Gene & Lili Gong are the founders of Hot Salsa Club. They are the pioneers of Bachata in Shanghai, China. Gene was born into a Ballroom Latin Dance teachers' family and began his dance training, in traditional Chinese Folk Dance, 10 years ago. Since taking up salsa dancing in 2002 he and his partner Lili have taught and performed extensively around Asia. They performed at the first "Beijing Salsa Festival" in 2005 and Shanghai Salsa Congress in both 2006 and 2007.
In 2007 he was honored with a special invitation to perform at the first ever salsa event in Hoi An (Vietnam) with Amélie Pontaillier’s team, "Sangre Nueva".
Also in 2007, They gave a special bachata performance at the "Salsa India Festival" in Mumbai, India (a city which only slightly edges out Shanghai as the most populous city in the world).
In 2008, they continue to show the world their Bachata and Salsa Style at the 2008 Shanghai Salsa Festival and 2008 Beijing Salsa Congress.

 

Christine Kam began her dance career as a classically trained ballerina. In 1999 and 2000, she won the prestigious Pacific Northwest Weiler Choreography Competition Scholarship for her original choreography pieces. She has passed dance examinations from both the Royal Academy of Dance as well as receiving high honors in the American Academy of Ballet's Performance Awards. In college, she found her passion for latin dance and trained under m any instructors while dancing with Onda Latina, a latin dance troupe from the University of Pennsylvania.
Additionally, she is the 2008 Southeast Regional 9 dance champions. With over 10 years of teaching experience (ballet, ballroom, latin, and salsa), she hopes to use her passion for dance as well as extensive knowledge of body movement and dynamics to inspire others to dance. She and her salsa partner, Henri Velandia, recentely currently qualified for the World Salsa Championships in 2009.

Currently one of the most sought after Bachata instructors / choreographers in the industry today.

A professional dancer since his teens, Joe Figueroa has pushed the boundaries of the dance world with his exciting and innovative style of freestyle Bachata and Salsa.

 

Joe began his career as a professional dancer for MTV Studios, and his unique style and talent quickly secured his reputation in New York City. Joe's extensive background in Freestyle, Pop and Hip Hop ultimately led him to develop a distinctive style of salsa dancing known as "Philly Style Salsa" — an explosive salsa style that combines smooth moves with sharp, complicated turn patterns. This unique style has earned Joe the reputation of the hottest salsero on the East Coast

Bio Coming Soon

 

If Ain’t Sexy… Don’t Do It!

Jay Stylz and Jenny have traveled across the country to perform and teach workshops for hundreds of people, appeared in numerous television and news spots, and also progressing their classes in Dallas. Jay’s dance- and teaching-style is an interesting blend of body isolations, salsa, afro-cuban and just the right touch of sex appeal. Follow Jay Stylz and The German Chocolate to Salsa success.

Angel Ortiz specializes in teaching Salsa "On 1" and "On 2". With 20 years combined world-wide travel as an International guest instructor, Angel Ortiz will have you dancing Salsa in no time. Precision Footwork, style with Technique, and quality instruction define his career in Salsa.

As an established International Salsa Instructor, Angel has been consistently teaching at International Salsa Congresses and Festivals around the world since 1997.

Ahmed Selim has been teaching dance since the age of 13 and is currently director of the Starlight Ballroom Dance Studio, in New Hyde Park, NY with his wife Katherine. Introduced to Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino in 1997 by a latin dance coach from Miami he acquired a new found love for the style. Since then he has started the first program of its kind in the area dedicated to bringing Cuban style salsa to the public eye as well as incorporating Cuban-style Salsa/Rueda de Casino into all of the programs at their dance studio,

Over the past 25 years Ahmed and Katherine have taught, choreographed and performed throughout the US and abroad, with numerous appearances ranging from ART TV, A&E, Cablevision, Fox News Channel and Womens Entertainment

Jorge Elizondo was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, where the sounds of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United States meet. In this unique environment, Jorge trained in music theory and Latin dance and developed "Bachata Fusion," a style of dance that combines turn patterns and body movements from traditional Bachata, Tango, Cha Cha, and Salsa with many original moves. The end result is an expressive, active style of dance that removes all barriers and allows dancers to be more creative.
Formerly a public school teacher, Jorge's passion for teaching equals his passion for dancing. His Bachata BootCamp tour has taken him to 300 cities throughout North America,Europe, Asia & Australia where he has taught tens of thousands of students. Throughout all his journeys, he has continued to develop new concepts to share with the world. He has produced 30 instructional DVDs ranging from beginning bachata to salsa, and his work has been sold in over 40 countries. Jorge's mission is to spread the love of bachata all over the world and encourage people to live a healthier, more active lifestyle

Director of iDance Studio, she is a native of Guatemala, where she earned a B.A. in dance at the Francisco Marroquin University. She performed with the National Ballet Company of Guatemala, Z.T. Musical Theater of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, London Hite Ballet and Prairie Dance Theatre. Hazel teaches Creative Movement, Ballet, Beginning Tap, Salsa and Argentine Tango.

I

Marlon & Blair have 8 and 6 years of dance experience, respectively. They bring abundant creativity and passion to their dance style. This is most notable in the way they lead the ‘I Dance Studio’ Troupe. Their salsa classes are fun, energetic and very personal. Marlon & Blair teach Salsa.

 

Originally from New York, Bruce Montoya took his first steps in Salsa, wearing combat boots during the 1991 Gulf War. Learning from a fellow U.S. Marine during operational breaks, Bruce immediately connected to the rhythms that had evaded him during his rough upbringing in N.Y. After his tour of duty, Bruce attended the University of Arizona where his mission became to obtain a degree, learn more salsa moves and of course, meet the ladies! In 1995 Bruce started various Latin dance groups on campus, all with the goal of helping University students connect through Salsa. But on September 11th, 2001 that all changed. Returning to active duty with the Marines, Bruce's focus shifted from conducting beginner salsa classes for civilians to conducting personal protection sessions for U.S. Marines.

Now as a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant, Bruce has returned to
civilian life to primarily conduct personal protection courses
throughout Tucson and when requested, providing self defense
workshops to the dancers of the various Bachata Festivals held
throughout the United States. Many ask, "Why are they conducting self defense classes at a BACHATA festival?" And the answer logically is: because criminals in the local area where the festivals are being held, are on the prowl for distracted tourists that are easy targets! Enjoy the dance on the floor yet be aware that the walk back to your seat can drastically be different from the walk back to your car or restaurant. Using reality-based personal protection training methods, Bruce strives to instill a strong sense of awareness and prepardeness within all of the dedicated students taking his courses throughout the U.S

Julian Hidalgo aka "JJ"
Director / Founder - Choreographer, Mambo Instructor, Performer
A native New Yorker of Dominican descent, JJ was first introduced to the New York Style Salsa scene at the end of the summer of '98 while dancing in one of Providence's hottest spots at the time, a club called "Tropical." He was immediately captured by the footwork, affectionately known as "Shines," and the turn patterns shown by the local dancers on the dance floor. He began his training in Mambo / Salsa "On2" with local teachers and later with the renowned Santo Rico, Joshua Gomez, a former member of the Eddie Torres dance group, with the "Mambo King and Queen" Eddie and Maria Torres, and with the Palladium Mambo Legend Mr. Freddy Rios. He still continues practicing and learning with the purpose of perfecting his dancing and teaching skills, to support and promote the Salsa scene in Rhode Island.

Kathia Hidalgo aka "Kathy"
Choreographer, Mambo Instructor, Performer
Born in Bolivia of Lebanese descent, Kathy started taking Salsa classes during the summer of '99 at a local YMCA in Providence. After a few months of taking classes and uncovering her natural talent, she was asked by the teacher to perform a routine. She knew then she was hooked and had to have greater exposure. It wasn't until a year later at the Bolivian Festival that she first met Julian while he was practicing with the original group before performing at the festival. She then immediately began her training in Mambo / Salsa "On 2" with Julian, and later on alongside him with the renowned Santo Rico, Joshua Gomez, with the King and Queen of Mambo Eddie and Maria Torres, and with Mr. Freddy Rios. She still continues to do so with the purpose of perfecting her dancing and teaching skills.

Moris Sosa & Angela Rodriguez have been teaching Bachata for over 4 years at SSQQ (Houston Largest Latin Dance School). Over the past 4 years, they have developed a very unique approach to teaching bachata and have taught thousands of dancers in the Houston Area. Their Bachata style consist of traditional Bachata fused with sexy passionate Tango.

Lee Rios and Lisa Vargas are based out of San Antonio, Texas and have been dancing together for about 4 years. Together they stand out for their unique style both in social partner work as well as in choreographies. They have taught in various events both nationally and internationally; sharing their knowledge and inspiring many to be "touched moved and inspired" by dance and life.

Lee Rios is founder and director of Semeneya Dance Company and the owner of Semeneya Ballroom (a 7,000 sq.ft. ballroom based out of Texas). He has studied, taught, and performed Salsa as well as many other traditional Latin Dances for more than 15 years. He has also been the featured performer/instructor at Salsa events all over the world, such places include Rostov, Russia, India, and all over Europe and the United States. He brought for his unique style of turn patterns, choreography and his ability to light up a crowd with his famous "improv acting" skills.

Lisa Vargas is the female artistic director of Semeneya Dance Company, Semeneya Semi-pro team and Student team. She has a background in Mexican folklorico, and jazz, but has pursued Salsa for the last 5 years. Lisa is best known for unique styling, ability to follow and energy on the stage.

Bio Coming Soon

Friday Night Performers

 

Mambo Dallas

Angela &  Moris - SSQQ Dance Studio Houston, TX

JJ Latin Dancers - Julian & Kathia - Rhode Island

Musicaliente Ladies Performance Team - Philly

Living in Rhythm Performance Team - Philly

Camille Yannantuono & Alejandro Rey- Los Angeles

MamboViolento - Dallas - Chicago

Guajiro - Dallas,TX

Jaguar Salseros - Dallas, TX

Semeneya - Lee Rios & Lisa - San Antonio

International Dance Studio - OKC - Hazel Lopez & Luis Angel

Saturday Night Performances

 

MamboViolento - Dallas - Chicago

International Dance Studio - OKC - Hazel Lopez & Luis Angel

SSQQ Dance Studio Houston, TX - Angela & Moris

Passion Unidas - Austin, TX

Postive Energy - Camille Yannantuono & Michael Saltus  - San Diego

Guajiro - Dallas, TX

Mambo Dallas - Dallas, TX

Camille Yannantuono  & Joe Figueroa  Philly- Los Angeles

JJ Latin Dancers - Rhode Island - Julian & Kathia Hidalgo

Musicaliente Ladies Performance Team - Philly

Semeneya - Kenny Del Toro & Kat San Antonio