Introducing Carlinhos Salgueiro, the globally acclaimed “King of Samba”! Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, he’s revered as a visionary choreographer and director, known for revolutionizing Samba dance worldwide. Carlinhos leads Rio Carnaval’s top Passista ala and Maculele ala at Academicos do Salgueiro, while also choreographing Brazil’s prestigious Rainha do Carnaval competition. His innovative “Samba Diva” technique has set the standard for Samba instruction globally. With a string of awards, including multiple “Estandante De Ouro” honors, Carlinhos is set to dazzle audiences at Toronto’s Salsa on St. Clair Festival, marking his debut in the vibrant city’s biggest latin dance festival.
Tianna Tettemer + Amable Hernandez are the founders of “Sol y Luna – Acro + Dance Company”.
Amable is an extraordinarily talented dancer from Pinar del Rio, Cuba. He studied dance at the EIA (Escuela Instructora de Arte) for 4 years where he also studied percussion and theatre. He was a performer at the Cabaret Continental in Varadero for 2 years where his dedication, hardwork, and ambition led him to becoming the principle dancer. Amable is a master of all styles Cuban dance; traditional salsa, Afro-Cuban, and popular – rumba, palo, gaga, Orishas, casino, mambo, and more. He came to Canada in 2011, and has taught and performed in and around Hamilton, Brantford, Kitchener-Waterloo, and now the Ottawa Valley.
In 2014, Tianna lived in Mexico with a non-profit organization and her love of the Latin American culture stuck deep in her heart. When she returned to Canada, she moved to Toronto and began finding ways to weave her love of Latin culture in with her life here in Canada. Salsa on St. Clair was a big start to that. She volunteered with different dance schools, danced all day soaking up any steps she could learn, and began going to socials around the city. But Tianna’s movement background wasn’t in dance - Tianna was a competitive gymnast for over 10 years and after her retirement from gymnastics she began training in Acrobatics + Acroyoga. Tianna has taught Acroyoga for different yoga teacher trainings, performed, and taught classes in the US as well as various places in Ontario.
Together Tianna + Amable have blended their skills + passions (after meeting at Salsa on St. Clair) and now teach & perform a blend of their two passions Acrobatics + Salsa.
Salsotika is well known for classic salsa music from the 80s and 90s. Influenced by the Willie Rosario band of the 80s, Salsotika is directed by timbalero Johan Aguirre. This powerful combination makes this band one of the most sought-after salsa band in Toronto.
From Mexico to Toronto and beyond! One of Toronto’s great Salsa singers Ricky Franco is one of the most recognized voices in the country. He has graced the stages internationally and brings his one-of-kind band and sound bursting with energy with a full repertoire of Salsa dura, Merengue, Cumbia and Bachata that gets everyone dancing and singing along from the first beat!
Rice & Mango is Latin band stablished 15 years ago in Toronto, Canada. It is an assemble of musicians from Venezuela and Colombia playing various genres of music in Spanish such as Salsa, Merengue and Cumbia. We bring the best “Pachanga” to all our shows with our unique style and our “Muy Caliente” swing.
Oscar Naranjo discovered his passion for Latin dances when he was only 16 and continued to improve his skills by training with world renowned dance instructors.
Oscar has been performing, teaching and competing since 1989 and has an extensive background in dancing salsa, tango, cha-cha-cha, bachata, merengue and cumbia. He has been awarded first place in 25 salsa competitions and crowned Vice World Champion at the Miami World Federation Championships in 2003. Oscar Naranjo Productions is a fresh and exuberant dance troupe which thrives on high energy and quality performances.
Nueva Siembra is an Ecuadorian dance group focused on teaching children, youth, and adults the diverse forms of traditional Ecuadorian dance. Founded in 1997, Nueva Siembra is proud to have had multiple generations of dancers over the past 26 years and continues to showcase Ecuadorian dancing and rhythms across the GTA.
Mariachi Los Gallos is a unique multicultural phenomenon of professional, talented and enthusiastic musicians from very diverse ethnic backgrounds. In its short life span, Los Gallos Mariachi has built its own distinctive identity, solid prestige and firm leadership. Its success story has positioned it, as an iconic role model for old and new mariachi bands in Canada.
Singer and Composer Venezuelan Based in Toronto, Canada since 2018 With over 30 years of professional musical career, known among his friends and colleagues as “Worldwide Salsa” due to his travels to different countries in the old and new continents as a salsa performer for renowned salsa orchestras. Luis Franco arrives in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) with a fresh proposal of “salsa brava” featuring a three-trombone format, aimed at the dance-loving and salsa enthusiasts that the city of Toronto offers at various venues every weekend. With a fluid and coherent improvisational ability filled with swing, flavor, and a distinctive sound, he takes charge of the song he’s tasked to perform, adding his signature salsa style and a lively approach for the dancers.
Latin Energy was founded in 2002 and has been a top-rated school in Mississauga since then. Latin Energy focuses on creating top level dancers in Latin dance styles such as Salsa and Bachata. Latin Energy Dance School focuses on fun group classes teaching the proper technique, from there students have many opportunities to move on to perform or join specific teams. Latin Energy teams performs and competes all over the world, in both Amateur and Professional level.