Instructor Bio
Alethia Alvarezâ's journey with dance is one of resilience, rediscovery, and community. A passionate dancer in childhood, she stepped away after corrective scoliosis surgery at 14, believing that chapter had closed. Years later, a cross-country move to New York City reignited her spark through Salsa, Cha Cha, and Latin Hustle. Immersed in training, performance, and competition, her love for dance returned stronger than ever.
Encouraged by her NYC mentors, Alethia began teaching in 2010, first in Los Angeles and later in Santa Barbara, where she built her first performance team and cultivated a vibrant, connected dance community. Eventually settling in California's Central Valley, she carried that same energy forward, spending the past eight years teaching, choreographing, producing events, and fostering a thriving local scene. In 2025, she brought her vision to life by creating the first-ever Modesto Latin Music & Dance Festival. Today, Alethia continues to inspire others, transforming dance floors into spaces of joy, connection, and expression.
Alondra Torres is a Bachata dancer, instructor, and performer who began her dance journey at the age of 18, starting with Salsa On2 before falling in love with Bachata. She has trained with internationally recognized artists such as Marco & Sara, Korke & Judith, and Daniel & Desiree, shaping her technique and artistic expression.
For two and a half years, Alondra taught and performed as part of the duo Alondra & Brenda, gaining recognition for their performances and workshops across the United States and internationally.
Now stepping into a new chapter of her career, Alondra is focusing on developing her personal style through Masc Styling and Bachata partnerwork, sharing her approach to movement, musicality, and self-expression with dancers around the world.
Amanda comes from an extremely technical athletic background. She has studied many dance styles ranging from solo recreational dances like jazz and contemporary all the way to competitive partner dances like ballroom and Latin. Over the years of study she has found her specialty and love for the social Latin dances Salsa and Bachata. She is excited to bring and share her knowledge and passion to the California Dance Festival
Anacristina is a Latin dance instructor, performer, and founding director of El Flow Dance Studio in San Diego. With a focus on Bachata and salsa cubana + on2, her work emphasizes musicality, body movement, and self-expression. She is dedicated to sharing the joy, culture, and connection behind Latin dance while inspiring dancers to find their own unique flow.
Andrés Silva y Nataly González are professional Salsa and Bachata dancers from Colombia.
With over 8 years of experience as a dance couple, they have won more than 17 national competitions in Colombia.
They are two-time Latin American Bachata champions and World Champions at the Punta Pie World Salsa Championship in 2022.
Currently, they are certified judges and workshop instructors at national events.
They have served as judges and instructors at numerous national competitions and have also participated in international Salsa and Bachata competitions, including the World Salsa Solo held in Australia in 2024.
Additionally, they have been invited artists at major congresses such as the Sacramento Bachata Salsa Festival and the Portland Salsa Congress.
Annette Saucillo is a passionate and experienced Latin dance instructor with over 20 years of experience in Salsa. Skilled in both Salsa On1 and On2, she also has an extensive background in Cha Cha Cha, Boogaloo, Rumba, Pachanga, Mambo, Afro-Cuban, Bachata, and Merengue.
Annette is known for her high-energy teaching style, clear instruction, and her ability to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where dancers of all levels can grow, build confidence, and shine on the dance floor. She has taught at festivals both across the United States and internationally, sharing her love for dance with diverse communities.
A dedicated performer and choreographer, Annette has created numerous routines for teams and soloists and has directed her own ladies’ dance team. In 2026, she earned 1st place at the Summit Salsa Competition—a reflection of her hard work, artistry, and commitment to excellence.
Above all, Annette’s true passion lies in inspiring others—helping dancers connect to the music, express themselves, and fall in love with the art of dance.
Arnel Canalita is an international Latin and Ballroom dance athlete, champion, and instructor. He specializes in Latin dances—including Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, and Jive—and Ballroom styles such as Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, and Quickstep.
In addition to his competitive and teaching experience, Arnel is also skilled in Argentine Tango, Bachata, Zumba, Yoga, Mat Pilates, Bodyworks, and Cardio Kickboxing. He is a certified personal trainer dedicated to helping individuals improve their fitness, technique, and overall well-being.
Ashley Atwood is a ballroom and Latin dance instructor and Bachata Team Director at The Ballroom of Reno, a nonprofit dance studio dedicated to building community through dance.
She specializes in Bachata and Latin social dancing and is passionate about helping students grow into confident, expressive social dancers.
Brian Dinh is based in Seattle, WA. With a mission to inspire and develop strong technical social dancers, he has helped pioneer the rich and fast-growing Bachata Sensual movement in the Pacific Northwest and continues to elevate the bachata community through teaching teams and classes at his home studio, Salsa Con Todo.
Brian began his dance journey in high school and continued through college, where he spent seven years training and competing in hip hop. He competed in 1v1 freestyle competitions and won various regional titles. After moving to Seattle in 2016, he took his first bachata classes, where he fell in love with the music and dance, and committed to becoming a bachata artist.
As a singer and pianist for over 20 years, musicality has always been a key part of Brian’s expression. He brings this into his dancing and is passionate about helping students develop and apply musicality in their own dance.
Carlos Contreras is a Salsa dancer with years of experience performing and competing on teams. He is disciplined, passionate, and driven by the art of movement and expression.
Cassandra Villaseñor is a Bay Area–based choreographer and competitive dancer with over 20 years of training in ballet, contemporary, folklórico, and Latin dance.
As the founder of Con Todo Dance Company, she leads and trains performance and competition teams across the Bay Area and Sacramento, with a focus on technique, stage presence, and artistic growth.
Christopher Sandoval is a dynamic performing arts educator whose 12-year journey across California and Texas has been defined by movement, culture, and community. Rooted in Mexican folk dance from a young age and refined through his adult training in Latin rhythms, he brings both tradition and evolution to every space he enters.
Blending heritage with contemporary energy, Sandoval has pioneered an engaging, community-driven dance curriculum centered around the globally influential sounds of Banda. His work transforms dance floors into shared cultural experiences—inviting people of all backgrounds to connect, celebrate, and move together through the vibrant pulse of Mexican music.
With over 20 years of combined dance experience, Danielle and Dennis bring power, precision, and passion to Salsa Caleña. As active teachers, competitors, and performers, they live and breathe dance—and love sharing it with their community.
Don’t miss the chance to train with them at the California Dance Festival in their two must-attend workshops!
Dogukan Avdac began dancing in university in Turkey in 2005. By 2011, he became a certified instructor with the Turkish Dance Sports Federation, teaching and inspiring dancers across the country.
Now based in the United States for the past two years, he brings the energy of salsa to every class—helping students move, groove, and fall in love with dance.
Edna and Manny bring 18 years of experience in social dancing, specializing in Bachata, Salsa, and Cumbia. Their goal is to grow a community of skilled leaders and followers, helping others excel in these dance styles.
Elizabeth “Lizeli” Sanchez-Reyes is a jazz funk instructor and performer with A&J Dance Company, specializing in commercial-style training rooted in musicality, performance quality, and dynamic movement.
Her classes are high-energy, blending precision with confidence and expression. Lizeli is passionate about helping dancers tap into their artistry, presence, and power while creating an environment that feels both challenging and supportive.
Emily Hodges began her formal salsa training in New York City before opening her own studio in her hometown of Honolulu, Hawai‘i, where she trained dancers, choreographed, and performed internationally.
Andres founded his own salsa club and has taught and performed worldwide, building strong dance communities through his leadership and instruction.
Together, they bring technical precision, musicality, and international experience to every class and performance.
Eric Payan: Fuego Dance Crew was founded in 2010 for a middle school talent show. Throughout the years, the group has continued to grow and evolve.
Their style is primarily hip hop–inspired, with elements of reggaeton, and more recently, influences of bachata and salsa.
Frine Garrey and Jorge Santana are dancers, acrobatic partner coaches, and directors of Urban Folk Dance Mexico. Their work focuses on promoting acrobatic Quebradita and other styles of popular Mexican dance, combining technique, stage presence, and tradition.
Through shows and workshops in Mexico and abroad, they aim to bring the culture and flavor of Mexican dance to new communities of dancers.
Gio & Gaby are sibling dancers, world champions, and professional instructors of Latin rhythms, recognized as one of the most outstanding cabaret-style salsa couples in the world. Their discipline, artistry, and precision have placed them among the most elite competitors in salsa championships—widely considered by experts to be one of the most demanding categories in the dance world.
Their unique style blends high-level acrobatic elements with authentic Latin dance, creating performances that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression worldwide. They have been dancing professionally together since 2012, building a partnership defined by trust, strength, and artistic excellence.
Gaby was inspired by her older sister, who was passionate about salsa and music. Gio, in turn, shares this passion with his entire family and found early inspiration in Gaby, as well as in many dancers he admired while growing up and following the dance world.
Together, Gio & Gaby began performing at competitions, events, and television programs. Their dedication and rapid growth led to a major milestone in 2018, when they were crowned World Champions at Euroson Latino, the largest salsa championship in Europe. This achievement marked a turning point, leading them to pursue salsa and Latin rhythms professionally.
Since then, Gio & Gaby have won more than 15 national and international titles and have traveled across the globe competing, teaching, and sharing their art at major dance congresses. Their journey has taken them to countries such as Australia, Greece, Bulgaria, Japan, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Lebanon, Norway, Colombia, Switzerland, and the United States.
Today, they continue to develop international projects as creators of high-level choreographies and competitive coaching programs, inspiring dancers worldwide with their passion, discipline, and love for dance.
Hailie Patton, a UC Berkeley graduate, has taken her love for psychology and movement and turned it into a thriving dance community in her home of Sonoma County and beyond.
With backgrounds in contemporary, jazz, and hip hop, Hailie enjoys creating Bachata movement inspired by her roots. She aims to inspire her dancers to have “strength in their sensuality.”
She has successfully competed both locally and internationally in salsa and bachata. Hailie currently runs a community-driven weekly Latin dance event in Cotati that brings people together from across the North and South Bay Areas.
She also directs four ladies’ Bachata dance teams that perform locally and internationally.
Irena Tannous is a dancer, instructor, performer, and choreographer from Lebanon (Middle East). She is trained in a variety of dance styles, including Salsa, Bachata, Reggaeton, Belly Dance, Afro Fusion, Twerk, and Classical Ballet.
Irena teaches, performs, and choreographs both in her home country and internationally. She is passionate about sharing her love for dance and is known for her unique ability to fuse multiple styles into her work.
Jade is a three-time IDF World Champion and director of Red Rubies, based in London. She has performed and taught worldwide across music videos, television, stage productions, and international dance festivals.
Passionate about traditional Bachata, Jade emphasizes style, musicality, and authentic expression while helping dancers build confidence and develop their own unique artistry.
Jayven & Princess are vibrant dancers from Alliance Dance Academy in Los Angeles, proudly representing the spirit of queer expression in Latin dance. Known for their powerful chemistry, musicality, and fearless stage presence, they bring authenticity and pride to every performance.
Through salsa, they celebrate individuality, community, and the freedom to dance beyond traditional roles, representing a new generation of inclusive talent from Alliance.
Jeff & Mayra are a professional Bachata couple with over 10 years of dance experience. They are currently based in New York, where they direct teams in both New York and Philadelphia.
Their style focuses on Bachata fusion, influenced by their training in urban, ballroom, ballet, and contemporary dance. Jeff, from Ecuador, and Mayra, from Peru, inspire confidence and connection through their movement and teaching.
Kat and Josue are professional dance instructors and performers from Guatemala and El Salvador, based in San Diego, California. With backgrounds in hip hop, ballet, and ballroom, they bring a bold and expressive approach to Bachata fusion rooted in musicality, technique, and authentic connection.
Their dynamic partnership translates into powerful performances and immersive workshops that resonate with dancers worldwide.
Kathy Reyes is a Bachata instructor, performer, and director of KRD (KathyReyesDance) with over 15 years of experience. She gained national recognition after winning a major Bachata competition in Los Angeles and has since taught, performed, and judged at events both locally and internationally.
Known for her musicality and expressive style, she is also a community organizer, producing socials and events such as BELLA Dance Weekender, BachataNightz, and Rico Fridays in the Bay Area.
Kenna New is a professional Latin dance artist and instructor recognized for her clear, intentional teaching style and dynamic performance quality. As the founder and director of Ay Fuego Dance Company, she brings years of experience in performance, choreography, and instruction into the classroom.
She is dedicated to helping dancers strengthen their technique, musicality, and connection with purpose. Kenna is known for creating focused, high-energy learning environments where dancers are challenged to grow, refine their craft, and develop confidence that translates both on and off the floor.
Laura Herrera Aguirre is a Latin dance instructor and performer from Medellín, Colombia. She has been dancing for over 15 years and teaching for 10 years. Her training in salsa includes Colombian, LA, and NY styles, as well as Traditional and Sensual Bachata.
She has traveled to various cities and countries to both compete and continue her development as an instructor, including Cuba and the Dominican Republic. She has earned first-place awards in categories such as couples and groups in professional Salsa Cabaret and On1 divisions.
As an instructor, Laura focuses on partner connection, body movement, and musicality—helping students not only improve their dance skills but also feel more confident and connected to themselves through dance.
Mauricio is a multi-genre dancer who specializes in Bachata follower styling. With over 14 years of dance experience, he has trained in jazz, contemporary, modern, ballet, hip hop, and Bachata.
Throughout his Bachata career, he has earned first-place titles in amateur cabaret couples, pro-am couples, mixed shines, and pro/open/queer solo divisions.
He currently directs two competition teams (Pro-Am couples and follower styling) and one amateur team (follower styling) at A&J Dance Studio, located in Lynwood, California.
Michelle Nakpil was born and raised in the Bay Area and moved to Reno in 2013. She has been dancing hip hop for over 10 years, training under talented choreographers and dancers across both the Bay Area and Reno communities.
For the past 8 years, she has been dancing, choreographing, and representing The Reno Empire as the director of the Hip Hop team.
Michelle Valenzuela focuses her dance style on body control, musicality, and footwork.
Mike Del Campo is the founder and owner of Del Campo Dance Studio and a key figure in the growth of the Latin dance scene in Sacramento. With decades of experience in both dance and teaching, he is known for his energetic style, humor, and ability to connect with students of all levels.
Mike began his journey in the 1980s after transitioning from running a martial arts studio into dance, where he discovered a passion for movement, rhythm, and teaching. He trained in a variety of ballroom and Latin styles—including Salsa, Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, and Tango—and later focused on developing and growing the Salsa community in Northern California.
Since co-founding Del Campo Dance Studio in 1995, Mike has helped build one of the region’s most influential dance communities, producing classes, events, and performances at festivals, the California State Fair, Sacramento Kings games, and numerous community events.
He continues to inspire generations of dancers through his passion, leadership, and dedication to sharing the joy of dance.
Mireille Ruiz, born and raised in Mexico City, grew up dancing and listening to Latin music as an integral part of her culture, including cumbia. She learned her first following techniques dancing with her father at family fiestas.
She has a background in Mexican folklórico, jazz, tap, and gymnastics, and has been performing since the age of 4. In addition to dance, she is also a percussionist drummer and a Montessori teacher. She is a Bay Area–based instructor specializing in Bachata, Cumbia, Salsa, and Quebradita.
Mireille has been teaching, performing, and leading dance teams across the United States since 2008.
Nav & Kat are professional Salsa instructors, performers, and choreographers based in Sacramento, California. As leaders at Del Campo Dance Studio, they play a key role in teaching, coaching, and growing the local Latin dance community.
Together, they bring a dynamic blend of technique, musicality, and connection to their dancing, with a strong focus on helping students become confident and well-rounded social dancers. Their teaching style is energetic, structured, and accessible—creating an environment where dancers of all levels can learn, improve, and have fun.
Nav and Kat have taught and performed at events such as the Reno Latin Festival, Sacramento State, and Dance on the Edge, and have been featured on local news for their contributions to the dance community. As team coaches and choreographers, they have developed and trained multiple performance teams, helping dancers grow both technically and artistically.
Through their passion for dance, they continue to inspire others to build confidence, connect through music, and be part of a thriving and welcoming community.
Tzoul & Nohemi are street dance–focused instructors hailing from the Sierra Nevada region. These dynamic teachers are dedicated to enhancing the connection people have with social dance.
For the past three years, they have been teaching weekly, high-energy classes, helping students develop their skills in Bachata, Salsa, and Brazilian Zouk as a cohesive and expressive art form.
Featured Sacramento instructors, they are Bachata-focused with modern influences while maintaining a strong respect for traditional techniques.
Victor and Karen are multidisciplinary dancers with training in jazz, ballet, contemporary, urban dance, and Latin rhythms.
They are the co-founders of The Lion House Dance Academy, established in 2018 in the State of Mexico. In 2020, they continued their development in Tijuana as students of renowned instructor Sergio Jasso.
Currently, they are coaches, members, and multi-time champions with Latin Talent.
Their achievements include:
-
World Champions in the Professional Cabaret Couples Salsa category at the Euroson Latino World Salsa Championship (2022)
-
Champions of Mambolee One (2023)
-
Champions of OSBF “The Salsa Capital of Mexico” (2023, 2024)
-
Champions of Imperio Mexico (2023, 2024)
-
Champions of the Puntal Foot World Championship (2023, 2024)
-
3rd Place in the Elite Cabaret Couples category at the Cali World Salsa Festival, Colombia (2023)
Vanessa & Guillermo are among the first to introduce Bachata Sensual to the Bay Area, California. They are certified instructors under Korke & Judith, and Vanessa also holds a ladies’ styling certification from Judith.
Their dance style is smooth and flowing—true to the name of their dance company, Como el Agua, which recently celebrated its 6th anniversary.
Through Como el Agua, they offer ladies’ and couples’ Bachata teams, providing students with opportunities to develop their skills and perform on stages at festivals across the United States.