BAILA BAILA INSTRUCTORS

San Miguel

San Miguel began teaching salsa in Helsinki when he moved to Finland in 1992. The following year he founded the first salsa dance school in Finland, Baila Baila. He has taught and performed all over Finland, as well as elsewhere in Europe in numerous events and festivals. In 2001 and 2004 he won the Nordic salsa championship, and the Finnish salsa championship in 2004.  San Miguel is an experienced and esteemed instructor, and his lessons are fun and challenging.

Carlos Correa

After three years in Finland, Carlos got to know Miguel, who offered him a place in his dance group. Carlos has been in Baila Baila almost since the beginning of the dance school. Carlos' always sunny demeanour and clear style of teaching draw the halls of Baila full of students. Many come to his lessons regularly to seek help in the couple salsa and rueda patterns. He is also an extremely popular and sought after instructor elsewhere in Finland, and in Europe as well.

Soila Sarría

Soila Sarría has studied dance since the age of 6. She has passed several courses in New York, Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Mali, studying e.g. modern dance, jazz, afro, and Cuban dances. She graduated as a dance pedagogue from Turku Arts Academy in 1998. Soila has taught Cuban salsa since 1998. She has also performed and taught in different events and festivals all over Europe. Soila has twice won the Nordic salsa championship, and Finnish championship in 2004 with Miguel. Soila is an energetic, demanding, and also patient instructor, who manages to make her students surpass themselves and gain great results.

Yasser Sarría

Yasser Sarria Terry graduated as a dance instructor and professional dancer in 1993 (Escuela Profesional de Arte, EPA), and has also earned diplomas in folklore and popular dances in 1997 (Instituto Superior de Arte, ISA). Yasser has danced in numerous show groups in Cuba, and has also won awards in international competitions. In addition, he has both taught and performed all over Europe in different festivals.  He is an energetic and fun instructor and performer loved by the audience. His style combines the power of Afro-Cuban dances, and a dynamic atmosphere of popular dance forms.

Riikka Karvinen

Riikka Karvinen has danced salsa intensively at Baila Baila since January 2006. In 2007, she began teaching salsa, and has also worked at Dance Team International teaching salsa to teenagers. Riikka has danced in Baila Baila's dance group Compañia de Danza Baila Baila since 2008, and she has taught and performed a lot in different events. When she was younger Riikka also danced ballet at dance school Raatikko, but according to her, nothing beats Cuban salsa, it stole her heart. As particularly important, Riikka regards feminine movement in her own dancing, and in her lessons.

Patricio Deuma

Patricio Deuma is from Chile, where he has danced salsa for about ten years. In Finland, he has taught several years, and specialises in particular in teaching LA style. Patricio is a very popular an well liked instructor, and he is also an accomplished choreographer, and a highly sought after performer.

Yusleyby Stoker Fernandez

Yusleyby Stoker Fernandez graduated from Profesional de Arte in 2000 and she specialised in tradional Cuban dances. Yusleyby has been teaching tradional Cuban dances in Escuela de Intructores de Arte (eia) in Villa Clara. In 2001 she was chosen as a dancer to Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba and became a solo dancer. Yusleyby has participated in several international tours, festivals and cultural exchanges: she has been performing and co-working for example with Adalberto Alvarez, Polo Montanez and Haila. She has been in a tour with Manolito Simonet y su Trabucco all over the world. Yusleyby represented Cuba in a show called "Bulla" with the Canadian dancegroup DecidedlyJazz, and it got good reviews and lots of fame. Yusleyby has also been performing in several national tours in Cuba, for example in Conjunto Folklorico Nacional's 45th anniversary tour, where she was honoured to perform choreographs by famous Cuban choreographers Santiago Alfonso, Liz Alfonso, Rolandolsidro and Dany Villalonga. In autumn Yusleyby will teach reggaeton, salsarumba, showsalsa and body control for advanced levels in Baila Baila.

Guillermo Sarduy

Greatly appreciated at Baila Baila Salsafestival, top dancer Guillermo Diaz joins our crew! Guillermo Diaz Sarduy is a Cuban professional dancer, who currently teaches at dance school Vanha Havanna. Guillermo started studying dancing since he was just a child. He also studied in school of arts called EPA (Escuela Profesional de Arte) and got the highest score at ISA (Instituto Superior de Arte) school of arts' try-outs. Guillermo was employed to Folklórico, where he became one of the most important dancers (Solista Principal). Guillermo dancing skills include almost everything between ballet, contemporary and African dances. Besides dancing Guillermo plays and sings rumba and yoruba. In autumn Guillermo will teach salsa, son, afrocuban and cuban contemporary for advanced levels in Baila Baila.

Kari Taura

Kari Taura is one of the most experienced Finnish dancers of couple salsa. He was first introduced to salsa at the end of 1990s in Tampere. Kari has danced under the supervision of the best Cuban instructors in Finland for several years, and has also supplemented his studies in Cuba. His education is MBA. In his dance lessons, Kari emphasises good control of the basics, and the joy of dance. In every lesson, you repeat what was learnt earlier, and continue to new challenges based on that. Special attention is paid to the details of leading and following in couple salsa, so that dancing becomes enjoyable, fun, and stylish!

Rosi Brook

Rosi Brook graduated from the Centro de Superación para la Cultura de la Habana centre as a performing professional dancer. She has work as a dancer for six years, for example, in several hotels and Cuban carnivals, and she has been a member of several performing groups. Rosi is one of Havana's most popular dancers of Afro-Cuban rumba, and is a highly sought after dancing partner in the Cuban rumba events populated by top dancers. In connection with dance school Casa Ochu, Rosi has her own performing group Grupo Aché, and she is responsible for its coaching, choreographies, and wardrobe. Rosi is a very sought after and popular instructor, whose skilful teaching style frequently receives commendations.

Frank Bueno

Frank studied and gratuated in Centro de Superción para la Cultura Habana as a professional dancer. He worked in several dance companies in Havanna, Cuba, before he started to teach in Finland in 2009. He participated with Alberte Abare's rueda de casino group in Cuba disco competition in 2006 and won it.  Also in 2007 Frank won Pernesco al projector rueda de casino competition with his Moncada group. Frank knows  salsa, chacha, reggaeton, mambo, bachata, rueda de casino, timba, merenque, son and zumba! Frank is a cheerful, hilarious and absorbing teacher!