Frank Barbagallo - Frank Barbagallo - Director / Dance Instructor / Life eater Frank’s first dance steps were taken almost 30 years ago at back yard family parties. As a ten year old, Street tango and waltz weren’t exactly popular so it wasn’t long before he found himself breaking and popping during the 80’s dance wave. He has performed professionally for over twenty years both on stage and television. In 1998, Frank took his first Salsa class. Three months later, not being able to dance salsa (let alone teach) he opened the first Salsa school in Geelong with the help of Aloy Juno, Melbourne’s most influential Salsa instructor. To this day, the west coast salsa scene is still alive and well. In the year 2000 Frank founded Melbourne Salsa. After many years of promoting Latin dance and music to literally thousands of adults every year, he still thrives on being able to extract the dance out of anyone. “Salsa is the “jazz” of Latin music, commercial Latin will come and go but Salsa will always remain.”

Gabriella Torrisi - Director / Events Manager / Dance Instructor Gabriella was introduced to Latin music at a young age, she fell in love with Salsa in 1997, three years later founded Melbourne Salsa. This passion for self-expression through music and dance took Gabby to Cuba and Puerto Rico to further develop her dance & music skills. Her work in organising Latin events and teaching Salsa is much more than a commercial enterprise, it's her lifestyle and Gabby wants to share her passion with others. "Salsa is a great way to meet people, it's one of only a few forms of dance that is supported by a really strong social scene…you'll find a Salsa bar in every city of the world. Where else can a guy ask a girl for a dance and she jumps at the chance?"

Cheb Ali - DJ Cheb Ali (Arabic for Sir Ali) has been Melbourne Salsa’s resident DJ since 2004. As a DJ Ali believes in respecting the dancers and reading into their needs. He has always shown commitment to understand each dance event, the dancers and the vibe. Ali offers a lot of energy and interaction by playing the “maracas” not seen by any other Latin DJ in Australia. “Frank and Gabby allowed me to literally play with the decks at the Grosvenor Hotel in 2005 and I have never looked back. It was just an idea!” See you on the dance floor!

Jose Georges - Dance Instructor Jose’s first dance experience was in Madrid where he was introduced to Flamenco and Salsa. He moved to Melbourne in 1997 just as the modern Salsa scene in Melbourne was beginning. He has been passionately teaching for Melbourne Salsa since 2006. Jose’s dance experience includes other Latin American styles such as Cha Cha Cha, Merengue, Rueda del Casino, Bachata, Rock n’ Roll, Swing, Argentine Tango and Rumba. He has an impressive international dance history, attending workshops from all around the world including Cuba, South America, USA, Europe and Asia. “ Salsa has allowed me to make friends all around the world. At the time of meeting them our language was dancing salsa. Vivimos para la salsa”

Christina Koulis - Dance Instructor Christine’s passion for dancing began at the young age of seven, she has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and hip-hop. In 2003, Christine was introduced to the salsa scene and fell in love with the dance. Christine’s ability to learn salsa in a short period of time comes not only from her dance training background but from her passion for the dance. Since then, she has actively been involved in the Melbourne salsa scene and has travelled as far as Spain, UK and South America to attend classes and workshops enhancing her dance knowledge.

Loraine Bessant - Dance Instructor Loraine danced Ballet until the age of 14. Later on she attended Jazz and Tap classes. Her love of Salsa began at our Essendon Salsa class on opening night on 16th of August 2006 and was immediately addicted to it. Dancing up to 7 times a week for the first 6 months! “I still love it and just want to keep dancing. I can’t help myself as soon as the music starts I have to be out there! I also love meeting the amazing people and the social atmosphere, it keeps me inspired. See you on the dance floor!”

Robbie Rakosi - Dance Instructor Robbie Rakosi was born in a part of Hungary where music and dance runs through the veins of the locals. Robbie is well known for his free spirited playful dancing along with his skills in choreography, performing and teaching. He has been specializing in LA style Salsa since 2003. "I fell in love with salsa from the first time I laid eyes on a couple dancing, there was so much passion. I believe dance comes from your heart and soul".

Eva Kalbstein - Dance Assistant / Reception Eva walked into her first street latin class in 1999 and was completely mesmerised by the dance and music. Eva had discovered a passion that, to this day brings so much vibrancy to her life. She still dances socially most weeks and loves being part of the Melbourne Salsa Team. Her favorite styles of dance include Salsa, Cha Cha, Merangue, Lambada and Bachata. "the most amazing thing for me, is that I get to be part of the transition that first time dancers make as they progress to higher levels. Salsa has completely enriched my life, and I thoroughly encourage all to give it a go."

David Da Eira - Dance Instructor / DJ Since an early age David has gained valuable performance experience by learning and performing many different dance styles. After growing up around Latin music the style that struck a chord was Salsa. David has shared his passion for salsa by running events, teaching and competing around Australia. In 2009, David placed 3rd nationally in the male division of the Australian Salsa Solo Competition. He also placed nationally 6th at the Australian Salsa Classic with his partner Anika. His credits also include first place wins at the Tropicana Salsa Competition (SA), and wins at the Copacabana Salsa Competition (VIC), which he now judges. David now teaches on the rare occasion. He expresses himself from behind a DJ console where he plays locally and inter-state.

Anika Xenides - Dance Instructor Anika has been working as an actor and dancer in Melbourne. She has trained with some of the world's best Flamenco and Salsa instructors including Flamenco Dance Areti and Elvira Andres Ballet Nacional de Espana. Anika has also been an examiner for the Spanish Dance exam at the world famous Australian Ballet School. Anika’s love for Latin music eventually lead her to salsa. In 2009, Anika won the Australian Salsa Solo Competition. Her credits also include first place wins at the Tropicana Salsa Competition (SA) and back to back wins at the Copacabana Salsa Competition (VIC). Anika was also a member of The Latin Dance Company where she performed Brazilan Samba, Tango and Cha Cha. She is trained in bachata and reggaeton. Anika was one of the choreographers and creators of the professional Melbourne Salsa ladies shine team, who placed 2nd at the 2010 Australian Salsa Solo Championships in Sydney. Anika‘s desire to develop as a salsa dancer led her to Los Angeles where she trained with her salsa idol, World Salsa champion Zulmara Torres. Anika’s passion is Salsa musicality and Salsa styling.

Melissa Cristina – Samba Dance Instructor Melissa Cristina has been a part of the Melbourne Salsa team for the last 3 years as our Samba Instructor. For over 10 years Melissa has been a professional Latin dancer specialising in Brazilian samba and performing in dance troupes at Melbourne’s most popular night spots, such as Copacabana and Rio's Brazilian restaurant. Melissa's dance background is also in Middle Eastern dance and she was the owner of Melbourne’s first full time Belly dance school in 1997. Her focus is teaching Samba to beginner students. Coaching and mentoring them so they can excell to a professional level and refine their skills for professional shows. Melissa’s classes are loads of fun great for a cardio work out!

Gysvier Aldana Noriega - Dance Instructor South American born Gysvier has been exposed to Latin music from an early age. Cuban music and dance has always been his favourite. As a member of the famous Venezuelan dance academy "Caribe y Punto". He is an accomplished Cuban salsa (Casino Rueda) dancer, competing and performing dozens of choreographies including a performance in the opening of the Miss Venezuela 2006. "The music is inside all of us, we just have to let it flow through our body and we'll become one with it"

Adriana Falcone - Adminstration / Reception Adriana first started dancing Tap, Jazz and Ballet at the age of 3 and continued until the age 0f 16. After years of not dancing she wanted to go back to her passion, however this time she wanted to try something different. It was out one night she first saw Salsa and thought it looked like fun and decided to give it a try. Three and a half years later, she still loves the dance. For her, Salsa is about great exercise, meeting new people and most of all having FUN.

Danni Cummins - Adminstration / Dance Instructor Assistant From a young age Danni was competing in dance competitions. Through her teens she performed as a back up dancer on various TV productions. Academically she pursued a range of dance theories. In her early twenties, Danni joined ‘Satori Dance Company’, training in jazz, funk, ballet, hip hop and partnering, and performed on stage in group routines. Danni discovered salsa when she was living and working in London. She took classes in L.A. style, On 1 and On 2, to Cuban Salsa and Rueda. Danni performed at Scala for the London Latin fest and travelled to opposite ends of the world to be a part of salsa congresses, from Sydney, to Montreal and throughout the U.K. On returning to Melbourne at the end of 2008, Danni applied her love for dance to teaching salsa. “I want others to experience the joy that I feel when dancing.”

Oren Shoshan - Dance Instructor Oren Shoshan is an Australian salsa champion, and world-renowned instructor, performer and choreographer. Originally from Canada, Oren managed a dance company in the USA and won the most prestigious salsa competition in Canada. He moved to Sydney in 2001 and founded the Salsa Vibes Latin Dance Company, the largest salsa dance school in the Sydney CBD for nearly 10 years. Oren and partner Pascale, placed 1st at the 2006 Australian Salsa Championships and 18th at the 2006 ESPN World Salsa Championships in Las Vegas. He has been on the judging panel for the Australian Salsa Open, Australian Bachata Championships, and the Australian Salsa Classic, since 2009. Oren is known for sharing the love with fun group and private classes in Salsa On 1 and On2, Bachata, Cha-cha, and performance choreography including weddings.