Our Guest Instructors
John Narvaez and
Dalia Lazcares
John Freddy Narvaez representing Colombia & the San Francisco Bay Area: This amazing dancer/instructor/world champion has garnered too many titles to list. Suffice it to say that he has helped mold champions of the past, present & future with one of the proven best instructional methods & curriculums the Salsa dance world has yet seen. John was a contestant on the national TV show “America’s Got Talent“ in 2014, along with his partner Andrew, and the duo made it through the auditions and Judgement Week to qualify for the quarterfinals.
John Narvaez has accumulated a total of 145 World Class Championship medals through his choreographies. 54 Gold, Silver 54, Bronze 37.
Recently he has teamed up with the upcoming rising star Dalia Lazcares who is one of top Salsa Dancers in Mexico and now in the world. She is known for her high technical ability and beautiful styling with flavor and class.
For more information www.salsamaniaproductions.com
Facebook-Jhon and Dalia
Instagram- Jhon and Dalia
Dalia Lazcares
John Freddy Narvaez representing Colombia & the San Francisco Bay Area: This amazing dancer/instructor/world champion has garnered too many titles to list. Suffice it to say that he has helped mold champions of the past, present & future with one of the proven best instructional methods & curriculums the Salsa dance world has yet seen. John was a contestant on the national TV show “America’s Got Talent“ in 2014, along with his partner Andrew, and the duo made it through the auditions and Judgement Week to qualify for the quarterfinals.
John Narvaez has accumulated a total of 145 World Class Championship medals through his choreographies. 54 Gold, Silver 54, Bronze 37.
Recently he has teamed up with the upcoming rising star Dalia Lazcares who is one of top Salsa Dancers in Mexico and now in the world. She is known for her high technical ability and beautiful styling with flavor and class.
For more information www.salsamaniaproductions.com
Facebook-Jhon and Dalia
Instagram- Jhon and Dalia
Kevin Cullinen
Kevin has been dancing Salsa for nearly 8 years, training and performing for the last four years with Salsamania Dance Company in Oakland. In addition, Kevin, has attended countless salsa, cha cha, and bachata workshops and has helped instruct at numerous Latin dance classes over the last three years. Kevin has competed and won multiple amateur divisions at the World Latin Dance Cup (WLDC), one of the largest international latin dance competitions in the country. Kevin competed as a professional for the first time this past December at the WLDC and took 1st place in the Same Gender Male Salsa Couple division. Kevin grew up in Sonoma County, and currently lives and works in Santa Rosa.
Kevin has been dancing Salsa for nearly 8 years, training and performing for the last four years with Salsamania Dance Company in Oakland. In addition, Kevin, has attended countless salsa, cha cha, and bachata workshops and has helped instruct at numerous Latin dance classes over the last three years. Kevin has competed and won multiple amateur divisions at the World Latin Dance Cup (WLDC), one of the largest international latin dance competitions in the country. Kevin competed as a professional for the first time this past December at the WLDC and took 1st place in the Same Gender Male Salsa Couple division. Kevin grew up in Sonoma County, and currently lives and works in Santa Rosa.
Ryan "The Rockstar" and
Evie Alva"The Bailerina"
Ryan has dedicated his heart and soul to Bachata, Salsa, Zouk, and Kizomba and went from simply doing moves, to deeply feeling the rhythm and music. 10 years ago, he stepped into his first Bachata lesson, and his life changed forever. He was teaching a year later, and has since become famous for his Bachata Romantica workshop series world wide. Blending sensuality, connectivity, and love, with a variety of different dances styles, these workshops help dancers tap into their inner romantic, unlocking a dancer's personal presence and style. True to his moniker, Ryan can always be found on the social dance floor til it closes down, and has been lauded for being one of the most approachable and dedicated social dancers. Ask for a dance and you will get 110%!
Two years ago, he met Evie Alva, and the instant chemistry they have has fueled an amazing partnership. She started her dance career in multiple forms of technique- martial arts, gymnastics, and eventually ballet. She has over 8 years of Latin and ballroom teaching experience: from salsa, to bachata, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, Bollywood, zouk, kizomba, forro, samba, belly dance, flamenco, and more! She has trained and taught in India, Brazil, and USA. Together the two are bringing connection, affection, emotion, and fun back to Bachata. Get ready to open your mind and your heart! For private lessons, group lessons, or inquires, email Ryan at bachatarockstar@gmail.com And Evie at evipivikiwi@gmail.com
Jeff Jung and Molly Koo
Learn to dance safer, learn to dance better. Learn techniques and movements to bring safe and beautiful dancing to Humboldt County. Don’t be the dangerous dancer on the floor pulling moves from social media and calling it Sensual Bachata.
Jeff and Molly teach from the Korke y Judith Sensual Bachata Mastery Program (the originators of Sensual Bachata from Cadiz, Spain). Their classes are held in Santa Rosa, California. They have been teaching Sensual Bachata together since January 2018 and have enjoyed working with many levels of students under JAS Latin Dance Academy.
Jeff is a former trainer for Daniel y Desiree World Team Project, San Francisco and other teams under JAS Latin Dance Academy directed by Jose Santamaria. Molly is an aspiring dancer in both Bachata and Zouk dance styles. Together they share their passion for dance with a focus on technique and safety over pattern work in their classes. They have taught together at local venues in Sonoma County and parts of the SF Bay Area as well as festival workshops at the Humboldt Latin Dance Festival.
Jeff and Molly are members of the Daniel and Desiree World Team Project Performance Team in the SF Bay Area. They have also been training in Zouk under the instruction of Anthony and Collyane Umina, on the San Francisco Zouk Performance Team. Together they bring a variety of dance backgrounds including Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Hula, Argentine Tango, and various other social level ballroom dances.
Jeff and Molly both work full time outside of the dance industry and in their free time try to share their passion, knowledge, and spirit to help grow open and welcoming communities of people.
Jeff is one of the founding members of Bachata Lab Productions in Santa Rosa (Organizers of Sazon’s Sensual Bachata Nights) where their mission is to grow the local dance community through supporting local businesses and social networks through fun and education in their events and activities. See their Website HERE
Learn to dance safer, learn to dance better. Learn techniques and movements to bring safe and beautiful dancing to Humboldt County. Don’t be the dangerous dancer on the floor pulling moves from social media and calling it Sensual Bachata.
Jeff and Molly teach from the Korke y Judith Sensual Bachata Mastery Program (the originators of Sensual Bachata from Cadiz, Spain). Their classes are held in Santa Rosa, California. They have been teaching Sensual Bachata together since January 2018 and have enjoyed working with many levels of students under JAS Latin Dance Academy.
Jeff is a former trainer for Daniel y Desiree World Team Project, San Francisco and other teams under JAS Latin Dance Academy directed by Jose Santamaria. Molly is an aspiring dancer in both Bachata and Zouk dance styles. Together they share their passion for dance with a focus on technique and safety over pattern work in their classes. They have taught together at local venues in Sonoma County and parts of the SF Bay Area as well as festival workshops at the Humboldt Latin Dance Festival.
Jeff and Molly are members of the Daniel and Desiree World Team Project Performance Team in the SF Bay Area. They have also been training in Zouk under the instruction of Anthony and Collyane Umina, on the San Francisco Zouk Performance Team. Together they bring a variety of dance backgrounds including Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Hula, Argentine Tango, and various other social level ballroom dances.
Jeff and Molly both work full time outside of the dance industry and in their free time try to share their passion, knowledge, and spirit to help grow open and welcoming communities of people.
Jeff is one of the founding members of Bachata Lab Productions in Santa Rosa (Organizers of Sazon’s Sensual Bachata Nights) where their mission is to grow the local dance community through supporting local businesses and social networks through fun and education in their events and activities. See their Website HERE
Imaan "PapaFuegz " Taghavi
Imaan “PapaFuegz” Taghavi (@papafuegzofficial) is an international social dance instructor and pioneer based in San Francisco, CA. Having previously trained in salsa and bachata with the renowned CoboBrothers Dance Company, he now teaches, trains, and competes in Brazilian Zouk with his dance partner, Elena “The Rhinestone” Rovito (@therhinestoneofficial) and they recently took 3rd place in the 2018 Semi Pro division of the U.S. Zouk Open. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Omni Movement (@theomnimovement), a social dance media company that spreads the accessibility and awareness of social dancing across the globe. Their tagline: “You can dance anywhere, with anyone, to anything.”
Testimonial:: “[PapaFuegz] pays very close attention to detail... He shows how not only is he teaching new moves, but emphasizes how… I can begin to come up with my own moves.”
Check out the OMNI movevment HERE
Imaan “PapaFuegz” Taghavi (@papafuegzofficial) is an international social dance instructor and pioneer based in San Francisco, CA. Having previously trained in salsa and bachata with the renowned CoboBrothers Dance Company, he now teaches, trains, and competes in Brazilian Zouk with his dance partner, Elena “The Rhinestone” Rovito (@therhinestoneofficial) and they recently took 3rd place in the 2018 Semi Pro division of the U.S. Zouk Open. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Omni Movement (@theomnimovement), a social dance media company that spreads the accessibility and awareness of social dancing across the globe. Their tagline: “You can dance anywhere, with anyone, to anything.”
Testimonial:: “[PapaFuegz] pays very close attention to detail... He shows how not only is he teaching new moves, but emphasizes how… I can begin to come up with my own moves.”
Check out the OMNI movevment HERE
Elena "The Rhinestone" Rovito
Elena is a Brazilian zouk instructor and performer living in San Francisco. She has a diverse background of many different arts and sports including gymnastics, parkour, ballet/jazz/modern/contemporary dance, and various partner dances. She began partner dancing in 2014, and has since competed at collegiate ballroom events, completed certifications in multiple dance courses, and taught classes all over California - from Redding to Los Angeles. Her preferred styles of dance are Brazilian zouk and bachata, but she also dances samba de gafieira, salsa, and West Coast Swing, and dabbles in many others. Elena earned the nickname “Rhinestone” when she began rhinestoning her own ballroom dresses... and then everything else she owned. Since then she has used it to embody the effect/persona that she wants to give the dance community. She has a feverish passion for teaching dance, especially easing a beginner's segway into the social dancing world. She also blogs on a regular basis, journaling her exploration of personal development and body positivity along with discussions of current issues in the social dance world. Her teaching style has been described as organized and focused yet fun, with a heavy focus on technique combined with connection & feeling. Currently she teaches weekly drop-in classes in Oakland and Santa Clara and directs a ladies’ team (Zouk Babes) in San Francisco.
Elena is a Brazilian zouk instructor and performer living in San Francisco. She has a diverse background of many different arts and sports including gymnastics, parkour, ballet/jazz/modern/contemporary dance, and various partner dances. She began partner dancing in 2014, and has since competed at collegiate ballroom events, completed certifications in multiple dance courses, and taught classes all over California - from Redding to Los Angeles. Her preferred styles of dance are Brazilian zouk and bachata, but she also dances samba de gafieira, salsa, and West Coast Swing, and dabbles in many others. Elena earned the nickname “Rhinestone” when she began rhinestoning her own ballroom dresses... and then everything else she owned. Since then she has used it to embody the effect/persona that she wants to give the dance community. She has a feverish passion for teaching dance, especially easing a beginner's segway into the social dancing world. She also blogs on a regular basis, journaling her exploration of personal development and body positivity along with discussions of current issues in the social dance world. Her teaching style has been described as organized and focused yet fun, with a heavy focus on technique combined with connection & feeling. Currently she teaches weekly drop-in classes in Oakland and Santa Clara and directs a ladies’ team (Zouk Babes) in San Francisco.
Rob Hilario
Starting his training in Casino (Cuban-style partner dance) in September 2005 in the Bay Area, Rob is an original member of Salsa Vale Todo in San Francisco, CA; starting in 2007, and parting ways with the group in 2011.
Often described as having "super clean" and "flawless" technique, Rob is thoroughly well-versed in calling and choreographing Ruedas (the group form of Casino), as shown in recent performances .
However, Rob's true strength is his mastery of partnering technique, angles, handwork, and footwork to make social dancing enjoyable for follows as well as leads.
Relocated to Portland in April 2012, Rob is eager to share his knowledge of Casino with the Pacific Northwest. He is thrilled to join a community of dancers he highly respects and has a long-standing friendship with.
Need a more detailed introduction to Casino? Check out Rob's blog post!
Starting his training in Casino (Cuban-style partner dance) in September 2005 in the Bay Area, Rob is an original member of Salsa Vale Todo in San Francisco, CA; starting in 2007, and parting ways with the group in 2011.
Often described as having "super clean" and "flawless" technique, Rob is thoroughly well-versed in calling and choreographing Ruedas (the group form of Casino), as shown in recent performances .
However, Rob's true strength is his mastery of partnering technique, angles, handwork, and footwork to make social dancing enjoyable for follows as well as leads.
Relocated to Portland in April 2012, Rob is eager to share his knowledge of Casino with the Pacific Northwest. He is thrilled to join a community of dancers he highly respects and has a long-standing friendship with.
Need a more detailed introduction to Casino? Check out Rob's blog post!
Courtney Lee Jones
Courtney began dancing classical ballet at the age of four and continued with ballet/pointe, modern, and jazz throughout college. She obtained a degree in Dance Education from Marymount Manhattan College in 2011. Courtney began dancing salsa and bachata upon moving to Oakland, California in 2012. She has trained with East Bay companies including InEssence, In Lak’ech, and Salsamania and has participated in intensive workshops with dancers from around the world. Courtney began dancing competitively in 2018 and won silver at in the Same Gender division of the World Latin Dance Cup. Courtney and Kevin have been dancing and performing together since 2018 and won gold for their routine at the West Coast Salsa Championships. She is currently preparing to compete later this year in the same gender on2 salsa and amateur on2 couples division.
Courtney began dancing classical ballet at the age of four and continued with ballet/pointe, modern, and jazz throughout college. She obtained a degree in Dance Education from Marymount Manhattan College in 2011. Courtney began dancing salsa and bachata upon moving to Oakland, California in 2012. She has trained with East Bay companies including InEssence, In Lak’ech, and Salsamania and has participated in intensive workshops with dancers from around the world. Courtney began dancing competitively in 2018 and won silver at in the Same Gender division of the World Latin Dance Cup. Courtney and Kevin have been dancing and performing together since 2018 and won gold for their routine at the West Coast Salsa Championships. She is currently preparing to compete later this year in the same gender on2 salsa and amateur on2 couples division.
Debbie Weist
Debbie Weist of ‘Dance with Debbie’ brings enthusiasm and a diverse dance background into her teaching to make classes fun. You can have a tailor-made private lesson or join a group class of swing, Latin, or basic ballroom with locations in Eureka and Arcata. She also creates memorable choreography for weddings and other special occasions and thoroughly enjoys the challenge of each project.
Debbie Weist of ‘Dance with Debbie’ brings enthusiasm and a diverse dance background into her teaching to make classes fun. You can have a tailor-made private lesson or join a group class of swing, Latin, or basic ballroom with locations in Eureka and Arcata. She also creates memorable choreography for weddings and other special occasions and thoroughly enjoys the challenge of each project.
Rocio Crystal Talaveras
Rocío Cristal Talavera has been dancing Samba since 2011 and teaching locally since 2015. As she became more involved in the American Samba scene, she began traveling to Río de Janeiro to parade in the biggest and most famous Samba stage in the world: the Carnaval of Marqués de Sapucaí. In 2016 she traveled for the first time to dance as a Passista (carnaval dancer) for the famous samba school União da Ilha. In 2019 she traveled again to parade twice more- once in the International Passista Wing of Académicos de Belford Roxo and also as an Official Passista for the oldest samba school in Rio and 2019 Série A Champions, Estacio de Sá. In 2020, she was invited once more to parade, this time as a Muse (one of the highest positions attainable by a foreigner), for the samba school Unidos da Ponte. To prepare for these performances, she has trained under some of the most famous dancers and choreographers of Brazil. In the United States, Rocio has choreographed and led carnaval parades including the Arcata NCF samba parade (2018, 2019) and the Seattle Solstice Parade (2014, 2015). She had also paraded as Destaque (highlighted dancer) in the carnival parades of San Francisco and San Diego. She has performed in numerous festivals throughout the West Coast as well: some of these include the Oregon Country Fair, Honk!Fest West, Benbow Summer Arts & Music Festival, Reggae on the River, Northern Nights, Fire Fall & Spring Soul Festivals, and many more. Rocio is also a percussionist and has drummed in various local bands (Samba da Alegria, sambAmore, OLIO) and is the co-founder of Samba Floresta. In addition to playing with these bands, she has simultaneously led the dance contingency for 3 of these. Her knowledge of music has helped her to gain a deeper understanding of samba which makes it easier for her to choreograph and teach the dance. Rocio was born and raised in Puerto Rico and has a background in Folkloric Dances of the island including Bomba and Plena. She grew up dancing salsa, merengue and bachata as part of her culture, which is why she immediately felt a connection to samba through the roots of the African diaspora. Her next goal is to travel to Río once more with a group of “gringa” (foreign) dancers for a new project with the Carioca musician Dudu Kape to create a new bridge for artistic exchange between the two cultures.
Rocío Cristal Talavera has been dancing Samba since 2011 and teaching locally since 2015. As she became more involved in the American Samba scene, she began traveling to Río de Janeiro to parade in the biggest and most famous Samba stage in the world: the Carnaval of Marqués de Sapucaí. In 2016 she traveled for the first time to dance as a Passista (carnaval dancer) for the famous samba school União da Ilha. In 2019 she traveled again to parade twice more- once in the International Passista Wing of Académicos de Belford Roxo and also as an Official Passista for the oldest samba school in Rio and 2019 Série A Champions, Estacio de Sá. In 2020, she was invited once more to parade, this time as a Muse (one of the highest positions attainable by a foreigner), for the samba school Unidos da Ponte. To prepare for these performances, she has trained under some of the most famous dancers and choreographers of Brazil. In the United States, Rocio has choreographed and led carnaval parades including the Arcata NCF samba parade (2018, 2019) and the Seattle Solstice Parade (2014, 2015). She had also paraded as Destaque (highlighted dancer) in the carnival parades of San Francisco and San Diego. She has performed in numerous festivals throughout the West Coast as well: some of these include the Oregon Country Fair, Honk!Fest West, Benbow Summer Arts & Music Festival, Reggae on the River, Northern Nights, Fire Fall & Spring Soul Festivals, and many more. Rocio is also a percussionist and has drummed in various local bands (Samba da Alegria, sambAmore, OLIO) and is the co-founder of Samba Floresta. In addition to playing with these bands, she has simultaneously led the dance contingency for 3 of these. Her knowledge of music has helped her to gain a deeper understanding of samba which makes it easier for her to choreograph and teach the dance. Rocio was born and raised in Puerto Rico and has a background in Folkloric Dances of the island including Bomba and Plena. She grew up dancing salsa, merengue and bachata as part of her culture, which is why she immediately felt a connection to samba through the roots of the African diaspora. Her next goal is to travel to Río once more with a group of “gringa” (foreign) dancers for a new project with the Carioca musician Dudu Kape to create a new bridge for artistic exchange between the two cultures.
Rodney "Rodchata"Aquino
Rodney is not only an amzing dancer and teacher, but has been a founder of bachata dancing in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2005.
