Our Guest Instructors (live music and DJ's below)
World Salsa Champion John Narvaez
SalsaMania
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.
For more information www.salsamaniaproductions.com
Erika Lachenmeier
Principal Dancer for SalsaMania
Erika started ballet as a toddler and has been dancing ever since. She grew up performing and teaching in a wide variety of genres, most notably ballet, jazz, contemporary and musical theater.
When Erika ventured into a Salsa club for the first time in 2010, she completely fell in love with the music and the dance. She has been training, performing and competing with the renowned Salsamania Dance Company for the last 8 years. Erika won 6 medals at the World Latin Dance Cup before going pro in 2017. Since then, she has won first place at the Bay Area Salsa and Bachata Championships, was a finalist at the World Latin Dance Cup in the professional couples category, and won a world title in Ladies Salsa Same Gender division.
Her newest love is the beautiful Brazilian dance: Zouk, which allows her to blend in all of her previous training from ballet to Salsa. Erika loves teaching sharing her passion for dance with students. She is available to teach workshops and privates in salsa, ballet, jazz, active flexibility, and lifts and tricks.
SalsaMania
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.
For more information www.salsamaniaproductions.com
Erika Lachenmeier
Principal Dancer for SalsaMania
Erika started ballet as a toddler and has been dancing ever since. She grew up performing and teaching in a wide variety of genres, most notably ballet, jazz, contemporary and musical theater.
When Erika ventured into a Salsa club for the first time in 2010, she completely fell in love with the music and the dance. She has been training, performing and competing with the renowned Salsamania Dance Company for the last 8 years. Erika won 6 medals at the World Latin Dance Cup before going pro in 2017. Since then, she has won first place at the Bay Area Salsa and Bachata Championships, was a finalist at the World Latin Dance Cup in the professional couples category, and won a world title in Ladies Salsa Same Gender division.
Her newest love is the beautiful Brazilian dance: Zouk, which allows her to blend in all of her previous training from ballet to Salsa. Erika loves teaching sharing her passion for dance with students. She is available to teach workshops and privates in salsa, ballet, jazz, active flexibility, and lifts and tricks.
Liz Rojas of SalsaMania
Born and raised in Colombia, Liz is known for her unique extensive styling repertoire and is one of the top female instructors and artists in the world salsa community.
“Salsa fills your soul with a fire that lets you express yourself on the dance floor with free style and vigor. I love to pass along the knowledge and passion that I have for this wonderful art.”
Salsamania Productionsis directed by John & Liz, world salsa champions and acclaimed dance instructors. They are known for their hypnotic performances marked by high levels of grace, speed, and technical difficulty. They are equally acknowledged for their ability to provide fresh, accessible and entertaining salsa dance instruction for the social dance environment.
Since 2009, they have organized the San Francisco Salsa Festival, a weekend of world-class performances, dancing, and workshops with top salsa instructors, the Bay Area’s best DJs, and top live bands held annual every spring.
They are also the founders and directors of the Salsamania Dance Company. Formed in 2000, their dance company consists of several performance teams, including professional, semi-pro, amateur, ladies footwork, and training levels
Born and raised in Colombia, Liz is known for her unique extensive styling repertoire and is one of the top female instructors and artists in the world salsa community.
“Salsa fills your soul with a fire that lets you express yourself on the dance floor with free style and vigor. I love to pass along the knowledge and passion that I have for this wonderful art.”
Salsamania Productionsis directed by John & Liz, world salsa champions and acclaimed dance instructors. They are known for their hypnotic performances marked by high levels of grace, speed, and technical difficulty. They are equally acknowledged for their ability to provide fresh, accessible and entertaining salsa dance instruction for the social dance environment.
Since 2009, they have organized the San Francisco Salsa Festival, a weekend of world-class performances, dancing, and workshops with top salsa instructors, the Bay Area’s best DJs, and top live bands held annual every spring.
They are also the founders and directors of the Salsamania Dance Company. Formed in 2000, their dance company consists of several performance teams, including professional, semi-pro, amateur, ladies footwork, and training levels
Royland Lobato
Royland has been teaching throughout the Bay Area since 2005.
Originally from Guantanamo, Cuba, Royland is a founding member of the Havana-based dance company, 7 Potencias, an Afro-Cuban Folkloric dance and music ensemble.
7 Potencias, one of the most creative and acclaimed Cuban folkloric ensembles, both in Cuba and internationally.A professional dancer with an expertise in Afro-Cuban folkloric and Cuban popular dance, Royland has also participated as a principal dancer as well as instructor, and invited guest in performances, workshops and classes throughout the greater Bay Area, Hawaii, New York, Cuba, and Mexico.
A graduate of the Escuela de Instructors de Arte de la Ciudad de La Habana, (School of Arts Instructors in Havana) with a degree in Education, specializing in dance.
Check his website out! HERE
Royland has been teaching throughout the Bay Area since 2005.
Originally from Guantanamo, Cuba, Royland is a founding member of the Havana-based dance company, 7 Potencias, an Afro-Cuban Folkloric dance and music ensemble.
7 Potencias, one of the most creative and acclaimed Cuban folkloric ensembles, both in Cuba and internationally.A professional dancer with an expertise in Afro-Cuban folkloric and Cuban popular dance, Royland has also participated as a principal dancer as well as instructor, and invited guest in performances, workshops and classes throughout the greater Bay Area, Hawaii, New York, Cuba, and Mexico.
A graduate of the Escuela de Instructors de Arte de la Ciudad de La Habana, (School of Arts Instructors in Havana) with a degree in Education, specializing in dance.
Check his website out! HERE
Weslei Guimaraes
Weslei is a dance teacher and a performer, native to the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. He teaches a variety of dance styles across the Bay Area to dance enthusiasts of all ages. Some of the dance styles include Samba no Pé, Brazilian ballroom (such as Samba de Gafieira), and Baile Funk. He is the winner of the Brazilian National Bolero Champion “Estilizando Bolero” (2016). He also participated in numerous “comissão de frentes,” a highly selective performance section of the world renowned Rio Carnaval, and has appeared in popular Brazilian television shows. In the United States, Weslei also worked heavily on dance productions like “SamBrazil” as Choreographer and Director (2017, 2018), and the “Yemanja Arts Festival” with Brasarte.
As an instructor, Weslei created Northern California’s first comprehensive “Dança de Salão” (Brazilian ballroom dance) program, and has helped hundreds of dancers fall in love with the art of Samba de Gafieira. He has worked with children including those with different learning abilities (Brasarte, Get Empowered). He served as Lead Choreographer of San Francisco’s first Samba de Gafieira ala for two years at the Annual San Francisco Carnaval festival. Currently, Weslei serves as Choreographer and Director of Talent Development for Estrelas do Samba dance company, and continues teaching ongoing classes and performing across the Bay Area.
Recently, Weslei opened his dance studio in Berkeley California where he teaches weekly Samba no Pé, Bolero, Brazilian Funk, Samba de Gafiera, Samba de Roda and Forró classes.
Weslei is a dance teacher and a performer, native to the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. He teaches a variety of dance styles across the Bay Area to dance enthusiasts of all ages. Some of the dance styles include Samba no Pé, Brazilian ballroom (such as Samba de Gafieira), and Baile Funk. He is the winner of the Brazilian National Bolero Champion “Estilizando Bolero” (2016). He also participated in numerous “comissão de frentes,” a highly selective performance section of the world renowned Rio Carnaval, and has appeared in popular Brazilian television shows. In the United States, Weslei also worked heavily on dance productions like “SamBrazil” as Choreographer and Director (2017, 2018), and the “Yemanja Arts Festival” with Brasarte.
As an instructor, Weslei created Northern California’s first comprehensive “Dança de Salão” (Brazilian ballroom dance) program, and has helped hundreds of dancers fall in love with the art of Samba de Gafieira. He has worked with children including those with different learning abilities (Brasarte, Get Empowered). He served as Lead Choreographer of San Francisco’s first Samba de Gafieira ala for two years at the Annual San Francisco Carnaval festival. Currently, Weslei serves as Choreographer and Director of Talent Development for Estrelas do Samba dance company, and continues teaching ongoing classes and performing across the Bay Area.
Recently, Weslei opened his dance studio in Berkeley California where he teaches weekly Samba no Pé, Bolero, Brazilian Funk, Samba de Gafiera, Samba de Roda and Forró classes.
Jeff Jung
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 teaches from the Korke y Judith Sensual Bachata Mastery Program (the originators of Sensual Bachata from Cadiz, Spain). He has been teaching Sensual Bachata since January 2018 and has 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.
Jeff is a member 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. He brings a variety of dance backgrounds including Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Hula, Argentine Tango, and various other social level ballroom dances.
Jeff works 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 teaches from the Korke y Judith Sensual Bachata Mastery Program (the originators of Sensual Bachata from Cadiz, Spain). He has been teaching Sensual Bachata since January 2018 and has 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.
Jeff is a member 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. He brings a variety of dance backgrounds including Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Hula, Argentine Tango, and various other social level ballroom dances.
Jeff works 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
Sidney Weaverling
Sidney Weaverling is a professional dancer, co-director and co-founder of Rueda Con Ritmo. Since 1999 she has been an important contributor to the thriving Cuban dance scene in the SF Bay Area, where she continues to build an inclusive and supportive dance community. Having also studied theater and film, Sidney has applied her unique aesthetic and skills as a director, choreographer, and costume designer to San Francisco's annual Carnaval parade, in which RCR won first place in the Caribbean category in two of the last three years. She continues to study dance in Cuba while leading RCR’s Cuba Dance Trips and is devoted to maintaining traditional Cuban dance styles as well as contributing innovative moves and choreography of her own.Founded in San Francisco in 2007, Rueda Con Ritmo is a community of Cuban Salsa dancers offering classes, events, and performances throughout the Bay Area and beyond, and leading Cuba Dance Trips since 2015. We strive to create a warm and inclusive atmosphere that welcomes dancers of all levels, from all backgrounds, and of all ages. We believe that everyone can learn to dance and it is our goal for each person who attends our classes to improve their dancing while having fun and making friends.
Mireille Ruiz
Mireille Ruiz was Born and raised in Mexico City, she grew up dancing and listening to Latin Music as part of her culture including Cumbia,Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Banda.
She learned her first following Techniques dancing with her father in every family fiesta.
She has a background in Mexican folklore, Jazz, tapp
dancing and gymnastics.
she is also a percussionist, drummer and Montessori Teacher.
She grew up performing since the age of 4.
Bay Area Latin dance instructor.
Mireille has been teaching, performing, choreographing and leading dance teams around the USA and Mexico since 2008.
Angelica Medina and Jahaira Fajardo
Angelica Medina and Jahaira Fajardo are the co-founders of In Lak’ech Dance Academy, a vibrant and inclusive studio in Oakland, California, offering over 30 classes per month in Afro Latin dances. As two-time world champions in Bachata, they are renowned for their innovative teaching style and dedication to the art form. They are also the founders of the Queer Afro Latin Dance Festival, which celebrates diversity and fosters connection through dance.
Angelica and Jahaira’s commitment to creating a transformative and welcoming space shines through in every aspect of their work.
Zach Knox
Zack has been dancing salsa for over 12 years, performing all over the world and winning multiple championships in the soloist, couple, and team divisions. Zach shares a passion for salsa by empowering students to find their own flavor; backed by a strong foundation of proper technique.
Jose (JAS) Santamaria
Jose Santamaria's has been a professional dance instructor and choreographer for over 20 years. He has had the privilege of working with some of the best Instructors in the world including Mr. Eddie Torres "The Mambo King", Seaon Bristal "Seaon Stylist", Ismael Otero, Liz Lira, just to name a few.
He believes that a good dance instructor exhibits and embraces life-long learning. That is why he traveled throughout the United States and around the world researching Latin dance techniques (Salsa). And has visited Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, as well as Eastern & Western Europe and countless cities and states within the US. Networking with multiple instructors has helped him to develop a more diverse and versatile range of teaching strategies designed to benefit individual dancers and group performers.
He believes that a good dance instructor exhibits and embraces life-long learning. That is why he traveled throughout the United States and around the world researching Latin dance techniques (Salsa). And has visited Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, as well as Eastern & Western Europe and countless cities and states within the US. Networking with multiple instructors has helped him to develop a more diverse and versatile range of teaching strategies designed to benefit individual dancers and group performers.
Evie Alva"The Bailerina"
Due to injury Evie will not be teaching at the 2025 festival.
Evi has been dancing salsa, bachata, zouk, kizomba and international latin ballroom for a decade and has ventured into other cultural dances – she’s now an award winning belly dancer and an Indian classical dancer! She has also been studying human anatomy and how to dance with effortless ease through her studies of movement called Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method. Her specialty lies in teaching how different parts of the body coordinate and move to create isolations and fluidity in dance, even more so with a partner. She loves connection on the dance floor, and in her life, and seeks to teach connection through non-verbal communication – the art of receiving and intention when we hold another in our arms dancing. The balance between tension and intention, how to create a safe frame in which the follower and leader engage in fluid communication. She’ll be teaching Bachata isolations and transitions from isolations and all types of body rolls when solo-ing and dancing with a partner. Her classes are perfect for those who want to add to their personal style and expand their dance vocabulary. Get excited!!!
Due to injury Evie will not be teaching at the 2025 festival.
Evi has been dancing salsa, bachata, zouk, kizomba and international latin ballroom for a decade and has ventured into other cultural dances – she’s now an award winning belly dancer and an Indian classical dancer! She has also been studying human anatomy and how to dance with effortless ease through her studies of movement called Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method. Her specialty lies in teaching how different parts of the body coordinate and move to create isolations and fluidity in dance, even more so with a partner. She loves connection on the dance floor, and in her life, and seeks to teach connection through non-verbal communication – the art of receiving and intention when we hold another in our arms dancing. The balance between tension and intention, how to create a safe frame in which the follower and leader engage in fluid communication. She’ll be teaching Bachata isolations and transitions from isolations and all types of body rolls when solo-ing and dancing with a partner. Her classes are perfect for those who want to add to their personal style and expand their dance vocabulary. Get excited!!!
Ryan "The Rockstar" OUR MASTER OF CEREMONIES
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. 20 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%!
Our Local Talent
Miss Julie Hayes
Miss Julie Hayes is passionate about gathering people together and making dance accessible to EVERYONE. She is a credential Teacher for the State of California and loves teaching all ages! She began dancing at the age of 3 and has not ever stopped. She grew up in San Jose, California and was trained in ballet by Principal Balanchine dancer, Gloria Mohr. After dancing with the Santa Clara and San Jose Cleveland Ballet companies, Julie turned to Competitive Jazz dance until 1998 when she started her family and moved to Humboldt County to finish her degree.
Julie is the co-founder and Organizer of the annual Humboldt Latin Dance and Music Festival. Also, she is training closely with John Narvaez of Salsa Mania in Oakland. For 2024 She has won 1st place and Best in Show at the San Francisco Salsa Festival in the Salsa ProAm75 division, 3rd place at the San Jose Queer Afro Latin Dance Festival in the Salsa ProAm Open Division. She looks forward to sharing her 44 years of dance passion with you!
Miss Julie Hayes is passionate about gathering people together and making dance accessible to EVERYONE. She is a credential Teacher for the State of California and loves teaching all ages! She began dancing at the age of 3 and has not ever stopped. She grew up in San Jose, California and was trained in ballet by Principal Balanchine dancer, Gloria Mohr. After dancing with the Santa Clara and San Jose Cleveland Ballet companies, Julie turned to Competitive Jazz dance until 1998 when she started her family and moved to Humboldt County to finish her degree.
Julie is the co-founder and Organizer of the annual Humboldt Latin Dance and Music Festival. Also, she is training closely with John Narvaez of Salsa Mania in Oakland. For 2024 She has won 1st place and Best in Show at the San Francisco Salsa Festival in the Salsa ProAm75 division, 3rd place at the San Jose Queer Afro Latin Dance Festival in the Salsa ProAm Open Division. She looks forward to sharing her 44 years of dance passion with you!
Rick and Wendy Turk
Join us for Tango Tuesdays. We are a friendly community dedicated to working together to grow in Argentine tango. We host practice sessions most Tuesdays from 7:30-9:00 and teach classes regularly for a sliding donation of $5-$10. We welcome beginners, and our experienced dancers regularly dance with newer dancers. Please email [email protected] or call 707-834-3274 to learn more.
Join us for Tango Tuesdays. We are a friendly community dedicated to working together to grow in Argentine tango. We host practice sessions most Tuesdays from 7:30-9:00 and teach classes regularly for a sliding donation of $5-$10. We welcome beginners, and our experienced dancers regularly dance with newer dancers. Please email [email protected] or call 707-834-3274 to learn more.
