JAM'NASTICS Dance Company

Salsa Encendida The JAM'NASTICS Latin Dance Company - the first Salsa Dance Company in Boston - was started in 1997 by Anara Frank, after a unique cultural exchange with the Conjunto Folclorico Nacional de Cuba. (Prior to that time, JAM'NASTICS Performance Teams of all ages performed salsa, merengue and other styles of Latin Dance intermingled with their hip hop and acrobatics routines). During the Boston leg of the Cultural Exchange, a small group of dancers began to perform La Rueda de Casino, with the dancers from the Conjunto Folclorico, in clubs and special events around Boston. When the Cultural Exchange was over, that small group continued performing, and eventually became the JAM'NASTICS Latin Dance Company. By 1999, the Company had grown and diversified and was performing frequently, with choreographed routines as well as the improvised Rueda de Casino. With interactive mixes of salsa, cha cha cha, rueda, merengue and bachata, they wowed the crowds with their amazing precision and creative choreography. By 2000, they were well-known through out the Boston area, performing regularly at festivals, night clubs, gala benefits, colleges and private parties.

The Company performed with the Grammy-winning Cuban band, Los Van Van, and was featured in the La Mega Knockout Concert with Oro Solido, Johnny Rivera and many others. They were also showcased on the TV show, Caliente. The Company has been through many transformations over the years, and has been blessed by the talents of more than 60 wonderful dancers. The guiding force behind the Company has been our collective love of salsa and our desire to share it with others. What has held us together is our belief in the mission of JAM'NASTICS - to build community, celebrate diversity and affect positive change‹and our desire to bring the mission to life through Latin Dance. The dancers have always been proud to support, contribute to, and participate in JAM'NASTICS' work in the community, inspiring and providing services to inner city youth, their families, and JAM'NASTICS salsa students. Today, "Salsa Encendida," the JAM'NASTICS Latin Dance Company, is led by Ana Tinajero, Andres Giraldo and Anara Frank. The Company is known for the way they "play" with the music, their attention to detail and their smooth and elegant flair.

Whether they dance on 1, on 2, on clave or contra-clave (Cuban style), their unique style always captivates the audience. They have performed at the Boston Salsa Congress and numerous other events. Often called on to "get the party started," the dancers are known for their friendly, out-going manner, and their ability to bring new people onto the dance floor. Many of Boston's top instructors have been in the Company over the years including Ana Tinajero, Andres Giraldo, Sammy Lopez, Javier Salort, Johnny Giraldo among others. We have had the great fortune to collaborate on a variety of projects with many fabulous dancers and organizations including April Genovese, Jorge Arce, Hacha y Machete, Hips on Fire, Salsa Boston, and the list goes on! We are thankful to be surrounded with such a wonderful group of friends in the Boston Salsa Community.

Members (in alphabetical order): Romina Bustillo, Alper Celen, Eileen Depakikibo, Cyrus Duggar, Laetitia Garcin, Andres Giraldo, Michael Goldstein, Lori Kuszewski, Dorcas Liriano, Murat Sahin, Rebecca Sargent, Katie Seamans, Mila Thigpen, Ana Tinajero, Susanna Walter, Merle Williams, Engels Valenzuela, Andres Vargas