2026 ARTISTS
INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS
Hailing from South Korea, Inwoo Choi is an internationally acclaimed salsa artist, choreographer, and educator known for his precision, musicality, and powerful stage presence. As the leader and creative force behind multiple elite teams including Aura di Mambo and Impactor in Seoul, as well as Mambo del Mar in Busan, Inwoo continues to shape and inspire the Korean Latin dance scene through his leadership at Inwoo Latin School.
With a rich global journey, Inwoo has trained and performed across Europe and Asia, including studying DanceSport in the UK and salsa in Milan, Italy. A former Korean National Team member and 2014 IDO Korea Salsa Professional Champion, he has competed internationally and ranked among Korea’s top dancers. Beyond competitions, Inwoo has shared his artistry worldwide, teaching and performing across the USA, Japan, Australia, and more, while also choreographing for major musical productions and artists such as Ailee. His passion, experience, and creativity make him a truly world-class addition to the NZ Salsa Congress 2026 lineup.
Gonzalo Riquelme is an internationally celebrated salsa artist from Santiago, Chile, whose career is marked by an outstanding list of championship victories.
His accolades include multiple 1st Place titles at World, South American, and International competitions, such as World Salsa Team Shines Open (Eurosón Latino, Cancún 2025), World Salsa Team Shines Amateur (Eurosón Latino, Cancún 2025), South American Salsa Solista Professional (Chile 2024), South American Salsa Team Shines & Best Overall Score (Chile 2024), World Salsa Cabaret Group Champion (Cancún 2023), and International Chile Salsa Congress Soloist Champion (2018), establishing him as one of the most accomplished dancers in the Latin dance world today.
Beyond competition, Gonzalo is the director of Danson Academy, one of Chile’s leading dance institutions, and a highly respected instructor, choreographer, and international judge. With extensive training across the USA, Italy, and Cuba under some of the world’s top Latin dance masters, he brings a rich blend of technical mastery, musicality, and authentic Afro-Cuban influence. Having performed, taught, and judged globally, Gonzalo continues to inspire dancers worldwide and is an exceptional addition to the NZ Salsa Congress 2026 lineup.
Jarianny Valera is a highly accomplished professional salsa dancer, choreographer, and artistic director originally from Venezuela and now based in Chile. Her competitive career is highlighted by major international podium finishes, including 2nd Place at the World Salsa Contest (Soloist Professional, Uruguay 2024), alongside multiple 1st Place South American titles such as Salsa Soloist Professional (Chile 2025) and Team Shines Open (Chile 2024 & 2025). Her consistent success at both world and continental level firmly establishes her as one of the leading female Latin dancers in the region.
With a strong technical foundation across ballet, contemporary, folkloric, and Latin dance styles, Jarianny brings exceptional precision, elegance, and versatility to her dancing. As a key instructor at Danson Academy, she has developed a reputation for her refined technique, body movement, and styling, while continuing to perform and teach internationally at festivals and congresses. Her passion, artistry, and competitive excellence make her an outstanding addition to the NZ Salsa Congress 2026 lineup.
Winners of the Asian Open Bachata Jack & Jill 2024 as a couple, Daniel and Saren combine their unique backgrounds to create a powerful and distinctive dance style.
Saren, a Singapore-based dancer, instructor, and performer, brings a strong foundation in Classical Indian Dance and is a core member of BLDC Singapore. She has taught and performed internationally, and has been a finalist at the Jack & Jill at Sensual Week (Cádiz, Spain), as well as placing among the top competitors in multiple Jack & Jill competitions across Asia in recent years.
Daniel Camacho, from Ecuador, has over 20 years of experience in dance and is a multiple-time National, South American, and Latin American Ballroom Champion. He is also the 2024 & 2025 Asia Open Jack & Jill Bachata Champion and a semifinalist at the Bachata Social World Cup.
Together, they are building their own project - merging technique, musicality, and cultural influences - with the vision of becoming one of the leading bachata couples in Asia.
Hailing from Tokyo, Japan, Misaki is widely recognized as one of Asia’s top female salsa dancers, known for her captivating musicality, infectious energy, and uniquely expressive style. Since discovering salsa in 2011, she has rapidly risen to international acclaim, inspiring dancers around the world with her powerful performances and dynamic presence both on and off the stage.
Through workshops, shows, and appearances in music videos, Misaki continues to share her passion and artistry globally, connecting with audiences through her authenticity and love for the dance. Her ability to blend technique with emotion makes her a standout performer and an unforgettable experience for anyone who takes her class or watches her perform.
Samuel Funflow is an internationally renowned dancer, instructor, andchoreographer from Spain, celebrated for his incredible versatility and unmistakable style. Seamlessly blending Salsa, Bachata, Brazilian Zouk, and Urban Kizomba with elements of hip hop and urban movement, Samuel brings a fresh, dynamic energy to every performance. His dancing is expressive, musical, and story-driven, captivating audiences worldwide both on stage and on the social dance floor.
A passionate educator, Samuel is known for his structured yet fun teaching style, combining strong methodology with spontaneity and humour. As a co-founder of Diversidance, he is also a driving force in challenging traditional gender roles within dance, using his platform to create a more inclusive and expressive community. In 2023, he achieved global recognition by becoming World Salsa Champion (Improvisation Social Couple) at Salsanamá, solidifying his place among the world’s elite. Get ready to experience the energy, creativity, and “funflow” that make Samuel a standout artist at NZ Salsa Congress 2026.
Alex is an Australian dancer, coach, and choreographer with over 25 years of experience in performance and training. Renowned for his dynamic stage presence and exceptional musicality, he works internationally across salsa, bachata, and Argentine tango, with strong foundations in ballet and ballroom.
A former performer on Dancing with the Stars Australia and a pioneer in the same-sex dance movement, Alex brings a powerful focus on authenticity, connection, and musical interpretation to everything he does. As a highly respected coach, he has trained both Australian and international champions, and is known for his clear, structured teaching style that develops confident, expressive dancers. In addition to directing the Rumbia Festival of Latin Dance in Melbourne, Alex is also an international adjudicator, including at the Summit Championships—making him a standout figure in the global dance community.
Natasha is a New Zealand–born dancer celebrated for her versatility, artistry, and deeply expressive style. With a foundation in contemporary dance, she discovered her passion for salsa at just 10 years old, developing a unique movement quality rooted in musicality, connection, and emotion.
Having trained with world-class artists across New York, Italy, and Korea, Natasha has gone on to perform and compete internationally, earning both national and international titles in solo and duet divisions. Known for her authenticity and ability to connect through movement, she is passionate about inspiring others on and off the dance floor—making her an exciting and meaningful addition to the NZ Salsa Congress 2026 lineup.
Jaime Jesus and Mary Grace are internationally acclaimed Latin dance artists, performers, and educators, representing Uruguay and the Philippines and based in Sydney, Australia. With over two decades of experience inspiring dancers worldwide, they have become true icons in the global salsa community. Their electrifying performances have earned standing ovations at festivals, congresses, theatre stages, and social dance events across the world, captivating audiences with their precision, passion, and magnetic stage presence.
Known for their spectacular choreography, musical interpretation, and unforgettable energy, they create moments that resonate long after the music ends. Beyond the stage, Jaime and Mary Grace are masterful teachers who have guided thousands of dancers of all levels. Their workshops are dynamic, interactive, and transformative—blending technical excellence with cultural depth and real-world social dance experience. They are passionate about helping dancers build confidence, refine technique, and develop authentic connection, both with their partners and the music.
Their contributions to Latin dance have been recognised with awards across multiple countries, reflecting their impact and enduring influence on the global scene. Widely regarded as leaders in the industry, they continue to inspire, unite, and elevate dancers through their artistry, dedication, and love for Latin dance—making them an exceptional addition to the NZ Salsa Congress 2026 lineup.
