Entertainment and Performers

Herman Olivera

Herman Olivera

This dynamic SONERO is currently the lead singer of the "Eddie Palmieri Orchestra" , where he is featured on five cd's with the nine time Grammy Award Winner & Master Pianist including "Masterpiece/Obra Maestra" with the late, great Tto Puente which garnered two grammys. Herman Olivera is considered by many as one of the very few SONEROS left in the true salsa genre. He has and continues to tour all over the world, appearing as a featured vocalist in many prestigious festivals, T.V. shows, etc., including stints with The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band & The Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Band.

Son Caribe

The Son Caribe Band

Since the Son Caribe Band debuted on the Latin music scene in Hawaii, it has been the band of choice for live Latin music by all! Son Caribe has opened concerts for every major Latin music event since 2002. They performed as the opening band for Latin music luminaries and multi-Grammy award winning mambo king TITO PUENTE, international singing legend and queen of salsa CELIA CRUZ and the king of Latin jazz PONCHO SANCHEZ. As well, they've performed with L.A. Bandleader JOHNNY POLANCO, New York Salsero LUISITO ROSARIO, L.A Salsero CHINO ESPINOZA, Miami Bandleader TITO PUENTE JR., and veteran salsa singer FRANKIE MORALES.

Manuel Dos Santos

Manuel Dos Santos

Manuel Dos Santos has been dancing for over 12 years. Although his repertoire includes hip-hop, Capoeira and Latin Ballroom, his passion is definitely Salsa and Kizomba. While growing up in Angola he learned how to dance Kizomba and other African rhythms such as Semba, Kuduro and Rebita (known as the Angolan Rueda). He has later on started dancing salsa and trained under Mas Mambo and Gabriel "Matanza" Mambi, who is his mentor. He has performed on stages worldwide including Amsterdam, Bermuda, Japan and in several American and Canadian cities. Manuel's vision is to create dance awareness. At DSantos Dance School dance is not just dance, it is a form of expression, an art, a passion, and a lifestyle.

Edwin Rivera

Edwin Rivera

Edwin Rivera is one of the most popular salsa superstars in the world’s salsa scene. Edwin of Puerto Rican origin was born & raised in the Bronx, New York. Now residing in Los Angeles, Edwin is one of the most popular Latino dancers in the world, especially after starring as Roberto Roena/Cheetah Solo Dancer in the movie “El Cantante” with Salsa superstar Marc Anthony and actress Jennifer Lopez.

Emily Alabi

Emily Alabi

Emily Alabi is from San Francisco, CA, and currently lives in Los Angeles, CA. She is and has been a part of one of the hottest Pro-couples on the International circuit, a 9- time National and International Salsa Dance Champion and she, along with her dancer partner Junior are currently the youngest internationally traveling couple. She is indeed, one of the best salsa dancers in the world.

Junior Alabi

Junior Alabi is from San Francisco, CA, and currently lives in Los Angeles, CA. He is and has been a part of one of the hottest Pro-couples on the International circuit, a 9- time National and International Salsa Dance Champion and he, along with his dancer partner Emily are currently the youngest internationally traveling couple.

Serena Cuevas

Starting in New York City, Serena has been dancing Ballroom & Latin club dances for 16 years. Over the years, Serena has competed in some of the most prestigious competitions including ESPN World Salsa Championships, World Latin Dance Cup and World Mayan Bachata Competition. She has performed and taught in over 40 cities around the world. Today Serena is based in San Diego, California and directs Deseo Dance; an Exclusive Ladies Styling company.

Las Bomberas de Bahia

Las Bomberas de la Bahia

Las Bomberas de la Bahia was founded in November 2007 and is the San Francisco Bay Area’s first & only all-women's Bomba ensemble. The group is composed of Bay Area activists, educators, and artists who actively contribute to growing the tradition of Bomba and work to maintain & support Puerto Rico’s oldest African influenced music and dance tradition, which formed in Puerto Rico's sugar cane plantations by slaves as a form of resistance. Las Bomberas de la Bahia have performed throughout California for educational institutions, cultural centers, and cultural festivals. www.bomberasdelabahia.com

Norka Nadal

Norka Nadal

Norka Nadal, director of the group Bámbula is a scion of one of the great bomba families of the region of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Norka is a percussionist, singer, dancer and specialist in the instruction of Mayaguez style Bomba and Plena; and is the only female that does this in New York City. She is the founder of the Women’s Bomba Jam Sessions and when she’s not on stage, Norka works behind the scenes as a choreographer in independent projects; she also leads percussion, dance and singing workshops at some of the NYC public schools. Currently aside from her group Bámbula, Norka is the lead vocalist for the Afro Caribbean group Ilu Aye which plays Afro music from Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Boricuas de Hawaii

Boricuas de Hawaii is the only Puerto Rican Folklore Dance Group on the island of Oahu. This group presents the lively Seis Chorreao, Bomba and Plena dances. Boricuas de Hawaii strives to perpetuate the history and culture of the Puerto Ricans who migrated to Hawaii in the early 1900's. The Director, Kathy Montalbo-Marzan is a third generation Puerto Rican born and raised in Hawaii, who has been dancing and teaching for many years.

Albert Torres

New this Year! Albert Torres will be offering a HISTORY OF SALSA workshop. Not to be missed!

Albert Torres is the world's premier producer of live Salsa Music and Dance events. His passion for Salsa has been an inspiration to a countless number of people from all walks of life and his continuous efforts to globalize Salsa have made a major impact on the preservation and accessibility of both Salsa Music and Salsa Dance around the world. Founded in 1992, Albert Torres Productions Inc. (ATP) has created and co-produced over three hundred and fifty spectacular Salsa Dance Events known as SALSA CONGRESSES all over the world.

To learn more about Albert Torres and his events, please visit www.alberttorresevents.com