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MACAU SALSA FESTIVAL 2009

24 - 26 APRIL 2009

WHO IS COMING TO MACAU SALSA FESTIVAL

RAMARK (Paris, France)

Dom and Marion met each other in 2005 and gave birth to "Ramark Dance Company", an unique style which alloys speed and spectacular moves with an outstanding energy and rarely reached mastery. Their creations are built upon the salsa language but include also many other artistic influences like classical, hip-hop, jazz and modern dancing...
Their originality is based on the fact that they are not only demonstrating, but they really are making a show.

They direct, they act and they play with the audience and always put fun in their shows. They are in every way complete artists.
Thanks to all of those elements, they are largely and immediately acclaimed by the public and attract many international salsa festival organizers.

SOL DA COREA (Korea/Taiwan)

Sol is simply one of the most talented salsa artists in the world. His performances always leave you wanting more from him. Hi ssocial dancing is a joy to watch and he is a terrific instructor as well. Get ready for fireworks on the dance floor with the one and only Sol Da Corea

MAMBO JACK (USA)

“Mambo” Jack Jack Dunn or as many know him as “Mambo” Jack has spent his last eight years traveling the world spreading his love for Salsa. He currently resides in Beijing China, and is co-director along side his partner Zhen Zhen of the Phoenix Dance Company. He is also the leader of China’s largest Latin entertainment company China Salsa Productions, which is also based in Beijing China. Jack was introduced to salsa in January of 1999 after attending a salsa class at Northern Arizona University. Jack quickly fell in love with the dance and the people that he met through it. For the next two years Jack studied and became the lead instructor for Northern Arizona University Salsa Club. Later in 2001 Jack decided to take his dancing to the next step and joined one of the top Salsa dancing companies in Arizona Salvaje Dance Company. For the next three years Jack danced, taught, and performed for Salvaje Dance Company. In the summer of 2003 Jack moved to New York City to learn and study under the top Salsa/Mambo instructors in the World. For the next year and a half Jack studied intensely under the World famous instructor Eddie Torres who is also known as the “Mambo King”. During this period in New York Jack developed as a dancer and instructor, but it is also were he developed his love for the music. Since Jack has left New York City he has traveled the World teaching his love of Salsa, and specifically Mambo (New York Style Salsa). He has taught and performed in many congresses, festivals, and events around the world. In 2006 he was given an award and recognized at the World Famous West Cast Salsa Congress for his contribution to Latin Music and Dance. In 2006 Jack was honored as being one of the 12 judges at the 2nd Annual World Salsa Championships that is viewed by the World on ESPN. Jack continues to this day to spread his passion for the dance and music to thousands throughout the world.

NALNARI (Korea, Beijing/CHINA)

Nari Shin, a top Salsa dancer in Asia, has won 7 world championships and cultivated six pairs of Chinese Salsa champions in one year.

JOSEPH (UK / HK)

Joseph is well travelled on the international salsa circuit and enjoys all the various roles he is priviledged to play such as instructor, performer, mc, dj, judge, social dancer. A seasoned salsa dancer, Joseph enjoys drivign salsa ever more into the lives of new enthusiasts to salsa all over the world.

Now based in Hong Kong, Joseph is a former European Amateur Salsa Competition winner and is Director of Hong Kong Salsa Festival, Hong Kong Salsa Congress, World Cup Salsa and Macau Salsa Festival.

ZHEN ZHEN (Beijing, China)

Zhen Zhen Zhen Zhen was born in Henan China , and was raised in a family of dancers. She wasn’t introduced to salsa until living in Sweden nine years ago. Soon after being introduced to Salsa she moved back to Beijing to live.

After returning to Beijing Zhen Zhen continued dancing Salsa at the local Salsa Clubs. In 2004 Zhen Zhen met “Mambo” Jack at the Move Dancing Studio that they both worked at. Soon after the two became partners and began teaching together.

In late December 2005 they formed there own dance company, the Phoenix Dance Company. In the last two years Zhen Zhen has developed into the top female salsa dancer in China, and is recognized worldwide.

She is known for her soft, but explosive lady’s styling. She has taught and performed both in China and throughout the world. In 2005 she was recognized for her contribution to Salsa at the Hong Kong Salsa Festival. “Mambo” Jack and Zhen Zhen have performed and taught at various events around the world including:

2005, 2006, 2007 Hong Kong Salsa Festival.

2005 Korea Salsa Congress 2005 Beijing Salsa Festival 2005 Bangkok Salsa Festival 2006 Scandinavian Salsa Congress, Sweden 2006 Shanghai Salsa Congress 2006 China Salsa Championships

Also have conducted workshops in Shanghai, Beijing, Eugene OR, Tromso Norway, Phoenix AZ, and in Portland OR.

MORE NAMES, MORE NAMES, MORE NAMES... COMING!

GUPSON PIERRE (Singapore)

üpson Pierre, hailing from Montreal, Canada, is the artistic director of Attitude Dance Studio, Singapore. Güpson has more than 15 years of formal training in Ballet and Jazz and has injected the same dedication into Salsa.

As one the pioneers in the Singapore Salsa scene, Güpson has been teaching Salsa in Singapore for about 10 years, The first Salsa Instructor base in Asia to be Honored at The West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles California 24th May 2008 for his contribution to the Salsa Scene in Singapore and Asia, taught in New york Salsa Congress August 2008

. He is credited to have introduced Cross Body Style, Salsa and dancing On1, On2, Bachata & Kizomba in Singapore and, with the help of Miko Casino Rueda and he has trained all the best Exotic Instructors in Singapore.

Güpson's continues to perform and teach Salsa extensively in Asia and around the world.

LI BIN & KAT (Singapore)

Gregarious Li Bin has always been drawn by dance. He has dabbled in different types of dances but found SALSA to be his calling. He only started dancing salsa seriously in 2007. His passion and quenchless thirst for learning all things salsa has led him to be one of the male dancers to look out for in Singapore. He threw himself in the deep end by taking part in a salsa competition in Taiwan in May 07 after only 2 weeks of training, and came in 5th place. He did not stop there and continued to take part in other competitions in Shanghai and Singapore. His hardwork paid off when he won first place in Singapore's Annual Bachata Competition in March 08. He has performed in congresses in several countries including Malaysia, Taiwan, Beijing and Singapore. Li Bin currently teaches Salsa and Bachata at Xenbar, Singapore.

Katrina Affectionately known as Kat, this sprightly lass got her groove from hip hop from as far back as she can remember. Trying out salsa for fun in 2007, she got hooked and has not looked back since.

Her exposure to different dance genres (jazz, ballet, pole, traditional, belly) gives her a valued perspective when dancing salsa. A firm believer in FEELING the music, she finds that she enjoys mixing different dance moves into salsa. She loves bachata and reggaeton – where the music seems to spring from primitive emotions.

Never one to refuse a challenge, she agreed to compete in a competition in Shanghai in October 07 even though she had only 3 days to prepare for it. In January 08, she and her group was placed 2nd in Singapore's first ever Shines competition. She then partnered Li Bin for Singapore's Annual Bachata Competition in Mar 08 and emerged champion. She is a part-time instructor in Singapore, at Xenbar

FUSION LOCA

Fusion Loca will wow you with their spectacular performances. You'll feel the heat, the latin beat when you watch these super cats burn the dance floor.

DORIS (Hong Kong)

Since 2003, Doris has studied under many master instructors and choreographers in Salsa, she is widely known for her unique and sophisticated dance style and appealing choreography. Starting off as one of the key dancers of Quick Step Productions, she has appeared in many performances at different local and international salsa congresses. Working with children as young as 5 years old to senior adults, Doris is now a salsa instructor for Hong Kong College of Technology and she also works independently with different schools teaching salsa dance classes. She also owns her own dance team that features a young generation of energetic salsa talents - Dancing Dolls.

Having a couple of salsa competition titles under her belt, Doris is often the preferred dancer of some renowned artists for specialized salsa choreography and performances. Her extreme passion for salsa, and professional grade music knowledge make her one of the most sought after dance instructors and choreographers in the Hong Kong salsa scene.

DJ JAVED (India / HK)

Javed comes from India, a land where music and dance is an inherent part of the culture from ancient times. His affinity to music is born natural, while dancing has been part of his daily diet even before the salsa fever took root. Learning to dance Salsa was a childhood dream which was fulfilled three years ago during the Hong Kong Salsa Festival 2005. His transition from a Salsa dancer to a Latin music DJ has been very exciting and fulfilling. “I can’t decide whether I like salsa dancing more or DJ – ing more” . Javed is thoroughly enjoying churning out red hot salsa and Latin tracks such as Salsa,Mambo, Reggaeton, Merengue, Bachata, Latin Hip Hop, Jazz and Zouk for the dancing pleasure of all the salseros and salseras around the world especially in Hong Kong where he currently resides. “It’s a different high altogether to make people dance to your tunes”. He has been recently awarded the “Best Latin Music DJ 2008” in Hong Kong by the salsa community. He has had the honour of being invited to the Taiwan Salsa festival 2007 and the Malaysian Salsa Festival, 2007 as the guest DJ. He was also the official DJ at the Hong Kong Salsa Congress, June 2007 and the Hong Kong Salsa Festival 2008. He was also one of the official DJ’s at the India International Salsa Congress, Bangalore, India

Javed is resident DJ for many Salsa events organized by Quick Step Productions in Hong Kong such as “Sugar”, Club Avenue, Club Cliq, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, The Kee Club, and previously at “Club 97”, “Heat”, “C Club”, “One-Fifth”, “Sin Bar”, “California”, “Club Xperience”, “Swindlers” “Q97” and Makumba Lounge, Africa Bar. He is looking forward to spinning sensuous latin tracks at the Macau Salsa Festival 2009

DJ Will, Hong Kong

DJ Will developed the love for salsa in Toronto where he grew up. After his trips to Cuba and Dominican Republic in year 2001, his interest in the world of salsa became his passion. Now living in Hong Kong his salsa passion continues with various group performances at the Hong Kong Salsa Festivals in 2005 and 2006.

His DJ career started after winning the Latin Salsa Night DJ Challenge at Club’97 in HK. “Listening to salsa music makes me happy always…it only make sense to return this happiness to the dancers and club goers.” He spins regularly at various salsa venues in HK and was the resident DJ at Club 97 from 2006 –2008 for Club Salsa nights. In a short period of time as a Latin DJ he has developed into one of the favorite Latin DJs in Asia. He was voted as one of the top three favorite Salsa DJ in HK in the year 2007. Currently, he is the Saturday night resident DJ at Club JJ’s Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.

DJ Will has made his first debut as one of the official DJs at the Hong Kong Salsa Festival 2007, “that was one of life time dreams come true”. He was also featured at the Hong Kong Salsa Congress summer of 2007 & 08. He was invited as a gust DJ to spin along with some of the best at the Singapore International Salsa Festival 2007. In 2008, he spin at the HKSF again, and was invited to DJ, Conduct Salsa & Bachata workshops, and to MC at the 2nd Annual International Salsa Event in Chandigarh (India) so grab your dancing shoes and be prepare to dance all night long at the Macau Salsa Festival. Viva La Musica!!

BINGO

Bingo, Danie and Emily are dancing members from Hong Kong Salsa Angels. Inherited the femininity and expressive characteristics of salsa dance, these lady dancers have never missed the chance to learn from different international instructors

Emily was fascinated with salsa when she first practiced it. With her natural musical sense in dancing, she became an active dancer in salsa scene. Her creative dancing style was quickly spotted and was invited to be performer for the Hong Kong Salsa Angels. All of them were fellow students of Doris and have been performed at Hong Kong Salsa Festival and they are excited to attend and perform at the first ever Macau Salsa Festival.

Bingo and Danie have practiced hip hop and salsa while studying at school. Their passion and devotion to dancing have brought them lots of acclaim and have been proved by winning different competitions and by participating at various performances.

.................DANIE

THIS WEEKEND, MACAU IS THE ONLY PLACE TO BE .

ENJOY THE WORKSHOPS, SHOWS AND SOCIAL DANCING.

MACAU IS A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE. WELCOME TO MACAU