Ande Allure, originally from Nigeria, grew up in Europe and emigrated to the U.S. 18 years ago. She has trained in many forms of dance, African, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Salsa, Hustle, Cha-Cha, Bachata, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Kizomba, Zouk, Semba and others. Ande has performed and competed at various levels both nationally and internationally, in the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, Europe and Africa. Over the years, she has won multiple bronze, silver and gold awards at the International Hustle and Salsa Congress in Orlando, Puerto Rico and local competitions throughout Palm Springs and Los Angeles. Ande has performed and continues to perform regularly, with world champions such as Raul Santiago, Liz Lira, Abel Pena and on elite professional dance teams. She coaches and choreographs for her own exclusive ladies dance team in Los Angeles as well as manages her Health, Beauty and Wellness Medical Spa in Beverly Hills. Ande holds a masters degree in Business Systems Analysis and Design from City University in London.
Atiya is a dancer, choreographer, singer, model and instructor. She graduated from the Mercer County Performing Arts High School and Rider University where she earned a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts, Dance. She holds a Professional Certificate from the American Musical Dramatic Academy (AMDA-LA), in Musical Theater. Atiya is an also a National Certified Aerobic Instructor (AAAI/ISMA) and has been teaching aerobics for the last 8 years. Atiya has studied dance at the Princeton Ballet School with teachers from the American Repertory Ballet Company on a merit dance scholarship, and she completed independent study courses at Temple University in Modern and African dance under the direction of Dr. Kariamu. As an instructor, Atiya taught African and Ballet at the Princeton Ballet School while also assisting to build a non-profit community outreach program called Vessels, Inc. Vessels Inc. is a place where youths from the inner city of Trenton, New Jersey can learn dance and the dramatic arts. Atiya served as the Creative Arts Director of Vessels of Praise where she taught dance technique to children and adults – as well as planned special events and concerts touring Puerto Rico, Japan, and the Bahamas. Vessels Inc. won 3rd prize for the (“Praise Dance” category at the Mc Donald’s Gospel Competition). Atiya has performed as a liturgical dancer with Gospel Artists: Vicki Winans, Mary Mary, Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond, and John P. Kee. Atiya teaches Jazz technique at Compton Dance Theater Foundation, as well as Cardio Dance at Various Gyms in LA. Atiya Recently completed her training at AMDA and received her professional certificate in musical theater. Atiya El-Amin is a talented teacher, dynamite dancer, and a creative choreographer. Currently Atiya has remained in LA and is continuing to teach as well as develop as a dancer, while pursing her career as a singer/songwriter. She is striving to use her many talents to empower others worldwide.
Principal Dancer / Choreographer
Beatriz Eugenia Vasquez was born in Bogota Colombia (South America), she began her dance training in Folkloric dance and Classical Ballet. Upon coming to the United States she continued her Ballet studies in Los Angeles, CA under various renowned teachers, The Joffrey Ballet School in New York and back in Los Angeles at GCC. After auditioning at a city wide casting call in 2002 she was given the opportunity to participate as principal dancer and Choreographer for the 1st City wide production of ‘The Nutcracker in the City” at The Los Angeles Theater Center. She continued her participation in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Beatriz joined Rune Dance Theatre Modern Dance company in 2009-2010 performing at different events and venues throughout the LA Area. Between 2007-2012 Beatriz choreographed and danced for the The International Cumbia Festival, The Hollywood Fringe Festival, The Mexican Cultural Institute, Encuentro Latino Art Gallery, The Echo Park Art Walk, The LA Day Of The Dead at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Dia De Los Muertos at the El Centro del Pueblo in Echo Park CA, Evening of Contemporary Dance at the Mexican Consulate of LA, Shine ON- Bring it ON by Grammy nominated artist Arnold G, “Variations on Sonakinetography” by Channa Horwitz Pacific Standard Time Festival, Teatro Akabal’s Sentado En Un Arbol Caido.
In 2011 after seeing how well her choreographic pieces were received Beatriz founded her own dance company 3-19 Dance Art, It is here that her love for dance, movement, visual art and music all come together to create a sensory experience. “3-19 Dance Art” has appeared at Silent Cinema Hill Tribute to Aline Barnsdall, The LA Day Of The Dead 2011, Mi Alma Garden's Day of the Dead 2011, Encuentro Latino Equinoccio 2012, Encuentro Latino Equinoxx 2012, SIPA (Kita Tayo Sa SIPA) 2012, Echo Park Art Walk 2012, La Paloma Market Place 2012 and 2013, The Mix and Match Dance Festival at the Myles Memorial Play House, UCLA Viva 2013, Encuentro Latino’s Folklorisimo Celebration 2013, Dia De Los Muertos at Highways Performance Space, USC School of Genetic Science, National Water Dance Day 2014 for Grand Performances at California Plaza, The Tuesday Night Project in Downtown LA, recently 3-19 appeared with the Watts Village Theater Company, performing at the Watts Towers and The Leimert Park Theater Festival.
Summer 2013 Beatriz was Principal Dancer and one of 3 choreographers for BFA’s (Bilingual Foundation of The Arts) production of “Lorca, Child of the Moon” part of Grand Performances Summer Series at the California Plaza.
This past January 2014 Beatriz was Mercy the cat in CASA 0101 Theatre’s production of “ A Cat Named Mercy” written by Josefina Lopez and directed by Hector Rodriguez, in June 2014 Beatriz choreographed for “Under My Skin” Directed by Emanuel Loarca a production by Teatro Akabal at the Lee Strasberg Institute, (Marilyn Monroe Theatre), city of West Hollywood part of the One City One Pride Festival 2014, right after July 2014 Beatriz worked as choreographer for the Watts Village Theater company under Lynn Manning and Hector Rodriguez’s direction of Hollywood In The Hood.
This last November Beatriz presented for the 4th year in a row her acclaimed piece “Tango De La Catrina” at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery's LA Day of the Dead, and at Dia De Los Muertos in the City of Bell CA, and on December 2015 “ A Christmas Shop” created and choreographed by her was presented at Festival De La Calle 8, the biggest toy give away in the US, attended by over 25,000 people.
This March 2015 she was invited to present her new piece “Melancholy and Perfection” at Bach In The Subways event at Los Angeles Union Station, making her company the first dance company ever to participate in this world wide festival.
Recently in April Beatriz had the opportunity to choreograph for Macha Theatre Company, and for Akabal Theatre’s return of “Under My Skin” for which her choreography was highly praised by the critics and mentioned in the local newspapers.
In May her choreography “Melancholy and Perfection” was chosen among many submissions to be part of the Latino Works Festival at Highways Performance Space.
Besides directing and dancing for 3-19 Dance Art, Beatriz has worked, danced, choreographed and worked in the music videos for vocal recording artists Arnold G, Leopold Nunan, Archer Black, and JD Mata.
Beatriz has been a Ballet and Yoga instructor for children, adults and Seniors at public and private schools in the LA area for over 10 years.
Knowing that her early dance education helped her cope with the challenges of being a child immigrant, Beatriz made the conscious decision to teach and give back to those around her by bringing the arts into their lives.
For more info about her and her work you can go to www.beatrizeugenia3-19danceart.com or visit her facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/3-19-Dance-Art/369011849830214
“I chose numbers to define my work as my work has no ethnicity, I swim in the waters of each culture as if it was my own. We live in a global world and I choose to be inclusive of everyone and everything as opposed to delineate boundaries.”
Beatriz Eugenia Vasquez
Beatriz Eugenia Vasquez
Dancer/choreographer
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-igkJR-JMCI
Dancer
Bernadette Sebastian is a versatile dancer that has been dancing for around 8 years. She has backgrounds in Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Ballroom, Salsa, Modern, Hip-Hop, Choreography, Lebanese Dabke, and is currently learning Pointe; other athletic backgrounds include Color Guard and Fencing. She has performed numerous times all throughout her high school years in Azusa, The Rose Parade 2008-10, Candela Salsa Club, and Pasadena City College Dance Concerts. Some of Bernadette's choreographies included "A Grimm Fairy Tale" (2011), "Tortured Soul" (2013), "Forces of Nature" (2014), and "Dance of the Marionettes" (2015). She received Achievement Awards for Choreography, Performance, Dean's Special Recognition Awards Scholarship, and Maria Isabel Fernandez Scholarship. In the past year, she has also performed for the Limon Dance Workshop, Speak Hill Dance Company under Marlita Hill, LA Nutcracker Unbound, ACDA Long Beach Dance Convention, Young Frankenstein Musical, The Great Gatsby Production, The Magic Flute Opera Production, Nigel Lythgoe Gala Flash Mob Honorary, and Chess the Musical in Long Beach. She received her Associates of Arts in German, Humanities, and Social Science, and currently hopes to do an internship in Germany this Summer 2016. She currently dances with Pasadena City College, Vista Dance Company, Samo's Dabke Folkoric Group, Krounk Armenian Dance Company, and Central Avenue Dance Ensemble.
Dancer
Dancer
Chelsea's dance specialties are in ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip hop with a strong love for ballet. However, her passion for dance has led her to endeavor a variety of dance forms and her style is quite adaptable and versatile. She has danced on professional dance teams, but her favorite performance choice is in a theater setting. She has also been teaching ballet, jazz, and hip hop to elementary school kids for four years. Chelsea continues her education as a dance major and to pursue professional projects.
Artistic Director / Choreographer / Principal Dancer
Dancing since 1974, Chester Whitmore originally studied to be a cinematographer. An encounter with famed tap dancer Fayard Nicholas changed his life. Eventually, Mr. Nicholas became his teacher and mentor.
Mr. Whitmore has been jumping ever since. Lately, he has been traveling around the world on tour as dancer, teacher, choreographer, director and entertainer. He and his dance company, Black Ballet Jazz, have performed with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington, the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Frank Foster, Joe Williams and the great Miles Davis.
The summer of 1999 sent him touring through Canada and Europe with the Smithsonian Masterworks Jazz Orchestra in a tribute to Duke Ellington.
Chester Whitmore's choreography can be seen in music videos by Weird Al Yankovic, Tina Marie, Boys 2 Men, Sugar Ray, and most recently in the hit movie musical "La La Land".
The NAACP Image Awards (1989-1994), Soul of American Music, and Stellar Awards (Gospel Music Awards) show Mr. Whitmore’s versatility in choreographing for diverse groups, such as the Nicholas Brothers with Savion Glover, M.C. Hammer, Lavert, Bebe and Cece Winans, Vickie Winans and dance tributes to Dick Clark and The Artist (formerly known as Prince).
Mr. Whitmore is actively involved in projects teaching young people on the history of Vernacular Jazz Dance and Central Avenue through Los Angeles Cultural Affairs events as performer or as teacher for the Parks and Recreation Division, African Marketplace, and in schools and universities throughout the U.S.
Teaching/lecture assignments include Herrang Dance Camp(Sweden), Los Angeles City College, UCLA (Ballroom Dance Club), The California African-American Museum, and dance performances, Salzburg (Austria), the San Francisco Jazz Festival (1997), the Monterey Jazz Festival (1996), The Henry Ford Theater ("Lord of the Swing") and Los Angeles Union Station.
Chester Whitmore has taught almost everyone who has made a name in the swing scene.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK8SDJpJQu8
Chester Whitmore's story is pretty fascinating. Here are a couple a links to interviews where he tells his story himself:
In 2010, Daigo came to the U.S as an international student and started to tap dance with Chester A. Whitmore at Los Angeles City College. Since 2012, he has studied with Hiroshi Hamanishi at the Colburn School of Performing Arts. Daigo performed with Hiroshi Hamanishi, Chester A. Whitmore, Jason Rodgers, Gabe and Mindy Copeland at San Pedro Festival of the Arts. He also performed for Night of Resident Artists and Dance concerts at El Camino College, Cornerstone Gospel Choir concert directed by Ray Sidney. He holds a BS in Management from California State University, Long Beach. Daigo is so excited to join Central Avenue Dance Ensemble and experiencing tap dance roots and American Vernacular dance.
Author J.O. Bankole, writer of the new novel God’s Blood has a secret life of dance. Now 49 and primarily a salsera and social dancer, “Fumi” has been making her way around the globe and across history through dance since her teens when she began training in modern, jazz and ballet at Lula Washington’s summer dance camp for youth. Highlights from Ms. Bankole’s career include The Four Aces episode of That’s So Raven, a Fox Network Sports Super Bowl cameo in a television commercial, Janet Jackson, Got 'Til It's Gone music video;
Fumi has performed Black vernacular dances like the lindy hop at such venues as the John Anson Ford Theater with master teacher choreographer Chester Whitmore (and The Central Avenue Dance Ensemble). For several years she performed Cuban rueda de casino with Afri-K-Sineras directed by Patricia Martinez. Fumi has performed Senegalese and Guinea style traditional dances, extensively, with Le Ballet de Kouman Kele´ under the artistic direction of Nzingha Camara and with Ceedo, a traditional dance company based in the Bay Area under the direction of Alison Kane and Abdulai Djakite, as well as with Abalaye African Dance Ensemble here in the South Land. She has also performed extensively in multiple styles as a freelance artist.
To keep up with J.O. Bankole’s works and thought, please follow her blog at www.brownfuture.com.
Photo By Joanna Siegman Photography
Jade Opal Jerry is a current dance major at El Camino College. She plans to continue her studies in dance composition at a university as a transfer student for the upcoming fall semester. During her time at El Camino, she has performed in and choreographed works for the bi-annual Advanced Dance Concerts as well as the American College Dance Association Baja Conferences of 2015 and 2016. She has also been a cast member of the 2015-16 Dancing with the South Bay Stars season and performed at the 2015 Nollywood & African Film Critic's Awards. Currently, she is the manager of and performer for the ECC-based salsa dance team, El Co Salseros.
Karin is a performing artist of traditional & international cultural folk dance. Dance instructor and model. Born in New York City, raised in Los Angeles began her training in New York, then continued her training with master dance teacher, Carmelita Maracci.
Karin has extensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and dances of the Mediteranean. She began performing at age 13 with the San Gabriel Civic Ballet Co. and Joseph Richard Productions and was quickly promoted to soloist and danced in various ballets.
Karin has performed with KissFM radio station (Los Angeles) appearing at promotional events. Performed at special events with Dr Jihad Racey Dean of the ethnomusicology department at UCLA.
Performed at various venues worldwide, in cities such as, Mexico City, Nagoya,Japan, Athens, Greece, Manhatan, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, CA, and London, England.
She has performed for celebrities such as Al Pacino, Omar Sharif, Julia Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, Al Pacino, Mr. & Mrs Casey Casem, Dick Clark, Michele Pfeifer, Mickey Rourke, and, the president of the United States, President Ronald Reagan and the First lady, among other dignitaries.
Karin began teaching in New York, Los Angeles, Japan, and Mexico City. Has coached professional dancers, as well as choreographed for ensemble troupes.
She is living in Los Angeles performing and pursuing a career in dance education. Dance Teaching Certificate from Gcc. Curently performing and Director of Production for Jax Hammer Entertainment.
Dancer
Kiana has always been a lover of dance, music and athletics. Born and raised in Midland Michigan, at age four she began training as a gymnast and simultaneously studied ballet to improve her flexibility, balance and technique. Her favorite gymnastic events were vault and floor exercises. As a music composer one of her favorite memories is creating her own floor music because she didn't like any of the available music selections. Throughout her years as a junior athlete she won multiple state, national and world championships in gymnastics, trampoline, tumbling, track and field and Tae Kwon Do. Kiana attended college at the University of Michigan where she studied Industrial and Operations Engineering and competed in the 400 meter hurdles for U of M’s track team. Go Blue!
This year we present Ms. MaDonna Grimes with the Central Avenue Dance Ensemble Arts and Humanitarian Award for her contribution to the history of Hip Hop.
Guest Artist / Choreographer / Dancer
MaDonna Grimes has created a brand that exemplifies living well and looking great by supporting a lifestyle that enhances living and improving the daily lives of everyone she touches.
MaDonna exhibits a contagious energy that continuously keeps her in high demand as she uses her extraordinary abilities to educate, motivate, and inspire everyone who comes in contact with her unique magic; all the while keeping her passionate commitment to living life to its utmost potential. She embodies a personal commitment through her charitable endeavors, her human compassion, and her fervent desire for everyone to live a healthy and soulful life.
Grimes’ history of accomplishments has earned her the world stage. Her talent and credentials are extensive and almost limitless. She is not only a recognizable cover girl for worldwide magazines such as Glamour, Allure, Flex, Shape, “Her” by Muscle & Fitness, and many others, but she has also won honors as Miss Fitness America, Miss Fitness International, and was awarded USA National Aerobics Champion. Due to her drive and talent in the arts and entertainment industry, she has hosted on ESPN, BET’s Screen Scene, and Nubian Goddess, in addition to a wide list of international engagements. And in 2008, MaDonna proudly received the NAACP Best Choreographer for Theater Award.
As an established author of “Work It Out”, a library of 22 bestselling dance and fitness videos on the market, MaDonna toured globally with her World Dance Competition while concurrently starring on two health and fitness shows for Fit TV and the Discovery Health Channel. With so many accomplishments already achieved, the non-stop MaDonna continues to work with passion and spirit, constantly looking forward to new endeavors.
Undoubtedly recognized as the “Queen of Fitness, Dance, and Hip Hop”, MaDonna Grimes has instructed, choreographed, performed, and appeared over 30 countries. She has lifted our spirits, freed our minds, moved our bodies, and fueled our souls with her positive attitude, incredible energy, and sparkle for life. Her soulful approach to keep our body and mind active along with her hands-on approach to enhance healthy lifestyles is the motivation behind this incredible woman.
And this is just the first chapter of the incredible story she continues to write.
Please donate and join MaDonna's battle.
http://www.gofundme.com/MaDonnafightingcancer
Nupeir is honored to be apart of this awesome production. He graduated California State University, Sacramento in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in theater and a dance minor. He moved to Los Angeles in 2013 to pursue his passion with dancing and acting. Nupeir is also happy to learn new dancing styles such as Lindy Hop and Zulu
Central Avenue Dance Ensemble Prinicpals
Instructor / Dancer
Reginald T. Thornton – A singer, dancer and actor, Reggie is a native of Gary, Indiana. He has appeared in numerous television shows, such as Soul Train, Solid Gold, American Bandstand, The Wayne Brady Show, and General Hospital, and has danced throughout Europe with the Black Ballet Jazz Dance Company of Los Angeles. A graduate of Ball State University, Reggie is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He enjoys running with the NikeTown Running Club, and has completed eleven marathons and a number of 10K races.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMFDxJ6oB70
Ron Parker is the director of the Central Avenue Dance Ensemble. A native Californian, born and raised in Los Angeles, he is a graduate of U.C.L.A. with a degree in French and Linguistics. Ron is a nationally recognized dance instructor, dance historian, Jazz, Ballroom and Tap dancer. He has written and produced several YouTube documentaries on Black Dance History. He is the co-founder of the R & B Salsa Network, which taught and promoted the dance in the Black community for several years. As past Vice-President of the Los Angeles Chapter of USA Dance, he was actively involved in promoting Ballroom dancing in Southern California for the several years. His hobbies include skiing, hiking, rock climbing, and dancing and performing a variety of Ballroom and social dances (including Ballet, Belly Dance, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Hustle, West Coast Swing, Lindy and Tap). He is a founding member of the Central Avenue Dance Ensemble and his dance experience includes performances in the musicals “At the Lincoln Theatre”, “De Obeah Mon” and "Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel?", the T.V. shows “That’s So Raven” and “Tom Joyner Show”, and the movies “Lackawanna Blues” and “Their Eyes Were Watching God”. He has also served as a choreographer and principal dancer with the Beverly Hills Cotillion Dance Ensemble. In 2011, Ron wrote, produced, directed and co-choreographed the highly acclaimed "History of Black Dance in America" multi-media show which presents the story of the African-American contribution to American popular social dance. It premiered to a sold-out crowd in 2011, and closed to sold-out crowds in 2012. 2014 was a busy year for Ron: He served as assistant director to Chester Whitmore for the Frankie Manning Centennial Show at the Apollo Theater in New York, hailed as one of the best shows at the Apollo in 25 years. He directed "The Origins of Black Dance" at the Barnsdale Gallery Theater in Los Angeles. And, he initiated and ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the successful HBDA Juneteenth 2015 Celebration at Cal State Dominguez Hills University. As a result of this successful campaign, he was nominated, along with Chester Whitmore, as a "Local Hero" by our local PBS station. Recently Ron was tapped by the El Camino College Center for the Performing Arts in Torrance, CA to present HBDA for Black History Month 2016. And, a photo retrospective of the 2015 HBDA show premiered at the Gallery Exposure art gallery, also in Torrance, on February 6, 2016: http://www.centralavedance.com/hbda_exhibit_2016.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADfeoLAJinc
I am born, raised and educated in Los Angeles. I danced in high school musicals. After graduating from LA High School, I joined a community youth group that performed vintage Swing routines at senior citizen facilities around the city. After graduating from UCLA, I started a computer software business which I ran successfully for 20 years. Around 2000, because of the changing demographics in the city, I decided to take up Salsa. I went on to learn and master Ballroom, Argentine Tango and most of the partner social dances. Around 2003, I joined Chester Whitmore, who was looking to form an all-black Lindy Hop dance group. We named it the Central Ave Dance Ensemble. Here I gained both an interest in studying dance history as well as experience performing for and educating the public on dance. I went on to dance at several events around the city as well in a couple of TV shows and movies. I joined the Beverly Hills Cotillion Dance Ensemble and have performed with them for 4 years. Between 2008 and 2009 I was vice-president of the LA Chapter of USA Dance where I was quite active in promoting Ballroom dancing in the community. In 2010 I initiated a series of dance workshops designed to introduce South Central residents to dances they aren't normally exposed to: The Diversify Your Dance series. And, in 2011 and 2012, I produced, directed and co-choreographed "The History of Black Dance In America", a retrospective of 200 years of African-inspired dance in America. It premiered to a sold-out crowd in 2011, and closed to a sold-out crowds in 2012. In 2014 I served as assistant director to Chester Whitmore for the Frankie Manning Centennial Show at the Apollo Theater in New York, hailed as one of the best shows at the Apollo in 25 years. Also in 2014, I initiated a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to do HBDA in 2015. As a result of this successful campaign, I was nominated, along with Chester Whitmore, as a "Local Hero" by our local PBS station. Recently I've been tapped by the El Camino College Center for the Performing Arts to present HBDA for Black History Month 2016.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADfeoLAJinc
Assistant Director / Choreographer / Dancer
Rosa Harris was raised in Detroit, Michigan where she met and married her best friend Herbert. They have one daughter Ashlee. At an early age Rosa started dancing with a local drill team that performed statewide. During her teenage years she worked, trained and performed with the Festival of Performing Arts, a summer program created to introduce inner city youth to the arts. Through that program Rosa discovered her passion as an actress/dancer.
Rosa followed her zest for dance after obtaining her B.A in Interdisciplinary Studies from California State University Dominguez Hills. She landed roles as a principal dancer in an Ameriprise TV commercial and as a member of the WNBA L.A. Sparks Ole Skool Crew - bring her back to what she loves.
Rosa recently served as Assistant Producer on the 2016 History of Black Dance in America shows and is currently a member of the San Franciso Golden State Warriors Senior Dance Team.
Rosa feels that dancing will keep you young at heart, no matter your age. She hopes to compete someday on Dancing with the Stars. Hey- all things are possible if you open your heart and allow your feet to lead you into your destiny!
Rosalind Cook is a native of California, born and raised in Los Angeles. B.A. in Business Management, California State University of Los Angeles, A.S. degree in Computer Science, Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Holds two Clear Designated Subject Teaching Credentials. Employed by Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as a Credential and Contract Specialist for over 20 years. Teaches Line Dance for LAUSD and Lawndale Community Center. Hobbies include: skating, bowling, relaxing and dancing. I performed at various functions as a dancer and actress.
Born in Tecoman Colima Mexico Salvador Graduated from the I.U.B.A. (Instituto Universitario de Bellas Artes) in Dance obtaining an A.A and a BFA in Dance under the recognized professor and director Rafael Zamarripa. He has danced with various Dance companies such as Contratiempo Dance Group(Colima), Ensamble Dance Company (Colima), STEICH Dance (Guanajuato), RE-incorporate under the direction of Carlos Gonzalez. Salvador has trained in Limon technique, Musical theatre, Tango, Ballroom to name a few. Salvador has danced with Rune Dance Theatre in productions such as Lux Aeterna and Falling up-Twittering down, Recording Artist Arnold G, and is a member- codirector of Brazeros Contemporary Dance, Brazeros has performed at the LA Day of the Dead at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Dia de los Muertos at the El Centro Del Pueblo in Echo Park CA, and an Evening of Contemporary Dance at the Mexican Consulate of LA.
Born in New York, NY to Mambo-dancing parents Sury has always had a passion for dancing. She started dancing mambo at a young age but found her true calling in Dancesport. Although primarily trained in International Latin, Standard and Smooth, she has experience in several other dances including salsa, hustle, bachata, merengue and west coast swing. As an amateur competitor she has been the winner of several Latin Championships. She has become well known on the dance floor for her technical precision and unique, charismatic style.
Tambre Leighn's passion for dance began at the early age of five when she first took up ballet. One year later, at the direction of her teacher, she took to the ice to build up her leg strength and never looked back. Tambre spent the next decade training on ice, particularly accelerating in ice dancing and mastered Foxtrot, Swing, Argentine Tango, Paso Doble, Rhumba, Viennese Waltz, American Waltz and more. At the age of eighteen, she was hired on the spot at an audition for Ice Follies/Holiday On Ice and was awarded a year long contract. After a year on tour, she returned to school and was accepted into York University's renowned dance program in Toronto, Ontario. A knee injury ended her dance studies and Tambre went on to become a film major, ultimately receiving a Master of Communication Arts.
During the course of her eduction, she produced two short films involving dance and figure skating and won the prestigious Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Telefest Award for Best Experimental Video. After losing her husband to cancer, Tambre took up salsa dancing, her first partner dance off-ice, as part of her healing process. Tambre went on to learn other dances including Mambo, Hustle, Cha Cha, West Coast Swing and more. Less than a year ago, she had the honor of becoming Ron Parker's performance partner in Argentine Tango. A published author and certified professional coach, Tambre notes, "I write to remember and I dance to forget." She is grateful for the many gifts and lessons being a dancer has generated but even more so the opportunity to live her passion both on and off the dance floor daily.
