Guest Teachers and Performers
This year we have invited lots of fabulous guest teachers and performers, from Oxford and from further afield, to teach new moves, skills and dances during our workshops and put on some amazing shows at the evening party.
Details of all our guests below!
DJ
Robert White
Robert has a strong and diverse back ground in music and is a former session musician who has played Reggae and R&B on a semi professional basis, he has always enjoyed a wide variety of music from Reggae, Soca, R&B, Jazz to Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Zouk and Bachatta etc. His first Salsa experience, with his wife Jean, was at a night club in Toronto Canada called Berlins where the Salsa night was hosted by Josie Neglia. Back in London they took lessons with the first generation of UK Instructors Xihomara Granados, Nelson Batiste, Ramiro Zapata and Zina. They have since gone on to work with and learn different styles from such salsa luminaries as Eddie Torres, Nelson Flores (Descarga Latina), Thomas Guerrero (SantoRico), Frankie Martínez and many others. Robert and Jean started MamboCity in 1999 and are hosting and promoting Workshops and Showcases eversince.
Teachers
Rosa and Giles
Rosa and Giles run the On Salsa Dance Company, teaching salsa classes in Oxford and coaching their performance group as well as the Oxford University Salsa Team. They also perform with the Ignite Dance Company.
Rosa and Giles will be teaching an Intermediate/Advanced Turn Patterns workshop during the afternoon, and also performing with Ignite Dance Co. at the evening party.
Inaki Fernandez
Inaki Fernandez from Madrid, Spain, is one of the UK's most sought-after teachers of Latin dance both here and abroad. He specialises in Salsa, Kizomba, Argentine Tango, Cha Cha, and of course Bachata. In 2004, shortly after winning several Spanish championships in Salsa and Bachata, Inaki arrived in the UK and was quickly asked to join the world-famous 'Leon Rose Project.' Performances with The Project have taken him around the world, to events across the USA, Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia. Teaching at a number of different club venues across the UK and fostering a strong community of bachata fans in the process, Inaki is also one of a team of world-class teachers at the prominent Latin Dance Academy in London. Many years ago Inaki's unique footwork and body movement combined with his energy and intensity earned him the title 'King of Bachata'.
Inaki will be teaching a Bachata workshop during the afternoon.
Shelley Cook
Shelley is widely acknowledged as one of the rising talents on the UK scene. She trains and performs with many of the UK’s top dance troupes, including the Leon Rose Project, Iris de Brito and her Latin Soul Sisters, and the Manhattan Mambo Dancers. Shelley has appeared on stage at the UK Salsa Congress 2003 and 2004 and recently reached the finals of the Tropicana Professional World Salsa Championships 2004 with Lee Wright.
Shelley will be teaching a Spinning workshop during the afternoon.
Rohan Brown
Rohan Brown specialises in LA, Cuban, and 3somes. Fluidity, natural body movement, positive mental attitude and having loads of fun is what defines his career. Rohan has been featured on two major television documentaries (Confidence Lab and How Music Works) and has made quite an impression on everyone with whom he works. He is well known for his dance accomplishments worldwide including master of ceromonies, touring South Africa and the USA, performing at various congresses and co-producing salsa holidays in Spain, Cuba and the Caribbean.
Rohan will be teaching a Salsa 3somes workshop during the afternoon, and an Intermediate On1 lesson at the evening party.
Romero de Mangueira
Romero has performed, taught, choreographed and directed for the last 20 years. His reputation as a Samba Dancer and Teacher has taken him all over the world performing on TV, Pop Video’s, and Music Concerts. Originally a principle Samba dance teacher from Rio de Janeiro's famous Mangueira School of Samba, Romero is now based in London teaching and performing internationally.
Romero will be teaching a Brazilian Carnival Samba workshop during the afternoon - Learn to dance Samba the Brazilian way!
Andréa Sturt Grosbois
With a background in ballet, Andréa took her first dance steps at the age of three. Addicted to salsa for over three years, Andréa has had the opportunity to learn with a wide variety of prestigious instructors. She performs regularly with two highly acclaimed dance groups, Duende and Oro Negro, both choreographed by Andrea Stewart. As a regular teacher for the Latin Collective team in London, she specialises in ladies' styling techniques, bachata and reggaeton, getting students addicted to salsa across the UK and abroad. Her enthusiastic and encouraging nature always makes her a popular teacher among her students.
Julian and Elaine
Our very own Salsa teachers! Julian and Elaine teach On1 salsa for OUSS on Mondays at Somerville college. Julian also DJs at various locations in Oxford, including Anuba and Cafe Coco Royal Hotel.
Julian and Elaine will be teaching a Beginners Salsa On1 lesson at the evening party.
Performers
Oxford University Salsa Team 2009/10
Coached by Rosa and Giles of On Salsa, the OU Salsa Team perform across Oxford at balls, dance shows and charity events. They are available for performances of line style routines, rueda and social dancing, and can also get your guests dancing by teaching short beginners lessons and taxi dancing at your event.
Duende
Cambridge Salsa Team
The Cambridge Salsa Team consists of 6 couples made up from adv level salsa dancers from the Cambridgeshire area and has been performing since 2004 for University Balls, corporate events and private functions. Most of our members teach salsa at various levels and all are active on both the local and London salsa social scene.
Our choreography is predominantly cross-body On1 and routines are almost entire pure salsa. CST
IGNITE Dance Co.
IGNITE Dance Company brings together some of the UK's favourites dancers; Giles, Rosa, Marcus and Saori. Separately, they have been teaching and performing throughout the UK and at major international congresses such as Hamburg, Athens, 5* Congress London to name a few. Now, they join forces to bring you a spectacular new show full of style and energy that will captivate and enthral you. As a group, IGNITE will share with you their great enthusiasm and passion for dancing. IGNITE will bring style, elegance, excitement and entertainment to any events, so watch out!
OnSalsa