How, why and when did you get into salsa?
I got into salsa via a friend who was teaching, had a go and was immediately hooked!
I have always done some form of dance and having trained and performed professionally I found that salsa was a great way to keep my hand in doing something more creative than going to the gym three times a week!
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
My first steps were taken with Brigitte and Patrick in Manchester, after that at the time it was a case of travelling lots and doing classes with anyone I thought was teaching challenging and interesting material.
I would say my main influences were from dancers like Thomas Guerrero (Santo Rico) and Amarylis Cintron (his then partner and a wonderful dancer) both of whom for me are inspirational dancers and performers.
My sister Kate is also amazing at getting to the essence of a technical conundrum and Mushi is constantly challenging me, which keeps my interest in salsa alive.
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
Yes, I trained in ballet and tap from an early age then studied full time at The London Studio Centre and for a short time with The London Contemporary Dance School.
Tell me a little about Salsology. When, why and how was it set up?
Mushi, Kate and I set up Salsology in order to have somewhere to dance in a great environment to music we enjoyed.
The fact that it has been such a success is a bonus but its downside is we get to dance very little at it!! The same goes for Britfest really, we, like anyone, run the kind of events we would want to go to but we always end up working!!
How, when and why did you get into DJing?
Music has always been a big part of my life, I blame my Dad who gave me a nasty vinyl habit being a big collector himself.
I got into DJing through friends who were DJs in the late 80’s just messing about with decks really. I got my first residency (house music) at Royal House in Bournemouth in 1992 and went on to become a resident DJ at Crunch (Birmingham), Culture (Tall Trees) and regular guest at God’s Kitchen, Sundessential, Passion, Kiss FM and many others.
Once the salsa bug hit it was a natural progression to collect Latin music although I think the skills required to play Latin clubs are very different from those in dance clubs.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I’m constantly inspired by different things, sometimes shows and particularly skilled teachers such as Irene, Susana and Mario but for the most part salsa for me will always be first and foremost about club dancing so as well as being great performers the likes of Thomas Guerrero, Pierina Sanchez, Benjamin Recio, Osmar Perrones, Massiel Guerra, Karel Flores, Amarylis Cintron, April Genovese and many more…a NY bias I know but go there and then argue with me!!!
On the design front I collect all sorts of design paraphernalia but I particularly love the work of illustrator Aubrey Beardsley, Jasper Goodall and pretty much everything design house Vault 49 put out.
Who do you admire?
Occasionally you come across a student who finds learning salsa both unnatural and uncomfortable and yet they overcome that to do so very well!
I think it’s a tough industry/environment to feel part of at times as its not always friendly and can be pretty competitive and intimidating.
The constant challenges it presents especially when you recognise brilliance, can put off even the toughest skinned! Anyone who can see through that and enjoy it for what it is, to be admired.
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
I’m going to keep these answers salsa-related as music is too big a subject!
I’m a huge fan of Hector Lavoe and Angel Canales, I’ve usually got something playing by one of them…I’m just an old fashioned gal!
What are your all time favourite tracks?
La Realidad – Angel Canales
Para Ochun – Hector Lavoe
What are your favourite albums?
El San Juan – Angel Canales
El Sabio – Hector Lavoe
What was the last CD you bought?
Juega Billar – Ocho Y Mas - I had just heard them live and the album was no disappointment.
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
I just got sent the new Fania release “Los Soneros” there’s not a bad track on it.
Who are your favourite artists?
Angel Canales, Hector Lavoe, Raul Marrero, Larry Harlow, Ray Barretto, Tata Vazquez, Jimmy Bosch, Papo Lucca, Cheo Feliciano, El Gran Combo….
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’m a graphic/web designer both freelance and for our own businesses; Brit Salsafest, Salsatribe, Oobashoo and Salsology.
I’m pretty happy at my computer really (must be the conehead in me!).
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I’m absolutely terrified of flying…well more precisely tire smoke, screeching brakes, balls of flames and wreckage.
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
Jimmy Anton’s, New York, salsa heaven, twice a month for four hours.
What has been your most memorable moment?
When I realised people were actually coming to Britfest in their numbers. Doing an event like that is such a risk (not to mention the investment of work) but standing in the Ballroom on Saturday night 2006 watching everyone having such a good time was an enormous buzz.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
I broke the nose of Josie Neglia’s boyfriend coming up out of a dip in a bar in Holland a few years ago. I head-butted him right in the face but worse than that he’d apparently just had a ‘nose surgery’ a few weeks earlier, not sure whether Josie actually meant ‘nose job’, but they were both very sweet about it despite the blood…how bad did I feel??
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Blatant Plug Alert… Salsology is on July 13th, it’s our Summer Party with a ‘Pimps and Porn Stars’ theme, lots of kinky salsa fun!
www.salsology.com
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