El Barrio the musical

The Cast

Some of the best talent in the UK:

Iris Debrito

Trained at The London Studio Center and with the late William Louther Dance Theatre, Iris is a very diverse dancer/singer/choreographer. Film and other credits include:� Evita�, �Robin Williams an audience with..�,�The Des O�Connor show�,�TOP�,�CD-UK�,�GMTV� with Henrique Iglesias, �The Mobo Awards� with Jay Z and videos with Cher, Kylie Minogue & Darren Hays, amongst others. Iris Has worked as a Salsa coach in �Strictly Dance Fever BBC� also worked with Badejo Arts & Kokuma dance companies and Sheron Wray�s Jazzxchange. Iris has also worked in commercials and as a singer in a jazz band, and choreographed for the Arts& Business awards (05 & 06)

In the last few years Iris has dedicated her career to Latin dance being 2X UK Salsa Champion ( 99/03), performing and teaching in the UK and abroad. Her new teaching DVD �Body Talk� has sold over 2000 copies in the Salsa scene alone.

Teaching Experience includes:
CityLit � Jazz for all- 4 years
Pineapple Dance Studios- Salsa (3 years) & Jazz
National Youth Theatre workshops in Salsa
Weekend Arts College workshops in schools, youth centres
Teaching in international Salsa congresses in the UK, Norway, Turkey, Poland, Dubai, Portugal, Italy and many other countries.

Teaching method focuses on the importance of posture, using the correct muscles in different movement, basic improvisation skills and partnering techniques, whilst motivating students to have fun while they learn.

Goals:
The idea of teaching and understanding Salsa Dance as a dance form such as Jazz or contemporary is one of my goals when delivering a class.

Osbanis Tejeda-“Osie” percussion

Osbanis is a trained cuban musician and one of the most admired dancers in the Salsa scene today. British Rueda Champion, working with Roll Deep, Latin Clan, Havana Club promotion, and teaching all over the world, from Russia to Spain, he’ll teach you rhythm like no one can!
Osbanis has devised &choreographed the Cuban Salsa number and the percussion number in the show, as well as the percussion arrangements on some of the music.

Haime- "Mami"

Haime is originally from Cuba. With a powerfull deep voice,she started singing from an early age. From traditional Afro-Cuban music to more recent covers, she's holds a regular spot at Bar Cuba- Kensington and is a guest singer with other Latin Bands all over the UK. Haime is happy to be able to participate in such a new project.

Moe Flex-“Chungo”

is one of the most exciting, inspiring and entertaining characters in the Latin dance scene today. A former UKA British Champion and British Threesome Champion, Moe divides his time between teaching, choreographing and performing throughout the UK and overseas working with acts such as Blu Cantrell, RDB and Ruthless and most recently performing in the "Roll Deep" video "Come and Shake a Leg". www.moeflexdance.com

Miguel DePuertoRico-“Eddie”

2006 UK Salsa Championships,Winner, Blackpool
2005 World Semi-Finalist Salsa Championships, South America
2005 2nd Place South -East Salsa Championships , Maidenstone
When I grow up I want to be as good as Osbanis with his drumsticks and his ears, as jazzy as Iris, funky as my brother Mo, cool as Frank and loco like Nico. www.migueldepuertorico.com

Hugo Cortez-“Tito”

Hugo is an amazing diverse performer,from Capoeira, Salsa, and Ballet. Hugo was part of the cast of Lion King both in Germany and most recently in London. He’s just started working with Dragon,the dance company,mostly known as an off-shoot of Cirque De Soleil, but has graced us with his participation.

Anneta Kepka-“Lola”

2006 UK Salsa Championships winner- Blackpool
Anneta is originally from Poland and started dancing in Latin Ballroom. She has stormed the Salsa scene with her smile and grace and technique. An absolute joy to watch her partnership with Miguel de PuertoRico is only the beginning of a bigger future,watch out!

Rafael Del Busto-

3XUK Salsa Champion and originally from Cuba, Rafael was first known as part of the cast in “Lady Salsa” and later “Murderous Instincts”. Trained in Cuba in Ballet, Modern and Cuban Folkclore, he brings a presence and technique to stage admired by many. Rafael has taught and performed in every major International Salsa congress in the world.

Colleen Daniels- “Tomasa”

Since emerging from a highly successful career on the Street dance scene Colleen started learning Salsa in 2000. She has taken Salsa to a new level in the Berkshire. Colleen possesses a unique blend of style, technique and sheer charisma on the dance floor.
Colleen has recently taught with many of the UK’s top professionals including Marchant Birth and Leon Rose and has recently performed a very well received show with Patrick Marinho.

Frank Santos- Franco(guest)

Originally from Dominican Republic, grew up in Italy where he started to develop his talent in dance.With a background of Hip-Hop, jazz, Merengue and Bachata acquired from his very own Grandfather.
Frank started to dance Salsa in 2001.He studied various styles of Salsa including Puerto Rican, New York, LA and Cuban salsa. He won the UISP Italian championship for Cuban and New York
Style in 2003.Inspired by Juan Matos and Tropical Gem, Frank created his own funky style, bringing it to London in 2004.Frank is also a Bachata teacher/dancer and teaches all over the UK. Frank has worked on many different projects including London's famous Leon Rose.

Abbey Rae-“Anuska”

Abbey trained at the London Studio Centre. Her professional career so far has led her to dance solo at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in Nielsen's opera 'Maskarade'. She has appeared as Dance Captain and Swing in the Musical 'Murderous Instincts' at the Savoy Theatre- West End; at Sadlers Wells as a member of Dollie Henry's BOP Jazz Theatre Co and travelled with various productions to Austria where she worked with theatre director- Sir Trevor Nunn, Turkey and also India- where she choreographed and performed a neo-classical piece at the Sahara Indian Wedding.
In the film industry Abbey has appeared in French and Saunders' Christmas Special, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; music videos such as The Spinto Band's 'Did I Tell You' and Texas' 'Carnival Girl' and has worked with FOOFILMS on various corporate films.
She is a current member of Hip-Hop Company - Kryptic Movement,(Choreographer- Supple), and has worked on trade and fashion shows across the UK. Abbey also performs and teaches with her dance partner at Salsa events across the UK.

Nico Valiente- “Juan”

Born in Torremolinos (Malaga) Spain. Started dancing in ESAD(Spain) Drama School Malaga. Studying acting, Corporal Expresion, Ballet, disco. for 3 years. One year in Ballet liceo (latin company) choreography by Osmany Aquino Cuban performer Tropicana. He went to The Worl Salsa championship in Las Vegas December 05 representing the UK, finishing 10th place. He has performed for Alex Wilson,and has appeared in Advertisement Play Station2, Vodafone, Puleva, Films and other short films.
I am a person that is able to do everything I want to do, because in this life you can do everything you dream, thanks to all the people that believe in me like Phil, Iris, Larisa, and all the people that here in london make me learn and be happy with what I’m doing, thanks.

Lydie Roche- “Maria”

Lydie has been dancing since age 10 and has a background in Latin Ballroom, reaching international category. She has competed in Spain, France and England. She’s new to the Salsa scene in London and this is her first performance in the UK

Heber

Professional teacher, dancer and choreographer in Lambada, lambazouk, Salsa,Axe, Samba Solo, Samba Gaffiera, Samba Pagode, Forro, Kizomba and Bachata.
Born in Brazil to brazilian parents. Lived in Holland for 8 years working in dance. Now based in London for the last two years.
Professional Activites
Travelled all around the world teaching, performing and choregraphing. Countries include
Italy, malta, Pakistan, Turkey, Tunisia, Greece, France and Yugoslavia.
Has worked and performed with various dance companies and events such as Pontins, World Congresses and Bloomberg T.v as dancer and choreographer.
Currently working with , managing, promoting and organising various dance groups and major events in London whilst still travelling and performing world wide.

Claire Winsper (guest)

Claire is an amazing performer and very diverse.With several stints in musicals such as “Singing in the Rain” and “Anything goes” at the National Theatre, “Witches of Eastwick” - Prince of Wales Theatre. “Sunset Boulevard” –UK tour and “Phantom of the Opera”- the film she started salsa a few years ago and is now very passionate about it.

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