Nashville Salsa Congress Pre-Party!

Bachata for Dummies website “If it ain’t sexy, don’t do it!” Jay Stylz (from Texas) is one of the most popular Latin dance instructors in the US, and he has fast become the most sought-after emcee at salsa & bachata dance festivals all over the world. He is known for his smooth dance style and entertaining dance humor.  Jay has helped hundreds of thousands of dancers learn through his teaching videos on his website, dfwsalsa.com, where he houses more than 20,000 lessons.   ~Jay's instructional website for bachata: Bachata for Dummies ~Jay's website for salsa: DFW Salsa for Dummies ~Great Jay videos: Cool Jay video 1 Cool Jay video 2  ...

Born in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico, Luis Angel Loredo came to the states when he was 9 years old. Although, his family is filled with musicians, it wasn't until his freshman year in high school that Luis Loredo began to tune into the sounds of music. But once he did, music took over his life very quickly. Bass guitar was his instrument of choice and like any other musician, he began exploring a multitude of other instruments including piano, organ, flute, guitar, and drums. He played in his church band as a bassist while traveling around the states for 10 years. At age 25, Loredo found himself in a club listening to bachata. The heavy bass beat and acoustic guitar stole his heart. But there was one problem: he couldn't dance at all. His body could not translate what his heart was feeling. So he began training with Arlington's Marcus Negron, who taught him salsa on 1 for about one-and-a-half years. Right after, Loredo began to train with the well-known Roberto Lay and his Dall...

Raymond (18 years old) & Jenalyn (15 years old), 3x World Salsa Champions, Miami (2) & Las Vegas. Taught by Vanesa Stay from Latin Energy in Toronto. COMPETITIONS & AWARDS World Latin Dance Cup - SalsaOn2 Amateur ChampionsInternational Hustle & Salsa Competition 1st Place (7 Divisions against Adults) OrlandoWorld Latin Dance Cup - Junior Salsa Division 1st Place World Junior Champions Las VegasLatin Energy Gala & World Cup Qualifier 1st Place (Against Adults) TorontoIHSC Competition 1st Place (8 Divisions) OrlandoToronto Salsa Festival 1st Place (Against Adults) TorontoFalls Premiere Ball 1st, 1st, 3rd Place NiagaraWorld Latin Dance Cup - Adult Amateur Division 1st (Cha Cha), 3rd (World Amateur) San DiegoTriple Threat Dance Competition Judges Choice Award TorontoMontreal Salsa Festival Adult Competition 1st Place (Against Adults) MontrealArts Acclaim Award (City of Brampton) Mayor’s Award BramptonCrystal Leaf Ballroom Competition (Salsa) 1st Place (5 Division...

Luka & Jenalyn, only 19 & 16 years old, are the youngest Professional Cabaret couple in North America and have been making waves in the ballroom world! COMPETITION TITLES 2016 Blackpool Exhibition Invitational Finalist2016 Michigan Dance Challenge (Professional Cabaret) 1st Place2015 World Amateur Cabaret Champions (Paris Worlds)2015 North American Imperial Show Dance Champions- Adult Division- Spring Tulip Festival of Dance2014 World Dutch Open Cabaret Champions 2014 North American Imperial Show Dance Champions- Youth Division - Spring Tulip Festival of Dance1st Place- La Classique du Quebec 20151st Place- Toronto Open Amateur Showdance1st Place- Crystal Leaf 2014- Toronto1st Place- Platinum Ballroom Competition 2014- Miami1st Place- World Summit 2014- Miami1st Place- Niagra Premier Falls Ball - Niagra  ...

Franklin Liranzo's website Franklin Liranzo is a Latin dancer and professional photographer based in New York City. His formal training in dance dates back to 2008, when he joined Mambo Bravo Latin Dance Studio. In 2011, Franklin founded his own professional team, Los Divos, and they performed and competed throughout the United States. Franklin is the reigning US Male Solo Champion 2016, as well as the 2016 Canada Salsa Congress Bachata and Cha Cha Champion with partner Monique Richards.  He also competes professionally with Lucia Jimenez from Costa Rica.  As an accomplished photographer, Franklin has worked nationally and internationally at dance congresses as well as with famous companies such as Ann Taylor, Victoria Secrets, and Burju Shoes. Franklin is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Digital Photography at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. COMPETITION TITLES US Male Solo Champion 2016-1st Place Canada Salsa Congress 2016-Bachata Couples-1st Place ...

Jean Franco Vergaray A proud native of Lima, Peru, Jean Franco is a well-known salsa dancer, choreographer, performer and instructor.  He performs and teaches nationally and internationally including destinations such as Lima, San Diego, Boston, D.C., Philadelphia, Miami, Nashville, etc. Jean Franco is currently a resident teacher at Sol Dance Center in Astoria, Queens, New York. Jean Franco's dance milestones include beginning to salsa dance at the wee age of 18 with the Mambo Bravo Latin Dance Company, graduating to the professional team under the direction of Ruby Espinosa; and only eight years after taking his first salsa steps, Jean Franco has spread his dance passion worldwide several times over with many wonderful teams, partners and as a solo artist. ~Awards & Competitions~ World Salsa Summit 2013-Same Gender Male Couple-3rd Place  ...

Fernando Palacios is an instructor, performer, and choreographer based in New York City who has trained under such talented pioneers of the salsa community such as Eddie Torres and Griselle Ponce. In the 10 years of his dance career, he has performed with and helped direct various dance companies throughout New York City. He has been featured on the television shows "Quiero Ser Estrella" (Telefutura) and "Despierta America" (Univision), and performed with legendary salsa musicians such as Gilberto Santa Rosa, Jose Alberto “El Canario," and Tito Nieves, among others. He is known not only for his skill as a social dancer and incredible stage presence, but also for his charisma, passion, and humility....

Melanie Castillo's website ***Melanie Castillo*** Melanie Castillo, a native New Yorker, is known for her powerful footwork styling and her electrifying presence on the dance floor. Being half Puerto Rican and half Dominican, music and dance have been always present. Beginning at only five years old, Melanie has formally trained all her life.  She incorporates ballet, jazz, tap, and other forms of dance. In 2011, Melanie and Elvis Collado teamed up and worked with Tito and Tamara, and Billy Fajardo. During that same year Melanie co-founded Las Damas and began working with Ismael Otero and Caribbean Soul. Melanie was also head instructor and choreographer at the Salsa Sensation Dance Studio in Long Island, NY.  ***Elvis Collado*** Elvis is the reigning World Salsa Summit Just Salsa Champion 2016 with competitive partner, Brianna Rios. They are also the 2nd Place WSS 2016 Just Hustle champs.  He travels worldwide teaching, perfo...

  Bachata Fusion website Jorge Elizondo's Bachata Boot Camp tour includes 500 cities throughout North America and Europe, where he has taught tens of thousands of students. Jorge produced 35 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 healthy, active lifestyle. Jorge's love of dance began 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's training in music theory and Latin dance led him to create "Bachata Fusion," which combines original and popular turn patterns and body movements from traditional bachata, tango, cha cha, and salsa. For more information about Jorge Elizondo: *Cool Bachata article*Jorge's Podcast Jorge also suggests these Youtube videos: *Cool Bachata video 1 *Cool Bachata video 2...