Martha Brooks

Latin Groove Productions

Melissa Benedetti & Andres Sanchez
Nashville, TN

Andres began Latin dancing as a teenager in Querétaro, Mexico and pursued other styles of dance upon his arrival to Nashville over twelve years ago which his experience has made him become a talented dancer as well as choreographer.

Melissa who studied ballet and jazz as a child was first introduced to Latin dancing at age nineteen while studying abroad in Costa Rica. She has been active in the Latin dancing scene across the United States including Orlando, Atlanta, Detroit and Los Angeles.

Andres and Melissa met over three years ago in the local Nashville dancing scene. Their dance partnership consists of over 15 years of combined dance concentration on salsa, cumbia, merengue and bachata. They have pleased audiences at the Bicentennial Mexican Festival, Middle State Tennessee University’s Salsa Congress, Vanderbilt University’s Café Con Leche Annual Diversity Show, Murfreesboro Jazz Festival, Dancing with the Stars Nashville and Conexion de Americas Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

Bobby Green
Detroit, MI

Bobby J. Green has a background in the entertainment industry. As choreographer for the number one hit producing vocal group “Enchantment”, Mr. Green has performed on Dick Clark American Bandstand also Don Cornelius Soul Train and other such venues as Carnegie Hall and The Apollo Theatre. Winner of Burn The Floor city wide dance contest two years consecutively, Bobby enjoys producing Dance Entertainment for stage. He currently instructs adults and kids in the art of Detroit Ballroom, Bop, Salsa , Chicago Step and Hustle. A certified Zumba instructor, Bobby loves a good physical workout.. A well sought after instructor, he instructs the young and the elderly for such community programs as Reach, Chass, YMCA, La Sed and the Detroit Public School system. Certified by the Detroit City Council as an Instructor of dance, you can find him performing through out the metro area.

Mr. Green’s passion for stage has led him to direct and or produce several stage plays. Whirl of Dance, Harmony and Rhythm, Flesh to Spirit to name a few.

Oscar Naranjo discovered his passion for Latin dances when he was only 16. With each opportunity, he continued to improve his skills by training with world renowned dance instructors. Oscar has been performing, teaching, and competing since 1989. He appeared in the dance movie "Take the Lead" starring Antonio Banderas. The film was released in mainstream cinema on April 7, 2006. It was filmed in Toronto, and at a number of local schools, including University of Toronto. Oscar have extensive background in dancing salsa, tango, cha cha cha, bachata, meringue, and cumbia. He trained with Argentine Tango World Champion "Fabian Peralta" during his trip to Argentina in Feb. 2007. His hard work and dedication have always paid off. He was awarded first place in 25 salsa competitions and crowned Vice World Champion at the Miami World Salsa Federation Championships in 2003. Among other important events, he proudly represented Canada in various Congresses around the world. Oscars dream is to travel the world teaching, dancing, competing and sharing his Latin roots. With each journey he hopes to acquire new experiences and techniques to help him grow as a dancer, teacher, choreographer and performer . Oscar teaches salsa and other dance forms to kids, teens, and adults, including private lessons, and conducting choreography classes. To learn more visit: http://www.oscarnaranjo.com.

Daileen Marrero

Cristian Crespo

Cristian, a professional dancer, instructor, and choreographer has been dancing since the age of 5. By the age of 13, Cristian was already performing as a professional dancer with the “Ballet Salsa Sur” in Puerto Rico. At age 15, he won first place in Puerto Rico’s National Salsa Competition and at age 17 he won first place in the Second International World Salsa Congress held in Puerto Rico. Cristian has performed throughout Europe and won “Best Duo’ in Venice, Italy. Cristian has performed with many famous Latin artists such as Huey Dunbar, Don Omar, Victor Manuelle, Sonora Poncena, Millie Quesada and more. Cristian’s love for dance shows in the way in which he not only teaches but performs.

Carlos "Gabby' Cruz

Marc Brewer

Marc B, founder of Reino del Ritmo Dance Company based in MI, is one of Metro Detroit’s most sought after salsa instructors, performers, and choreographers. Marc uses the dance floor like a “laboratory,” taking a very scientific and methodical approach to breaking down and understanding proper technique. As an accomplished performer and competitor he is known as one of Michigan’s most nnovative salseros with regards to his musicality and creative and complex turn patterns. Recent accomplishments include winning 1st place at the Shake it Dance Contest in Columbus, Ohio and winning 2nd place at the 5th Annual Intosalsa Dance Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana. Additionally he recently had the pleasure of choreographing the Latin dance segments of the music video "Let's Mambo" featuring Sean Forbes and Oscar winner Marlee Matlin.

Brandon Koepsell

Brandon Koepsell began his dance training at The Turning Pointe in St. Clair Shores at the age of 7 under the direction and guidance of Kelly Powers. From 2003-2005 he attended the Walnut Hill School, a fine arts conservatory located outside of Boston, MA, which was under the direction of Michael Owens and Sam Kurkjin. There he was extensively trained in ballet, modern, pas de deux, men's classes, pedagogy and choreography. Brandon had also spent many summers training at the Edge in Los Angeles and has participated in many summer programs including The Royal Winnipeg Ballet and American Ballet Theater in New York City. His classical training has lead him to perform in such venues as; Lincoln Center in New York, Symphony Hall in Bostonand several historic theaters in the south of France. In 2005, Brandon performed several pieces with “Compagnie Coline”, a modern company located in Istre, France. Local guest artist credits include performances in ballets such as Coppelia, A Midsummer's Night Dream, Cinderella, Paquita, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and The Nutcracker. Brandon has also been invited to perform principle roles with the Eastern Michigan University and Alma College's dance programs. Between 2007 and 2009 Brandon danced with “Motor City Vibe and Taboo”, a promotional dance crew that performed weekly shows at Motor City Casino and at various events in metro-Detroit.

Brandon also worked with choreographer, Courtney Miller Jr., on "A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas", which will be in theaters November of 2011.

Brandon is currently working as the assistant choreographer and movement coach on the set of “Oz, The Great and Powerful”. He’s been working with stars such as James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz on several scenes in the major motion picture which is being filmed in Pontiac,MI. In 2008, Brandon also had the opprotunity to work with actress Kate Hudson in preparation for her role in the movie “Nine”.

A recipient of “Young Choreographer of the Year” for the city of Boston in 2005, Brandon has been teaching students of all ages in the areas of ballet, lyrical, jazz and partnering for the past 7 years.

Crystal Ahlberg

Crystal has performed both nationally and internationally for many years. Her professional experience includes work with Enrique Iglesias, Shop Boys, Automotion, Shockwave, cruise ships, and several local artists. She has also performed in national television productions with America’s Best Dance Crew, the Junior Olympics, and Ben Vereen. In addition, she has done promotional work with hotel/casinos MGM Grand, Ceaser’s and Motor City. Most recently, Crystal has begun to make her mark among the elite with her fast-paced and innovative choreography. Over the last 10 years, vast studio demand for her services has led her to host dance intensive workshops at many different studios as well as provide independent services for music editing for many teachers across the state looking for that “little extra” needed to separate their routines from the competition. The students that attend the workshops are easily influenced by Crystal’s passion for dance and enjoy her magnetic personality and amazing creativity. In addition to her own work, she is affiliated with many professional dance organizations that make her the place to turn if you crave dance! In an effort to maximize what she has to offer, Crystal created RAW Energy Dance Competition, which kicks off in 2012 in major cities of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The goal of the competition is to provide an experience that exudes the energy, passion and competitive spirit for dance that Crystal has felt her entire life!

Yessy Gomez

Yessy is a dance instructor, choreographer and teacher based out of Grand Rapids, MI. Dancing is her life, teaching is her passion, and performing is her love; she lives through setting her students on fire about dancing, performing, the desire of acquiring knowledge, working hard and achieving greatness. Her goal is to positively inspire multitudes of people through talents she was blessed with as gifts and tools to reach the masses.

Yessy was born into a large family and raised in a cultural home in the outskirts of Grand Rapids. As an infant, her first sounds were to the intricate drum patterns and smooth singing melodies of saxophone found only in Latin music. Her mother always danced with her and her siblings to merengue and salsa along with many other traditional Latin dances. She was placed in traditional American dance lessons at the age of 2, and she knew from a young age that dance would be one of the most important aspects of her life. Later in her childhood she studied cultural dancing such as African and Irish, but she focused heavily on Mexican Folklore for a great deal of time. After several years of heavy instruction and competing, Yessy was forced to withdrawal from lessons due to financial burdens. She then began dabbling into other activities such as band, theater, swimming, karate and even wrestling; but nothing made her feel the way that dance did. She spent restless hours dancing in her basement, practicing everything she knew.

At age 14, she employed herself at a grocer to pay for her own lessons at a local dance studio. It was at this time that she was recognized for her uniquely diverse style of dance and taught her first Master Class in a small town dance studio, paving the way for her career and future success. She was always aware of the unlikelihood of her ability to succeed due to physical restraints and industry standards, but Yessy chose to continue dancing despite the odds. She danced purely for the love of dance; for the ability to emote, move, express and create where she otherwise could not. It is dancing that gave her something to live for and to believe in; in many ways, dance saved her life. She never imagined that she would embark on the amazing adventures and view the wonders she has seen, but her passion and drive for what she loves has led her to truly live out her wildest dreams she thought were only possible in her imagination.

With over 20 years of performing experience and 13+ years of teaching experience, Yessy continues to seek out her dreams and live them through reality. Through her journey, she inspires dancers all over the world through her teaching, her story, her motivation, and her faith.

Markus Shields

Markus Alden Shields began dancing when he was 17 years old. Since his first class, his first instructed movement Markus has been in love with the art. Studio director Torrey Thomas (T-3’s Dance Elite) noticed a spark in the young dancer and immediately encouraged him to begin branching out and creating. He began to take dancing roles in churches and plays, began assisting in company classes and assisting with male choreography/staging and performing for T-3 Productions. Thus, just two years after Shields began dancing he was instructing advanced classes and choreographing at an award winning competitive level. While Markus developed his eclectic and hard-hitting hip hop style through the urban students of his hometown, he studied ballet and jazz at a local institution. On season four of the hit dance show “So You Think You Can Dance?” Markus’ choreography was recognized and highly favored by producer Nigel Lythgoe. In that season he competed through the entire Vegas week down to the top 26 and got a spotlight for national recognition. Much more than just a dancer or a choreographer, Markus is a born teacher and performer. He relies on all his abilities to increase his growth and not only perform on the stage but in life as well. Shields’ knows his potential is endless so as he dances, writes, creates music and instructs. He strives to let others know their potential is just as infinite, staying humble in all blessings and success.

James Valentino

Hard Core Detroit

Mila

Liquid Rhythm

Vibracion Salsera

Cynthia Attara
Andres Ramirez
David Fajardo
Andrea Sanchez
Johan Ospina

Vibracion Salsera is a group established on January 2010, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, focusing on an exquisite endless footwork of Colombian Salsa Style. This style allows us to innovate new paths in life and has been able to help out people whom their lives have been a challenge.

Our dedication as Colombian salsa dancers in a professional level has given us the desire to develop, learn and demonstrate our abilities to the culture by increasing the level of potential in the salsa world, we have demonstrated great professionalism and aiming towards a future career.

Our current members are dancers that have developed their talent and demonstrated great passion for the art of dance. Our Location: 3333 N University Dr, Davie, FL 33024  Tel: 954 616 9445