Chiquito- Italy (confirmed)
'Best International Dancer Award' 2007 & 2008, presented by Eddie Torres

CHIQUITO won the AWARD of "BEST INTERNATIONAL DANCER" in 2007 & 2008, presented to him by Eddie Torres. CHIQUITO trained as a professional dancer in a variety of Latin dance forms to create an explosive fusion of Cuban Salsa, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and other dance forms. In 2004, Chiquito, joined the dance group, Latin Black, arguably one of the most impressive dance groups in Europe, and in 2007 went on to form his own dance group, which will perform for the first time in the UK, and exclusively, at the 3rd International Cuban Salsa Congress. You can look forward to their breathtakingshows, which take dance to a whole new level.

See Preview
Watch Video

Alice Atzeni- Italy (confirmed)

Alice Atzeni began her formation at 'The Academy of Classical Dance' in Genoa, Italy and following her graduation worked with some of the best dancers and dance acts in the world and was the winner of several International dance awards. In 2006 she became a lead dancer with the famous group Salsachè, with whom she combined, Salsa, Hip-Hop, Afro Cuban, and classical and modern dance. In 2007, she became the first dancer of Chiquito's new dance troupe, who was presented with "The Best International Dancer Award' in 2007 by the great Edie Torres (The Mambo King). With Chiquito she studied Cuban Salsa, Afro, Rumba, Timba, Hip Hop and combined them with classical and modern dance.
Alice teaches Salsa, Chachacha, Female styling, Rumba, Latin pop, Latin jazz, smooth, and many other dance forms.

Miguel Valentin- Italy (confirmed)

Miguel started his dance career in the world of Hip Hop. He began his studies in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago with internationally renowned masters including Shawn 'Dante' Harper, Martin Kudelka, Shane Spark, and Patrick Chen. After studying Hip Hop in Chicago, he moved to Los Angeles where he launched his career as a dancer in videos from Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliot and in the movies 'You got Served' and the recent 'Stomp The Yard'. He toured with Samsung Fergi of Black Eyed Peas as a lead dancer.
He began teaching Salsa in Italy in 2005. He joined the group Danzarines de Papatambot by Jorge Santana (dancer and choreographer in the film Dirty Dancing 2) with which he performed at various Congresses in Italy and abroad. In August 2007 he joined Chiquito (formerly Latin Black) and his new dance group, which in a very short period has become one of the most popular dance groups in the world.

Sara J Aronica- Italy (confirmed)

Sara J Aronica began her dance formation with Modern Dance and Ballet at the age of eight years old. At fifteen years old she entered the world of Latin American dance, initially as a student with leading international masters such as "Fernando Sosa" and then as a performer with world class international dance group "Imagen Latin" with which she performed all over the world. In 2006, she became the youngest and one of the most popular teachers with Latin Gem and in the same year, had the good fortune to work with two of the most famous dancers in the Salsa world, Johnny Vasquez and Moral Ramon. Today she is a top dancer with Chiquito's newly formed dance group, a world class international act.

Alexander Carbo- Cuba/Italy (invited)

Alexander began studying ballet and modern at the age of ten years old and six years later he developed a passion for Afro-Cuban dance, which led him to study in Havana at the prestigious National Academy of Dance. He arrived in Italy in 2001 and began his career as a Master of Salsa, dancer and choreographer. He has performed at the most prestigious Latin events including 'The Summer International Salsa Festival;' the Salsa Festival in Rimini and 'The World Salsa Festival' in Rome and Bologna. He has also participated in numerous TV broadcasts including "The Life Direct". " He currently teaches at his dance school "Clave y Rumba" in Italy and performs shows, which he has choreographed himself at major Salsa events across the world.

See Video Clip
See Video Clip

Yunaisy- Cuba/Italy (invited)

Yunaisy was born into a family of Cuban dancers including her mother Josefina Castillo and her aunt Anaisa Castillo, dancers at Havana's prestigious Tropicana, and her uncle Alberico Calderon, currently one of the greatest stars on the international Salsa stage. Yunaisy started dancing at the age of seven years old in the Experimental School of Cuban Ballet. She later graduated as a singer, actress and dancer of musicals from Cuba's National Music Entertainment Academy (ENEM), where along side her dance studies she trained as a contortionist at the School of Circus Cubano. Following her graduation she has performed on Cuban TV as part of the national ballet, was selected to join the Latin-pop band 'Crash Chicas', and then worked as the lead dancer for two years on the luxury Italian cruise ship Valtur Prima. In Italy, she danced, on programs such as 'Together' on national Italian TV. She currently performs with Latin Black, one of the most exciting international dance acts.

Alberto Valdes y su Clave Negra - Cuba/Italy (confirmed)

Aberto is the choreographer and lead dancer of Clave Negra, one of the most famous and exciting dance troupe's in Europe and formed by four world-class dancers and a percusionist.
Alberto was born in Cuba where he performed with the best dance groups including the 'Tropicana De Cuba'. In Italy he founded 'Cuba Baila', the leading Cuban dance school. Alberto combines Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Cuban Son, Rumba and Afro with Salsa to create to create an exciting fusion of dance forms, the Timba.

Watch Video

Emir Garcia - Cuba/Italy (confirmed)

Emir Garcia started dancing at the tender age of six, in the backstreets of Havana. When he was thirteen, he attended courses in tradional folk dances at "Casa De La Cultura" in Camagüey and participated in provincial and national festivals, gaining several awards.

Emir joined the dance group, "Tinima", specialising in African folkloric dances, including "rumba" and "guaguancò"; and performed at the most prestigius national and international festivals. He also participated in Cuban television programs such as 'Para Bailar' (winning second place in the national dance competition) and In presigious ballet performances directed by masters Cristi Dominge, Rodendo and Caruca.

Watch Video

Eloy Leyva Padilla - Cuba/Italy (confirmed)

Eloy was born in Santiago de Cuba, in 1970. His artistic career begins in the 80s, when he starts to study contemporary dance in the Art School of his native city. He obtains in 1989 the qualifications of teacher, instructor and dancer, and begins his collaboration with various projects aimed at enhancing artistic development. Only two years after, he becomes professional dancer in the - Ballet folklorico Cotumba. Thanks to his artistic abilities he becomes teacher and member of the Ballet’s Commission. In the same year the group starts a long tour in Spain and Portugal, enhancing his spectrum with dances from the Afro-Haiti-Cuba culture. He participates in a diversity of National Festivals, and in 1995 starts to work as main dancer in the group. 3 years later he reaches Italy, where he dedicated himself to the diffusion of the Latin culture. He joins the Cuban group of animation and exhibition in 2001, being teacher of salsa and popular Cuban dance.

Danis La Clave- Cuba/Italy (confirmed)

“Without feeling there is no clave, without clave there is no feeling”, a saying very to close to Danni's heart since a little boy growing up in Havana. Danis is recognised as one of the most importand DJ's of Latin music in Italy and abroad. He is currently resident DJ at “La Rumba” one of the most famous cuban clubs, based in Milan. Dani's professional carreer started in 1987 when he entered the world of 'nueva trova cubana' as a percusionist with the group “Abril" which in 1991 evolved into a new group, called “Fiebre Latina”. In 1995, Danny released his first disc with Jerry Massucci creator of Fania Records. This launched his band on to the international Latin scene and gave them the opportunity to perform alongside famous Latin stars including, Celia Cruz, Oscar D’ Leon, Compay Segundo, Adalberto Alvares, Issac Delgado, Charanga Habanera and others. Since then Dannis has worked as a DJ on Italian radio stations, formed Clave Negra” with Aberto Valdes and worked as a promotor, organising concerts in Italy with top cuban bands such as, Los Van Van, and Charanga Habanera. In 2005 he opened his own studio, “D- Clave Productions”, through which he has produced many albums.

Chocolate grew up immersed in music and dance, the Afro-Caribbean folk dances passed on to him by his father, Madikera, a professional dancer. As a youth he was drawn to the world of Hip Hop and in 1991, he headed a Hip Hop group as a singer, dancer and choreographer. This led to him performing at many shows and festivals, and several TV appearances as a dancer and Rap singer. He eventually moved on from Hip Hop disappointed with the aggressive atmosphere and vibe and focused his energies on athletics (winning national and regional championships in the tipple jump) and martial arts (became a Tae Kwon Do instructor, 1st Dan). Alongside his university studies, he worked as a coach in athletics and Tae Kwon Do, and developed first class teaching skills. In 2000, he worked with Professor Canguru learning Capoeira and Brazilian dance (samba and pagode Forro) and during his work in Cuba as an agricultural engineer, immersed himself in Timba and Cuban dance. Timba grabbed him as modern, fresh and exciting and he became the founder of one of the most successful dance schools in Montpellier, totally dedicated to Afrocaribean dances. Chocolate is one of the best teachers of Timba, body isolation, reggaeton, and musical interpretation in Europe.

Watch Video

Our Master Of Ceremonies:
Wilson Castro- Dominican Republic/UK (confirmed)

Wilson has danced since the age of six and is one of the most charismatic and exciting teachers we have ever worked with - he has a huge personality and is a natural entertainer. He graduated in ballet, jazz, salsa and folklore dances such as Merengue and Bachata in the Dominican Republic. He was six times undefeated Salsa champion, in the Dominican Republic, and a celebrity on TV all over South America, dancing and competing in Salsa, Merengue and Bachata competitions. He has fifteen years experience of teaching, choreographing and entertaining at major Salsa events and his lessons are incredibly popular. At the Congress, he'll be teaching Merengue and Bachata as a fun alternative to Salsa, and he'll loosen everyone up with his fun lineups.

Watch Video

Ariel Rios Robert- UK/Cuba (confirmed)

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 coordinated and choreographed national and international dance tours.

Osbanis Tejada - Cuba/UK (invited)

Osbanis was born in Havana, Cuba. He comes from a family of natural talent that taught him the best way to learn was by listening and watching. He graduated as a teacher of Cuban percussion from the Fernando Guanches Academy, where he later worked with several Cuban musicians and taught percussion to children and adults. He developed dance when he arrived in the UK, where the important thing to him was to feel everything you see, in music and dance. For that reason he says 'dance is to play and music is to live, so live to play'

Watch Video

Damarys Farres - Cuba/UK (confirmed)

Graduate of National Ballet School in Havana. Completed a course in Art Management from UNEAC in Havana Curator and interpreter for Afro-Cuban Courses for foreigners with Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba Curator and interpreter for Afro-Cuban Courses for foreigners with Danza Nacional de Cuba Promoter of Afro-Cuban Dance Group Ocha. Since Damarys arrived in the UK, she has promoted and helped with the integration of Afro-Cuban culture, dance, traditions, and products, in the UK and worldwide. She has participated, taught, organised, danced and/or choreographed for and with all the best dancers, teachers, dance groups, musicians and promoters that have something to do with Cuba in the UK.

Moe Flex- UK (confirmed)

Recently crowned the UK’s 'Most Popular Cuban Salsa Teacher 2006’, Moe Flex is one of the most exciting, inspiring and entertaining characters in the international Latin dance scene today. In feedback from our last Congress, his workshops received an average rating of 'excellent' and our highest overall score ever. The man with the biggest smile in salsa can always be found at the heart of the biggest salsa nights, weekenders and congresses. Moe divides his time between teaching, choreographing and performing salsa, throughout the UK and overseas. Moe also has extensive reggaeton, hip hop, locking, bachata, cha cha cha and On2 skills which he regularly incorporates into his classes and shows. Moe’s professionalism, enthusiasm and excellence in such a wide variety of disciplines have established him as one of the best teachers around, encouraging and mentoring everyone from first time beginners to professional dancers in his inimitable "all good" style.