Frank Barbagallo - Director / Events Manager / Dance Instructor 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 on the professional stage performing rap, tap, jazz, contemporary and even ballet! Dance then led to acting, the following ten years of stage, touring and television took its’ toll and as with most professional dancers he had a break. Eight years later in 1999 Frank returned to dance, this time it was the Salsa dance floor where he found the ultimate dance experience. Seven years later, Salsa is his life exposing literally thousands of young adults every year to the art of Salsa. “Salsa is the “jazz” of Latin music, commercial and pop Latin will come and go but Salsa will always remain.”

Gabby Torrisi - Director / Events Manager / Dance Instructor Gabby Torrisi was exposed to the music of Latin America at a young age, her Argentinian best friend would play music at lunch time at school and they would both hum and dance to it. Gabby fell in love with Salsa in 1997 at a New Year’s Eve party at Babalu’s a well known Latin venue. This convinced her to start classes and did so at the Bullring in Melbourne. Three years later, Frank and Gabby re-opened Babalu’s on a Friday night, this was obviously a turning point and Salsa became Gabby's life! 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?"

James Thomson - Dance Instructor James started dancing 20 years ago, and just like most people who start dancing for the first time, wandered nervously into class trying to remember what steps go where, this did not last very long. James started Salsa 9 years ago and it became the dance he loves the most. He loves Salsa for the music, the way it makes him feel, the freedom of expression and the people involved around it. James has travelled as far as the US, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Colombia to learn more and experience the dance and culture at its roots, and has attended Salsa congresses with thousands of others. James has been teaching various styles of dancing on and off for around 8 years. He enjoys being able to pass on the gift of dance to others, especially seeing the sparkle in the eye of people as they catch the bug.

Anna Lasson - Dance Instructor Anna first came in contact with Salsa when she lived in Spain back in 1996. Too scared to try a class Anna was admiring dancers at a distance when someone asked her for a dance, she told him in broken Spanish “No baila cerca, baila lejo” (no close dance, dance faraway). Anna took her first Salsa class in a dark basement in North Sweden, with a teacher from Cuba and another from Puerto Rico, she learned a mix of Cuban, Rueda and La Styles. Anna also took on several workshops on Salsa on2, LA style and female technique. Anna was given an opportunity to teach Salsa to a group of handicapped young adults and fell in love with the experience. To see her students laugh and move to the music is something that has never left Anna's mind. Through this experience teaching Salsa is a huge part of Anna's life and will be for a long time to come. In addition to her passion for Salsa Anna is challenging herself by trying new dances such as Jazz, Broadway and Tango.

Jose Georges - Dance Instructor Jose Georges was introduced to Salsa in 1995 back in Madrid and moved to Melbourne in 1997. At this time the Salsa scene in Melbourne was just beginning. In the year 2000, Jose began teaching at various well recognised dance studios all around Melbourne. Jose’s first dance experience was in Flamenco and Sevillanas back in Madrid. Although passionate about Salsa, Jose’s dance experience includes other Latin American styles such as Cha Cha, Merengue, Rueda del Casino, Bachata, Rock n’ Roll, Swing, Argentine Tango and Rumba. Jose has also danced and taught in basic ballroom. Jose has an impressive international dance history where he has danced and attended workshops from all around the world including Cuba, South America, USA, Europe and Asia. “ Salsa has allowed me to make friends from all around the world. At the time of meeting them our only language was dancing salsa on the dance floor” Vivimos para la salsa

Christina Koulis - Dance Instructor Assistant Christine’s passion for dancing began at the young age of seven, where she developed an interest in Ballet. At the age of ten, she took a break from dancing and trained as a gymnast at the Philip’s Institute of Technology. However, it wasn’t long before she returned to the dance floor, training in 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 salsa scene and has travelled as far as Spain, UK and South America to attend classes and workshops to enhance her dance knowledge. Along with her dance career, Christine is currently undertaking her Ph.D in Pharmacology.

Loraine Kiely - Administration/Dance Instructor Assistant 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 improving. 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!”

Emily Nisman - Dance Instructor/Administration Emily developed her 'inner Latina' and love for all things Salsa here in Melbourne from the young age of 15. She has for many years taught and performed Salsa across many venues around Melbourne and absolutely loves to share her passion for dance. During the day, Emily is a dance and drama director for a kids based arts company called 'Kinda Dance', as well as a Russian Cabaret singer and actor. "Dance is a key part of my life which I would love to share with you and be an inspitarional instructor and guide in your salsa dancing development. See you on the dance floor." x Emily

Shlomit Raz - Dance Instructor Shlomit found her passion for dance at the young age of 4 and since then she has embraced various styles of dance including Jazz, Contemporary, Latin and Funk. The minute she was introduced to Salsa, Shlomit became addicted to the dance, as she fell in love with the rhythm and movement. Shlomit began her professional career in Salsa 7 years ago, specialising in L.A. style, she loves to focus on attention to detail and technique. She has also performed in Latin floor shows all over Melbourne, dancing styles such as Salsa, Brazilian Samba, Lambada, Merenge, Timbalada and Argentine Tango. She has explored her passion for Latin dance while travelling around the world, particularly in Spain, Argentina and Brazil. Shlomit believes that dance comes from the heart and loves to share this with her students!

Robbie Rakosi - Dance Instructor Robbie Rakosi was born in a part of Hungary where music and dance runs through the veins of the locals...gypsy blood and salsa mixed together make one hell of a dancer. 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 for the last 6-7 years. " I fell in love with salsa from the first time I laid eyes on a couple dancing, there was so much passion". Robbie can also teach the Waltz, Tango, Quik Step, Rumba, Samba, Jive , cha, aregentine Tango and Merengue. "I believe dance comes from your heart and soul".

Donovan Cochrane - Dance Instructor Donovan has been dancing since the age of 7 specialising in the Ballroom and Latin dance styles. He began street Latin 8 years ago and his love for Salsa and other sreet latin styles have taken him to Asia where he learnt and perfomed with some of the best in the world. Donovan orginally from Brisbane has been teaching Street Latin for a few years now. Now at Melbourne Salsa Donovan will be introducing new Latin Dance styles such as Bachata and Zouk Lambada. Donovan says 'It's the sensuality, passion and sofistication of the dance' that keeps him in it and teaching it to others.

Angela McCristal - Dance Instructor/Administration Angela started dancing Jazz at 15. Since then she has trained in contemporary, hip hop, tap, and ballet. At 17 Angela fell into Brazilian dancing which then lead to Salsa. Angela has performed Salsa at various corporate events, at the Puerto Rico salsa congress, and the Sydney salsa congress. Also soon to be released film clips for Monster trucks, phone commercials for Asia, Nissan, cancer aware events, and have just finished helping choreograph the new show for a Brazilian restaurant. What Angela loves the most about Latin dancing is that is can be what ever you want it to be. A reason to be out socially or a release from the days events. Make it your own style. There's not one way being the only way...I love watching a beginners couple on the dance floor smiling because they can do three moves and have fun with it. Then you have your insane people who don't stop, move after shine after move. I love it. It's addictive....