Teachers at the Latin Dance Academy

 

Super Mario

For many years now, ‘Super Mario’ has been a household name on the international Salsa scene, recognised and respected by students and fellow professionals for his amazing lead, unlimited database of fantastic moves/combinations and his teaching ability. His classes and workshops have always been extremely popular both in the UK and in countries as far as Australia, Japan and the USA, specialising on technique but always maintaining an element of fun.

Mario was born in India but moved to the UK as a teenager. He settled in London, where he continued his education, taking a degree in mathematics and also qualifying as an accountant. In 1998, a friend took him to a salsa club where the teacher immediately saw his potential. Mario was hooked straight away and has never looked back since. Still based in London and travelling to teach nearly every weekend of the year, Mario specialises in cross body style, dancing on the ‘1’ or the ‘2’ and focusing mainly on moves and combinations, with special emphasis on leading techniques.

Despite no previous dancing or teaching background, he was able to observe the unnecessary power used to lead turn patterns, and began focusing on breaking down routines to understand the techniques and signals that are essential to good leading. His natural talent for both producing and executing so many imaginative moves led to an invitation to teach at the first congress that he ever attended. His big break came soon after, when asked to give workshops at the biggest salsa congress in the world in Toronto, Canada.

Mario has earned himself the title; ‘Million Moves Man’ through his ability to create any number of unique combinations, that are lead with expertise and are always comfortable to follow. His dancing style is smooth but fast, giving him and his dance partner extra freedom to improvise. His amazing presence on the dance floor sets him apart as a social dancer and his outgoing, energetic personality has also been instrumental in getting him known in the Salsa World.

British Salsa Congress Award, 2003: Contribution to promoting Salsa in the UK.

LA Congress Award, 2004: Contribution to Salsa music as a dancer and instructor.

Israeli Congress Award, 2004: Contribution to promoting Salsa in Israel.

UK Congress Award: International Students voted Mario as ‘Best UK Teacher’ for 3 years in a row, for 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Super Mario has taught in more than 50 countries

Australia	Greece	Latvia	Russia
Brazil	Hawaii	Lithuania	Singapore
Canada	Hong Kong	Luxembourg	Slovenia
China	India	Mexico	Switzerland
Croatia	Indonesia	Monaco	Taiwan
Cyprus	Ireland	New Zealand	U.A.E.
Czech Republic	Israel	Norway	USA
Egypt	Italy	Poland
Estonia	Japan	Portugal
Finland	Kuwait	Romania

 

TV Appearances

The Vanessa Show
Wired
The Nickelodeon Club
Eastenders
The Kmicco Show, Japan

Competitions

3rd place - The UK Salsa Competition 2000
1st place - The Honduras Charity Event 2000, UK
3rd place - The UK Salsa Competition 2001

INTERVIEWS

* Salsa Vancouver
* Salsa in the Ciy
* Edie the Salsa Freak
* La Voz Del Mambo
* Salsa Spot

Shaan

Shaan is an internationally respected and established dancer / teacher in London, the U.K. and internationally!! Affectionately known as “London’s best kept secret”, he has been dancing salsa for 15 years, teaching 9 of those years with Super Mario and Susana Montero, and acquiring a vast knowledge and experience of Salsa and Latin dancing/teaching!! He is also internationally well known for his 'light lead' which has made him a favourite with ladies everywhere to dance with!! He is internationally well known for his ‘light lead’ which has made him a favourite with ladies everywhere to dance with!!

Shaan, along with Susana Montero and Super Mario, founded the Latin Dance Academy which is ‘London Largest Salsa Dance School’ and one of the most prestigious salsa schools in the U.K.!! He is famed for his teaching abilities and for having a keen insight into the technique of good leading and following skills, which make for pleasurable and fun dances!

Shaan also founded the Caramelo Dance Company , with a view to creating exciting, expressive and diverse choreographies by drawing inspiration from all types of dance forms from around the world; resulting in choreographies which are set to take the salsa scene by storm,!!

Adding to his many abilities, Shaan is also a very popular and in-demand salsa DJ, regularly playing sets in London (Bar Salsa), nationally and overseas!! He has played in prestigious congresses all over the word, from the States to Asia in places like San Francisco, Mumbai, Amsterdam and many more all over Europe and Asia!!

Along with his friendly personality, this has made Shaan one of the most well-liked and respected instructor, DJ, dancer in the ‘Salsa World’ today!!

Bruny

Bruny is fast developing a reputation as one of the most enthusiastic, dedicated and inspiring salsa teachers in London.

Bruny, who comes from Italy, began dancing salsa in the UK in 2000, initially as a fun social activity. By 2002 she was competing in the Tropicana World Championship reaching the finals in the professional category and in 2003 she was competing in the finals at the British Salsa Championship. She was asked to join London-based all-girl troupe Seraphim in 2004 and performed in the group’s debut ‘Big Spender’ choreography at a range of London clubs.

Bruny has taught at various venues throughout London and the south-east, including, Fiesta Havana in Fulham, Aviv Dance Studio, Teddington Club and Harlow Salsa. In 2005 she co-founded Salsa Revolution in Watford. She has also taught at Bar Salsa for over 3 years along with Super Mario and Susana Montero. In 2006 she was the first teacher asked by the LDA to join the school. She is a very versatile teacher, with a vast knowledge in musicality, partner-work combinations, following and leading techniques, footwork and ladies styling.

Her friendliness and charisma, coupled with her genuine desire to help students to learn salsa in a structured but fun way has made her a popular teacher, with recent students from LDA describing her style as “fun”, “dedicated”, “excellent”, “enthusiastic” and “friendly”.

Nicky Britton

Nicky has been dancing for over 10 years, first as a latin and ballroom dancer before finding her way into salsa in 2000. Her methodical nature and amazing ability to pick up new skills has seen her progress rapidly. After just one year, she was performing at many of Londons top salsa clubs.

Nicky has worked with Iris de Brito, Laith Sami and Candice Leong, Duende and more recently joined the Leon Rose Project.

In 2003, she entered the British Salsa competition with then partner Mauro Casali and came a close second to Laith and Candice. In 2004 she qualified to teach salsa with the United Kingdom Alliance.

Nicky continues to develop her skills and learning new dance styles as she believes that within dance you never stop learning be it from your students or other teachers. After completing a contemporary dance cert in 2005 she stresses the importance of teaching to dance from your core and with your whole body, not just what you should do with your feet and arms.

Nicky succeeds in being a very friendly, patient and skilled teacher and has made it her aim to teach correct technique but keep the element of fun within her classes and her dancing.

Nicky also returns to teach for us this year by popular demand and again we are delighted to have her back!

Shelley Cook

Shelley Cook is popular throughout the UK and abroad as a highly technical dancer, a championship performer and an infectiously enthusiastic teacher. At the same time, she aims to make salsa accessible to all and is known for her down-to-earth attitude.

Shelley is highly experienced on the international stage, having taught and performed at major salsa festivals across Europe and beyond for numerous years. Together with her dance partner Lee Wright, they held several national and international competition titles including twice South East UK Professional Champions, twice UK Professional Champions, European Bronze and Silver Medallists and World Semi-Finalists and they were voted the Top UK Dance Act.

Shelley has worked with leading UK names including SuperMario, Iris de Brito and her Latin Soul Sisters, the Manhattan Mambo dancers, the
Leon Rose Project and Richard Marcel, with appearances on National TV including the Kiss FM Urban Music Awards and Strictly Come Dancing.

Shelley’s teaching focuses on leading and following techniques, foundations and drills for spinning, introduction to on2, and ladies’ styling. Her absolute aim is to pass on and share her passion for the dance and for the salsa community and her number one rule is to have fun on the dancefloor!