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WENDY HAMPTON
Wendy established Viva Salsa in 1995 with a ghetto blaster, CD's and in Community Centre Hall. At this time she was learning Salsa in London and often found herself leading. The usual problem a shortage of men! The initial classes were a great success & she was soon working with other dance teacher's such as Gee, Richard Pierre, Cliff Joseph and Nigel May.
She also organized workshops with Homero Gonzales, Susana Montero, Kerry Ribchester, Andy Barrett and 'Supermario' to name but a few.
Viva Salsa moved on to Frevds Café, Oxford (an old Church building) which soon became a shrine to Salsa every Sunday night! It was one of the longest running Salsa venues in the country (seven years) and the launch was filmed by Central TV News. The owner of Frevds (disappointingly) took a decision to close the night due to 'lack of bar spend'. Happily, Wendy is now working with two great venue's, Jongleurs/Bar Risa Oxford and Reading.
In 1998 she visited Havana, Cuba and studied Cuban dance with Cuban professors of dance and ran dance courses alongside them. On returning to England she performed at The Mill Theatre, Banbury and The Derngate Theatre, Northampton with Juan Munoz (from Cuba).
Wendy strongly empathises with her pupils and aims to make all the classes great fun with her whacky sense of humor. She has strong presentation skills and enjoys seeing her pupil's progress.
She is also an accomplished D.J having worked in this capacity at an eclectic range of venue's from Stoner Park to Moor Park Mansion. She is a versatile D.J and is often booked for Wedding/Birthday/Children's Parties mixing Disco music with Latin music if required.
Wendy has come up with a great party concept in this regard, providing 'the disco with the Latin Twist'
ARIEL RIOS ROBERT
Director and professor of "Cunjunto Folklorico Universitario", Habana Cuba
Ariel has performed and choreographed in many of the best theatres in Habana, Cuba, sharing stage with a number of prestigious groups including: the National Ballet of Cuba, National folk group, “Isadanza”, and “yoruba Andabo”. Performed with internationally recognised artists including: NG,Jose Luis Cortes and Juan de Dios’ Company (ex dancer of the National folk Group).
Fifteen years experience as a professional dancer including as a soloist and as a member of the cast with the “Folk University group of the Habana University”.
Co-ordinated and choreographed national and international dance tours. Some of the more renowned tours include: Santiago de Cuba in the “Caribbean Festival”, Mexico and United Arab Emirates.
Nine years experience in designing and presenting courses in dance: including master classes, lectures and presentations in cultural centres.
CLIFF JOSEPH
Cliff Joseph has been teaching salsa in London, Oxford, throughout the U.K. and at international dance events for the past ten years. He has appeared on numerous T.V. programmes and, was recently seen teaching salsa on Celebrity Fitness Club (ITV 1).
He has also appeared in the salsa teaching video "Everybody Salsa".
Cliff is a qualified dance teacher receiving a commendation from the United Kingdom Alliance of Dance Teachers for his teaching. He has also studied dance in London and New York.
Cliff is a qualified counsellor with a background in holistic approaches to healing. He has taught dance at Yoga Plus over the past eight years. He incorporates his holistic approach to life in his teaching.
You can always expect a class with Cliff to be both informative and fun
So if you would like to be a part of a salsa experience with a difference.
NIGEL MAY
Nigel May is an International teacher and is involved with Dance Holiday's incorporating Latin Dance & Hip-Hop/Street Jazz. You can find him in Malta, Germany & Spain this year….luckily for us he is also in Witney!
Nigel has a wealth of experience and is a great crowd pleaser with his outrageous Merengue routines and sense of humor. He has a unique versatile style and can teach both Cuban and LA Salsa.
Often guest teaching at Pontins Salsa events (he's usually attending all the parties!) you're sure to recognize Nigel.
He was choreographer to one of the 'Nike' adverts and has danced in 'Fame' the musical.
Nigel is a brilliant Hip-Hop/Street dancer and can mix this with Salsa, giving the dance a whole new edge!
He is a qualified teacher under the National Association of Teachers of Dance and an Associate Free Dancer.
BRUCE RICHARDSON
Bruce Richardson is an Oxford University Dance Consultant / International Dance Teacher who is IDTA qualified; Bruce will be leading our new Jive, Salsa & Cha-Cha classes.
Call Wendy for a prompt, friendly & efficient service!
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