Artists
BEST OF THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY
BRINN NICOLE
A natural dancer, choreographer, and instructor. She has shared passion for all three. The art's emotional delivery is her true passion. Her vision is to spread this to the world of dance. She expresses is every class or performance the most powerful aspect of any artist is their emotional delivery. Due to her craft, she's had the good fortune to travel and perform with the following artists:
- Snoop Dogg 2 year World Tour
- Jay Sean Australian & Asian Tour
- Lil Wayne US Tour
- Pitbull Live Peformances – VH1 Divas Live, American Music Awards, Dancing With The Stars & X Factor
- Nick Cannon Music Videos – Dance Floor & Looking For A Dream
- Mike Posner Music Video – Looks Like Sex
- Jay Sean Live Peformances – Ellen Degeners & The Jay Leno Show
- Queen Latifah, Nicole Scherzinger, & many more.
JESSICA TRUJILLO
HECTOR INVICTUS LOPEZ
Hector Lopez, a native Bronxite, graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Theater Studies in 2012. It was there that he began dancing, pursuing it as his career shortly after his graduation. Since then Hector has worked as a professional dancer under the choreographic direction of Yanis Marshall, Kyle Hanagami, Ashle Dawson, Luam Keflezgy, Ramon Baynes, and Yvonne Marie-Sain . His credits to date include artists such as Halsey, Prince Royce, Pabllo Vittar, and Todrick Hall as well as industrial work with Samsung, Adidas, and Moncler. With the guidance of his mentors Hector has been able to transition into teaching. Over the past three years Hector has established himself as an educator in Street Jazz, Jazz Funk, and more specifically Heels Technique.
MICHELLE SAGHBINI
Having practiced dance from a young age, Michelle had the sting of teaching her passion almost 10 years ago. She taught hip hop, jazz funk and more recently heels. Her greatest interest in this art is performance. Indeed, she performed in several musical pieces such as Grease, Footloose and High School Musical in local events, in several showcases of regional competitions such as Reprezent, iDance and Hit the Floor and in festivals such as île Soniq and the cultural feast of Brossard. With this experience, she aspires dancers to find their own colors through dance as she continues to do every year.
MARLÈNE KATARY
A dancer, a teacher, a choreographer, a performer but more importantly a '’Dance lover". Originally from Benin, a West African country with a strong culture, she discovered her passion for dancing through performing, creating and exploring various styles. Being strongly rooted and dancing for so long not only helped her have a better understanding of her culture but also learn the value of knowing your body and the musicality. Her eagerness to learn allowed her to develop many other styles by adding to her dance education like street dance and Latin style. Her experience: - Videoclips such as Zaho featuring Sean Paul, - Yougn Paris, Koshens, Aiza and more. - Musical comedy In the heights - The chorus line
SONIA KYRIACOU
Sonia put herself on stage and “Choreographed My Life”, accomplishing her wildest dreams by taking one step at the time, with spontaneity. She launched her first studio in Montreal’s Rosemont-La-Petite neighborhood. Later on, a partnership with Salsatheque Club changed everything. She taught there and starting running dance competitions, held massive events, and made a name for myself in the Montreal Latin dance community. She soon grew her network and reputation. She began not only teaching across all dance levels but also coaching actors, notably the late Paul Walker and Penelope Cruz for the movie Noel. In 1999, she moved the studio to Peel St., in Montreal’s lively downtown core. she also took on more roles and responsibilities, making San Tropez Studio one of Canada’s most well-known Latin dance schools and producing The Montreal Salsa Convention now on its 17th year. Her philosophy of life is largely inspired by dance. We all have a dream we yearn to achieve, and we need to choreograph our every move to make it happen.
AFROVYBZ
Afrovybz Canada was founded as a dance crew in 2018 by Loïc Reyel. As time went on, Afrovybz Canada evolved into a multiethnic family with strong bonds whose members share the same passion and love for Afro dance. Our goal is to spread this love and positive energy to the fullest by sharing the beauty of Africa and its different dance styles and cultures around the globe. Through different initiatives, Afrovybz Canada aims to bring people together, regardless of where they are from, the colour of their skin and their religious beliefs. We believe that unity has the power to bring change to our world. All nations, one passion!
RAPHAEL MEURINE
Raphael Meurine was born in New Caledonia, a little French island next to Australia. Since his youngest age, he has been passionate about dance. He started by dancing hip hop with his friends at school. As his dance skills evolved, so did his dream of becoming a professional dancer. Unfortunately, there were few dance opportunities and possibilities if he stayed on his little island. Therefore he took the decision to move to Montreal, Canada. It was only then that he discovered what would now be his dance specialty; Latin. He fell in love with Bachata and Salsa. He has now been a Latin dance teacher in Montreal for 7 years. Threw out these years he has choreographed many routines, coached several dance troops, competed both nationally and internationally, all accompanied by his wonderful partner and assistant Sabrina Sammartino. Spreading and sharing his passion, dance.
MARTINE WÉROTTE
Martine is a long time dancer. At the age of nine, she joined folklore classes and specialized later in Balkans folklore. To complete her training, she studied classical and modern ballet. Later, as an adult, she pursued her ballet and jazz training for 6 years. Martine is an experienced professional bellydancer, having performed in nightclubs with live bands and on stage. She is regularly invited to share her expertise on radio or television shows (CBC Toronto, CJAD Montreal, Radio Centre-ville, CBC television, TVA, TQS, Canal Vie etc) and in magazines, such as Coup de Pouce, Clin d’œil, Santé, etc. ..Having trained numerous students, several have now become professional dancers or been awarded medals at dance competitions! She was also a guest instructor at international workshops (Canada and France) and participated in festivals and international conferences.
JANICK ARSENEAU
32 years old, from New Brunswick More than 25 years of experience in the world of dance Choreographer, teacher and dancer at the international level (New Zealand, United States, Canada and France, United Kingdom) Experienced, versatile and passionate Experience: Dancer residence show: Jennifer Lopez for over 4 years (Las Vegas) Shows: So You Think You Can Dance Canada (Top 4 - Season 3), America’s Best Dance Crew (season 7) and the voice Choreographer assistant: Cirque du Soleil (Michael Jackson: The Immortal Tour) Video: dinero, Ain’t Your Mama, El Anillo and Limitless Dancer: Ceelo Green, Def Leppard, Melissa Etherridge, Kelly Clarkson, Marie-Mai (Center Bell), The Rock, Kevin Hart, Hailee Steinfeld (Pitch Perfect), Rihanna (Vmas), Kanye West, Tyanna Taylor, DJ Khalid, Cardi B, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Jarule,… Films : Step Up 5: All in, Mirror Mirror FT. Julia Roberts Video games: Michael Jackson: The Experience
HEYMER ALVARADO
Heymer Alvarado started dancing at the age of 15 after being in sports teams. First starting with Cuban salsa style and then after being in national competitions he started training in ballet, contemporary, flamenco and hip hop styles at the school of 'Musa' in Venezuela. At the age of 18 Heymer was already dancing on tv with national famous singers and apart of big productions. At the age of 19 he got first place in worldwide salsa competition and had moved to Canada to continue keep training in dance. Some of his credentials include working with Ozuna, Mario Ruiz, Gloria trevi and Toronto artist Chantel Collado. Heymer is a full time instructor, choreographer owner of his own dance company continuing to bring his passion and inspiring new comers in the industry.
BRIANNA NICOLE - AURA MONTREAL
ADRI CHAVEZ
Adriana (Adri) Chavez is a versatile dancer born in Ecuador, and currently living in Toronto. Her career started at the age of 12 with ballroom dance becoming Ecuadorian Latin Champion and Pan-American Runner- up. She graduated with a Minor in Performing Arts, specializing in Modern Dance from San Francisco de Quito University. During college, she also did an exchange program at Boston University where she trained in Jazz, Contemporary and Impro. After graduating, she explored urban and commercial styles such as Heels, Jazz Funk and Hip Hop in Los Angeles, New York and Toronto. Her Latin roots combined with her international study of various techniques allowed her to develop a feminine style that is dynamic and strong. Her credits include The LGBTI Ecuadorian Parade, Boston University Aurola Borealis, Ecuador Salsa Congress, Argos A Team and others. Currently, she is exploring the fusion of different styles and she is taking her career to an international level—exposing Latin-American talent to new audiences.
DJ DRAKE
Sadrack Joseph alias DJ Drake has been in the world of Latin music and dance for over 15 years. Previously dancer and Competitor in Ballroom, he is now a teacher, dancer and dj in Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Reggeaton, and Afro Beat. His talent as a DJ has allowed him to play in the most popular evenings in the city center of Montreal, such as the Moka as a resident DJ and Bachata Invasion. He has also worked in close collaboration with other popular events such as Baila Con Gusto, the big studio of Laval, Kizz Me (Toronto), the Montreal Salsa Convention. He has developed his own musical style and is successful in bringing out that fire in the crowds!
DJ PICHON
MC CORNELL MANNINGS
One of the OG of the Salsa scene has been the official voice of the Montreal Salsa convention for the last 10 years and has been the chosen voice of congresses in Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa will be gracing us with his charm on the mike on Saturday night!
PHOTO DENIS BOISVERT
Denis Boisvert (a.k.a the Sniper)
is a Latin dance photographer recognized worldwide for more than 15 years, for his rapid figure captures with high precision added with a fantastical colour rendering that has become his trademark. You will enjoy his work, as so may others have, each time he delivers his art.
MISSY & ALEXANDER
Missy and Alexander are professional tango dancers located in Montreal. They have been dancing together for 2 years and work on several projects with the aim of developing the tango community in Montreal. They are semi-finalists in the television competition Revolution season 3. Missy has a dance experience for over 20 years. Alexander participated in several tango championships in Colombia, his country of origin, and he is the world champion of tango soloist in 2020.
DJ SINK - Kizomba
DJ Sink started his musical journey at the very young age of 5 years when he learned to play the piano. He has colaborated with many international artists in his musical carreer including DJ ZayX from Paris. His first kizomba instrumental tracks were a hit on his Soundcloud page and have since been featured in many mixes of DJs from around the world. He began to learn to mix music during kizomba socials in Montreal. His talent quickly attracted the attention of the dancing community and within one year, he became established as one of the best Montreal kizomba DJs. DJ Sink is now resident DJ in the Tuesday night socials Kiz Me tonight at Latin Groove Studios. He has been invited to mix in numerous festivals in Toronto, Chicago, Boston, Austin, Calgary, Quebec, Ottawa and many others, and is sought after by local as well as national event promoters. His talent and dedication to giving his personal best have propelled him to the top of the pyramid. The exclusivity of DJ Sink’s mixes and his inclusion of a variety of genres make him a public favourite in Montreal.
DJ JEAN NONEZ
The Heels team warmly welcomes our new artist to the roster of DJ's. Come and dance in good company and let your dancer come out with the rhythms of DJ Jean Nonez. Bachata and Salsa will be there as well as a friendly and authentic atmosphere! Don't miss it!