Performers & Instructors

Frankie Martinez

U.S.A

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, CHOREOGRAPHER AND DANCER ABAKUA AFRO-LATIN DANCE COMPANY.
Frankie Martinez is one of the most innovative Latin contemporary dancers of his generation. Leader of the Afro-Latin Funk Movement, he founded the ABAKUÁ Afro-Latin Dance Company in 2002. Frankie and ABAKUÁ have performed and taught in over 20 countries worldwide.

Billy Fajardo

U.S.A

Billy Fajardo has over 30 years of dance performance experience. As a young man, he was the founder and lead performer of the Dance Dimensions, the internationally acclaimed dance company who appeared on Don Kirshner?s Rock Concert from 1978-1982.

Ryoko Ohara & Wabisabi

Japan

Ryoko Ohara started her salsa training in 1997 in Tokyo, and began her carrier as a professional salsa dancer in 2000 with her former dance partner Ryu, founding the well-known and wildly creative WASABI. As well, she started her own Dance Company ELEGGUA in 2007.

Ana & Guga

Portugal

Ana & Guga, an Afro Latin professional dance couple from Portugal have been dancing together for 10 years. They specialize in Kizomba, Salsa & Bachata, teaching in Europe and have multiple dance contests under their belts.

Lia Robertson

U.S.A

Lia is an Afro-Latin Dancer and Coach based in New York. In 2009, she joined the Abakuá Afro Latin Dance Company. Trained in vocal music, Lia developed her skills as a dancer through her experience and training with Frankie Martinez.

Ahtoy Juliana

U.S.A

Ahtoy Juliana is the Director of BAILA Society, founded in 2006. She is a Rising Star Theater Arts Champion and has been judging national and international dance competitions since 2007.

Alex Lee & Kim Nodora

U.S.A

Alex Lee is a Firefighter, dancing salsa since 2003. Kim Nodora began dancing salsa professionally with Alex in 2005. They are known for lifts and tricks that focus on speed, elevation, timing, and danger.

DIOGO SILVA

Portugal

Diogo started dancing in 2003 in Portugal. He began with Ballroom and later moved to Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba and Semba. He started the Diogo Silva Dance Academy in 2014, has pioneered the Urban Kizz style in Portugal, and is the organizer of Prestige parties.

Harold & Regan

Canada

Harold Rancano and Regan Hirose are a Latin dance couple best known for their energetic and acrobatic flair on stage. Based out of Winnipeg, Canada, the flavorful couple has achieved plenty of success on both a national and international level, most notably being three-time World Bachata Cabaret Champions as of 2017 and currently two-time Canadian Bachata Champions.

Katie Marlow

U.S.A

Katie Marlow has been performing professionally since 1981 in cabaret, theatre, television and film. She later moved into choreography, and in 1995 she founded Dancesation! Entertainment. Along with her former partner Billy Fajardo, she won titles of 2002 IDO World Champions for both Hustle and Cabaret.

Jonathan & Rhythm

Peru - Japan

Back in 2000, Jonathan became well-known as a pioneer of Japanese NY On 2 Salsa / Mambo and an event promoter. Rhythm, trained in Ballet, Jazz, African Dance, Hip Hop and Disco Dance before coming to Salsa. They perform and teach in many Salsa festivals around the world.

Mac & Nia

Portugal

Mac & Nia, based in Lisbon, have 17 years of combined dancing and teaching experience in Kizomba and Semba. They have danced for big artists such as Calema, Nelson Freitas and Badoxa, among others and their own videos have been awarded Video of the Week on Mais Kizomba.

DJ

Henry Knowles

U.S.A

Henry, known as the # 1 Salsa DJ around the world, is the DJ’s disc jockey, spinning that tension-building beat and filling dancers with “ánimo.” With “la clave” in his heart and the music in his veins, he carries his passion for Latin culture and music in his work.

DJ Macalak

Portugal

A musician for 20 years, DJ Macalak plays 7 instruments in addition to DJ gigs in major clubs in Cape Verde, UK, Portugal, Spain and France, spinning the best African sounds. A dancer and event organizer as well, he travels to the world’s best beaches for memorable Kizomba parties.

Montuno

Canada

For over 12 years DJ Montuno has been Canada’s widest travelled and most popular Salsa Festival DJ. Based in Montreal, he has DJed at all the major Canadian salsa events, including the Montreal Salsa Convention.

DJ Hegza

Portugal

DJ Hegza, a world music DJ based in Lisbon, has played in several European capitals. He is also an Urban Kizz dancer and part of the AFROSUNSET team, travelling to the world’s best beaches to make people dance Kizomba in the sand.

DJ Sisco

Canada

Francisco Garcia, born in Nicaragua, has been exposed to salsa from a very early age. His deep love of music started around the age of 10 when he began to play the trumpet, leading him to appreciate the many intricacies that compose the musical arrangements of Salsa.