SalsaCuse Instructors Previously Featured
The following instructors were featured at the 2008 SalsaCuse event.
Rhythm and Moves (R&M) Salsa
Jose and Shelly Otero, founders of Rhythm and Moves Salsa, have been dancing together since 2001 and started teaching beginners through advanced Salsa in October of 2003 in Binghamton, New York. Jose grew up in the South Bronx where he was immersed in the rich cultural heritage of his Puerto Rican roots.Growing up, Jose taught himself Salsa from watching and modeling his own family members and then went on to study “studio style salsa”--as we call it-- in various places through out New York. Shelly has a background in Ballet, Ballroom and Fitness instruction. Shelly’s love of salsa grew rapidly as she started to date her husband Jose. Shelly went on to study Salsa On1, On2, and Rueda from various instructors throughout New York. Jose and Shelly’s style of salsa would be best characterized as an eclectic style drawing on from many styles and techniques throughout the “Salsa community”. Whether they are dancing On1, On2, Rueda or Ballroom, together they create a dynamic and harmonious style of dance inspiring others to love Salsa and Latin dance as much as they do.
Henry Herrera and Ana Llorente
YouTube Video of Henry and Ana Performing
About Ana Llorente
Ana LLorente started her dance career in Havana, where she graduated with Honors from the Cuban National School of Arts specializing in Modern Dance and Afro-Cuban Folklore, her extensive training and dedication gave her the opportunity to win a scholarship in Choreography at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, USA, this scholarship, coming from a USA based institution, was a completely unique opportunity for a Cuban citizen. The Cuban National institution of writers and artist, also gave her a recognition as the best performer and choreographer of her age after a very important and only invitational dance festival in Havana.
Ana also has served as a Choreographer and Principal dancer in many MTV videos for Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Will Smith, Julio Iglesias, Chayanne, Vanessa Williams, Gipsy Kings in Concert, "Boleros" with Ricardo Montalban, famous Latin singer Johnny Ventura and she was the principal dancer of "Dirty Dancing"#2 "Havana Nights".
Ana has won numerous National and International Dance honors and titles. She is the World Mambo Champion, Argentine Tango World finalist, Theater Arts runner up at Blackpool, World's Exhibition and USA Nationals winner, American Rhythm Canadian Champion, and American Rhythm USA finalist.
Visit Ana's website, www.anallorente.com, for more information on Ana, to sample her awesome performance videos, and more detail on her impressive world class dance background.
Brian Bromka
Brian Bromka is founder, artistic director, master instructor, and choreographer of "La Familia de la Salsa", one of the largest Latin dance organizations in New York State. His career in the performing arts has spanned four decades and includes radio, television, stage and film as well as vocal, dance and percussion. He has shared the stage with such luminaries as German-born ballerina and movie star, Vera Zorina, living Salsa legend Larry Harlow, "El Judio Maravilloso", and international icon, Charo. Currently, Bromka tours with five-time platinum recording artist, Jim Donovan, founder of "Rusted Root" and is a featured percussionist on Donovan’s newly released CD, “Drum the Exstatic Internatonal - Live at Wellsville”.
Bromka's dance career began at age ten under the tutelage of Walt Medicis. In 1990 Bromka partnered with Donna O'Neil and toured Upstate NY performing routines in Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, Samba, Waltz, Foxtrot and Swing. From 1996 to 2000 he trained with world champion dancers in the original Savoy Ballroom style of Swing known as "Lindy Hop", after which, he professionally choreographed, performed and taught this genre of dance.
In 2000, Bromka became enamored with the clave, the simple percussion instrument whose syncopated and rhythmic beat is the rudiment of all Afro-Cuban music. Possessed by an intense curiosity about the African influence in Latin music and dance, he dedicated new energy to his profession and toured Ghana, West Africa with master percussionist and dancer, Etse Nyadedzor, where he embraced the African culture and its music. In the same year, under an OFAC research license, Bromka traveled to Havana, Cuba and studied at the famed "Esquela Nacional de Musica", training with director Isaias Rojas of the internationally esteemed Afro-Cuban dance ensemble, Ban Rarra. While in Cuba, he met maestro Jose Eladio and embarked upon a comprehensive study of congas and Afro-Cuban percussion.
In 2004 Bromka founded, and is currently artistic director and choreographer of:
In 2007 Bromka founded, is artistic director and percussionist in the Afro-Cuban band, La Rumba Cubana.
Bromka and his ensembles have performed throughout New York State at major festivals, universities, corporate events and fund-raisers, and at venues such as Syracuse Stage, Syracuse International Film Festival, the New York State Fair, and Six Flags at Darien Lake. Most recently he opened for Charo at the Turning Stone Casino Resort and for international Salsa mega-star, Tito Nieves at the Rochester Puerto Rican Festival.
Bromka's dance, choreography and teaching are infused with passion, improvisation, creativity and a healthy dose of humor, all of which express his fervor for Latin music and dance and for its people and culture. He travels regularly to Cuba for research, returning to Syracuse to share new insights about the universal language of music and dance by way of instructing 100-150 students weekly, hosting “Havana Nights Dance Party” (the largest weekly Latin dance in the history of Upstate NY), and performing Afro-Cuban music and dance at locales throughout New York State. He is currently writing a book titled, "Unlocking the Secrets of Afro-Cuban Percussion – a Beinners Guide" and spearheads fundraisers for disadvantaged youths of The Spanish Action Leagues's "La Joven Guardia Teatro y la Danza Latina" and for orphans at the Baobab Children's Foundation in Ghana, West Africa.
Complete information regarding Brian Bromka's dance classes, performances, special events and fund raising efforts can be found at: www.lafamiliadelasalsa.com.