Shows and Instructors
The Salsafestival Switzerland presents every year the most renowned artists worldwide and invests big money in the line-up. At the moment we are still negotiating with a number of artists. We don't list them here. Hereafter you will find the artists with whom we have a settled an agreement. Expect close to 10 more entries in the time to follow. We plan to finally present a total of more than 120 payed dancers.
Aanyo Kuzeawu Freiburg / Germany
Instructor
Pure BigApple Mambo-Style, made in Freiburg/Germany. Aanyo's MamboRico Dance Style is full of irresistible elegance, intoxicating passion and lots of strength and precision. Aanyo will be teaching on2 workshops at our event.
Alberto Valdes y Andria Panagi Milano, Italy
Instructor
Alberto Valdes is considered one of the best instructors of Cuban Dances in the world. Together with Andria Panagi they created the CubaMiSalsa Festival On Tour project, a festival concentrated mostly in Cuban Dances presenting some of the best Cuban Artists in the world in many countries in Europe.
They teach and perform together in a very elegant style always full of "Sabor Cubano".
Alberto Valdes y su Clave Negra Cuba / Italy
Instructor & Performing Artist
Alberto Valdez is THE authority in Cuban dancing in Europe. His pure Cuban all male group has known for years how to excite the audience with culturally deep-anchored choreographies. Their perfomances are on the highest dancing level and convey true "sabor cubano".
Alexander Martinez Zürich / Switzerland
Instructor
The world-famous Swiss athlete with Cuban roots belongs also to the best in the world of dance. Sport is his profession - dance is his passion since he was a child. At the Salsafestival Switzerland he will enrich our workshop schedule with his hot Reggaeton classes.
Anne & Anichi Dance Company Freiburg / Deutschland
Instructor & Performing Artist
In April 2007 they won the Salsa Open in Karlsruhe. In October 2007 they won the Salsa Europe Championship in England. So they got the entitlement to go to the
World Salsa Championships in Orlando/Florida. There they managed to the top ten.
Arnaldo Rippes Bern / Switzerland
Instructor
Arnaldo Rippes is one of a few Cubans living in Switzerland who regularly gets invited to Salsa congresses abroad. His specialities are Rueda and Son Cubano. He teaches with lots a humour and matchless charme, mostly together with his partner Yanieri Martinez.
Birgit Untermair – DANCE MOVES Österreich
Instructor
Many years ago, Birgit discovered her passion for Salsa as well as two years ago for Poledance. Since more than one year she is the owner of upper Austrias biggest Pole Dance School called DANCE MOVES, with over 1000 students in 2012. Her workshops are funny, charming but also very sexy. Femininity and aesthetics of women are most important and in focus. In 2012 she combined the first time for a festival Poledance/Burlesque and Chairdance with Latin Ladystyling Moves in her classes. A new Trend was set. The Ladies loved her workshops! This is Ladystying and "Teasing" in another, maybe a little bit different and new way… don´t miss it!
BNF Colombia / Dubai
Instructor & Performing Artist
Who witnessed our 2012 edition, knows what the name BNF means: synchrony, perfection, sharpness - a first class spectacle. A such stunning dance group, can't be missing in the year 2013. This year they will again present two fulminant premieres in their two specialities: Salsa de Colombia and passionate Tango.
Chéveres Latinos Italy
Stargate Artist
Chéveres Latinos was selected as one of the 7 best shows of all Stargate candidates. On Saturday 23 February at 13:15 this 7 show groups will compete against each other. The winners of the competition can occur in the evening program of the Salsa Festival Switzerland. Good luck!
Cobo Brothers Dance Company North Carolina / USA
Instructor & Performing Artist
The talented brothers from North Carolina have already been invited to the Salsafestival Switzerland some years ago. They amazed our guests with a fantastic choreography performed with precision and loozeness that can only be performed by two brothers in harmony. At the next Salsafestival Switzerland we present the Cobo Brothers together with two salseras and one other salsero.
Eddie Torres & Shani Talmor New York / Israel
Instructor & Performing Artist
Eddie Torres, known as “The Mambo King”, is the inventor of the “Salsa Dancing On 2” technology. He has spent most of his life teaching and developing the art of Latin Dance.
Francesco y Valentina Italy
Stargate Artist
Francesco y Valentina was selected as one of the 7 best shows of all Stargate candidates. On Saturday 23 February at 13:15 this 7 show groups will compete against each other. The winners of the competition can occur in the evening program of the Salsa Festival Switzerland. Good luck!
Frank Santos & Julie Camous Santo Domingo / Paris
Instructor & Performing Artist
Originally from the Dominican Republic. At the age of 3 he learnt Bachata from his grandfather and has never stopped dancing since. Frank grew up in Italy where he started to develop his talent in dance. Thanks to he’s talent and ability of create and mixed the original dominican style with many modern dances. He's traveling with his partner around the world teaching and performing.
Gustavo Collazos Cali, Colombia
Instructor
There's no doubt that the most spectacular Salsa comes out of Calí Colombia. Nowhere is the competence so fierce, nowhere is the training so hard like in the home land of Salsa Acrobatica.
We invite Gustavo Collazos directly and exclusively from Colombia to the Salsafestival to teach the legendary Cali style. Salsa acrobatica is in the house!
(TBC: Up to date we still stand-by for his visa for his trip to Switzerland)
Island Touch (Ataca y la Alemana) Washington D.C. (USA)
Instructor & Performing Artist
Ataca y la Alemana are currently the most famous "Bachateros" on Youtube and therefore also the most booked Bachata instructors around the world. In the edition 2013, so we couldn't resist to offer you a complete and ultimate Bachata Experience Package! Ataca y la Alemana will bring their whole performance group to also teach the hottest Bachata Workshops and at nights, they will be the official hosts of our Bachata Dance Floor: as DJ's, Animation-Dancers and Instructors!
Joan y Marcela Cali, Colombia
Performing Artist
They will rock the house. As undisputed champions of the Sudamericana 2012, the most important international Salsa Competition in South America they had to leave behind at first all their excellent competitors during the selection in Colombia.
(TBC: We stand by for their visas for the trip to Switzerland.)
José y Elena Milano, Italy
Stargate Artist
José y Elena was selected as one of the 7 best shows of all Stargate candidates. On Saturday 23 February at 13:15 this 7 show groups will compete against each other. The winners of the competition can occur in the evening program of the Salsa Festival Switzerland. Good luck!
Karla Mead Miami
Instructor
Karla Mead is an Zumba Instructor who is originally from Brazil the land of Samba, Axe and Capoeira! She studied dance her whole life and once she found Zumba Fitness. It became her passion and career.
She has had the privilege to work closely with Beto Perez, the creator of the Zumba Program and the most inspiring person she had ever met. You can find Karla Mead on Zumba's latest hit "sweet girl" and also on the Exhilarate Zumba Video collection.
Leonardo Franz Zurich / Switzerland
Instructor
Leo Franz is a true Salsa pioneers of Switzerland. At our festival he teaches his greatest passion: Bachatango. A dance full of passion combined with highest elegance. Explore the world of the Bachata-Fusion!
Magna Gopal New York
Instructor
Magna Gopal is one of the top international performers and instructors in the salsa scene. She is internationally known for her grace, fluidity and precision on the dance floor, the stage and the classroom. Originally born in India and raised in Toronto, Canada, she now calls the NY/NJ area home.
Manuel Mascarell & Sabrina Bravi Spain / Italy
Instructor & Performing Artist
The former professional Opera Singer started dancing many years ago, but just for fun. Today he's one of the most booked Salsa Instructor worldwide. He is, also thanks to his professional music education, en excellent pedagogue. He now teaches and dances around the world with his professional dance partner Sabrina Bravi, with swiss roots, since 2009.
Marta Formoso Spanien
Instructor
Marta Formoso is a Zumba instructor from Spain, grew up in Switzerland and now she lives in Barcelona. There have been thousands of the Zumba Instructor in europe (Switzerland, Germany, Spain) who made their training with her.
Marta's dance fitness programs are innovative and creative. She surprises the people with power and spanish flair. Her teaching methods and concepts break dance workouts and she combines it with a blend of fresh choreography, fun and excitement. She offers on this way such a unique experience.
Mayeya Milano, Italy
Performing Artist
Mayeya Dance Group won the Salsafestival Switzerland Stargate Competition in 2012. A dance group of 5 beatiful ambitious lady dancers from CubaBaila Dance School of Alberto Valdes. Supervision and choreographies by Andria Panagi.
New Generation Italy
Stargate Artist
New Generation was selected as one of the 7 best shows of all Stargate candidates. On Saturday 23 February at 13:15 this 7 show groups will compete against each other. The winners of the competition can occur in the evening program of the Salsa Festival Switzerland. Good luck!
Nuno y Vanda Lissabon, Portugal
Instructor & Performing Artist
Nuno and Vanda are famous for being very adorable Salsa dancers and instructors. Their work bases on elegant styling, amazing dynamic and beautiful musicality. They have represented Portugal in so countless Salsa events. Less known is the fact that they are also hi-profile Kizomba instructors. We bet they are going to change this at Salsafestival Switzerland.
Oliver Pineda Sydney / Australia
Instructor & Performing Artist
Oliver Pineda was World Salsa Champion 6 Times! He is Founder & Director, Head Instructor & International Performer. Featured on "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance"
Pablo y Luisa Germany
Stargate Artist
Pablo y Luisa was selected as one of the 7 best shows of all Stargate candidates. On Saturday 23 February at 13:15 this 7 show groups will compete against each other. The winners of the competition can occur in the evening program of the Salsa Festival Switzerland. Good luck!
Paula y Ricardo (Afrolatin Connection) Porto, Portugal
Instructor & Performing Artist
Afro-Latin dance company founded in September 2005. Paula Loureiro and Ricardo Sousa, its artistic directors, choreographers and dancers, have danced together since 2000.
In 2007 and 2008, they won the title of the best Portuguese teachers. In 2009, they won in the category of best Portuguese Show at the Top Dance Awards and were nominated for best choreographers at the I Portugal Dance Awards in the world dances category.
Paula and Ricardo have their school, afrolatin connection, in Porto, Portugal. They also are organizers of the international events "Dmaes Summer Bootcamp", "Tá Fixe Kizomba Festival" and "Porto Salsa Mob".
Salsa Power Zürich / Switzerland
Performing Artist
Salsa Power is one of the most famous dance group from Zurich. They dance since 11 years with professionality from national and international stage to stage. Salsa Power, in Zurich, has been a pioneer concerning Salsa Puertoriqueña. Special with this group is, that they are dancing since years in the same formation and this reflects on their quality on stage.
SALSAdiferente Italy
Stargate Artist
SALSAdiferente was selected as one of the 7 best shows of all Stargate candidates. On Saturday 23 February at 13:15 this 7 show groups will compete against each other. The winners of the competition can occur in the evening program of the Salsa Festival Switzerland. Good luck!
Salsapeople Zürich, Switzerland
Performing Artist
Salsa People Zurich, one of the biggest Salsa schools in Switzerland. For over 11 years teaching and dance very successful. Could they excel at different congresses in Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.
Samuel Marichal Madrid, Spain
Partying Artist
Originally from Spain but now living in Berlin, Samuel Marichal mix the flavour of the salsa with the energy of hiphop creating performances fun and full of energy.
Schnappschuss Switzerland
Stargate Artist
Schnappschuss was selected as one of the 7 best shows of all Stargate candidates. On Saturday 23 February at 13:15 this 7 show groups will compete against each other. The winners of the competition can occur in the evening program of the Salsa Festival Switzerland. Good luck!
SCP & Marakuya D.C. St. Gallen, Switzerland
Performing Artist
Die Geschichte von scp (escape) hat ihren Ursprung im Jahr 1997, als fünf Tänzer das sound & dance project gründeten. Bereits nach kurzer Zeit konnten sie mit ihren speziell extravaganten Choreographien die schweizer Clubszene begeistern. Die Crew wurde stetig erweitert und besteht mittlerweile aus mehrern Tänzerinnen und Tänzer. Alle Choreographien und Animationen werden individuell und eigens von scp kreiert. Diese werden auf die verschiedenen Veranstaltungen abgestimmt. Alles mit dem Ziel die höchsten künstlerischen Ansprüche zu erfüllen. Dazu arbeitet scp seit einiger Zeit mit anderen Tanz-Gruppen und Schulen zusammen. Eine davon ist Maraquia (Edith und Marcel). Im letzten Jahr konnte scp auch dank dieser erfolgreichen Zusammenarbeit mit der Show WONDERLAND grosse Erfolge feiern. Aus diesem Grund haben sich die beiden Gruppen entschlossen auch in diesem Jahr mit der neuen Show CARNEVIL diese Zusammenarbeit weiter zu führen. "Wer glaubt, etwas zu sein, hat aufgehört, etwas zu werden."
Seo Fernandez Cuba / Italy
Instructor & Performing Artist
Seo Fernandez was born in Cuba, where he started dancing as a young boy. He worked in different Cabaret and theatres of Havana. In 1992 he became a choreographer of famous agency for tourism and animation "Cubanacan". Now he lives in Italy where he works with his dance partner Alessia to diffuse "American Latin" music and dance. Alessia is a professional dancer with Broadway experience. This couple surprises always with absolut power.
Sonja Bütikofer Switzerland
Instructor
Sonja Bütikofer is THE expert in Switzerland for Kizomba. She is originally a classic trained professional stage dancer (ballet, dance, show), she is also a passionate tango and salsa dancer. In summer 2008 she met during a short stay in Portugal inferred on Kizomba.
While countless stays in Lisbon and in numerous international festivals she has acquired her knowledge in Kizomba and it continually expands. At the same time she gives it with great devotion to their students and fellow dancers in Switzerland and foreign countries. She is teaching since the summer of 2010 also regularly Kizomba in Zurich.
Tony & Lara Spain
Instructor
After several years in various types of dance, Toni and Lara decide LAUNCH in 2008 in salsa, receiving along the years with all classes of high-level teachers from Spain and outside it, both in schools and an events.
Becoming part of one of the largest companies in Barcelona, and several more dance companies. Bit after also decided to form a professional level with the sensual bachata by the best teachers of Andalucia going through its creator. Up to this day continue to be formed with all the teachers they can to extend their knowledge to the fullest.
In the time I have been dancing career in much of the congresses in Spain, dedicating it professionally as well with salsa and bachata sensual.
Tropical Gem Milano / Italy
Instructor & Performing Artist
Maybe it was exactly Tropical Gem who put the dance "Salsa" on a professional and uncompromising level in Europe. By the lead of Fernando Sosa and Rafael Gonzalez they created a row of sensation causing choreographies that were always danced with absolutely sharp precision. While at other events they only dance with 2 or 3 couples, in Zurich they will be on stage with all their dancers of their company!
Victor et Coralie Paris
Instructor
First teachers of Kizomba in France, and owners of one of the best Kizomba school in Europe, Victor and Coralie are internationally recognized for their dedication and quality of their way of teaching, focusing on the searching for harmony between technique as a tool for the expression of feeling, the connection and musical performance
www.soirees-kizomba.com/cours-de-kizomba-professeurs/82-victor-et-coralie
Yanieri Martinez Cuba / Bern, Switzerland
Instructor
Yanieri Martinez Lopez is a passionate Salsera from Havana that has an incarnated and distinctive typical style with the elegance and easyness of cuban salsa. Yanieri is an enthusiastic and inspiring instructor that transmits the real cuban feeling in her innovative and breath taking classes. Yanieri leads the known "escuela cubana de la salsa muévete" in Bern.
