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How, why and when did you get into salsa?
I started with salsa 14 years ago. I had been dancing for a while already before I started (everything except salsa) and 14 years ago my ex-girlfriend invited me to visit the school where she was assisting with salsa classes. When I saw what the people where doing the first thing that popped up into my mind was ”salsa is for pussy’s”, but she kept pushing me to take classes with her. I asked her to show me the basic steps and since then the ball started to roll.
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
The basics were from my ex-girlfriend and the rest I taught myself by watching salsa dance videotapes.
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
Yes - Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Street Dance, Jazz-Fusion, Afro-Jazz, Afro-Cuban, etc etc.
Tell me a little about your company. When, why and how was it set up?
My company Foot-work Productions started proximately 8 years ago when my student and I decided to start with a show team - because he was in touch with my dance background he thought that it could really work out well to combine all the dances together and make a fusion. The set-up was to jazz up all the salsa routines and add some spicy Afro-Cuban movements into it, which I believe is the origin of most of the dances.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from music, old black and white dance movies, tap dancers from back in the day (Nicholas Brother, Berry Brother, the 3 Eddy’s and many more).
Who do you admire?
No-one in particular but I love to watch tap and swing dancers from the 60’s, but my favourites are still the tap dancers.
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
I don’t have any specific favourite track.
What are your all time favourite tracks?
Tracks with different sound colour, nice flavour, nice climax and a smooth ending, different flows, not pretendable, tracks which tell a story.
What are your favourite albums?
Too many to name.
What was the last CD you bought?
Too many to list - I bought 35 CDs the last time.
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
Willie Rosario.
Who are your favourite artists?
Angel Canales, Frank Hernandez, Ernie Agosto, Jimmy Sabater, Bobby Valentin, just to name a few because I have loads more.
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?
Cooking - I have a catering service, besides my fulltime job.
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
That I work for the Government, and that I am a cook.
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
Salsa Club Copacabana in New York (it’s closed now) and my own event in Suriname.
What has been your most memorable moment?
My performance with my show team at the Norwegian Congress.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
Nightmare yes. Heart pain before my performance in Marseille.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I appreciate that you are doing this. Thanks for your time and believing in me.
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