Welcome to SalsaGGGWorld.com

The Lowdown about the Salsa GGGs

A lot of the salsa people ask us who we are and/or how we came together. In a nutshell, we came together sometime in September 2008 on a Wednesday night in Marlowe's in Richmond Hill. We were hanging out and dancing in salsa clubs for about a month and we decided to come up with a name for ourselves, since we're either the first or one of the first salsa trios who are social dancers in Toronto. The first name that was suggested really didn't fit with who we are so I slept on it. One day I was listening to an old Snoop Dogg song called 'Nuttin but a G thang' and then it hit me: The Salsa GGGs. I added the three GGGs because we are a trio. A month and a half later, the facebook group was created and I already had the idea of doing the website at that time. While we went out to the salsa hotspots, I started to take pics and share our experiences with the salsa people. Then I started to send weekly updates on what was going on in the salsa scene. Now it's being done daily. Recently, I started a weekly column on salsato.ca called GGG runnings. To date, there are twelve executive members, each with their own unique talents and personalities and the Facebook group has 400 members, all of them from all walks of life. In a nutshell, the Salsa GGGs are all about unity in the salsa scene. We salute and give props to everyone who has contributed to the salsa scene in Toronto and the world. We salute the promoters, schools, performers, teachers, vendors, tv and radio media, choreographers, and all the social dancers who keep the scene alive in Toronto and the world. Now it's the Salsa GGGs turn to make our contribution and 2009 will be the year of 'BIG TINGS'. We thank everyone for the support you've given us and we look forward to seeing you on the dance floor.

The Salsa GGGs

	Tyrone Sterling (aka Mista T Dot) A friend of mine from Ottawa introduced me to salsa back in 2002. When I came back to Toronto, I started learning the cuban style. Of course, I was in it for the ladies at first. I was dancing in the clubs for 2 years but I wasn't as serious back then as I am now. I took a break in 2004 and in 2006, I decided to go to Acrobat to see if I still have it. With my very limited repetoire, I found out that evening I needed to take lessons again. So, I ended up taking lesson with Toronto Dance Salsa. A year later, I completed all levels and became a helper for 2 years. The addiction and love I have for the art started to grow and it came full cirlce in 2008 with formation of the Salsa GGGs. My biggest thrills were performing at the Ifreestyle X-mas party with my fellow TDS compadres, competing at the second annual TDS amateur competition and not only meeting Leon Rose but doing an interview with him for the column known as GGG runnings. Along with running the Salsa GGGs website, I'm currently affiliated with the first school serving the east side known as Flow N Motion. As a teacher, I get to introduce the art to a new generation and to others who are not familiar with the art but want to learn. I have also embarked on another journey as a DJ under the guidance of the infamous DJ Duck! I have DJed at Alleycatz on Monday nights, Errol's salsa parties, and at the official Salsa GGG I and I parties. I'm mos def looking foward to seeing where salsa takes me next. Holla back at ya boy, salsa people!

	Rob (aka DJ Duck) Rob’s first salsa experience was in 2006 at El Rancho. He decided to give it a try even though he was a little nervous because he would have to lead. It wasn’t love at first “dance”, but his two good friends Sorubi and Lareina, convinced him to take lessons at Toronto Dance Salsa in September 2007; and this is when our beloved DJ Duck got HOOKED!!! Ever since then DJ Duck has been an avid member of the Toronto Salsa scene; not only as a dancer but also as a DJ. In late 2007, Sharon Galor asked him to DJ a TDS outing at Peridot lounge. DJ Duck is a seasoned professional, both as a DJ and producer, but salsa was definitely new to his repertoire. He quickly learned about this genre with help from his bros DJ Brainstorm (Brian Maloney) and DJ Suave (Jimmy Suave). Even though it was a lot of work and a steep learning curve, he enjoyed this new experience. The percussion, horns and melodies enthralled him and since then he has DJed at several TDS outings and at El Rancho. He has also produced special salsa mixes for world renowned salsa personalities Alex Da Silva (instructor and choreographer featured on So You Think You Can Dance) and our own Oscar Naranjo (dancer, instructor and choreographer) and Lucky Sipin (dancer, instructor and choreographer). You can listen to some of DJ Duck’s Latin mixes at: http://www.torontodancesalsa.ca/Latin-Rhythms/ AND http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=5550538150&ref=ts DJ Duck is now a SALSAHOLIC who can tear it up on the dance floor and on the turntables. His love and passion for salsa have made him a common sight at Toronto salsa clubs. It was this that led him to join forces with Tyrone Sterling and Miguel Gutierrez and together they formed the Salsa GGGs; a group whose goal is to spread the love and passion for salsa to as many people as possible.

Miguel aka Migz	Coming Soon

and our extended family

Coco aka Coco-cola	Coming Soon

	Michael K. Santiago (Classic K) An avid breakdancer as a teen, Michael finally explored beyond the urban scope and discovered salsa in 2001 after finding himself at a salsa club in downtown Toronto. A quick blink of an eye, and club lessons soon followed. In 2002, he joined Soul2Sole Latin Dance Company, quickly progressing and performing for the school. In 2003, he began taking lessons with Paula & Jose of Dance To Live, and experienced his first of many congresses, attending the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress that summer. During this time, he stepped it up a notched and started training with one of Toronto's most sought-after salsa icons, Teddy Olaso of United Salseros. In late 2003, Michael successfully auditioned to become one of the original dancers for Mark-Anthony & Stephanie Gurnon's MamboTribe Salsa Dance Company. He travelled with MamboTribe to the Boston Salsa Congress, and in February 2004, performed at his first ever congress at the Chicago Int'l Salsa Congress. His dancing has always been described by many as smooth and graceful; a very easy lead to follow and dance with. Michael continued to dance before taking a break from salsa to do some re-training in hip hop, wanting to make sure his love for poppin’ and lockin’ was still intact. (Ah, not so much! As years pass on by, the body doesn't like to move the way it did as a teen!) So voila, in 2008, he returned to the salsa scene, after running into an old skool friend and fellow DJ from back in the U of T days - Rob, aka DJ Duck, who in turn introduced him to the Salsa GGGs.

	Tracie (T-Mack) A diverse dance artist, Tracie grew up in Winnipeg, MB and began dancing and performing at an early age with Chinese folk dance, jazz and ballet. Living in Toronto since 2002, Tracie has established herself as a dedicated and enthusiastic dance and dance fitness instructor, teaching On-1 ‘L.A. Style’ Salsa and ‘Zumba Fitness’ and other aerobic Dance Cardio styles at various fitness facilities throughout the GTA. Tracie has also established herself as a creative, dedicated and energetic dance performer and choreographer, making appearances on numerous Toronto stages in a variety of dance genres, ranging from cabaret style jazz to Salsa to Brazilian. She is currently a performing member of The Dance Migration. Now fully dedicating her life and time to dance, Tracie believes that for a dance artist the learning never stops. She continues to hone her skills by training with some of the top dance and movement instructors in Toronto, Los Angeles, Brazil and Argentina, in various disciplines including Latin, Northeastern Brazilian Folkoric, Afro-Brazilian, Capoeira and Argentine Tango. www.traciedance.com

	Manuel (Manny Fresh) Manuel has been dancing ever since he came out of his mother womb. He started salsa dancing at the age of 15 in Den Haag Holland, Europe. Manuel has training in other dance disciplines such as Ballroom and Latin dancing. He also has an extensive training of Hip-Hop, African dance, Capoeira to name few. Joined Salsa Dance Squad Team where he was coached by Gabi Mambi (Matanza). Moved to Canada in 2004 and became a member and an Instructor at the Mas Mambo Dance Company and tough for several Schools in the Toronto regions. Founded the Dsantos Dance (were the Music is translated to body motion). Manuel Dos Santos travels the world to perform and teach. He has participated at the “2008 So You Think You Can Dance Canada”. For more information about Manuel and his dance company (DSantos) click here.

	John K (Johnny D) He's the official photographer for the Salsa GGGs. His unique personality and charm as well as his unique dancing skill make him a welcome addition. He's been in the salsa scene (on and off) for 8 years and has been a photographer for 18 years. His biggest enjoyment is capturing people on film having the time of their lives whether be dancing, special events, or just everyday moments. If you would like to view John's pics, check out this link.

Christina (name yet to be determined)	Coming Soon

	Carolina Amendola (Scorch) Carolina cannot remember a time when she was not dancing or carried away by music. She has studied classical piano, ballet, jazz, hip hop, flamenco and swing dancing. Her passion for salsa started many years ago in Cuba, when she was on holiday and took some salsa classes unexpectedly. She felt the powerful sensuality of the music and was immediately drawn in. Upon returning to Canada, she never lost her interest in salsa and finally decided to take formal classes on her own. The more she studied, the more her passion for the dance grew. Carolina started dancing salsa On1 and after moving through the various levels of instruction, started volunteering to help her teacher with group classes. She decided to take her dancing to the next level by enrolling in a performance class and was totally excited by the experience of performing a uniquely musical salsa routine. An avid runner and fitness nut, Carolina loves the athleticism of salsa choreography. She made the transition to dancing On2 and is continuing to teach and perform to enhance her skills. Carolina has attended salsa congresses all over the world to develop her style and technique with many internationally acclaimed teachers and cannot wait to see where her love for salsa takes her next!

	Karen Di Monte (K-Pax) Karen was born and raised in Toronto. She always had a fascination for Latin dancing, but never had any formal training. In 2008, while studying law overseas in England, she enrolled in Cuban salsa lessons and was instantly hooked! Upon returning to Toronto in June 2008, Karen began taking salsa and tango lessons at Toronto Dance Salsa. Since then, she has developed passion for salsa and loves having fun on the dance floor. She continues to seek new and creative ways to improve her dancing skills and technique while attending various workshops, congresses, socials and clubs.

	Deniz (D-Nice) Deniz has been singing and dancing since 10 years old, she was taking vocal classes , singing at school choir also playing instruments and loved becoming a member of the theatre groups. Deniz also writes her own music and enjoys singing in different languages , she is currently working on an album called 'Fly With You', you can checkout her MySpace profile here. Deniz's first dancing performance was at CulturelLink Theatre Group, Humber College, George Brown (Latin Line Dance) by Rhoda Lai and L.C.I. also performed at Broadway Show. She began Salsa dancing 5 years ago taking lessons from Giovanni Torres, plenty workshops and practices. While she worked at Arthur Murray Franchised Dance Studio and had American Ballroom Training and started teaching as an instructor she has taken dance sessions from Nick Kosovic and still giving part time Ballroom Dance Lessons independently. Deniz is currently dancing for Los Salsomanos, performing and traveling to many places enjoys being on stage. Deniz says Dance and music is her being.