SG – “Are there any obstacles you can remember experiencing in your salsa development and how did you overcome these obstacles?”

ATM – “Where do I start?! I was a broke college student…lol So, I didn’t have much money for classes and such. What I would do is save up as much as possible to take a private once in a blue moon so I could get some individual attention and find out what I really needed to focus on. Then, I would practice the heck out of what I was told to do. This won’t always work for everyone as you have to have a lot of discipline to make it worthwhile, but it definitely helped me.

Time was also a problem. MIT was very demanding, so I had little time to do much else but study and bury myself in my work. Every chance I could get to come up for air, I’d take it. I had to get good at prioritizing. I believe if you really want to do something, you find a way to make it work, no excuses. That’s why I have no sympathy when someone tells me they don’t have the time to practice. You have to make the time.

SG – “What does salsa mean to you and how has it changed your life?”
ATM – “In truth, I’m actually a very shy person unless I know you. I don’t talk much in public unless I’m forced to, but I’ve found myself being more open and much more confident as I’ve improved in my dancing. Salsa has a way of helping you let go of inhibitions.

I’m still very self-conscious about a lot of things, but we all have our insecurities, and I just learn to work through them.

SG – “What are some of your salsa goals for 2008?”
ATM – “Joel and I are working on some big productions. There’s the Fantagious CD Release & Theater production coming up May 16th (www.masacoterecords.com). WE’RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT! It is going to be different from any other dance event or show you’ve been to before. I know there’s a lot of people from Toronto planning to join us. That is taking a lot of prep work.

We have another production to work on after that which we want to finish in a couple years, and I have a couple other projects to embark on before the end of this one, including my first solo, which I’ve been wanting to do since 2004 but wanted to wait till the right time. I’ll be working on that this year. Hopefully you guys will like it :)”

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The post Part #4 of Ana’s Interview from Masacote appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.

Press Release

For Immediate Publication
Contact: Blanca Lasalle
Creative Link Inc.
212.684.6001 ext. 101
blanca@creativelinkny.com

World Salsa Athletes Compete at Disney
Dancers from 40 countries will dance-off for the title of World Salsa Championship

New York, NY – September 27, 2007 – This December, athletes from over 40 countries will convene at Walt Disney World to dance-off for the title of World Salsa Champion. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, located at Walt Disney World Resort©, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., will be the host site for the Third World Salsa Championships from December 12 through 16. The competition will be broadcast by ESPN International and Transworld International, under the direction of noted producer Rob Beiner, winner of 12 EMMY awards.

“We are thrilled to be hosting an international event of this magnitude that also delivers world-class entertainment,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of Walt Disney World Minority Business Development. “Not to mention, our alliances with international organizations allow us to showcase Central Florida to multicultural businesses that will impact the region’s economy.”

Hailed as the Olympics of Salsa dancing, the World Salsa Championship gathers the winning couples and groups from different salsa competitions from Australia, Argentina, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Holland, Hong-Kong, Italy, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, UAE, United States, Puerto Rico and Venezuela to defend their titles in their respective divisions.

The four main divisions dominating this enclave of professional athletic-dancers are those of the LA style “On 1” emphasizing the first beat of the music; the NY style “On 2” emphasizing the second beat of the music; “Cabaret” which combines Salsa dancing with tricks, cartwheels, and flips; and “Team” where 6 or more dancers, up to 20 at once, perform at the same time.

Cultivating this worldwide Salsa dance movement is Salsa connoisseur Albert Torres who has managed to create a world dance championship with a culminating event for professional and amateurs alike.

The Third Annual World Salsa Championship will pay tribute to the legendary Palladium Days including rhythms and music of The Big Three Orchestras in three consecutive evenings (playing Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez and Machito) and culminating with a tribute to the FANIA All Star. The Grand Opening will feature music by the legendary group El Gran Combo, nominated to the 2007 Latin Grammy edition.

About the World Salsa Championship and Salsa Seven Salsa Championship was organized by a group of salsa lovers under the leadership of salsa celebrity Albert Torres. The “Salsa Seven” group is committed to producing the most memorable music and dance event in the history of salsa. Salsa Seven is deeply committed to educating the public about this wonderful Latin rhythm we call salsa. Other members of the Salsa Seven Inc. include salsa promoters Leo Tizol and Willie Torres.

About Rob Beiner.
Beiner has produced or directed more than 2,000 live, cable or pay-per-view sports and entertainment broadcasts in leading television networks, such as ABC Sports, CBS, NBC Sports, USA Network and ESPN. His successful career as producer and director includes broadcasts of seven Olympic Games, important boxing championships such as the Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield match, NCAA basketball and football games, Comedy Central and the Kentucky Derby.

The post Press Release re: World Championships appeared first on Toronto Dance Salsa.