How, why and when did you get into salsa?
I got into salsa many, many moons ago; about 11 years ago!! I used to go to Latin and Salsa Clubs back then with my Latino friends and I was one of those people you used to see get drunk and lark about! However, one day I decided I really wanted to learn because I loved the idea of partner-dancing and I REALLY loved the music!!!! My passion for the music has grown and grown through time and now it is stronger than ever!! Actually, I would say my love for the music is stronger than for the dance now!
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
Good question… I honestly cannot remember his name! I started at university when they coincidently started a salsa club group when I really wanted to learn! I remember attending the first class in a studio; over 100 people went of which ONLY 9 were men!!!! Before you start thinking “WAY-HAY”… it was terrifying lining up opposite all those ‘hungry-looking’ women, like a massive firing squad!!! In the end, it was great fun and I was hooked!
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
No, I used to dance a lot in night clubs; mostly funk, r ‘n’ b, rare groove and house clubs! In some, I was asked to dance on stage! However, one of the great things of salsa is you do not need to be a trained dancer to be a great salsa dancer and also it encourages people to train and take classes in more demanding dances!
Tell me a little about Latin Dance Academy. When, why and how was it set up?
We set up the Academy last year, 2006, because I wanted to raise the standard in London and the UK! Around 2000/01, London was the ‘capital’ of salsa in Europe and now we lag behind a LOT of European countries!
I basically got fed up of telling dancers abroad that we did not have schools and learnt in clubs and pubs which they found bizarre! I was one of those students, learning in ‘My Place’ Club in Earl’s Court from Mario and Susana, which in my eyes WAS the closest thing we had to structured, quality learning! Myself, Marchant, Miriam, Mauro, etc. were all in the classes there!
Also, whilst travelling and dancing abroad I looked at the way they structured their learning process, how it all worked and thought to myself “why can’t it work here?”!!!! For years people kept saying it would not work here,” English people don’t want to learn or don’t want to pay!”!! I thought that was rubbish and I put my money where my mouth was and found a BEAUTIFUL venue and with Mario and Susana set up the school! My hope is that it will inspire many others and together put the UK back up there where it belongs!
Where do you get your inspiration from?
That’s easy… the music!!!!!!
Who do you admire?
My father!!!!! If I turn out to be half the man he was, I will turn out to be a good man!
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
“Yo No Soy Vago” by Chaparro!
What are your all time favourite tracks?
TOO MANY!!!!!!!!! However, classics like “Sonido Bestial” by Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz and “El Cantante” by Hector Lavoe!!
I love a lot of stuff by obscure artists people don’t know of as well!! Being a DJ, gives me a good excuse to find and play out these songs!!
What are your favourite albums?
“Plante Bandera” by Tommy Olivencia and “Campanero Rumbero” by Willie Rosario are great albums! Again, I have TOO MANY!!!!!!!!!
What was the last CD you bought?
Actually, it was a cheap (a fiver I think) compilation album from an airport!!!!! It turned out to be great!!!!!! Never, judge a ‘CD’ by its cover! Lol!
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
The above mentioned CD!
Who are your favourite artists?
Hector Lavoe, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Willie Rosario, Bobby Valentin, etc.!! Again, TOO MANY to mention, it would take forever, lol!!!
If you were not a successful Promoter/Teacher/DJ, what would you be doing instead? Or if you also have a full-time job, what do you do?
I do keep busy in other fields; I do contract work for charities! I used to be a fundraiser for certain charities before I left the sector to set up my own businesses! However, I think my real love or ideal job would be a History Lecturer!
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I’m Asian!!!! Not many know or EVER guess I am Asian, people always guess something Latin, like Brazilian, or South African???! Even I was stumped by that one!
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
In the UK, it was My Place Club in Earl’s Court where I was lucky enough to have been a student as well as teaching, DJ-ing there too!!! Now, it’s Bar Salsa where I taught for 3 years and still DJ!! In terms of Congresses, my favourite has to be the San Francisco Congress which is AMAZING!! It has everything; friendly people, great dancers, world-renowned bands and great shows! Last year, I was lucky enough to be invited to DJ there and it was a great honour and an unbelievable experience!
What has been your most memorable moment?
In salsa, probably DJ-ing at the San Francisco Congress!
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
I remember once doing the line-up at Bar Salsa and straight after I was going to leap-frog the little fence they have to separate the band stage bit from the rest of the dance floor, but at the very last second I pulled out, grabbed the fence, my foot got stuck in it and I ended up hanging sprawled from the little fence in front of everyone! Slick, non?!!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Is this where I plug my school?? Just kidding, he he!! Just for people to go out there and dance to the music and enjoy themselves!
PS dance to Merengue and Reggaeton, it’s fun, honest ;-) !!!!
www.latindanceacademy.co.uk
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