OUR LATINO INSTRUCTORS
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Claudia Amara Mendoza De Rodriguez
​DIRECTOR

Born from a Famous Flamenco Dancer and Uruguayan father, from the age of 5 she started salsa dancing to movies. She got her nickname Salsa Baby from being the youngest in her area to be involved in the community. The name Salsa has stuck with her for over 18 years. Getting her professional start with Picante Latin Dance one of the biggest event organizers on the latin scene and most recently teaching for Latin Dance Australia and expanding into her own dance school.
2004 - Teaching with Newcastle University
2005 - Dancing in Candombe Group YAUGURU
2007 - Creating Naturally Salsa and Performing at Mounties Club
2008 - Dancing in Candombe Group URUMBE
2008 - Teaching with Picante Latin Dance
2009 - Performed at International Bachata Festival Zouk Bachata
2010 - Performed and Taught at Darling Harbour Fiesta
2010 - Performed at International Bachata Festival
2012 - Created Forbidden Dance Company
2012 - Performed at Pachanga & Silisila Night Club
2018 - Teaching for Latin Dance House & Latin Dance Australia
2018 - Teaching Cuban Workshop for Ritmo Festival
2019 - Created Dance Latino
2019 - Teaching Cuban Workshop for International Bachata Festival
She loves to bring people together with smiles and joy as thats what dancing is all about and  her aim when teaching her students. ​​
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Ysrael Joel Rodriguez Chamorro
​DIRECTOR

Moving to Australia in 2005 from Lima, Peru to be with his father and brothers in a better country with more opportunities. He realised there is a gap in the market in Campbelltown and wanted to introduce this area to the amazing latino culture he grew up with. His aim is to increase awareness of latin culture, food, and all types of latino dances from Salsa to Merengue and all in between.

2010 - Teaching for Picante Latin Dance
2010 - Performed Bachata at Darling Harbour Festival
2010 - Performed at International Bachata Festival
2010 - Performed at Cuban Salsa Congress 
2012 - Created Forbidden Dance Company
2012 - Performed at Pachanga & Silisila Night Club
2018 - Teaching for Latin Dance House & Latin Dance Australia
2018 - Teaching Cuban Workshop for Ritmo Festival
2019 - Created Dance Latino​
2019 - Teaching Cuban Workshop for International Bachata Festival
​He loves his Cuban Salsa either listening or dancing. Don't know a name of a song? This guy is the one to get it for you! Social dancing is one of his favorite ways to dance!

Amber-Marie Hodder
SAMBA & LATIN KIDS

Amber-Marie comes from an Italian Background, her hosting skills prove that her italian heritage is in her vein, and so is that cultural rhythm!

​She has been latin dancing since 2011. Cuban, LA Salsa, Bachata, Samba.

Having performed at some of Sydney's iconic locations including Darling Harbour, Establishment, and also International & Local Festivals. Her background working with children is a perfect fit when kids and latin dance combine. She lights up a room with her smile and her ability to build rapport with kids & adults alike she will make everyone feel comfortable.

​Her goal is to create an environment where kids can have fun learning musicality, dance, co-ordination, social skills, and build self-esteem. Combining her extensive background in dance, event management, and working with kids, Amber-Marie has contributed to creating the first Latin Dance School for Kids in Campbelltown.

Monica Mason
MAMBO & SALSA

Monica attended her first salsa class in 2005 and by the end of her class, knew she ignited a life-long passion.  Having a growing love of dance and organic connection with people, Monica’s journey as an instructor and performer began. 

2005 - Training Instructor at Latin Explosion On2
2006 - 2011 Instructor at Latin Motion Dance Academy teaching LA/on1 Salsa, New York/on2 Salsa, Zouk
2012 - 2013 - Instructor at 2 Can Dance Academy teaching Zouk

Monica has performed in a handful of teams, and feels especially fortunate to have made “forever friends” through her experiences with them:
• Bachateros
• Soul Deep
• Modus Vivendi Project 
• Latin Motion Mambo Masters and Zouk team 
• Altitude

Performances include various Sydney events (eg. Palladium, Sydney Salsa Congress, Pumphouse, Bachata Festival, Studio Balls/Socials), interstate Latin/Zouk festivals and internationally at the Malaysian Latin Festival 2007 & 2008.

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Tamara Fuego
REGGAETON & SAMBA

Born in Chile and raised in Australia, Tamara’s love for dancing began in South America where she was influenced by its rich roots in Latin music, hypnotic rhythms, breathtaking landscapes and colourful culture.
At the age of 7 she began dancing and performing Chilean folkloric dancing and flamenco at Latin festivals and clubs. As a child she also trained in jazz, singing and acting.
In 2007 she began her training in samba, salsa, bachata and reggaeton with LDA and has trained samba under renowned international artists including Luana Bandeira, Mayara Lima, Gabrielle Castro, Alex Coutinho, and Kellyn Rosa.

2007-2009 Performed for LDA samba swat team
2009 to 2010- Performed at the Sydney Salsa Congress
2010- Performed for Rhythm Brazil
2011 to Current- Performing for Batucada Brazil for the past 8 years
2011 to 2014- Performed at the Brazilian Festival
2012- Performed for the Australian Olympic athletes homecoming parade
2013- Performed at Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2013 - Performed in Auckland, NZ for Bras ‘N’ Things Brazilian range launch.
2015- Bar Brazilia resident dancer
2016-2017- Ipanema Grill Restaurant resident dancer
2016- Taught Samba classes
2017 to Current- Performing for Salsa Kingz for their “Ricky Martin Tribute Shows”
2017 to Current- Performing for Aluminus Entertainment.
2018-Performed at the Universal Music/ EMI after party for the Aria Awards.
2018- Performed at the Uruguayan Festival
2018- 2019- Taught children from 2-8 years mixed Latin dancing including salsa, reggaeton, bachata and samba
2018- Taught adult Samba & reggaeton classes
2018- Performed “The Aluminus Goddess Show” production for Aluminus Entertainment
2018- Performed at the Spanish Film Festival
2018 & 2019- Performed at The Spot Festival
2019- Performing as a freelance dancer for leading groups in Sydney.