MARIO LUIS ALABI |
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Biography:Mario Luis has been teaching the "Popular Salsa-Merengue" class at Mission Cultural center for several years. Born in Santa Ana, El Salvador, Mario Luis went on to receive his Bachelor degree from University of Illinois at Carbondale. As a talented singer/author he offers melodies of Salsa, Meringue, Cumbia, Ballads, Pop and other rhythms on his 2 self-produced albums, "Un Poco de Todo" and "Fusion Total". Mario Luis maintain a huge performance repertoire and is currently the stage manager for Community Festivals sponsored by SAFEWAY. Mario Luis is the proud Father of National and International Salsa Dance Champions Junior and Emily. Class Description:Come and learn the hottest dance craze on this side of the border. A whole lot of Salsa with a touch of Meringue, this fun-filled class will teach you the basic steps needed to get you dancing. The instructor will provide guidance and handouts. Students of all ages need to bring enthusiasm and a desire to learn and have fun! |
BAY AREA BEATSHOP |
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Biography: Ko Wong-Horiuchi was born and raised in the Excelsior district of San Francisco. Together with Noah Frank they have a combined experience of 20+ years playing and producing music. After both Noah and Ko attended San Francisco School of the Arts High School they went on to study music in Boston at Berklee College of Music studying "Contemporary Production and Writing" and "Electronic Production and Design" respectively. Becoming immersed in creating and using alternative musical instruments/controllers to play music, designing custom software for music production, and programming synthesizers gave them a new outlook on production and music in general. After being awarded a grant and a sponsorship from software company Propellerhead in 2010, Ko started a music class for youth at the Community Music Center of Boston. Class Description: In this 8-week workshop, you will learn how to compose music by playing with Reason 6, Ableton Live, keyboards, samplers, synthesizers and computers. We also spend a lot of time playing together.
Here are some things you can expect to learn from the workshops: |
FERNANDO DESANJINES |
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Biography:Fernando DeSanjines, has been playing drums professionally for over 40 years. His first Brazilian teacher was Paulo Farias in his native La Paz -Bolivia. In 1986 Fernando joined the Bay Area "Escola Nova de Samba" where he studied and performed for several years with the extraordinary percussionist Chalo Eduardo, as well as other amazing Bay Area musicians such as Dennis Brougton, Michael Spiro, Claudio Amaral, Eddy Soleta, Kim Atkinson, Carolyn Brandy, Carlos Aceituno and the Great Brazilian Master George Rum Alabe. Class Description:Beginning to Intermediate. Instruments: Tamborim, ganza, ago go bell, pandeiro, surdos, caixa, reco-reco, repinique, timbal, congas and triangle. Some instruments available. Intermediate students encourage to bring their own instrument. The class has been performing for the MCCLA end of semester shows for the last four years. Everyone welcome! |
KERENSA DEMARS |
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Biography: Kerensa DeMars was captivated by the art of Flamenco while earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the San Francisco Art Institute. With a background in Tribal Style and Butoh dance, her passion for Flamenco led her to Madrid in 1997 where she caught the eye of the renowned world music group Radio Tarifa and toured with them as a featured dancer through 2003. In those six years she continued intensive Flamenco studies with some of Spain's foremost Flamenco artists including the great maestro Toni ‘El Pelao’. Upon returning to San Francisco in 2004 Kerensa became artistic director of the Flamenco Room, a weekly Flamenco show now in its eighth year. Kerensa has performed with Bay Area Flamenco companies including: Theatre Flamenco, Caminos Flamencos, Flamenco Live, Dance Ensemble, and she performed in the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. In 2010 Kerensa received a grant from the Azahar Dance Foundation to present ZAHARA, a fusion of Flamenco and Moroccan music and dance at the Cowell Theater and the Mountain View Center for Performing Arts. Click here to view her website.
Class Description:Beginning Flamenco Dance
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NORA DINZELBACHER |
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Biography:Nora Dinzelbacher received her Master of Dance degree at the National School of Dance, Buenos Aires. Upon graduation in 1973 she joined the Argentina Folk Ballet and was invited to form a dance partnership with the company's Artistic Director, Raul Dinzelbacher from whom she learned Tango and later married. Class Description:As a native of Argentina, it is Nora’s mission to share the Argentine culture through tango, one of the most romantic and elegant of the social dances. You’ll learn not only the steps, but also the history, music and etiquette of the dance form, and even some lumfardo (Argentine slang). The technique classes focus on exercises that will improve your balance, posture and style of Tango walking. Men and women will separate for one-hour, followed by half an hour of mixed dancing. You will learn everything from the very basics to the newest colgadas, volcadas and changes of direction. |
MAISA DUKE |
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Biography:Born in the America's capital of the African Diaspora, Salvador, Bahia Brazil and as far as she can remember, dancing is what she enjoyed most. She started entering and winning dance contests when her was 10 years old. she immigrated to the U.S. in 1998. she has been teaching dance for over 10 years at MCCLA and in USA. In 2000, she founded Energia do Samba Dance Company. and was crowned the Queen of S.F Carnaval in 2002. Her dream is to share Samba with the world. Class Description:In this class, students will combine the fundamentals of the traditional Brazilian samba dance with a full body workout. Students need only exercises clothes and jazz shoes. The Brazilian Samba Dance Workout technique, requires coordination of many body parts, plus it is rather fast. Yes Samba does require as much coordination of you body parts as posible. So here are some tips for brazilian samba basic technique. 1) Bouncing action is the key for samba basic characterization. Bouncing action is created from bending and straightening of the knees (and compression of ankles) and also raising and lowering of the heel in between the whole counts! If you want to burn a ridiculous amount of calories while learning how to dance samba like the fit girls in Brazil? Just in time for Carnaval S.F. So come to my Dance Classes in San.Francisco/Oakland and l will be teach you the real Brazilian Samba "no pe" technique and authentic Samba choreography. Samba no pé (literally "samba on your feet") is a high energy dance style that is the most common samba style in Brazil. It is a solo dance that moves with the beat of the bateria drums. This is sure to be the most fun you will have ever experience. Just come a try it out! a great workout!!
Class Schedule: Class instruction is bilingual (Portugues, English and Spanish) Website: www.energiadosamba.com |
GUSTAVO MORA |
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Biography:Gustavo Mora was born in Mexico. He studied Studio Arts at the Institute of Visual Arts in Puebla, Mexico. His work is based on his drawing practice and is applied to different techniques in intaglio, relief and painting. His latest series of prints include Luz Transeúnte (2009) and Halógeno (2011), made in woodcut with color. Gustavo’s work has been exhibited in Mexico, the United States, and Japan among other places. In 2009, he won honorary mention in the First Biennial of Mexican Contemporary Prints at the National Museum of the Stamp in Mexico City. He has been a member of the California Society of Printmakers since 2008. More information about his work can be found on his website www.gustavomora.weebly.com
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BRENDA PERDUE |
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Biography: Brenda Perdue has strong passion as a Zumba Instructor, since she was raised with Salvatrucha Savor (flavor) and Culture by her family expression of strength and happiness through music & dance. Dancing all her life: shows for every family event (since able to walk), St. Kevin’s Church in SF cultural celebrations such as Salvador del Mundo & Cinco de Mayo, through her education at SF State University (9 years) has danced with profound instructors such as Malonga (African Dance Experience) and Alberta Rose (Afro-Haitian). Zumba filled her heart wide open at a time when she needed support in health after neglecting herself as a mother of 3 for about 10 years. Through embracement of the Zumba Program, she is living proof of the psychological benefits such as: dancing away stress, making people feel good about themselves (self-esteem/self/confidence/self-image), re-energizing the mind/body, creating clarity/focus, which it motivates individuals to have ambition to return and thus begin to obtain physical benefits like weight loss! Questions: Brendazumbaparty@gmail.com or (415) 756-1640. Class Description: Brenda’s Zumba Party Brenda’s Zumba/ZumbAtomic/Toning Party provides the combination of dance lessons and fitness with an array of music cultures and rhythms that fluctuate such as Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha, Mambo, Rumba, Cumbia, Bachata, Soca, Samba, Hip Hop & Reggaeton, as well as international styles of dance like Belly Dancing, Flamenco, Tango, Bollywood and African techniques such as Afro-Haitian & Dunham. Brenda’s teaching methods are bilingual and cover 2 levels consecutively so that one may choose their workout within their own needs (will help beginners before or after class) as I point out when moments are crucial to squeeze abs, gluts, and other specific muscle groups. Intensity one is movement without bouncing or having to hop thus allowing more focus on tightening areas of the body or allowing dance to be easier for those with previous injuries or health concerns. Intensity two is with more cardio that involves an added bounce or hop for more advanced endurance levels or release of endorphins. Warm up prepares the body for dance, while the cool down has low tempo Zumba followed by the combination of Light Boot Camp, Yoga, & Pilates for an even greater maximum outcome of body strength, toning and normal heart rate. Class Description: Brenda’s ZumbAtomic Party 4Kids ZumbAtomic follows the same basic teaching methods and rhythms of my adult Zumba classes; however the children are educated in what the rhythms are classed and their origins/countries. Also, music is stopped so that the instructor can teach the kids how to move to the different rhythms as well as the different routines. This class is also a great way for your child to develop a healthy life style through socialization, individuality, confidence, leadership, respect, teamwork, and overall fitness through dance. ZumbAtomic also improves learning capabilities according to research experts. The children are also invited to perform throughout the year for events such as Sunday Streets, MCCLA End of Semester Show, SFPD and school fundraisers, etc.
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LOUIE ROMERO |
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Biography:Latin percussion legend Louie Romero first came to salsa fan’s attention on recordings with Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, Ruben Blades, Celia Cruz and on dozen’s of other classic Fania record releases. Now living in San Francisco, Romero leads Grupo Mazacote, one of the areas most respected Salsa and Latin Jazz ensembles. He and his group just released an album, Timbalero. Class Description:Basic Latin percussion is a class based on the fundamentals of playing congas, bongos, timbales, maracas, claves and guiro. Students must bring his or her own instruments to class.
Class Schedule: Website: www.louieromero.com |
OMAR VAZQUEZ |
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Biography:Professional Ballet Dancer and Choreographer. Graduated of Cuban National Ballet School, in 1978. Grand Prix in the International Ballet Competition, Varna, Bulgaria in 1979.Trained in Saint Petersburg, Russia until 1985. Worked with some many ballet companies of world as soloist and guess Dancer and played some many important rolls. In 1989 get bachelor degree diploma in Ballet and Choreography direction in The Superior Institute of Art, Habana, Cuba. Ballet teacher and ballet Master for some many years. Class Description:Classes are divided into two sections. The first consists of physical training which will help the student strengthen the muscle groups necessary for ballet. The second section focuses more on academic technique, or the actual steps and positions of the dance form. The class primarily focuses on positions of the hands, feet, legs and head. In more advanced levels, students will learn turns and jumps through impersonation and other visual instruction. Please bring: a leotard and ballet slippers. For women with long hair: please wear it up and in a tight bun.
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