Rodrigo Cortazar first learned how to dance salsa "on1," in Veracruz, Mexico, 10 years ago. He also studied in the Capital city of Mexico with Salsa con Clave (Victor Burgos and Gabriela Bernal). He then relocated to Chicago where he studied with Descarga Caribe Dance Company, and found his new partner Cristina Zavala.
Cristina Zavala is privaleged to have been exposed to Salsa/Mambo all her life. In 2003 she accepted an invitation form Sekou McMiller to be a founding member of the Descarga Caribe Dance Company. The groups complex and creative choreographies helped her become the principle female dancer of Descard Caribe and the traveling partner of Sekou. Cristina is now the leader of Descarga Caribe and is working with Rodrigo representing the Chicago Salsa scene.
Shaka Gonzalez Brown is one of the most sought after individuals in the Salsa World. From Washington DC, his influence can be recognized around the globe. With 5 released instructional videos, his "Step-By-Step" Salsa series has received widespread praise - even selected by BPM Tv for syndicated broadcast to millions of Canadian cable viewers. Shaka is the director of the ClaveKazi Dance Company, recognized as one of the premier latin dance companies in the world.
Luz Rodriguez, of the ClaveKazi Dance Team, is originally from Puerto Rico. She has been dancing for may years, and in many countries around the world. Recently she spent over 5 months in Portugal working in Lisbon with the Edsae Dance Academy. Now she is heading with us to Tokyo. She is excited about this trip, and looks forward to dancing in a few different cities in Japan.
Juan Paredes, Owner and Director of Latin Groove Dance company. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in NY city, he has been dancing and teaching professionally since 2001. His love and passion for dance has always been part of his life. Popular around the world, Juan has given workshops and performances at the NY Salsa Congress, DC Salsa Congress, Orlando Salsa Congress, Miami Salsa Congress, the All-Star Salsa cruise, the Curacao Salsa Tour, 2007 South Padre Islanda Summer Salsa Bash, the Flava Invasion and many other events. Juan began his "Sabor Dominicano" Instructional DVD U.S. tour, with us in Washington DC, and now he's going to Japan. Be ready for his fun, dynamic and educational workshops!
Jareau Almeyda began dancing about 10 years ago when he learned from Mr. Eddie Torres in NYC. He has performed, compeated, taught, and even produced some of the worlds most notable dance events such as the Washington DC Salsa Congress, Miami Blitz, Flava Invasion, Tampa Thunder, and the iMambo.tv Extreme-Salsa Week in Japan. Today he spends most of his time social dancing and working behind video and photo cameras for his website www.iMambo.tv
Norberto “Betto” Herrera is originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Betto’s love for dance started at a young age, as he constantly searched for new moves and ways of improving his dancing. His love for dance includes all genres from salsa/mambo, cumbia, and quebradita, to ballroom, jazz, ballet and tango. His appreciation for the arts can be seen and felt in his dancing. With exciting funky footwork, body movement and unique musical interpretation both on and off the stage, Betto is one to watch every time he hits the dance floor.
Danielle
Danielle, also known by her ninjitsu name of "Luv2Spin", is traveling with us to Japan for a second time. According to her, this time she "vowes to fight underground crime, and rid the city of it's 2,000 year enemy, the JijiLol Organized Crime Family".
Pamela
Pamela, Peruvian, just like Jonathan, is also on her second trip to Japan with us. While she lives in Miami, she loves to travel. So far she has been to places like Mexico, Curaçao, Japan, NYC, Atlanta, San Fransico, Washington DC. Guys, she dances On1, On2 and Casino.
Kristina, Matt & Joe
Kristina Rattliff, from Dallas, Texas, has been dancing salsa since 2004. She prefers On2, but will try her luck at any timing. She is excited to visit Japan, not only for salsa, but the thought of being on an airplane for 15 hours really has her excited. She has done a little bit of traveling in her life, to places like, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Detroit, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Raleigh NC, St. Louis, New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro, and when she was 3, she lived in Taipei for 2 1/2 years. This is will be Kristina's second time in the Far East.
Led by Jonathan & Hana, Team Carnaval is Tokyo's pride when it comes to On2 performances. These guys work hard, play hard, and enjoy every moment on the dance floor.
Jonathan & Hana are helping us coordinate the iMambo.tv Extreme-Salsa Week in Japan. They are going to find us a location to dance, to teach workshops, to sleep, to eat, and to take pictures. We are excited about working with Jonathan & Hana again. We have been working with them for many years... not only are we business partners, but we are also friends.
Erick & Hiromi helped us last year with a day of performances and social dancing. This year they are back again. Check out their website for more info on their classes, events, performances, etc.
Miwa & Kana
Miwa & Kana also joined us last year. They performed for us, hung out, and of course danced with all the guys in our team. This year they are back again. Joe and Matt really don't dance all that much - but that does not matter, we'll have Miwa & Kana help them out a little bit.
Pegao comes to us from Osaka. This fun group of dancers, instructors and performers will be joining us this year for a great weekend.
Check out the slide show from last year:
We took over 2,000 pictures on this vacation. Selecting the best for the slide show was difficult.
So, who is going to Japan in April? Well, you. So quick, email us a picture and a youtube video clip of you dancing. We'll add your name to this list:
Shaka & Luz, Lisbon, Protugal (Originally from Washington DC)
Shaka & Luz have been in Portugal for a few months working with a the Edsae Escola de Dança, building choreographies, teaching classes, and helping build the dance scene in Portugal.
They will be joining us in Japan for a week of workshops, performances, and sight seeing.
Cristina & Rodrigo, Chicago, Il
This is the dance performance which convinced Jonathan that Cristina and Rodrigo should travel to Tokyo with us in 2009. He saw the routine, and asked us if we could have them in Japan. Our answer was a silent smile and a nod ;)
Juan "Ta-to" Paredes, Tampa, Florida
This will be Ta-to's first trip to Japan. It's time Japan got a feel for Ta-to's dance style, teaching style, and is contagious laughter and personality. He is especially looking forward to all the dancing, shopping, and different gastronomical experiences. We are excited to have him with us this year.
Jareau "That Guy from iMambo.tv" Almeyda, Miami, FL (Originally from NYC)
Jareau's job this year in Tokyo is going to be easy: Organize things, Dance, Shoot Video, Dance, Take Pictures, Dance, and Social Dance. We spoke to him a few days ago, he's excited about this trip.
Betto Herrera, from MamboDinamico, North Carolina
Betto, dancing in the center of this video clip, leads the MamboDinamico dance company from Raleigh, North Carolina. He has been dancing for many, many years. He is the guy who brings all the instruments to the Salsa Congress afterparty!
Betto works a lot, he dances a lot, and he smiles a lot. All of which can be exhausting. That's why he's going on vacation with us to Japan!
Our Schedule:
Wednesday
Flight to Tokyo
Thursday
Location: Tokyo
Hotel Check-in
Dinner in Akasaka
Welcome Party
Friday
Location: Kumamoto
Party in the Evening
Saturday
Location: Tokyo
Workshops in the daytime
Party at night with 2 dance roomd
Main Room: Hard Core Salsa, Cha Cha
Second Room: Softer music, bachata, merengue, salsa romantica
