Teachers

Max and Alex are bachata artists and founders of Desafyar dance school in Christchurch “We started choreographing and teaching in 2019 to fuel our community with new ideas and the latest trends from overseas. Since then, we’ve taught all around NZ and in Austria, UK, Thailand and Australia. We focus on sensual and fusion bachata, including Bachatrap, as well as creating choreographies and hosting festivals. We aim to challenge and inspire dancers to find connection, to dance with respect and playfulness, and to create their own magic on the dance floor. Come find us for a dance!”

Social media: @maxandalex_official

@desafyar

@max_bachatrap

@alexandra_mary_nz

Donna has been teaching Salsa and Bachata for over 25 years. Her passion shines anywhere between helper a new beginner dancer walking into the studio, to supporting youth dancers on their Latin journey to pushing our top competitors to be the best they can be.

Mike is well known in our studio for working hard with our social dancers, being a great lead and a clear, passionate instructor & performer. Latin Fire look forward to returning to this wonderful event and sharing our knowledge and love of Latin dance with the community

Find out more at https://www.latinfire.co.nz/

Cuban dancer, teacher and choreographer, Vivio Ramos has been sharing his love of Cuban dance with New Zealand for the past 20+ years through The Cuban Groove.

Vivio’s philosophy is ‘Bailar es vida, la vida es una danza’ – ‘Dance is life, life is dance’. His own life of dance began, aged 11, at the prestigious National School of Dance in Habana, leading to a 20-year professional dance career with Ballet de Camaguey; then, as a principal dancer for Danza Contemporania de Cuba, performing in 100s of shows around the world. He was principal dancer and choreographer with Lady Salsa when he arrived in New Zealand in 2002 and stayed.

Since then, Vivio has taught 1000s of students, toured his show The Cuban Carrusel, participated in festivals – including WOMAD, Aotearoa Cuban Festival and the New Zealand Salsa Congress, judged national salsa competitions, and has appeared on television and film.

Known in the dance scene as Roma and Seb, they have captivated audiences on stages around the world, from world competitions to dance events in America, Europe, Oceania and Asia. Their unique style fuses the classical elegance of ballet with the passion, experience, and Latin flavour, creating a choreographic narrative that transcends borders.

Romina Orue, born in Rio Grande Argentina, began her classical ballet training at a young age. Later she studied dance at the National University of the Arts in Buenos Aires. However, her restless spirit sought freer forms of expression like Salsa and Bachata.

Sebastián Vera, meanwhile, was born in Santiago, Chile, and moved to Auckland at the age of 23. He learned to dance at neighborhood parties, where rhythm and improvisation were the key elements. His talent was discovered in one of the bars he frequented, and he soon became a prominent figure in the Latin scene in New Zealand. Travelling the world teaching and performing at the most prestigious Latin dance events.

Fate brought them together at a salsa event in Auckland in 2023. Roma recent arrival in NZ, was able to merge and work her dance style alongside Seb, creating events, classes and choreographic teams. The connection was instant, a collision of worlds , Roma’s precision and Seb’s passion. On stage, this creative tension translated into explosive chemistry.

Vuelta Dance is a collective of experienced salsa performers and teachers based in Dunedin and Christchurch, known not only for our collection of shiny competition trophies but more importantly, for how much we love to share our passion for dance.

We are lucky to have a teaching team of four powerful women with totally different body types, dance backgrounds, and strengths, so our students get a real mixture of styles. We teach shines and partnered salsa in a variety of styles.

We love taking a fresh, fun approach to salsa: encouraging dancers to style in a way that suits their specific body shape and the way they like to move; to encourage confidence and self-expression on the dance floor. Our aim is that you leave our workshops with a smile on your face, and some new ways of moving that make you feel great

Shannon and Trajano developed a passion for Zouk whilst on their travels and have become aficionados ever since. They are both keen to develop and add in influences from their varied dance background which allows them to bring a unique flavour to their NZ Zouk.

Trajano, the latin half to this duo, has strong training in Brazilian Capoeira, Martial Arts, Linear Salsa and acting. He has been influenced greatly by his training in Cuban and Linear Salsa and his passion for Street Latin and Hip Hop – which allows him to bring strength and emotion to his Zouk.

Shannon, brings the kiwi flava to the partnership and has a strong background in American Jazz, Cuban and Linear Salsa and also feels her dance is influenced by her passion for Hip Hop and street latin dance.

They are always eager to share new knowledge with you all.

Mo, also known as KizMo, leads a dual life as a Dr (academic) by day and a dancer by night. Her footsteps into the world of Kizomba and dances within this genre started in London back in 2005. Kizomba was in its infancy in Europe at that time and served as a gathering ‘kizombada’ (party/ fun) for her friends of Angolan and Cape Verdean decent. There was no fancy footwork, it was about good company, good music, and good dancing. Once she stepped into the rhythm of Kizomba, there was no turning back.

Fast-forwarding to 2015, after relocating to Auckland a few years earlier, Mo ventured into teaching Kizomba. She embarked on this journey by hosting weekly classes and social nights, sharing her love for the dance form. Since 2017, her commitment to her craft has been unwavering as she pursued several Kizomba and Semba teacher training courses, upskilling, evolving and always learning.

Mo is a versatile dancer proficient in both leading and following roles. Her partnership with Sandris in 2023 marked a new chapter, allowing her to focus on teaching followers, a role she relishes. However easily steps into the leading role.

Since 2022, she has led New Zealand’s all-female group in the Ginga flashmob organized by the World Kizomba Project. Excitingly, there are plans for a new Ginga project later this year. She has collaborated with dance artists locally and internationally.

When asked about what Kizomba means to her, “It’s more than just a dance; it’s a connection to rhythm, culture, and the beauty of human interaction, allowing me to communicate, express, and connect with others in a way that’s both personal and universal.” Her guiding philosophy? Trust the process, enjoy and let’s have fun along the way.

Mo’s passion extends to African styles of dancing, which enrich expression, boost confidence, and enhance body awareness. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and passion with you at Bay Salsa Festival!

Kate, the main instructor and Director of Salsa ¡Agua!, has been dancing Latin dance for more than 20 years. She has been teaching Cuban dance and Salsa since 2008. Her patient, fun, energetic teaching style is contagious and she will have you dancing and having a great time before you know it.

Kate is a trustee and chairperson of the NZ Cuban Festival Trust which runs the Annual National Cuban Festival, and is also part of the organising committee for the annual Bay Salsa Festival since 2014. Kate has been an invited instructor at numerous national festivals and events. Keep an eye out for her classes at NZ Salsa Congress, Bay Salsa Festival, Aotearoa Cuban Festival and Salsa Tumbao.

In 2021 at the NZ Salsa Congress, Kate was awarded the NZ Latin Dance Industry award in recognition of her service and contribution to the life of the New Zealand Latin Dance community.

Kate is captivated by the fun, authenticity and depth of Cuban dance and wants you to discover the joy of Cuban dance too.

Find out more at GetYourCubanOn.com

Emma and Peter are a well established teaching duo from Zouk Art, Auckland, and they are excited to be coming to join you all!

Emma started Salsa and Zouk over ten years ago, later adopted Samba de Gafieira into her life, and has loved dance ever since. She grew as a Zouk dancer performing in team choreographies, then developed her teaching skills at Zouk Art – celebrating a decade with ZoukArt in 2021. Emma further developed her performance skills with her dance partner Peter, wowing audiences with their connection, and debuted her first ladies team in 2022. She has a background in music, having played piano all her life, and now uses that expertise in her local DJing and helping students understand musicality.

Peter has an extensive background in various forms of martial arts; including Muay Thai Kickboxing, MMA, Brazilian Capoeira (which is a form of fight training and dance combined) and also has experience teaching kickboxing classes. Beyond this, he has been dancing Zouk for over 8 years with Zouk Art (and later Samba de Gafieira) and developing his dance teaching alongside Emma as well as his performance skills – in teams and in duets.

Arkadi is well-known in New Zealand for his dedication to dance, lighthearted demeanour, and humorous approach.

Brazilian Zouk Instructor at ZoukArt (Auckland) and eternal student, he has been training hard both as dancer and as teacher nearly 5 years ago. This effort has been rewarded with high placements in recent Jack & Jill competitions in NZ as well as Australia.

With some years of Brazilian Zouk training under his sleeve, as well as a background in other styles of Salsa, Ballroom, Latin Ballroom Akardi is very excited to further develop the Zouk Community with their experience, knowledge and dedication to Brazilian Zouk.

Meet Aom – Born in Thailand, raised in Aotearoa New Zealand, Aom is a Kizomba artist based in Tauranga. She is a two-time national Kizomba Champion and her dynamic style of dancing and musicality has gained her recognition for being a sensational female lead. Aom’s passion for Kizomba influenced her devotion to this dance style and its vast range of music, and through her journey, she has trained with some of the most famous instructors known in the Kizomba world. Her approach to teaching is student centered. She is great at allowing her students to work within their personal style while perfecting their fundamentals. Her down to earth personality and sense of humour also allows for a more relaxed learning environment. She can’t wait to share a dance with you!

Meet Becky – Kizomba Dancer, Teacher & Community Builder Becky is a vibrant force in the dance community, widely known for her passion and dedication to growing the Kizomba scene through teaching, events, and festivals. Her journey began in Tauranga, New Zealand, and over the past five years she has immersed herself in the global Kizomba community—traveling the world, taking online classes, and investing in private lessons with some of the most respected Kizomba artists worldwide. Initially drawn to the soulful rhythms of traditional Kizomba and Semba, Becky’s dance journey has since expanded to embrace all styles within the Kizomba umbrella—Tarraxinha, Tarraxo, Urban Kiz, Kizomba Fusion, and more. She believes in the power of strong foundations and is passionate about helping others master the fundamentals, so they can explore the full spectrum of this ever-evolving dance. Whether on the dance floor or behind the scenes organizing unforgettable events, Becky continues to inspire and connect dancers through her love for Kizomba

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