Artists
David Buffon 'Rumberito' (Italy)
One of the highlights of this year's Cuban Salsa Congress was a visit from talented young rumba prodigy Davide Buffon, trained by Maykel Fonts himself.
Davide, 14, from Italy, returns to Salsa Explosion's Christmas weekend to wow the crowds with his sensational talent.
Maykel Fonts (Cuba)
Maykel began his dancing education at Tropicana, the most prestigious dance school in Cuba, where he studied contemporary, modern, afro and rumba. In 2006 he participated in the Salsa World Congress and was awarded prizes for best choreography and best solo dancer.
He is recognised as one of the best Cuban style dancers in the world. He has a broad repertoire, and in his recently opened school in Milan, The Maykel Fonts Academy, he teaches afro, rumba, jazz, classic, contemporary, flamenco, hip-hop, tango, bachata, son, cha-cha, salsa and also percussion.
Leandro Charanga (Cuba)
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.
Rosa Perez (Cuba)
Leandro Charanga's dancing partner and the new star in the UK Cuban Salsa/Reggaeton Scene.
Susan Hacking (UK)
Trained in a wide variety of dance disciplines (including jazz, tap and ballet), Susan has been teaching salsa for 10 years and has studied Cuban popular and folkloric dance forms, both in Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Renowned for her attention to detail, style and technique, she is one of the UK's foremost teachers of authentic Cuban salsa and her extensive training enables her to help her students achieve greater fluidity in their body movement, a higher degree of musical interpretation and the ability to mix a variety of rhythms.
William Hernandez (Cuba)
Profile Coming Soon.
Tony Lara (Italy)
Tony is known all over the whole world for dancing and promoting Bachata.
He and his partner Daniela live in the city of Bari in the south of Italy, but travel the world to teach Bachata - Italian Style.
Daniela De Francesco (Italy)
Dani was born and raised in Italy, where she started dancing since the age of six, studying and performing Ballet for many years.
In 1997 she moved to London, where she discovered salsa dancing and instantly fell in love with it. She then went back to Italy and continued her dance training in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and of course Salsa and other Latin dances. Together with Tony she has been travelling to countries all over the world promoting, teaching and performing Salsa, Reggaeton and Bachata.
Moe Flex (UK)
Moe Flex is one of the most exciting, inspiring and entertaining choreographers on the international Latin dance scene today! With the biggest smile in salsa, his boundless enthusiasm for dance is impossible to ignore and he has gained his reputation through sheer determination and talent.
As a leading authority in the field of dance, rhythm and body movement, Moe's unique style of teaching is now recognised Internationally and he takes his workshops and shows to congresses and events all over the world.
Kerry Ribchester (UK)
Kerry is a leading expert in the field of Cuban body movement. She has studied with a leading dance academy in Havana, has a B.A. in dance, and a postgraduate with a distinction in movement study.
She danced alongside Madonna in Evita and won the 2003 award for the top UK teacher at the Salsa Congress. She is also a qualified Hellerwork practitioner and teaches worldwide.
Her work has been featured on Channel 4, BBC1, BBC2 and ITV. She has lead 33 trips to Cuba and is the founder and director of Key2Cuba, the leading provider of Cuban Salsa holidays.
U-Tribe (France)
Erell and Mike from the U-Tribe Dance Company based in Paris are one of the most exciting and popular couples on the European and International Salsa scene. Their names are mostly mentioned due to their unique choreographies and their dancing talent.
Janet Fuentes (Cuba)
Born in Havana, Janet Fuentes Torres, is one of the most beautiful dancers in the world; a triple World Open Salsa champion and star of the hit West End show Lady Salsa.
She spent her formative years at the Cuban National School of Art and Dance (graduating with honours) and since arriving in the UK, has become an international Salsa star, performing at major Congresses throughout the world. Winner of "The best female Cuban Salsa Performer Award" at The Cuban Dance Awards 2006.
Rayda Salas (Cuba)
Rayda started her dancing career in the 'Osirad Azul' company directed by Raul Cabrera, belonging to Asociacion Caribena de Cuba. She continued to work on many great projects in Cuba and Puertorico including 'Jala-Jala Dancing' company, the 'Ritmo Caribe' company, Casa Della Musica Egrem, and Cabaret 'Tropicana'.
Dawes Figueroa (Cuba)
Dawes started dancing in Cuba in the major theatres. He later moved to Italy, gaining success as a dancer and choreographer, taking part in major congresses and events across Europe.
In 2008 the pair Dawes – Rayda resumed under the project CubaRumba.com, where we can finally admire them in a fantastic work on Cuban Folklore.
Osbanis Tejeda (Cuba)
Osbanis is a dance teacher, performer, choreographer and professor of Cuban percussion.
When he arrived in Europe, he decided to fill the lack of live Cuban culture in the UK by not only playing the music but also playing with the music, which became the start of his professional dance career. The most important thing for him is to feel everything you see in music and dance.
Annetta Kepka (Poland)
2008 IDO World Ladies Salsa Shines Champion and 2006 UK Salsa Champion, Annetta began her dancing career in Poland with Ballroom Dance.
Over the years she has studied various forms of dance, in order to create her own unique style. She has put most emphasis on Latin dances. Dancing is for her an everlasting passion. She now lives in London. Her current dance partner is Osbanis Tejeda, with whom she teaches and performs at congresses around the world.
Ariel Rios Robert (Cuba)
Ariel Rios Roberts has performed and choreographed in many of the best theatres in Havana, Cuba, sharing stage with a number of prestigious groups including The National Ballet of Cuba, National Folk Group, Isadanza and Yoruba Andabo.
Ariel has over nine years experience of designing and presenting courses in dance, including master classes, lectures and presentations in cultural centres, specialising in: Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Son, Danzon, Rumba, Afro Cuban, Salsa and Casino.
In addition, Ariel has over fifteen years experience as a professional dancer including as a soloist and as a member of the cast with the Folk University group of the Habana University where he co-ordinated and choreographed national and international dance tours.
Yersin Rivas (Cuba)
Yersin Rivas, born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Yersin started dancing at an early age. For the last 7 years he has been teaching Cuban Salsa, Cha Cha Cha and Afro Cuban in the UK.
As well as as his passion for dance, Yersin is the resident Cuban DJ at Babylon Lounge Club in Brighton. Yersin is an energetic person who brings excitement and joy through his dance.
Contact Us
Salsa Explosion | 07969 633701 | enrique@salsaexplosion.com
