Guest instructors / DJs / Performers
Leandro Charanga
When he arrived in the UK in 2007, Leandro Charanga was immediately crowned 'The Reggaeton King'. 100% Cuban, he is one of the most charismatic performers around today. Leandro's style is unique and wildly entertaining. His fusion of raw-energy reggaeton from the backstreets of Havana and his classical ballet education could only happen in Cuba. His dance is edgy and athletic, and at the same time full of grace and fun!
A professional dancer and choreographer in Cuba, Leandro studied with a leading Havana dance school renowned for its breadth of teaching and emphasis on the performance arts. He attained teaching qualifications and has taught and performed in all the Cuban dance forms: salsa, son, cha cha cha, rumba, afro and reggaeton. He has worked with leading Cuban & international bands, been principal dancer in Havana's top shows, worked on TV and DVDs, and been head hunted by leading European dance companies. Leandro has an enormous heart; his warmth and enthusiasm for dance fills the room. As a teacher and a performer, Leandro is loved on both sides of the Atlantic.
Marchant Birch & Davina (Alchemy Dance Company, Hampshire)
MARCHANT was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. He was trained in Ballroom from the age of 7 and has won numerous competitions in Ballroom and Street Dance, including the National Cape Jazz Championship 1999 in South Africa (Cape Jazz is a partner dance similar to salsa). On taking up salsa he understood the need to learn the dance from its authentic Latino roots and has trained with the worlds best Puerto Ricans, New Yoricans, Dominicans and Cubans. Over the years he has taken his teachings from the Latinos, and blended it with ballroom technique, jazz and afro movement, developing a smooth, elegant style of salsa and mambo known as the Alchemy Way.
Marchant and Davina together formed Alchemy Dance Company in 2005 and are known for their captivating performances, world-class choreographies, and excellent teaching methods - they are in high demand to perform and teach around the UK and internationally.
DAVINA holds ISTD teaching qualifications in Modern Theatre Dance and Tap. She trained in Modern, Jazz, Tap and Ballet from the age of 3, taking Modern and Tap to advanced status. Further qualifications include a BA Honours degree in Drama & Theatre Studies and various fitness teaching certificates including an S/NVQ in Exercise to music. She took up salsa in 2003, developing a smooth, sophisticated and sexy style. She is known for teaching following techniques for ladies and how to style within the natural flow of partnerwork without affecting the man's lead. The combination of her training and experience has given her a passion for teaching with an infectious enthusiasm which she passes on to her students.
Mauricio Reyes (Latin Motion, Birmingham)
Originally from Latin America, Mauricio has been teaching salsa dance since the tender age of 17. As a dedicated salsa DJ, dance instructor and promoter for well over a decade, Mauricio’s work within the UK salsa scene has been extensive. He has introduced & inspired a huge number of people to Salsa, including many other Salsa dance teachers in and around Birmingham.
As a DJ he is guaranteed to read the crowd, spinning a broad range of top salsa, from NY to LA, Colombian to Cuban, etc. Mauricio has been DJ-ing since 1994, playing and teaching regularly all over the UK and abroad, and has won numerous accolades, including 'Top UK Salsa DJ 2003, 2007 & 2008', and 'Top Regional Promoter' & 'Services to Salsa 2003'.
(www.mauricioreyes.com & www.latinmotion.co.uk)
Nelson de Oliveira Campos (Kent Salsa)
Originally from Lisbon (Portugal), Nelson has been living in the UK since 1999. He has been dancing Salsa, Kizomba, Merengue, Lambada and Samba all his life. He first started teaching 15 years ago in Barcelona (Spain) and has been teaching all over Europe ever since. He is well-known for his energetic classes, full of fun and his extraordinary patience and passion for teaching and dancing. Nelson has UKA diploma as a professional dance teacher as well as teaching Qualification City and Guilds 7407 through Kent Council/Adult Education Centre.
Currently Nelson teaches Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Merengue and ChaCha classes on a regular basis in the Kent area. His speciality is Kizomba, a beautiful mixture of Salsa, Tango and Samba from Angola. Nelson also regularly gives workshops abroad and performs shows internationally. He has just released the first ever English professional instructional DVD of Kizomba Dance with his dance partner Sophia Meyer.
Rohan Brown (Salsa Fever)
Rohan's salsa career began in Puerto Rico and Washinghton DC, and continued upon his return to England where he attended classes with Nelson Baptista, Robert Charlemagne, Leon Rose and Maverick Logan. His style of dance and teaching draws on Jazz, Natural Body Motion, Cuban, LA and Classic Mambo On 2. Rohan has also been involved in performance and choreography with the SalsaKing Dancers, and has taught in SouthAfrica, Malta, Germany, Norway, and many more places around the world.
More recently Rohan has added DJing, Promoting and Compering to his list of talents. He is truely one of the best all rounders out there - "Mr Entertainment".
Andy Witt (DancaLatina, Cardiff)
Andy formed the group DancaLatina in 1997 with his dance partner Marcela Moraes. They went on to establish themselves as performers and instructors with all the main Latin dance companies and venues in London. Renowned for their flexibility and body movement their aim was to maintain the authenticity of Latin dance with a little bit of theatrical style thrown in.
His strong background of 12 years experience in Martial Arts (competing internationally) and being a qualified Physical Trainer, has helped Andy create a very dynamic and physical style. He is now based in Cardiff with his partner Lucy. With a strong background in dance and as an international athlete, Lucy also brings a strong and sensuous presence to the dance floor.
Angus Peters (Abanico Salsa, Torquay)
Angus started dancing in 1998 because of his love for the music and his passion for Salsa. His professional teaching and DJing career started in 2000 and he is now recognised as one of the UK's finest teachers of the Cross-Body Style of Salsa dancing. Angus is also one of the few teachers in the South West working internationally; his growing popularity means he is now much in demand as a showcase artist on dance holidays across Europe and America.
He combines being a superb dancer with being an excellent teacher and is able to break down, demonstrate and explain exactly what he is doing, and why. His infectious enthusiasm and focus on helping others to express their own style and personality to music ensures his classes are much in demand with dancers of every level. Angus focuses on teaching moves which are leadable and followable, and ensures his students develop effective techniques which help them to progress from beginners to accomplished dancers. Angus now also regularly works for schools and shares his love of dance with children of all ages. Angus founded Abanico Salsa in 2007, in order to take his unique dance experiences to a wider audience.
Phil Heath (Salseros! Dance Company, Bath)
I came to the love of my life (dancing!) late on in my twenties but I've made up for it since. I have danced just about every type and style of partner dance since then and now focus on salsa and associated styles. I love to teach other people the things I enjoy. Nowadays those things tend to revolve around dancing as my main passion but have included many other things in the past. With over fifteen years experience of dance instruction, competition and performance to draw on, I am able to teach all levels from beginners to highly technical advanced workshops.
As well as teaching regular Salsa classes in the west country I have been employed across the country for demonstrations, workshops and DJing. I enjoy promoting events, particularly dance related parties and weekenders, which also serves as a disguise for my geekier impulses such as sound engineering and playing with PA and lighting equipment.
Jools Clarke (Eternal Salsa, Bristol)
I started salsa dancing in 1999 and have been teaching since 2003. I was hooked on salsa from my very first class and average 4-5 nights a week teaching or dancing! I teach regularly in Bristol and Bath and like to focus on technique and getting it right from the beginning whilst having fun and making learning enjoyable too!
Lee Swift (Salsa Montuno UK, Bristol)
I was caught up by Salsa from the first time I saw it danced - that was it, I had to learn - and have been dancing Salsa since 2004. In March 2006, I was one of the founding partners of Salsa-Evolution and helped out as a Dance Assistant before starting to teach. In January 2007 I qualified as a teacher and member of the UKA.
I enjoy teaching and sharing my passion for both the dance and the music with others. The focus of my classes is to ensure people have fun, whilst always working on good technique. I also emphasise the importance of leading and following during the dance. As the main teacher for Salsa Montuno-UK, I am able to teach Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, La Rueda and Cha Cha.