I got into salsa about 12 years ago. My cousin told me there were classes and they needed men. That was good enough for me, haha. In fact, I met my wife during the first class. First words out of her mouth: “You’re leading with your feet, you should lead with your hands”. Not love at first sight!
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
A great teacher from the Dominican Republic called Ari Garcia. He spent so much time with us, working on the basics and feeling the music. At the time I had my doubts, because it felt like we were going so slow, but I still owe him a lot of thanks, because it has brought me so much.
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
Yes, if you count 1 year of ballroom when I was 15. Other than that, I was always making up my own disco dance routines for the clubs.
Tell me a little about How2Salsa.com. When, why and how was it set up?
I’ve been teaching for almost 10 years now, for different schools and at salsa congresses around Europe. I’ve never had my own school, because I didn’t want to deal with all the hassle, but I did want a platform to express myself and spread the passion I feel for salsa. That’s why I started my website How2Salsa.com .
I started with a page of video clips, all shot in my living room with my wife Janet. Shines and combinations, free, low profile, just saying: if you want it, download it. It doesn’t replace classes or good salsa DVDs, but it’s another option for people. Right now, on my site and on YouTube, I’m concentrating more on instructional clips, explaining shines and technique.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from the music and from dancers. Not just salsa, mind you. Both musically and dance-wise I get inspiration from Hip Hop and Jazz.
Another dance I love, when it’s done right, is West Coast Swing. A lot of stuff that is in salsa these days comes from West Coast Swing. Search YouTube for clips of Jordan Frisbee and Tatiana. Very smooth, very musical and technically sound.
Through the years, at some point there have been people who were a major inspiration for me to take my dancing further, or in a different direction. People like Marlon Castillo, Leon Rose, Felipe Polanco, Milton Cobo, Frankie Martinez and Juan Matos.
Who do you admire?
I admire people who bring something extra, in one way or another. So those guys I just mentioned have all done that. I also admire people who are very passionate and spread their passion. People like Eddie Torres and the late David Melendez.
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
I have a lot of favourites actually, but most of them I only hear at the clubs and I don’t ask the DJ for the artist or the title.
My favourite tracks are medium tempo mambo songs and some Marc Anthony songs. I like Niña y Signora, and Papa Boco. Then there’s the song from Santo Rico’s latest show: “Clasiqueando Con Rubén" by Afro Cuban All Stars. I absolutely love that!
From Marc Anthony one of my favourites is “Si Te Vas”. What I like about Marc Anthony is the different feels that flow through his music. I actually use his songs to teach people about interpreting the music with your dancing.
What are your all time favourite tracks?
I don’t have all time favourite tracks. Now and then I’ll hear an older track at the club and it brings back some memories. Like Juliana by DLG, makes me think back to a memorable dance in Barcelona with a girl from London. So it works more like that for me.
What are your favourite albums?
I don’t have a lot of salsa music at home, actually. Of the few I do have, “Un Gran Dia en el Barrio” by Spanish Harlem Orchestra is one of my favourites, along with “Exitos Eternos” by Marc Anthony.
What was the last CD you bought?
For salsa it was a three disc compilation, going from slow songs to fast songs. Other than salsa, I just bought the last album by Amy Whinehouse.
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
At the moment it’s Justin Timberlake’s latest CD.
Who are your favourite artists?
In Salsa that’s Marc Anthony.
If you were not a successful teacher, what would you be doing instead? Or if you also have a full-time job, what do you do?
I’m a full time ICT consultant, but to be honest, I work to make enough money to do the things I love.
I also do photography, which I love. I would like to do more of that. You can see my work at www.ruin2it.com . (Are you into it? Get it? ;-))
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I guess my age. Most people are shocked to find out that I’m 40 years old.
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
No favourites there. It’s always about the people, the music and the atmosphere for me. And that can be anywhere. I’ve enjoyed most congresses I went to.
What has been your most memorable moment?
That’s a solo performance I did in Brussels three years ago. Angel Ortiz was presenting. My show went very well. It’s a show where I do shines to the piano solo of Tambouri by Spanish Harlem Orchestra.
Angel was overwhelmed and made me come back on stage three times. He also told the audience about how quiet I was before the show and how he’d never expected a performance like that. Thinking back to that moment always fills me with joy.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
Well, me and my buddy Guno always embarrass ourselves doing silly stuff at clubs. We don’t take ourselves seriously anyway, so we don’t care. If you want to know what I mean, check out this YouTube clip:
