Almost 50 years ago, 12-year-old Eddie Torres, son of a Puerto Rican family in Spanish Harlem, NY, got rejected by a girl because he didn't know how to "do Latin". In that embarrasing moment, when the other guy led and spinned the girl of Eddie's adolescent dreams, he decided to learn how to dance.

In those days, and for many years to follow, there were no Latin dance schools or proper classes. The only education available was in clubs. By the time he turned 15, Eddie was a regular. He went out every night, hung out with the dancers, and learnt by watching and imitating the best ones. It wasn't easy, as some dancers didn't allow anyone to look at their feet, for fear of having their moves and steps stolen. Luckily, Eddie had a talent for learning just by watching.

Soon, he started to teach. He didn't have any idea of neither timing or technique nor names of the steps. His main guideline was to break forward on the accent and then to break back on the following one. The accent was the famous "2" in the music. Without realizing it, Eddie was teaching and dancing salsa on 2, or mambo. Some time later, Eddie's friend and mentor, June Lamberta, a ballroom dance teacher, offered to help him with his teaching. She invited him to teach at her ballroom classes on Friday nights. Ballroom adepts were used to a systematized way of teaching, expecting no less from Eddie. This forced him to learn the counts and teaching vocabulary. Cumbersome at first, in the long run it made him a detailed, precise and devoted teacher.

Meanwhile, he continued his crazy going-out lifestyle. Apart from social dancing, he took part in competitions, at one point winning so many that he was asked to judge instead.

One night, Eddie approached Tito Puente to pay him compliments after a concert. The master complimented him back, saying that Eddie had a talent. He advised him to seek his own style, develop ideas and create a show. Eddie pounced on the idea and suggested collaboration right away. He wanted to perform with Tito. From then on, it was his biggest dream, soon to become true.

Several years later, Eddie was a recognized, slick dancer with his unique style. This is when he met Maria, his future wife and partner. Shy at first, Maria quickly became Eddie's brightest student and the best partner he'd ever had. Full of enthusiasm, Eddie choreographed his first two routines, to Tito Puente's Cayuco and Palladium Days, and approached Tito. Without event looking at a demonstration, Tito introduced Eddie to his musical director and featured the couple in his next concert. The performance in New York Coliseum proved to be a huge success. Eddie and Maria continued to perform with Tito at ever concert. Later, they called themselves Tito Puente Dancers, a great honour and a sign of respect.

From the 80s through the 90s and until now, Eddie Torres has been one of the most iconic New York Salsa personas. His students included Frankie Martinez and Juan Matos, to name a few. At every festival, his classes attract hundreds of participants. People come to see the legendary Mambo King", to learn Pachanga" and to get some Nuyorican flavour. He is a charming, detailed, attentive and passionate teacher. When he performs, people leave their seats and approach the stage. Once you meet him, you will start planning your trip to New York.

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Juan "Pachanga" Matos was born in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. He moved to the United States in April of 1996. Little did he know that within three years he would become one of New York's top male dancers.

Not of legal age yet, Juan started visiting clubs to watch his parents, who were at the time Santo Domingo's top hustle dancers. They were his prime influence and main inspiration in dancing, which slowly became Juan's dream. He was never quite sure which dance form he wanted to pursue until 1997, when he saw mambo. He visited Victor "La Magica" Pacheco's class and was instantly hooked. However, after just 2 months of mambo classes, Juan was forced to take a break due to a back injury. After being noticed at a club when social dancing, with only street knowledge and little technique, Juan was able to learn and perform a whole mambo routine in less than seven days. A lot of hard work and dedication helped Juan to progress to the next level; becoming a performer in a group called, "Magic Combination Dancers."

At the beginning of 2000, Juan was invited to join a dance group, directed by Osmar Perrones, who was one of the instructors last year (Yamulee Dance Company). A couple of months later, Juan was also invited to train with, "Santo Rico Dance Company" (founded by Wilton Beltre and directed by Thomas Guerrero). After a year of training with Santo Rico Dance Company, Juan developed what is now called "Pachanga style." This unique style is why all eyes are fixed on him in New York's mambo scene. Whether it is during a social dance or a dance performance, Juan is considered to be one of the best, hottest and most influential dancers of his generation. He has been a huge inspiration for the majority of the "on2" professionals in the salsa world. Natural talent, pure, smooth, classic, and fast feet best describes this talented young man. Juan has created a name for himself on the international platform as a teacher as well as a performer.

See Juan & Amneris dance:

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Your favourite mambo teachers, Burju and Victor Perez, are returning to Warsaw to astound you with their styling, music interpretation and body movement.

H.Y.M. Dance Company (Hacha Y Machete) was Boston’s first Professional, New York Style "ON 2" Salsa dance company. The group was formed in 2000 by a group of four friends with the intent of enriching and educating New England about the New York Style of dancing salsa/mambo through performances and classes. Since then their vision has expanded further to include: inspiring others, youth in particular, to dance; continuously providing the best quality in training and instruction for all; and of course to continue to interpret music and create choreography in a way that speaks to and moves people. The company has become well known for their innovative and dynamic choreography, highest caliber of dancers, and award winning instruction and performances. Their dedication and passion has earned them spots on some of the world's most prestigious stages and along side the salsa music's greatest bands.

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Nuno Furtado and Vanda Gameiro are originally from Portugal, the country they represent at international salsa congresses and festivals. They are professional salsa dancers and teachers but they have formation in several kinds of dance, such as contemporary, jazz, funk, dance, tango, etc, which they beautifully incorporate in their salsa, creating versatile choreographies, each with a different feeling. They definitely stand out on the international scene. Their work in salsa is based on styling, dynamics, excellent technique and musical interpretation. They have travelled mostly in Europe and Middle East but they have also been to New York and Puerto Rico. In Portugal they have their own school and a group called JDfreestyle.

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Tamambo's dancing originates from the African/American Rn'B/Hip Hop scene of the 80s. By incorporating his own flavour into the Puerto Rican style Salsa, he promotes what is now recognised around the world as "London Style" Salsa. His influences lie in Flamenco and Contemporary dance, in which his interpretation of the dance has taken a theatrical form.

Tamambo was one of the driving forces behind the London salsa scene before exploding onto the world stage. Performing and teaching On1 and On2, he rapidly earned his reputation as one of the very few instructors in the UK to raise and develop the new generation of salsa dancers, instructors and performers in the nation.

As one of Europe's top all-round instructors teaching both On1 and On2 and specialising in teaching complex, yet leadable partnerwork routines for the dance floor, he has fast become a very sought after name in Salsa.

Ania Chagowska has been dancing since she was a 6-year old girl. It all started with ballet classes, then modern jazz and other forms of dancing. She studied at an afternoon ballet school, took part in many different workshops and gained stage experience performing with Folk, Contemporary and classical Ballet choreographies. All that had helped her to adopt salsa steps at a great pace. Trying to use her knowledge and talent, she has managed to create her own original style in salsa becoming one of the leading female dancers in Europe. She successfully mixes femininity and elegance with a funky street flavour and encourages her students to look for their own crazy style mix.

Now, teaching and performing together Tamambo and Ania Chagowska create a duo and are getting rave reviews with their two brand new contemporary influenced choreographies, Violin Solitude and Senales de Humo (2008).

This couple has achieved unity in front of their audience, making every single ingredient excel into an explosive mixture of attitude, power, showmanship, passion, flavour and style.

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Pronounce it with a ' Z ' !!

Matthieu, Juliette and Sebastien, 3 salsa lovers from Paris formed MaJuSee in May 2006. Karima, an excellent addition to the group, completed the team.

Each member has a strong background in dancing and has developed their individual technique and knowledge dancing in various international groups (Caribbean Soul, Uforia, Latin Soul...).

Though mainly choreographed by Matthieu and Juliette, the current routines (Chaplot and Boco boco) performed by the group are an innovative mix of their different styles.

They are one of the favourite instructors of the Warsaw Salsa Festival, it is their 6th time here!

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Farid started dancing salsa in 2001. He discovered Mambo style in 2002 during the Paris Salsa congress and was impressed by the Vasquez brothers' style. One year later he presented his first show, "the X-Men", during the same congress. The show was a big success. Since then Farid has performed in many countries such as United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Germany, United States (New York and Los Angeles). In year 2003 Farid founded his own school and dance formation - Salsa Conga.

Farid's dance style is a mix of speed, seduction, humour and craziness. Farid is also a musician - he sings and plays the percussion. A natural born performer, Farid loves the crowd and the stage, and his performances are always original and dynamic.

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Frank Santos is one of the hottest new talents on the UK and international salsa scene. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Frank grew up in Italy where he started to develop his talent in dance. With a background in hip-hop, merengue and bachata, Frank started to dance salsa in 2001 and went on to study various styles including Puerto Rican, New York, LA and Cuban. He has taught and performed throughout Europe and beyond - in France, Holland, Poland, Latvia, Bratislava, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Israel, Brussel, Denmark, Sweden, Bulgaria, the U.S.A and Cuba to name but a few.

Frank has made appearances on television and stage throughout the UK and Europe. His television appearances include the BBC's 'Strictly Come Dance Fever' and the 'Trisha' programme. He has performed with the Leon Rose Project, Iris de Brito, Andrea Stewart and Irene Miguel. His achievements include winning the UISP Italian championship for Cuban and New York-style salsa in 2003, taking part in the Havana Club Tour and performing in Iris de Brito's “El Barrio” musical. Most recently Frank's dance group 'A Yemaya' (for which Frank is the director and choreographer) won the 2008 award for the best UK performance.

Alina Moss was born in Russia. At the age of 3 moved to Estonia where started dancing ballet. After only a couple of years despite the young age she was performing in big events. The early success and passion for dance lead her to develop and learn other type of dance such as modern, hip hop and flamenco. At the age of 15 she was being tought by one of he best dancers in Estonia Juri Kuvaitsev who has won a number of championships along Europe in hip hop, ballroom and modern dance categories. Salsa started for her in 2005 and after a short period thanks for her natural talent and the amount of dance in her background she was noticed and invited to perform with professional salsa dancers, such as Miguel Verdecia and Carlos Correa. Alina was also invited to join the Corazon dance group, which in 2005 won the title Best Salsa Group in Estonia. In 2006 Alina started teaching in the biggest salsa school in Estonia Casa de Baile. In 2007 she moved to London, where she collaborated with Moe Flex Dance Company, performing with Moe Flex in UK and Europe. In 2008 Alina won the North-West Bachata Championship with the show choreographed by Frank Santos. Meanwhile, being a part of Frank Santos A Yemaya dance company Alina and the rest of the team achieve to receive the award as best UK performers 2008. Alina is currently working side by side with Frank Santos, choreographing, teaching and performing around UK and Europe. Her knowledge of different dance styles along with influence of her dance partner Frank Santos make Alina one of the most recommended teachers for lady style in salsa and bachata.

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Salsaché was founded in 2003 by a teacher a choreographer, Lieb. J (Cuba). Apart from Lieb, the group's members are Yuniel Gual (Cuba), Francesca Bianco (Turin) and Melissa Padalino (Turin). With their choreographies, mixing New York Style salsa with Afro-Cuban rhythms and Hip Hop, they were an immediate success.

Salsaché are frequently invited to conduct workshops all over Italy, they are also regularly present at major international salsa congresses. They captivate their audiences with their style, energy and charisma, which make each of their performances a unique experience.

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An explosive mix of styles!

The history of the Salsa Libre Dance Company goes back to 2003, when salsa was just beginning to take off in Poland. That is when Ania Chagowska and Marek Domański, now the owners of the Salsa Libre Dance Studio in Warsaw, started dancing and performing together. Soon they were joined by other salsa enthusiasts, and thus, in 2004, the Salsa Libre Dance Company was born.

Currently, the group comprises 11 dancers with diverse dance experience and education, brought together by their passion for dancing and a will to reach new levels of expression in salsa. Each of them is a regular salsa instructor, teaching classes and workshops at the Salsa Libre Dance Studio in Warsaw, and an established figure on the Polish salsa scene.

Ania Chagowska, now an accomplished and acclaimed salsa dancer, remains Salsa Libre's principal dancer and choreographer. Coupled with her extensive dance experience and excellent pedagogical skills, the group's hard work and dedication resulted in the creation of Salsa Libre's unique style. Their New York Style performances incorporate elements from various dance forms, ranging from afro, through jazz, to classical and contemporary dance.

The diversity and talent of Salsa Libre dancers have not gone unnoticed at international salsa festivals both in Poland and abroad. The group are regularly invited to perform at salsa congresses in Hamburg, Berlin, Regensburg, Prague, Stuttgart, Egypt, London, Minsk, and others.

Marek Domański

His specialization is New York Salsa Style "on 2". He's also a hothead for Afro-Cuban dances (mostly guaguanco rumba). And to develop his salsa skills, Marek takes part in jazz, funky and hip hop classes.

Ania Chagowska

nia Chagowska należy do nielicznego grona wszechstronnych tancerek, które zajmują się jednocześnie dydaktyką, choreografią i występami na scenie. Jej specjalnością są zajęcia z ruchu ciała i stylingu z elementami opartymi na technice tańca współczesnego.

Rafał Krakowiak

Professional dancer, instructor and choreographer, a graduate of the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk, Rafał has been dancing since the age of 11, drawing his inspiration from ballroom, modern, ballet, jazz, new style, popping, locking and salsa.

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Latin Groove salsa school dancers specialize in spontaneous improvisation and choreographies. They create shows for single pairs and for groups as well. They are inspired by different dances such as Modern, Broadway Dance, Jazz and Afro. Mixing all these dance skills brings them an original style which is based on the technique of New York mambo. They give workshops of partnerwork, footwork, spins, body movement, ladies and men styling at all levels. During classes, they create great and friendly atmosphere and they combine a sense of humour with high quality of teaching.

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Salsa Sabrosa is a name identified in Poland, as well as beyond its borders, with unforgettable colourful fantasy choreographies with a high dance standard that imaginatively combine different dance styles and forms into one magical whole.

Salsa Sabrosa Dance School was founded in Cracow in April 2004. The founder was Małgosia Kulpa, who invited Michał Zakrzewski for cooperation.

Both Małgosia and Michał had been surrounded by different dance styles from an early age, which allowed them to create a school not only characterised by high dance standard but also filled with a lot magic and passion. And they were able to pass this passion to a lot of salsero-generations in Cracow.

Modern dance with elements of hip-hop and funk, which Gosia studied from an early age, and Latin dance, which Michał grew up in, turned out to be a perfect mixture and bore fruit in stunning, multifaceted, surprising choreographies, which sink deep into the memory of the audience.

In December 2004 Salsa Sabrosa was joined by an old friend Grzegorz Przetocki. Grzegorz started his salsa adventure 6 years ago, and already after a couple of months he became a member of one of the first salsa formations in Poland - Salsa Ventura.

In February 2005, having some of the best instructors of Cracow and amazing dancers, Małgosia set up one of the first salsa formations on Poland, Salsa Sabrosa. Since then, the instructors of Salsa Sabrosa, as well as the members of the show-group, have constantly been improving their skills, taking part in and performing at the most prestigious salsa congresses and festivals in Poland and Central Europe:

- Carnaval de Salsa - Wroclaw / Poland
- Salsa Festival - Berlin / Germany
- Salsa Festiwal - Warsaw / Poland
- Salsa Festival - Frankfurt /Germany
- Salsa Festival - Karlsruhe / Germany
- Salsa Festival - Prague/ Czech Republic

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Marta and Michał are dancers and main instructors of the Project Salsa Dance Studio. Their fascination for salsa, hip-hop and jazz dance evolved into an electrifying dance-mix that they self call "Salsa Funky Style". Their style is characterized by great dynamics and expression, as well as the use of a variety of dance forms. Both feel excellent dancing solo as well as in couple. Marta and Michał place great emphasis on improvisation and music interpretation, issues that they teach to their numerous students. They have taken part in several workshops around the world and have performed at international congresses. Marta also leads psychology workshops in dance therapy.

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Andreas is a dancer, instructor and choreographer, the co-founder of one of Poland's biggest salsa schools and the creator of the "Urban Dance Zone" dance studio in Łódź.

He started his dance career with hip-hop but salsa soon became his real passion. He rapidly became an instructor and dancer appreciated both at home and abroad. He has led numerous workshops at international salsa congresses. His specialty is what he calls "Salsa Funky Style", that is salsa with a slight blend of hip-hop techniques. His unique and exciting style is characterized by great expressiveness and powerful dynamics, with a strong emphasis on improvisation and music interpretation.

Andreas provides high-intensity classes spiced up with plenty of humour. As a bonus, what you learn in his workshops can be used on the dance floor both when dancing solo and in a couple!

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Fibe is a Professionally Qualified Dance Instructor. The title was conferred to him by the Ministry of Culture - National Culture Center - in June 2004 after completing the two-year Instructor Qualifying Course in Warsaw. Apart from dancing, he also deals with rap music. His records are available on the official profile www.fibe.muzzo.pl.

Oliwka is a student of Physical Education at Szczecin University.

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Sebastian Stolarski, an experienced dancer and an even more experienced teacher, is the cofounder of the first Salsa school in Szczecin. He sees dance as a form of communication, a pleasurable pastime and a passion that makes life more exciting. His motto is "Just dance!".

Ewa, Sebastian's partner on the dancefloor and in real life, caught the Salsa bug in 2005 and hasn't looked back since. She is open to various dance forms. She shares her passion for Afro-Cuban dance and music with everyone she meets.

Ewa and Sebastian are both actively involved in the promotion of Salsa in Szczecin, co-organizing dance events and workshops. They draw their inspiration from the best and keep developing their skills. They have been invited to teach and perform at salsa festivals both in Poland and abroad. Their latest project is Kimama Dance Studio, the first and only school to provide New York style salsa classes in Szczecin.

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Tiene Tumbao is the freshest salsa performing group from Kaunas, Lithuania, directed by Donatas Chlebinskas from SalsaKaunas school. The group is so young, it only got together in Summer 2009. Tiene Tumbao contains young enthusiastic salsa dancers, inspired by New York Salsa style, Funk movement and its dance styles of the 70's, Afrocuban dance styles and the Palladium era style. They admire social dancing to New York salsa music and believe that watching best dancers dancing to these rhythms is their best inspiration. Having fun is the most important thing while dancing, but it's also important that the audience have fun watching them perform. That's why they try to create "Pa Gozar" atmosphere in their shows.

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Salsalovers is unique show group from Latvia. Each their show is more then a dance. It is an interesting theatrical performance with exciting story, specially selected music and unforgettable costumes. There are 20 dancers and each of them is talented person with individual style and technique. That makes SalsaLovers such a  bright and unforgettable dance team in the Baltics.

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