Medical, Noni International, and Boeing. In the competition circuit, a list of Esteban's titles and appearances can be viewed on his at his website.

In 2003, Esteban was the main choreographer and dancer for the movie, "Señor Iglesias". Since then, Esteban has appeared a lead dancer for channels like Univision, Telemundo, and CBS. His involvement in television and film continues to expand through his appearances in various dance production, show, and instructional DVDs. Currently, Esteban is shooting and choreographing his own series of instructional dance DVDs

He currently teaches in the area of Orange County, California. For more information, visit him at www.estebanconde.com.

Espie Hernandez
Langua Rhythm
Orange County, California, U.S.A.

Espie Hernandez brings with her eight years of experience in the dance industry. She is an NDCA certified dance instructor as well as a director, choreographer, competitor and performer. She is the owner/director of Rumba Rica Dance Company and is a sought after instructor and performer having taught worldwide and performed with many recognized artists such as, Michael Jackson, The Buena Vista Social Club and Eddie Santiago. She is internationally recognized as one of the best female dancers and instructors in the world.

In June 2008, the title of Dance Studio Owner can be added to Espie’s many accomplishments. LRDS became the 1st dance studio in the entire city of Laguna Hills. Espie's dance classes are characterized for combining technical facts in a very fun environment. Her classes range from Salsa on 1 and on 2, Cumbia, Merengue, Cha-Cha, Bachata, Argentine Tango, American and Cuban Rumba, American Rhythm and American Smooth, Swing among others.

To this date, Espie continues to perform throughout the United States, teaching classes at international and national events. As fance continues to grow in Orange County and the world, we are bound to continue to see Espie accomplish great things.

Francisco Martinez
Pasadena, California, U.S.A.

Co-owner of the Dance Family Studio in Pasadena.

Since 1996, Francisco and Stacey Martinez have been training teachers who now travel the world with successful, lucrative careers teaching dance. With this ability to create "stars," they are now adding the demanding and challenging DVIDA curriculum to their already proven, highly successful teacher training program.

In the dancing world, Francisco and Stacey are most well known as the creators of the video series, The 2-Left Footer's Guide to Dancing Salsa.

Stacey Classically trained in ballet, jazz and tap and later Latin and Ballroom dances, Stacey's commercial television career started young, being featured in national commercials, television shows, and as Miss Teen California USA. She is most well recognized in as a child actress in McDonalds commercials and a regular on American Bandstand.

Francisco came to Los Angeles as a Ballroom instructor and established a career in Los Angeles stage productions including ""Fiesta Tango," "America, America" and "Rumba." He continues being featured in multiple commercials and music videos including Placido Domingo, Dwight Yokum, and in the film "Haunted Mansion".

As a couple Francisco and Stacey have traveled Europe and North America in celebrity events performing in commercials, film and television with highlights at their hometown Hollywood Palladium, and live on stage at the Hollywood Bowl opening for Earth Wind & Fire.

As evidenced by the instructors and students coming from their studio, their true love is to teach dance. Their practical and personable teaching style is carried out daily in The Dance Family Studio through their personally trained instruction staff who add the "personalized" element while continuing to far surpass industry standards in teaching dance. Join us!

Jack Berard
Bakersfield, California, U.S.A.

Detailed bio coming soon on this confirmed staff.

Jay Byam
Ventura, California, U.S.A.

Owner and founder of People Who Dance.

Studied music and dance at CSUH, Jay is a GSTA certified dance instructor and a UCWDC certified judge. He has been in music and dance for 20 years.

Jay teaches classes from San Diego to Atlanta, Georgia and to Calgary, Canada. He also enjoys teaching special workshops in Swing, Two-Step, Salsa, West Coast Swing, Lindy, and Jitter Bug. He is also well known for his classes that are essential to dancers: Timing, Rhythm & Phrasing, Teachers Training, and Lead & Follow Technique classes.

In 1992 Jay created New Year's Swing Dance Championships Dance Camp & Summer Dance Camp. Jay is currently the director and owner of both the Summer Dance Camp & New Years Dance Camp and New Years Salsa Extravaganza. In October of 2000 Jay was the Coordinator for the Northwest Regional Swing Dance Championships and in Oct 2002 & 2003 in Spokane. In May 2003 Jay co-hosted the Instructors Training Seminars at the Los Angeles Salsa Congress.

Jay is the director and choreographer for the “SWINGMEISTERS” Swing & Salsa dance team. Through his school of dance, Jay has been teaching Swing and Salsa in Ventura County and supported dancers around the world.

In his spare time Jay enjoys tuna and marlin fishing and free diving off his small boat just off shore from his home in Ventura and in Baja. So if ya wanna catch some great fish or just fun in the sun, call Jay.

Jesse "Chuy" Rodriguez
Oxnard, California, USA

Director of Salsa Caliente

Detailed bio coming soon on this confirmed staff.

Jerry Gabaldon
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Master of Cermony. Director of Phayz Dance Company.

Detailed bio coming soon on this confirmed staff.

John Narvaez
"Liz Rojas & John Narvaez" of Salsa Mania
San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

Co-Director and Co-Founder of Salsa Mania. Co-Director of Son Mania.

Born and raised in Colombia, Narvaez and Rojas have been dancing all their lives at social and family gatherings. Now they are full time dance instructors and dancers who travel all over the world sharing their passion, love, and knowledge for salsa. In 1998 they competed for the first time, where they placed 1st. In 1999 they competed in different bay area salsa competitions where they were placed either 1st or 2nd. Through their dance company and competitions, they proved their creditbility as dancers and teachers in the San Francisco Salsa community. One of the local contests were the MTV Telemundo Salsa competition, where they bagged the first prize. In 2001, John and Liz took along with them the top spot at one of the popular local professional Salsa competitions at Alberto's Night Club.

One of their accompanishment is the Salsa Mania Dance Company. "We can express ourselves on the dance floor," said John and Liz. "Salsa is a way that we actually have a sense of peace."

Jose Chavarria
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Director of Magic Mambo Dance Company.

Jose Chavarria was born in Mexico City in 1985 and relocated to Los Angeles, CA in 2002. shortly after, he was invited to a salsa night club where he immediately became interested in the dance. Jose's natural talent combined with his latin soul and heart enabled him to become one of the best dancers in Southern California today.

In 2006 he joined the Annual Mayan Competition and won 1st place in the amateur division. Soon after he joined several dance companies, However he soon realized that with his talent and unique dance style he could better express himself through his own dance company and decided to create Magic Mambo Dance Company. Magic Mambo quickly became very well recognized for their creative style and energetic dance routines. Magic Mambo has performed in many salsa congresses, events and night clubs all over the states.

The following year Jose competed against the best dancers in L.A in the professional division at the Mayan 2007 competition, Jose came in 2nd place. The same year Jose Chavarria y su Magic Mambo entered the Annual Mayan Team Competition. After lots of hard work Jose Chavarria and Magic Mambo created a very entertaining routine that involved a scene from the just released new movie "El Cantante" featuring Hector Lavoe. This routine and their hard work and dedication got them the 1st place prize.

Throughout all of this Jose Chavarria has also performed in many festivals as well as theatre and TV shows.

Currently Jose Chavarria is dedicated to his team Magic Mambo and teaching people his unique style.

Jose Chavarria’s future ambitions include traveling around the world to make Magic Mambo a worldwide recognized dance company.

Johnny Vargas
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Director of La Cosa Nuestra

Detailed bio coming soon on this confirmed staff.

Liz Rojas
Liz Rojas & John Narvaez
San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

Co-Director and Co-Founder of Salsa Mania. Co-Director of Son Mania.

SEE JOHN NARVAEZ

Marcelo Rivero
Tustin, California, U.S.A.

For 14 years of dancing salsa and having no formal dance training prior, Marcelo knows how to take an average Joe or Jane with a passion to learn, with no dance background, to being able to dance on there own confidently and on a new level of fun not experienced before.

Marcelo started out by reluctantly taking one very basic lesson in 1992 and initially learning from a couple of top salsa instructors, then a lot of trial and error and ongoing research, Marcelo got the attention of others and was repeatedly asked if he taught. He began teaching just 2 years later and it led to opening his own salsa studio in 1997.

He's competed in several competitions never placing below 3rd place in prestigious clubs such as The 720 club in Chicago, The Conga Room in Los Angeles, Sportsman's Lodge in Studio City and Music City in Orange County. He's worked on a movie set with Denzel Washington for a salsa dance scene in the movie "Antoine Fisher" and on a t.v. set with Salma Hayek for a salsa scene in "Ugly Betty." Despite that, Marcelo chooses to stay local and continues to dance socially today.

Marcelo says: "Not every good salsa dancer is a good instructor and not every good instructor is a good salsa dancer." And, he guarantees to give you an effective experience of this dance while
growing yourself personally whether you have "able feet" or "two left feet."!

Michael Saltus
"Michael & Camille" of "Positive Energy Dance Company"
San Diego, California, U.S.A.

Co-director of Positive Energy Dance Company.

Detailed bio coming soon on this confirmed staff.

BIO

VICTORIA-HADAR HAREL (MSc) Dance Instructor, Choreographer, Performer
Specializes for more then 18 years the world of Latin dance, Victoria-Hadar Learned with top dance teachers in Europe and Cuba including with the Cuban national dance company Ban Rra Rra. She participated in international Salsa events and Salsa congresses around the globe and taught international workshops in Europe, Canada and around the USA from NY to San Francisco and Alaska where she was invited to teach two major workshops both in Anchorage University and Fairbanks University.
Together with her dance partner, a former performer at the famous club Tropicana in Havana/Cuba, Victoria taught in the Norwegian International Salsa Congress, where they were the only US instructors chosen to teach the Cuban style Salsa (Casino and Rueda de Casino).
Currently Victoria-Hadar is teaching at “You Should Be Dancing” Dance Center in Manhattan, NY, where students love her entertaining and considering teaching style and their own fast learning. With her Casino and Rueda de Casino students group Victoria-Hadar performed for the last Eight years in National and Local events such as in an NBA game and the Hispanic day both in Washington DC, Lincoln Center for the performing arts, Havana Film Festival NY Gala, WB11 Hispanic Parade, Chelsea Piers, Chelsea Market, the Lower East side Festival, Club Copacabana and Club SOB’s all in NYC, the Re-Opening of Philadelphia’s main library in PA, at the “Hoboken Arts and Music festival” and the Celebration of Cuban Independence day in NJ and in the biggest Cuban yearly event of the north Atlantic region – “the Mamoncillo”.

Mike Eskeldon
"Mike & Simona"
Corvallis, Oregon, U.S.A.

Co-director of Rumbanana Salsa Group.

From Portland to Philadelphia, to Honolulu to Houston - Mike and Simona are spreading their love of Casino Salsa.

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.

Their teaching ranges from small classes to 100+ people workshops. Not only are their workshops and classes filled with meaningful information, but they also make it fun and exciting to learn.

Teaching venues have included their own classes in the Northwest, as well as workshops at national events, such as the Houston Salsa Congress, Palm Springs Salsa Congress, Chicago International Salsa Congress, Salsa Rueda Competition in Vancouver, BC, Philadelphia Salsa Congress, Honolulu Salsathon, Cubamemucho Munich, Germany, San Francisco Salsa Rueda Congress and many others.

Check out VIDEOS of their group and their dancing at www.youtube.com/rumbananagroup

Salsa Extravaganza is proud to have Mike and Simona as our Rueda Congress advisor, instructors, and performers!

Mike Ticas
"Christina & Mike"
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

See Christina Haggerty.

Rodney Aquino
"Rodchata"
San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

Director of Rodchata & Salsa Gang.

Rodney “Rodchata” Aquino is a Latin Dance instructor, writer and lecturer in the United States. Solely responsible for popularizing bachata dance in San Francisco Bay Area, RODCHATA, as bachateros intimately calls him, has been in the Latin Dance scene for over 14 years and is considered one of the foremost authority in salsa and bachata dance. A certified instructor, his dance background includes Latin International Ballroom, salsa (on1, on2 mambo, and Cuban son, Casino), chachacha, merengue and bachata. His 1st encounter of the bachata dance was in the East Coast in the 90’s. He embarked himself into dancing and teaching bachata and concentrated in studying the culture ever since.

He is the founder of numerous popular dance websites; Salsagang.com, iBachata.com, BachataNews.com, Rodchata.com, iTimba.com and CEO of Rodchata Enterprises, LLC. Since creating Salsagang, he had the opportunity to teach the Latin Dance at big events all over the world He also teaches regular bachata and salsa classes all over the Bay Area and is constantly sought for teaching Latin Dance workshops in United States as well as overseas.

He has written numerous dance articles including Bachata Innovation, Bachata Is Not Grinding, Pseudo Instructors and others. You can search his articles with the exact titles or search under “Rodchata Articles.”

Aside from being a gifted teacher, Rodchata has MA in Psychology and pursuing his Phd in Cognition, Brain and Behaviour. He is a certified Personal Fitness Trainer and holds 4th Degree Black Belt in the Martial Arts. His experience in the Martial Arts for 20 years and his background in Fitness Training plays a vital role on his effectiveness as a dance teacher.

Rogelio Moreno
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Director of Salsabor Y Caché.

Rogelio, born in Chicago Illinois, lived most of his life in Guadalajara, Mexico before relocating with his family to Los Angeles. As a young boy he spent much of his time with his grandmother, a professional dancer, from whom he inherited his grace and facility for Latin dancing. Throughout his teens his practices were very strict and professional. Rogelio became a very active participant in many athletic sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer and boxing but he maintained his love for dance by frequenting the Latin clubs.

The seed of his passion for dance was planted in him the day he was born and has only continued to flourish since then. He went from dancing his own steps at family parties at the age of three, to learning the structure of dances such as salsa, cha-cha, merengue, mambo, bolero, quebradita, punta and the Mexican waltz from his grandmother, to dancing his own steps once again; but this time, with the knowledge and adeptness to combine his god-given, natural talent with the predefined form and technique, which has thus created his unique and elegant style for which he is well known in all parts of the world. Rogelio has 9 years experience teaching, his captivating style has harnessed the attention of everyone from Japanese event coordinators to Hollywood producers and directors.

It has awarded him with appearances on various television shows such as: "NYPD Blue", "Hola Los Angeles", and "Buenos Dias". He has choreographed as well as been featured in several commercials and he has also been a featured dancer in numerous feature films like: "Dance With Me", "Budy Faro" and "Looking for Lola". His superior talent has bestowed on him numerous trophies from dance competitions, and has given him the opportunity to travel to beautiful and exotic places all over the world to share with others the radiance and passion that emanate from these sensuous and exquisite dances, when danced from the heart.

Rogelio is in demand for his teaching, Choreography and acting. He can bring music to the eyes of the deaf: his heart keeps the beat of the clave, his body the bass, piano, violin and horns and his feet play the congas and sing. He is a one man band with a dancing show. A talent surpassed by no one .

Serena Wong & Nick Vaneyck
"Salsa Vale Todo"
San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

For over 14 years, Nick was a martial arts and movement instructor. Partner dancing and salsa were a natural progression. For the past 9 years, Nick has been teaching salsa in the San Francisco Bay Area. Nick combines decades of Cuban tradition with martial arts concepts of connection, balance, and flow. Presently, he teaches club-style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, cha cha cha, son, and several martial arts. 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 all over 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 and Serena are Co-Directors of Salsa Vale Todo and organizers of Salsa Rueda Festival San Francisco 2008. Serena brings to it her training in ballet, tap, jazz, Afro-Haitian, Afro-Brazilian, and Brazilian Samba. She has trained in New York, Brazil, Miami, and San Francisco. Currently she performs with the samba company, Energia do Samba. Serena has shared the stage and opened for Olodum, Elba Ramalho, and Jorge Ben Jor.

Stacey Martinez
Pasadena, California, U.S.A.

Co-owner of the Dance Family Studio in Pasadena.

See Francisco Martinez.

Simona Boucek
"Mike & Simona"
Corvallis, Oregon, U.S.A.

Co-director of Rumbanana Salsa Group.

SEE MIKE ESKELDSON

Tania De La Pena
Greater Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Organizer of "Rueda in the Park."

Detailed bio coming soon on this confirmed staff.

Victoria Tolonen
Bend, Oregon, U.S.A.

With a background in competitive skating, cheering, theater, jazz, hip hop, and ballroom, Victoria's style is crisp and technique-driven. She started dancing ballroom at University of Oregon in 1993 and was a member of the first Salsa performance group in Oregon, Ritmo Latino, spreading Salsa throughout the State. In 1997-1998 she toured the US and Europe with a musical, Up With People, as a principal dancer and (unfortunately) a singer. She has travelled to every continent (except Antarctica as penguins don't dance) and she's danced Salsa from Sweden to Beijing to Ecuador. She is the sole Salsa and Swing instructor, promoter, and dj in Central Oregon, cross-pollinating her Salsa dancers with West Coast Swing musicality. Her teaching style is clear and she teaches at Salsa/Swing events along the west coast, focusing on techniqe, timing, and connection rather than flashy moves. For her desk job, she is a real estate broker in booming Bend, Oregon.

Vidal Cordova
San Diego, California, U.S.A.

Vidal has been dancing and performing Casino & Rueda de Casino exclusively for the past six years, and he is the director of Salsa Casino & Rueda San Diego, San Diego's top spot for Cuban salsa & Rueda de Casino.  Born in and originally from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, Vidal grew up surrounded by Afro-Caribbean music, salsa, bomba & plena and other Puerto Rican rhythms. After moving to and spending seven formative years in Panama, he returned to the U.S. with a rich and diverse upbringing in various Latin American folkloric and popular musical styles.  Before embarking into dance, Vidal studied music theory and practice as a musician, becoming first a guitarist and later on a drummer both at the age of 12. As an experienced lead guitarist having performed with salsa bands in Atlanta and San Diego, Vidal brings a unique musical understanding of salsa & timba to his classes.  

With his instrumental music base, Vidal later became interested in celebrating his Afro-Caribbean culture through dance. Although he danced freestyle, street salsa in his formative years, he stumbled across Cuban dancers from Miami dancing Casino & Rueda de Casino in Florida dance clubs while a law student, and he immediately fell in love with Cuban salsa-Casino.  He then trained under and received his instruction in authentic Cuban salsa from some of Cuba and the U.S.'s best Casino master instructors. Drawing from both a Miami and Cuban-style Casino knowledge-base, Vidal holds a passion for passing on authentic Cuban salsa dancing to his students. His teaching approach embraces teaching intricate Cuban patterns, footwork, proper leading & following techniques and dance etiquette, and he gets students moving and working out within minutes. His passion for salsa comes from a love for the music that shaped his family's earlier generations in New York City, to exploring the deep Cuban-based foundation of Son throughout salsa in the 60s and 70s, to today's powerful and moving Cuban Timba.  At his workshops and classes, students learn not just tricks and patterns, but also the significance and meaning of dance forms, calls, and musicality behind salsa & timba music. 

Students interested in learning with Vidal while in San Diego, can reach him through:

www.salsacasinosandiego.com

William Carpenter
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Director of Los Salseros Inquietos

William Carpenter is one of the youngest Professional American Smooth, Rhythm and Salsa Instructor/Competitor. He's currently teaching at various locations including Josie Neglia Dance Academy in Los Angeles, California and the Imperial Ballroom in Fullerton, California. Carpenter started dancing at age of 13. A year into his dancing, he began teaching his high school salsa team after the unexpected dismissal of his instructor. Under his instruction for his last 2 years in high school, his dance team won 2 back to back National titles.

Carpenter is a competing professional in both American Rhythm (Rumba, Cha Cha, Swing, Bolero & Mambo) as well as Salsa. His goal is to become a World Champion by the time he is 23. Carpenter lives and breathes Salsa! Carpenter says: "It has saved my life so I've given my life to it!"

Zeanie Yoon
Woodland Hills, California, U.S.A. / Korea

Formally and classically trained in dancesports and theatrical performance, Yoon has known for her graceful and elegant style of dance. In 1987, Yoon founded non-profit dance club, Dance Xchange, now Dancer's Digest, dedicated to sharing information and resources, and to promotion of partner-dance in the community. She was a choreographer and co-director of the dance companies, Burn the Floor, Dance Disciples, and Girl Power Inc.

Yoon was introduced to "Street dance" community through Salsa in 1992 when she placed 2nd with 92 consecutive spins at the local spinning contest held by a club in San Francisco, California. Since then, her support of Salsa has continued through various means, including email newsletter, StreetSalsa.org.

Her additional study in education contributed to her teaching method and curriculum development. By day she is a professional and by night, a dance and wellness enthusiast. This year, Yoon once again joins Salsa Extravaganza as Salsa Event Manager and continues her support of the partner-dance.

Currently teaching dancing at various colleges and local venues, Yoon returns to Salsa Extravaganza this summer with her smooth and sensual Ladies styling for both Swing and Salsa. She will also team up with Jay Byam this year to teach classes that they have designed.