Raquel Paez - Director and Choreographer
Raquel was born in Ecuador. Although she is an Aussie, her Latin American roots have always played an important role in her life, as does her family. She grew up speaking Spanish at home and always listening to traditional Andean and Latin American music. Until 2007, Raquel worked full time in the IT industry in Australia and then in London. In 2007, she taught salsa in London for the Latin Dance Collective Team, one of Europe's biggest salsa promotion companies.
Raquel's passion for salsa has also given her the inspiration to create beautiful salsa performance choreographies. Her performance in 2006 gave the Salsabor Performance Team the opportunity to represent Australia at the Los Angeles West Coast Salsa Congress 2006.
Raquel began her official dance training in Los Angeles in 2003, and has since furthered her training in New York, South America, London and Europe. She believes that to maintain her teaching fresh and up to date, she must continue to learn and gain influence from around the world.
Raquel’s favourite dance style is Salsa/Mambo and Cha Cha On2, which she believes makes you bilingual on the dance floor, and makes dancing much more fun and enjoyable. Since Term 2, 2008 she has started to teach On2, and hopes that more people will catch on to this great dance style. Raquel looks up to dancers and groups such as Eddie Torres (NY), Santo Rico (NY), Salsa Mania (San Francisco), and Juan Matos’ Fogarate Dance Project.
Qualifications/ Salsa Achievements- Salsa Brava Productions Teachers Training Qualification
- Instruction from Al 'Liquid Silver' Espinoza and Edie 'The Salsa Freak'
- Instruction from Miriam Castro
- Diploma in Marketing and Product Development
- Choreographed and Performed at Sydney Latin Fiesta 2004
- Choreographed and Performed at Sydney Salsa Congress 2005, 2008
- Choreographed for the Sydney Latin Dance Corroborree 2005
- Choreographed for the Los Angeles West Coast Salsa Congress 2006
- Choreographed and Performed at Floriade 2004
- Choreographed and Performed for various Latin Events in Canberra including Latin Fusion parties and Toast nightclub, Monkey Bar to name a few.
- Choreographed and Performed for the Canberra Multicultural Festival 2008
- Choreographed and Performed for ‘Passion on the Lake’ – Weereewa Festival 2008
- Choreographed and Performed for Latin Heat 2007
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Andrea Paez
Andrea was born in Ecuador and grew up surrounded by the Latino sounds of Salsa, Folkloric, Cha Cha, Cumbia, just to name a few. Like most South Americans she started dancing the minute she could walk.
While living in Europe for a year she decided to attend a salsa class and it was then that she discovered that Latin dancing took more than moving her hips. In 2005 she took up classes with Salsabor and has not looked back. She has also attended different dance classes including hip hop, funk and jazz.
Andrea is very passionate about Latin music and dance and is always learning to bring the very best to her students.
Her recent love affair is with Zumba, she became a certified instructor in 2009. So make sure you join one of her very popular classes. Join the Party!
She is an official member of the Salsabor Performance Group and has performed at many prestigious national and international salsa events including:
- Sydney Latin Dance Corroborree, 2005
- Los Angeles West Coast Salsa Congress, 2006
- Sydney Salsa Congress, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010
- Canberra Multicultural Festival, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010
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Peter Sbirakos
Peter was born in Melbourne but moved with his family to Canberra back in the mid 70s. He didn't have much choice in the matter since he was only a toddler and now he can truly call himself a Mel-Canberran!
Peter has an active interest in physical fitness with qualifications in strength and conditioning, sports coaching as well as holding a Sandan (3rd degree) black belt in the art of karate. Peter has written and published extensive articles in sports coaching, and regularly tailors training programs for friends who are looking to get that little bit fitter.
In 1991 Peter traveled to Tokyo, Japan to train with the then Natianal Japanese Coach, Sensei Sadaharu Fujimoto (9th Dan) and what an incredible experience it was to see genuine karate from its land of origin. Peter's main teacher and coach in karate however, has been Sensei Ivan Mehkek (6th Dan) from Canberra.
In 2003, Peter was appointed captain and head coach of the ACT Karate Team, a post he held till 2006. In that time, under Peter's coaching guidance, the ACT Team won the bronze medal in the National Australian Championships after being for many years in the sport karate wilderness. Pete's competitive martial arts career spans from 2000 through to 2006 culminating in a bumper 2006 year when he finally retired from sport karate at the ripe old age of 39. In 2006, Peter won a gold and silver medal at the World Championships, Gold and Silver in the National Australian Championships as well as taking out the ACT State Titles.
Peter took up salsa in early 2006 on the encouragement of a good friend, Benjamin Brilliante and former Salsabor Dance Instructor however, he stopped after 6 months due to his commitments in sport karate. In 2007, he returned to salsa with a vengeance and now says "its great, you don't get kicked and punched in dance!". And after nearly 2 yrs of training with the Salsabor Dance school as well as being part of the Salsabor performance team, Peter has been invited to be part of the team of Salsabor Instructors.
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Jason Tabiolo
Jason was born in the Philippines and moved to Australia when he was 5 years old.
Half way through high school he realised he had a strong interest in dance. Since the tender age of 17, Jason has been undergoing dance training in Contemporary in Bega taking part in the “Fling Project’, then was advised to further his training in Canberra, at the Australian National Choreographic Centre.
Amongst Jason’s list of dance projects, includes: Quantum leap project:- out of bonds, Eternity, Live Add 3, Recovery Tour, and Armidale Australian Dance Festival.
Jason’s passion for dance saw him taking up hip hop/ break dance in 2004, under the dance company Kulture break in the ACT. This led him into performing and also teaching for them. In 2005, he was also asked to teach for Dynamic Studios.
During the early years of his dance career, Jason studied jazz and ballet which helped him with his strength and core in dance. It wasn’t until Salsabor’s own Cromwel Flores introduced him to Latin dancing.
Jason’s latest training in his field is from Los Angeles’ Millennium Dance Complex, under the guidance of some of the best and most well known dancers such as Shane Sparks, David Moore, Shaun Evaristo,
J.R Taylor just to name a few.
Jason now brings all of his experience and talent to his students, teaching them the latest technique, moves and routines straight from the entertainment industry, in various dance genres which builds strengths in the style of all his dancers.
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James Gallagher
James is a born and bred Canberran, and as a child travelled and lived with his parents in Peru, Argentina, and Thailand. When James is not dancing, he works as an Information Technology Officer developing web applications.
James first became interested in salsa in 2000, had a brief fling with it but then stopped for 6 years. In 2006, being half South American, he was again intrigued by Latin dancing and once again started classes. James has now been dancing for 3 years and lives and breathes Salsa. He also thoroughly enjoys dancing Bachata and Reggaeton.
James is one of Canberra’s finest salsa dancers and is also a seasoned performer. He is great to watch on the dance floor and is one of the friendliest dancers on the scene.
James’ main goal is to share his passion for Salsa and is delighted to be a part of the Salsabor team.
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Bo Djikic
Bo was born and bred in Canberra and is currently studying the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at university. She enjoys travelling and has been to a number of countries including Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, China and Hawaii. She has always loved to dance from a young age, with her mother being a major influence by teaching her traditional Cambodian dancing. Until this day Bo thinks that her passion for dancing is definitely inherited!
Bo discovered Latin dancing in 2006 with her first style being Reggaeton. During this time she began Salsa and absolutely fell in love with it! She became a regular in the salsa scene and even performed at a number of Latin events. In fact she has a zest for performing and thoroughly enjoys entertaining a crowd! Bo believes that she is forever learning in salsa and is currently undertaking the style of On2. She enjoys all styles of Latin dancing including, Bachata, Cha cha, Brazilian Samba and Zouk.
Bo thinks that Salsa is a great way to meet people and to keep fit. She is pleased to be selected to teach at Salsabor and endeavours to bring a warm and friendly atmosphere to all of her classes.
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Darian Bridge
Darian was born and bred in Canberra. He studied Computer Engineering at university and has been working as a software developer since 2000. He loves his car and takes it out to the race track whenever he can get the time off work. He plays indoor soccer on the weekend and fills the rest of his week with as much salsa as he can get his hands on.
He started salsa classes in 2005 with Salsabor but stopped after 6 months. In 2007 he started again and hasn't looked back. He is committed to the salsa social scene in Canberra, as well as regularly travelling to Sydney with a keen group of salseros, which is helping to build a great relationship between the two cities.
Darian has recently started his performance career and has performed at the Folk Festival and at the White and Red Party. He is now a member of the Salsabor performance team and has set his sights on
performing at the Sydney Salsa Congress in 2010.
We are proud to have such a great team member to represent Salsabor. Darian’s enthusiasm and dedication is hard to beat.
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Mel Markey
Mel is a born and bred Western Australian. Like many young girls, Mel attended jazz, tap and classical ballet lessons where she developed a taste for dance. As well as dance, Mel has always possessed a keen interest in all aspects of "The Arts" (Theatrical and Creative). She attended the Western Australian Theatrical College were she began to study stage acting, modelling and singing, as well as taking part in dance classes. Mel has also instructed Modelling (Photographic and Catwalk) to adults, teens and tweens for several years. Mel has also attended NIDA Screen Acting Workshops.
In 2003 she moved to Canberra where she proceeded to let herself get rather out of shape. After trying many fitness programs, none with any success, she discovered Zumba! After getting bitten by the Zumba bug, Mel's life has been completely changed. She now spends her days spreading the Zumba love and hopes that all of Canberra gets bitten by the Zumba bug too.
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Ben Brillante
Ben's interest in music and dance began when he was 16. He was active in choir and was also a member of a Hip-Hop and R&B dance group, "X-ibition" which he formed with his friends in 1994. Most of their performances took place locally in special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations up until late 1996.
Ben was first introduced to Salsa by his younger sister Angela, who for many years, practiced and danced with the Sydney Dance Company and Urban Dance Centre in Sydney. Angela has been a huge inspiration to her older brother through other dance forms like Hip-Hop, R&B and Funk. But it wasn’t until an invitation to check out one of Sydney’s hot Latin night clubs did Ben begin to understand how beautiful Salsa dancing is. And so on that night of October 16, 2004, Ben took up a passion for Salsa.
Ben's enthusiasm in Salsa has developed him into a well respected and sort after dancer in the Canberra Salsa scene. He has a unique and elegant style of dancing Salsa; very passionate and full of energy. "...I put my heart and soul in every step... My greatest reward whenever I dance is to see that glitter in my partner's smile."
Ben has been performing and teaching with Salsabor since 2006. He has amazing body isolation and a creative flair which also makes him an amazing bachata dancer.
Ben is the Creative Director of a multimedia firm in Canberra, BENB (www.benb.com.au); specialising in Web Design and Development, Graphic Design and Photography. Originated from the Philippines, he moved to Australia with his family in 1991. After a few years of study in Architecture at University of Technology Sydney, he decided to change career and move to Canberra to study Bachelor of Graphic Design, which he completed in 2005. Ben's undying passion for creativity has led him to start his business in 2008.
Career Highlights
- Sydney Salsa Congress, Performed - 2006, 2007, 2009 & 2010
- The Latin Tribe, Choreographed, Performed and Instructed - 2008
- National Folk Festival Choreographed, Performed and Instructed - 2007
- National Museum Canberra, Choreographed and Performed - 2007
- Latin Fusion, Dance Team Instructor, Choreographed and Performed - 2006 & 2007
- Los Angeles West Coast Salsa Congress, Dance Team Instructor and Performed - 2006
- Sydney Latin Dance Corroboree, Performed - 2005
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Diala Raad
General dance history:
Music has always been a big part of Diala's life from singing, playing guitar to dancing. Her initial dance focus was in ballroom dancing which later diverted to Ceroc. Ceroc became more serious; she taught and performed regularly in this style. During early 2006 Diala joined a dance partnership with Mark Abraham to compete in interstate competitions. Some of their achievements were placing 2nd in intermediate rising stars at Ceroc Australia, Sydney 2006 and 2nd in Intermediate A at Ceroc Australia, Sydney 2007. In 2007 Diala wanted to incorporate her singing and dancing talents and after auditioning was invited to perform in the Buddy Holly musical with Supa productions. She performed frequently throughout the show and almost all 12 shows held at the ANU theatre were a sell out.
Latin dance history:
During late 2006 Diala was introduced to Latin dancing. By mid 2007 Diala began working with Ben Brillante, a regular Latin dancer at the time, turning her dance focus to Salsa and Bachata. Since then they have worked with a number of dance teams and performed Salsa and Bachata routines at various events in Canberra and interstate. In 2008 Diala and Ben co-choreographed a Salsa and Bachata routine and trained The Latin Tribe. This was performed at various Latin events around Canberra.
Some of Diala's highlight Latin dance performances include:
- Sydney Salsa Congress 2009 and 2010
- Palladium, Sydney 2009
- ACT Salsa Classics, Canberra 2008
- Multicultural Festival 2008 and 2009, 2010
- Various Stomp performances
- A variety of private parties/functions
- A variety of Canberra Latin dance events
Diala loves to dance Bachata and is excited to further develop this style within Canberra.
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