Nelson G. Vidarte & Maria Pia Sanz (MIA)
(Confirmed To Perform Saturday Night)
Brief Bio...
Nelson Gaston Vidarte, born in La Plata, Argentina, immigrated to the United States in 2002. Making South Florida his new home, He embraced the art of dance and excelled in Jazz, Tango, and Salsa. His devotion for Salsa commenced 1995 in Argentina with his dance partner Erica Natalia Vidarte (sister) Subsequent to the first “Bacardi de la Salsa Congress” in Argentina; a new dance style called L.A. on 1 (Los Angeles style) commenced to expand and his outstanding teaching skills made him a favorite among salsa students. He commenced his professional dance career winning many competitions, concurrence and contests. His dance expertise is contracted for private gathering and engagements. He has been dancing for over nine years, both amateur and professional. His projects continue to include overseas travel, shows, performances and choreography. He has combined NY Mambo, Los Angeles Flashy Salsa and Puerto Rico’s sensual rhythm and movements to provide a blend of body movements with footwork and turn patterns to dazzle the audience. He is the creator, founder and director of “Energy One”. Maria Sanz is his performance partner.
Nelson Flores & Veronica Castilla (NYC)
(Confirmed To Perform Saturday Night)
Brief Bio...
Nelson Flores is part of New York City’s new generation of mambo instructors. Teaching for several years now, he has made a mark for himself in the New York salsa dance scene. He has been part of various dance groups and has performed in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Puerto Rico, South America, throughout Europe and on such stages as Madison Square Garden.
Currently Nelson is director of the Descarga Latina Dance Company and he teach several classes each week in NYC.
Nelson’s popularity has grown over the years as well as the size of his classes. He’s developed a good rep for himself which has attracted good students from other schools who are curious about him and his classes. He has in my opinion been one of NY’s best kept little secrets for some time. Veronica Castilla is his performance partner.
Alex Lee & Kimberly Nodora (SF / OAK)
(Confirmed To Perform Sunday Night)
Brief Bio...
Alex Lee has been dancing salsa out of San Francisco for approximately 10 years. His passion and contribution to salsa has always been focused on lifts and tricks, currently known as cabaret style salsa. He danced with his first partner, Chi Le, for 8 years, and together they developed a high-energy, high-flying, and fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants style, which was built on the premise of pure entertainment and excitement.
When Chi retired in 2006, he and Kimberly Nodora started their partnership. Kim brings a new energy and her own style that elevates their cabaret salsa to a new level. They hope to continue entertaining crowds, and above all, have fun. They look forward to meeting all of the wonderful dancers and people from all over the world.
His credits include dancing at the last eight Los Angeles Salsa Congresses (2000 to 2007), two Sydney Salsa Congresses (2005 and 2006), Hong Kong Salsa Festivals (2005, 2007, and scheduled for 2008), Korea Salsa Congress (2005), and Japan Salsa Congress (2005) to name just a few.
His competition credits include a 3rd place and a 2nd place at the Mayan Salsa Championship (2003 and 2004), 1st place at the San Francisco Congress International Championship (2005), and 4th place Cabaret Division at the Salsa World Championships held in Las Vegas (2006).
Kimberly Nodora began dancing cabaret salsa in 2001.
She danced with the San Francisco based Latin Symbolics from 2001 to 2003, and then the La Evolucion Dance Company from 2003 to 2004. She has performed at salsa congresses both nationally and internationally, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Hawaii, and Hong Kong.
Erika Occhipinti & Jorge Burgos (TAMPA)
(Confirmed To Perform Friday Night)
Brief Bio...
Erika Occhipinti is the owner and director of Salsa Caliente Dance Studio in Tampa, FL. Since opening the studio in July of 2000, she has taught thousands of students and performed at numerous events, including salsa congresses, concerts, corporate and school functions, and private parties. She was a regular dancer on the TV show Caliente (Univision) for 4 years and in 2007, she received the Miami Salsa Congress’s “Alex Award” for her contribution to the world of Latin dance.
Jorge Burgos is her performance partner and an instructor at the studio.
Isidro Corona & Sheila Zepeda (SF / OAK)
(Confirmed To Perform Friday Night)
Brief Bio...
Began competing professionally together in March 2005 and are currently United States two-time West Coast International Salsa Congress Champions in 2006 and 2007. They both form part of the Pro team of Amicitia Dance Company directed by world famous Junior and Emily Alabi.
Born in the City of Mexico, Puebla, Sheila migrated to the San Francisco Bay Area at the age of 11, were she began to take dance classes at the age of 15.
Isidro originated from the San Francisco Bay Area. He began taking classes at the age of 24 and received his salsa training from many of the top salsa instructors from the Bay Are
He and Sheila met while dancing with the Bay Area Top Salsa Instructors Ricardo Sanchez and Michelle Castro - directors of World Champions PB&G Dance Productions. Their partnership provided teamwork, dedication and discipline quickly became a great match.
Together, they have been finalist in the ESPN World Salsa Championships 2005 - 2007, representing the U.S. in the On 1 category.a.
