awesome guests
We will have a few special guests. Awesome people with awesome projects!
Douglas Isea
For the past 20 years, my passion for music has been a driving force of my life, a passion inherited from my family that took a new direction 13 years ago in France, when I began playing the piano with my salsa orchestra, La Espectacular, with original arrangements and a unique sound that blends the vibrant rhythms of Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Puerto Rico.
My passion for Salsa is global, extending beyond musical composition to the dance floor. I have dedicated myself to learning to dance Salsa in various styles, including Cuban, New York, and caleño. This comprehension of Salsa culture enriches our music and performance, connecting deeply with audiences worldwide.
In 2017, we took a significant step forward by releasing our album "El Destino", a collection of original salsa arrangements that encapsulates our essence and passion. More than any award, the most significant recognition for me has been the opportunity to share my story and music with the audience, especially in France where we have found a home for our sound.
One of the most memorable moments in our journey was the concert at the Salsa Congress in Lyon in 2023. This event was not just a platform to showcase our music but also a meeting point with salsa lovers from all over France.
Finally, when I'm not swaying to the rhythm of salsa or tickling the ivories, I'm working on my day job as a Telecommunications Engineer. It's a unique blend: by day, navigating the complex world of telecoms; by night, dancing and playing with passion. Who said engineers can't have rhythm?
https://laespectacular.com/en/
Lucia Falina Valero
I discovered my passion for music and dance at a young age. When I was 12 years old I started making my own music based on flute, singing and guitar. I write my songs in the language "Falina" which I created for my music and I produced my first album "Tambolo". During this time I also discovered dancing. I started with Salsa and a few years later I specialised in Mambo. Now I am a dance teacher in my hometown Ingolstadt. My goal is to bring Salsa, especially Salsa on2, to my hometown.
What I love most about Salsa is the variety of music, dance styles and people. On the dance floor, age, background and profession do not count. You just enjoy the music and the magic of dancing. I still remember exactly how I started. As a beginner I often saw the gap between beginners and professionals. Now I know that social dancing is not about how good you are, but about dancing together and experiencing the music. Every dance and every song has its own peculiarities and with the recognition comes a feeling of joy. Of course it is fun to dance 100 turns and to show your skills, but the most beautiful dances are the ones danced with the heart. That's when the freedom of dancing and the beautiful feeling of flying begins for me. You stop thinking and there is a feeling of unity with the music and your partner.
https://www.lucia-falina.de/
https://www.lucia-valero.de/
Bheki Ndlovu
Choreographer, Dancer, Musician, Facilitator, Composer, Director
I was born in Durban, South Africa, I began my career as a dancer. I performed in many productions and musicals, including: Showboat, Jesus Christ Super Star, the Wizard of Oz, and Sarafina. My dancing talent and expertise took me overseas where I toured through Europe, Australia, Canada, Bangkok and Switzerland.
I worked with renowned filmmakers, choreographers such as Michael Peters (Michael Jackson’s choreographer) and actors (Dennis Haysbert; Stacey Cadman) which open door that led me to the fields of choreography, music composition, acting and directing theatre.
I am also a highly-effective trainer, facilitator, coach and community mobiliser, with experience fostering youth empowerment, life skills training and creative development all over Africa and parts of Europe, Australia and Canada. Now I am a proud owner of a dance school in Zurich called "dance swagg". teaching latin dances, African dances including Kizomba , contemporary and many more. I am currently engaging in Switzerland projects: worked with a choir in Vevey, theatre in Aarau , high school in Steinhausen, Monate Band in Kontiki, festival in Zurich, in weddings, live shows in theatre, artist collaborations and more.
Florian Keller
I'm a professional musician and play the trumpet as a soloist and in various orchestras. After graduating with a Master of Artistic Education degree, I was a member and principal trumpet of the Jeunesse Musical World Orchestra and played for many years in the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Saarbrücken. I'm currently playing with the Philharmonic Orchestra of South West Germany and various solo projects.
Besides music I started dancing at a young age, always fascinated by rhythm and musicality, I met Oliver Pineda in Sydney 10 years ago to take private lessons. Today I'm also teaching at the dance school "Tanzzentrum Bodensee" in Austria.
Paula Chico
Percussionist
I am a professional musician. My musical journey began at the age of 5 when I started studying
music theory and piano in Spain, followed by classical percussion at the age of 8. After completing
my intermediate degree with top honors in 2004, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree at the
Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where I had the privilege of studying under the percussionists of
the prestigious Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. In Switzerland, I completed two Master's degrees:
one in Music Performance (Lausanne) and a second in Music and Percussion Pedagogy (Bern).
Since the age of 14, I have gained extensive orchestral experience, performing with youth and
professional symphony orchestras and ensembles in Spain, Holland, Mexico, and Switzerland. In
2011-2012, I taught percussion at the High School of Music of Chiapas in Mexico.
Upon moving to Switzerland, I began teaching percussion at various music schools and being a
regular percussionist at the orchestra Sinfonietta de Lausanne. I also continue to perform with
various symphony orchestras and chamber music ensembles across Switzerland and Europe.
Jazz and latin jazz music has always been my passion, and so has dance. I started learning salsa in
Mexico in 2011 and eventually became the teacher's assistant. Since then, dancing has helped me
through difficult times and made life more enjoyable.
Of course, the most fulfilling experience for me is playing this music, which is why I created the
septet Kinkamaché, featuring vibraphone and composed of a group of exceptional professional
musicians. We perform our own compositions to continue developing this wonderful music and
share it as widely as possible, spreading happiness around the world.