Meet Our Amazing Artists!
Aaron Damus
|
Born and raised in Miami, Aaron grew up surrounded by the influences of Afro-Caribbean culture. At 5 years old, he began his formal training in music, beginning with classical piano. Formal vocal training followed in his early teens and at 18, while a senior in prep school, Aaron became the youngest person to be hired as a professional chorister with the Florida Grand Opera. He spent 4 seasons with the FGO while studying music at the University of Miami, where he also began Cello performance studies.
Aaron moved to Boston at 22 to pursue a degree in Philosophy at Boston University. Soon thereafter he began taking dance more seriously and began formal training in afro-cuban rooted dances with Joel and Ana Massicot. He has spent more than 15 years training Salsa and Cha Cha, as well as the folkloric dances of Rumba and Orisha traditions. Aaron has performed on stages in 7 countries including at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Trois-Rivieres. He has been lucky enough to have performed under the stick of the Zubin Metha and Maestro Willie Waters, and has sung behind Luciano Pavarotti. As a principal dancer with Masacote Dance Company, he has performed with some of latin music's most popular and important artists including the legendary Orchestra Harlow of Fania, Ray de la Paz, Frankie Vasquez, Roberto Roena, Gilberto Santarosa, and Luis Miguel. |
Julissa Cruz, Latin Vintage Dance Company
Julissa Cruz has been training, teaching coaching and performing dance for over 20 years. Her genres include jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, modern, salsa and other Latin styles. She served as director of the Salsa Heat Professional dance company, for 4 years before venturing out on her own as a solo artist. She has performed and taught throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia on her own and with her Partner, Gordon Neil. She has done several collaborations with other world-renowned performers such as Ana Masacote, Melanie Castillo, Andy Cruz, Liz Becerra, Benjamin Cartagena and Troy Anthony. Julissa has competed as a Professional Salsa soloist at the World Salsa Summit placing 4th, and in same gender professional category with partner Melanie Castillo, as well as the Ladies large teams placing 1st.
In 2009, Julissa founded her dance company Latin Vintage in Richmond Virginia and hit the ground running, bringing more and more people into the joy of dancing. She started her popular event “Pura Vintage” in 2010, bringing in exceptional educators and performers to enrich the dance scene. She is passionate about the creation and development of dancers, as well as creating enthusiasts of the art and culture itself. Julissa continues to be inspired by the integrity of movement, and hopes to share this with others for years to come.
In 2009, Julissa founded her dance company Latin Vintage in Richmond Virginia and hit the ground running, bringing more and more people into the joy of dancing. She started her popular event “Pura Vintage” in 2010, bringing in exceptional educators and performers to enrich the dance scene. She is passionate about the creation and development of dancers, as well as creating enthusiasts of the art and culture itself. Julissa continues to be inspired by the integrity of movement, and hopes to share this with others for years to come.
Darlin & Keila, Art in Motion Latin Dance Company
Darlin Garcia is the founder and artistic director of Art In Motion Dance & Fitness, and the Art In Motion Latin Dance Company. Born in the Dominican Republic, this energetic dancer, performer, and instructor has gained recognition as one of the top male salsa dancers in the East Coast. With over twenty four years of experience, Darlin Garcia has taught and performed locally, nationally and internationally in countries like China, France, Panama, Ireland, Trinidad, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
Darlin is a 9x world champion in bachata, salsa and cha cha. He and his dance partner Keila Perez-Vega placed 1st in the world in the Professional Salsa On1 and Bachata Classic Divisions at the World Salsa Summit. He is also featured in the 'How Philly Moves' project where his 70ft image is displayed, alongside other talented artists, in a mural located by the Philadelphia Airport. Over the course of his career, he has developed creative techniques as illustrated in his sizzling and up-tempo choreographies. Darlin believes anyone can dance with proper training and dedication. It just takes you taking the first step.
Keila Pérez-Vega is a Puerto Rican, Philadelphia-based artist who earned her BFA from the University of the Arts in 2015. She has been a senior contemporary dance artist with Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers since 2016. As a social and competitive Latin dancer, Keila holds several world titles alongside her dance partner Darlin Garcia, including 1st place in Salsa On1 (2021) and 1st place in Bachata Classic (2023) at the Summit Championship. Outside of dance, Keila works behind the scenes in marketing and event coordination. She is the founder of Artsi, the Marketing and Events Director at Koresh Dance Company, a Marketing Associate for KYL/D, and a key organizer for the Liberty Dance Championship and the Philly Salsa & Bachata Congress.
Darlin is a 9x world champion in bachata, salsa and cha cha. He and his dance partner Keila Perez-Vega placed 1st in the world in the Professional Salsa On1 and Bachata Classic Divisions at the World Salsa Summit. He is also featured in the 'How Philly Moves' project where his 70ft image is displayed, alongside other talented artists, in a mural located by the Philadelphia Airport. Over the course of his career, he has developed creative techniques as illustrated in his sizzling and up-tempo choreographies. Darlin believes anyone can dance with proper training and dedication. It just takes you taking the first step.
Keila Pérez-Vega is a Puerto Rican, Philadelphia-based artist who earned her BFA from the University of the Arts in 2015. She has been a senior contemporary dance artist with Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers since 2016. As a social and competitive Latin dancer, Keila holds several world titles alongside her dance partner Darlin Garcia, including 1st place in Salsa On1 (2021) and 1st place in Bachata Classic (2023) at the Summit Championship. Outside of dance, Keila works behind the scenes in marketing and event coordination. She is the founder of Artsi, the Marketing and Events Director at Koresh Dance Company, a Marketing Associate for KYL/D, and a key organizer for the Liberty Dance Championship and the Philly Salsa & Bachata Congress.
Luis Santiago
Luis Santiago is a 2x World Champion Salsa and Bachata dancer. He grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. After winning the World Salsa Championship in 2015, his dance career moved him to New York City. He began teaching, performing and competing both at home and internationally. Luis was honored to represent Team USA at the 2017 World Games in Poland. In 2019, he secured a second world title with Huracan Dance Company.
Luis has coached and choreographed across the globe from Mexico to Japan. His favorite part about Latin dancing is developing connection through movement and helping his students grow.
DJ Julio Sabroso
Julio was born and raised in NYC where he was exposed to a wide spectrum of musical influences. After his move to NC in 2013, he quickly became one of the top DJ’s in the state’s Latin dance scene today. DJ Julio Sabroso is one of the founders of Latin Vibe Entertainment, hosting parties like Eleganza, Seduccion, The Salsa & Bachata Throw Down and Vinilo Rumba (an all Vinyl social). He can also be found spinning at parties like Mojito Night, Sabor Latino, Salsa & Bachata Affair, Aura Dance Studio Dance Social, as well as other out-of-state events where he is featured. His passion and focus for Latin music has driven him to become an avid music collector with hundreds of vinyl records. In addition to taking care of the perfect music to please the dancers, Julio takes pride in collaborating with event coordinators and vendors to ensure that events run smoothly, and that everyone is equipped with tools needed to have a great time. Genre of style and music specializing in: Salsa (and all genres that fall under the salsa umbrella), Bachata, Merengue, etc.