artist lineup
Panagiotis Aglamisis
& Myrto Misyri
Dancing together for already 17 years, the young salsa couple is known for their countless moves, impressive styling and outstanding, captivating and tricky turn patterns! Their unique dancing, full of fun, speed, styling and mambo madness, paired with an entertaining though highly professional way of teaching, paved them the way to many prestigious festivals in different parts of the world! A combination of fun, style, elegance, speed and pure salsa and mambo! Their style is already well known worldwide as #ondoostyle.
Together they run two salsa schools in Athens, Greece, SalsaDoo Dance School. Panagiotis and Myrto are the most famous Greek couple representing their country in congresses worldwide! They are performers, teachers, choreographers and, in past years, competitors with big winnings in their bio!
This powerduo is definitely a highly talented and ambitious couple taking the salsa NY style community by storm! Panagiotis attracts attention with his unique way of combining elements into the craziest and trickiest turn patterns one can imagine! Myrto is extremely gorgeous and drives men crazy with her extraordinary feminine styling and body movement!
Grupo Alafia
Grupo Alafia was born in the summer of 2008 in Parma, Italy. The group's primary goal has always been to create something original and new for the salsa audience, taking inspiration from Francesco's creativity and musical knowledge.
The summer of 2010 was a turning point for the Italian guys: the "Mi Pachanga" show received international recognition with a standing ovation at the New York Salsa Congress on September 5th 2010. Since then, Grupo Alafia has been invited to participate at the most renowned dance congresses in Europe and all around the world. By now they have been to events in more than 35 different countries! The group has achieved extraordinary success, also through funny and effective teaching techniques. In March, Francesco and Miko will teach at Bergen Mambo Weekend, finally bringing Grupo Alafia to Norway for the first time!
So ladies, get ready — the "Italian guys" are waiting to dance with you all night long!
Ilias Thermos & Sophia Safran
Ilias and Sophia are a mambo duo split between Athens and Frankfurt, dancing pure Salsa On2. Their style brings together clean fundamentals, musical interpretation, body movement, and the instincts of high-level social dancing. As performers and instructors, they focus on clarity, discipline, connection, and practical growth, helping dancers move beyond patterns and develop stronger timing, control, confidence, and expression. Their work combines the technical precision and presence of performance with the authenticity and adaptability of social dancing.
Ilias came to mambo in 2008, crossing over from b-boying into the up-tempo world of On2. He spent two years in Milan training under Adolfo Indacochea and dancing with the Latin Soul Dancers, and was part of Athens' La Secta Dance Company before building his own teaching practice. He is known across the scene for his strong fundamentals, his inventive shows, and a teaching method that has earned him a serious following.
Sophia is one of the best follow social dancers in the world. Based in Frankfurt, she has built her name on the way she moves on the floor: musical, expressive, grounded. Where you see her on the dancefloor, you will also see leads lining up to dance with her.
Fernando Lasso
& Margarita Skarlea
Margarita Skarlea and Fernando Lasso are international salsa dancers, instructors, and performers with the mission of bringing more dialogue to the dance floor.
Margarita, originally from Greece, has over 15 years of dance experience across contemporary dance, Latin ballroom, hip hop, and breakdance before fully dedicating herself to salsa. She is especially recognised for her fluid body movement, musicality, and strong awareness of movement and expression in dance.
Fernando began his journey in salsa as a social dancer while working in finance, before eventually leaving his career three years ago to pursue dance full time. Since then, he has travelled around the world to train, learn, and perform on many of Europe's major salsa stages, while staying deeply connected to the social dancing community. Fernando is the host of the podcast "Behind the Shines", which aims to raise discussion on topics that matter to improve and professionalise the salsa dance scene.
Together, Fernando and Margarita travel internationally, teaching workshops, performing, and sharing their passion for salsa culture. Beyond the stage, their mission is to encourage deeper connection in dance — with themselves, their partners, and the music — while helping create a safe and inspiring community where people can freely express themselves and fully experience the joy of social dancing.
Martina GojkoŠek & Ouissam Gouni
Ouissam Gouni and Martina Gojkošek are an international duo based between Paris and Ljubljana, regarded across Europe for their partnerwork and the way they teach together. Their dancing pairs a strong technical base with real expression, and they are good at making complex footwork and partnering feel approachable, whatever level you are at. You will also find them on the social floor, where their connection and musicality do the talking.
Ouissam is a familiar face on the social floors of Europe's big congresses, the kind of dancer who changes the energy of a room. His style is grounded but expressive, and in class he focuses on the things that actually make a dance feel good: musical phrasing, timing, and the natural give-and-take between two people.
Martina teaches with an eye for detail and a refined quality of movement. Alongside her salsa, she is a flexibility specialist with a stretching certification built for dancers, and that body awareness runs through everything she teaches — clean technique, but always with room to find your own expression. Between Ouissam's floorcraft and Martina's precision, their sessions tend to leave you with something you can use the same night.
Cao An Lê & Yimini Lo
Cao An Lê and Yimini Lo are a London-based dance duo who have joined forces to teach, perform, and grow the salsa community through their school, Soy Salsa. Individually, Yimini is one half of Las Mochis and Cao An is part of Mambros, and together they bring the experience from these groups into their joint work, combining musicality, connection, and social-floor expertise. Their classes and performances focus on building technique, expressive movement, and confidence, while creating an inclusive and supportive environment for dancers of all levels.
Cao An brings the technical rigour and performance experience he has gained with Mambros to his teaching, focusing on clarity, timing, and musical interpretation. He co-leads structured class progressions at Soy Salsa that help dancers develop consistency, body awareness, and confidence on the social floor. His instruction balances methodical detail with adaptability for dancers of all levels. Together with Yimini, Cao An makes sure their duo performances and classes stay engaging and closely connected to the wider dance community.
Yimini draws on her experience with Las Mochis to deliver classes and workshops that emphasise musical awareness, clean movement, and natural partner interaction. She helps students build confidence while exploring rhythm, style, and expressive choices in social dancing. Her approach builds strong fundamentals while encouraging personal flair. Yimini is a recognised figure in the London scene and actively contributes to community-building through events, workshops, and social dancing.
Adrian Stańko & Victoria Kozłowska
Adrian and Wiktoria are two of the most recognisable names on the Polish salsa scene, performing internationally and teaching out of Salsa Libre in Warsaw. Their dancing brings together years of experience, broad inspirations, smooth partnerwork, and sharp choreography. After a few years of performing with their student team, Mambo Circle, they recently premiered their first couple show together and are bringing it to international festival stages — Bergen among them.
Adrian Stańko is a self-described mambo maniac: a DJ, a collector and explorer of Latin music and culture, and a choreographer for salsa teams who perform internationally. He dances on international stages with the group Los Indestructibles and co-leads Mambo Circle in Warsaw, and he is the kind of dancer who will happily give a talk on the history of salsa. He has a real love of precise lead-and-follow technique — the thing that lets a dance feel just as good on the social floor as it does on stage.
Wiktoria Kozłowska has been dancing since she was twelve, and brings over 15 years of experience as an instructor, choreographer, and WADF judge. She holds multiple Polish championship titles in both pairs and solo, and has trained and performed in projects led by international names such as Adolfo Indacochea, Karel Flores, and Tania Cannarsa. Underneath all the technique is a dancer who simply loves to social dance — energetic, expressive, and visibly having fun every time she steps onto the floor.
Iselin Ruiz & Alexis Ruiz
Alexis Ruiz and Iselin Ruiz are a leading dance and music duo on the Nordic scene, known for their deep musicality, historical knowledge, and expressive movement. Based in Oslo, they bring together decades of professional experience across mambo, tap, and rhythm-based dance. Together they tour internationally to teach, lecture, and perform, with a strong focus on musical storytelling and tradition — they even compose their own music together.
Alexis Ruiz began dancing and playing instruments in early childhood in Antigua, Guatemala, learning at his mother's school and teaching salsa, mambo, and Latin percussion himself by the age of 12. After intensive training in Cuba and New York, he moved to Japan, where he opened a dance school, formed the Latin jazz sextet Foribale, and became a key ambassador for salsa, representing the country at congresses around the world. It was there that the name "Alexistyle" was given to him by the legendary Albert Torres. After settling in Norway, he shaped the country's mambo culture through his Salsa Roots lectures and Mambo Masterclasses, and in 2015 he founded Allure Mambo, Norway's first mambo dance company. Today he is a full-time professional dancer and musician, a multi-instrumentalist who has played with many of Norway's best salsa bands.
Iselin Ruiz started dancing at four and trained across many styles before finding her focus in tap. She is the founder of Allure Tap Company and the owner and director of A-custica, home to Norway's only dedicated tap school, Tickle Toes. With deep roots in the international tap community, she has taught, choreographed, and performed widely, and founded Tap Oslo, Norway's first international tap festival.
Abdati Laatigue
Abdati Laatigue is a salsa dancer based in Düsseldorf, Germany, known for his sharp precision and playful combinations on the social dance floor. He is appreciated for his smooth lead, his clarity, and the way he adapts to different partners and styles without missing a beat. His dancing is built on connection, timing, and a real feel for the music rather than technical display for its own sake.
Over the years he has performed and taught at international festivals across Europe, steadily building a strong reputation. You may recognise him from events such as Back 2 Mambo Prague and Live 2 Mambo Budapest, where his social dancing has been widely shared online. He has also taught here at Bergen Mambo Weekend before, and his grounded, approachable energy fits the festival well — he is the kind of dancer who balances structure and spontaneity, and makes a dance feel good whether you are watching it or in it.
Bjørn are therkelsen &
Ingeborg brøyn
Bjørn Are Therkelsen and Ingeborg Brøyn are prominent figures in the Norwegian salsa and mambo scene, known for their strong social dancing foundation and clear, grounded approach to teaching and performance. Now based in Oslo, they are active instructors and performers, regularly contributing to festivals and community events across the country. Together, they emphasize musical understanding, partner connection, and high-quality social dancing.
Bjørn Are Therkelsen began his dance journey in Trondheim during his studies and has since developed into one of the most recognized salsa dancers in Norway. He has trained extensively with Inwoo Choi in South Korea, an influence that is clearly reflected in his precision, musical timing, and structure. Bjørn Are has performed multiple times with Inwoo Choi’s team, Aura di Mambo, gaining strong international stage experience. His teaching is known for clarity, logic, and practical application to social dancing. Today, he continues to perform and teach at a high level and is widely respected for his consistency, depth, and control on the dance floor.
Ingeborg Brøyn started her dance journey in Bergen, where she also founded the dance school WeDance before later relocating to Oslo. She is known for her musical sensitivity, supportive teaching style, and ability to create a comfortable learning environment. Ingeborg brings a strong social focus to her dancing, emphasizing flow, ease, and genuine connection. She continues to develop through festivals and collaborations, contributing both as a dancer and community builder.
Today, Bjørn Are and Ingeborg perform together with Ladies and Gents of Oslo, who will also take the stage at Bergen Mambo Weekend, bringing their shared energy and experience back to Bergen.
Angie salsera
Angie Salsera is an Austrian dancer and instructor from Graz, known for her expertise in salsa, mambo, tango argentino, and kizomba. She has performed across Europe in salsa cubana and salsa clásica shows, including collaborations with Ernesto & Denisse Dancecompany in Mambo City 5 Star. Angie has played a key role in the Graz dance scene, co-organizing the GRAZy Festivals and teaching at events such as Black & White Congress, Magic Ljubljana, and A Gozar Greece.
Originally trained in Cuban salsa, rock ’n’ roll acrobatics, and ballroom (including Viennese waltz), she brings versatility and depth to her teaching. Her instruction emphasizes musicality, partner connection, and expressive movement, making complex rhythms accessible for dancers of all levels. Since 2023, she has also led the Dancer’s Wellbeing Workshop, supporting dancers’ movement health and longevity. At Bergen Mambo Weekend, Angie will host a special stretching session on Sunday, helping dancers relax, recover, and prepare for social dancing. Beyond the studio, she enjoys social dancing, traveling, and spending time in her garden, reflecting the balance she brings to both her life and teaching.
DJ lineup
DJ dmitri
Dmitri Matalka AKA DJ Dmitri is a Jordanian‑born DJ now based in Germany, widely respected for his music selection and ability to keep social floors full across global festivals and congresses. He first encountered salsa in 2002, which sparked his passion for collecting and sharing music, and soon after he began DJing professionally at social nights in Dubai and beyond. Over 16 years in the UAE made him a regular choice for major weekly socials before he transitioned to an international festival circuit.
Dmitri is known for blending classic tracks with contemporary favourites in sets that appeal directly to dancers, and his experience as a dancer himself gives him an intuitive sense of what keeps people moving. He is also a dedicated vinyl collector and has played in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. A frequent selection for events across the world, Dmitri brings thoughtful track choices and seamless mixing to every set he plays.
DJ Sezar
Sezar Dokic-Duran AKA DJ Sezar is a Turkey-born DJ now based in Oslo, Norway, with an international profile that spans festivals and social events across Europe and beyond. He began spinning vinyl as a teenager and, after exploring genres like hip-hop, R’n’B, trance, and house, he embraced salsa-related music around 2003 and steadily built his reputation from 2005 onward with gigs from Gothenburg to Warsaw and Zurich.
Sezar is appreciated for his ability to read a dance floor and deliver sets that keep people moving through varied selections and well-timed transitions. His approach is centered on playing for the collective energy of the event rather than personal preference, aiming always to connect the booth with the dancers below. He has been featured at major festivals and social nights throughout Europe, and his music roster often blends classic favourites with unexpected choices that keep the floor active. With years of DJing experience, Sezar brings both history and adaptability to his sets, making him a sought-after selection for events that prioritize engaging socials.
DJ Guachi Guaro
Torgeir Lilleskog, AKA DJ Guachi Guaro, is a Norway-based DJ known for his thoughtful sets and strong connection to social dancers. He is particularly recognized for bringing his extensive vinyl collection to events and for playing records the old-school way, adding a distinct character and warmth to his sets. His selections draw from classic favourites as well as lesser-played tracks, carefully chosen to support flow and variety throughout the night.
Guachi Guaro is a familiar name within Nordic dance communities and regularly plays at socials and festivals where musical quality is a priority. His DJ name references a well-known classic track, reflecting his appreciation for the music’s history and foundations. At Bergen Mambo Weekend, he brings both experience and vinyl-based selections that elevate the social dance experience.
DJ lasse
Lasse Grønning, AKA DJ Lasse is a long-standing figure in the Oslo salsa community, known for his consistency, musical curiosity, and strong connection to social dancers. For over 16 years, he has been the resident DJ every Monday at Mela in Oslo with Salsakompaniet, shaping the weekly social experience for generations of dancers.
Lasse is especially appreciated for introducing spicy tracks that many may not have heard before, which often become new favourites on the floor. He is not afraid to step outside familiar playlists and explore less expected selections. At the same time, his choices consistently align with what the dancers need in the moment. Lasse balances risk and awareness with precision, creating sets that feel fresh while still fully satisfying the crowd.
DJ minis
Ieva Minis Dadurkaite AKA DJ Minis began her DJ career in 2015 with a successful guest mix on the national radio show TropicalSoundclash. Since then, she has become a prominent figure in the salsa community, hosting “Lit Salsa Show” on World Salsa Radio, the only Lithuanian radio show dedicated to salsa music. She is also part of the CoBeatParty movement and is rapidly expanding her vinyl collection, playing records the old-school way.
Ieva is the owner of a salsa school in Lithuania and serves as director of the Vilnius Salsa Festival, running since 2007, where she combines her DJ experience with community-building. Her sets are known for their tender and graceful selections, covering the full spectrum of salsa music while keeping social dancers engaged and inspired. Whether spinning vinyl or digital tracks, DJ Minis balances familiar favourites with unique finds, creating musical journeys that appeal to dancers of all levels.
dj vikingo
Elias Oulie Huse AKA DJ Vikingo is a new dj in the salsa community. Originally from Oslo, Norway, he was introduced the salsa scene in 2022, when he was asked to be a founding member of Gents of Oslo. While studying music in high school, the djing aspect of the community fairly quickly caught his eye. And after moving to Bergen in 2023, Elias also began djing there. With one of Bergen Mambo Weekends organizers, Bjarte Mundal, he created Bergen Salsa Academy, a school that teached mambo for all levels. Here the focus is on social dancing and understanding the music.
One of Elias’ philosphies are «dance is music made corporal» meaning every move should come from the music. What is played should to some extent decide what the dance will be. If you are not dancing to the music, why is it playing? His sets are known for a wast mix of all styles within the salsa community. However, he also wants the people on the dance floor to broaden their horizon in the music world, so there will always be new introductions mixed in with classics played all over the world.
dj luis
Luis Gutierrez AKA DJ Luisis a Swiss‑based DJ and social dancer with a long history in the scene, first stepping into music selection and DJing more than two decades ago. He has been actively spinning music for social dancers since at least the early 2000s, blending classic favourites with contemporary tracks that keep dancers engaged and moving. His approach reflects both his experience as a dancer and his sensitivity to the floor, allowing him to craft sets that evolve with the mood of the room.
DJ Luis regularly plays at social nights and events across Europe, where his selections are appreciated for their flow and musical awareness. He is also a teacher and promoter of social dance culture, often combining his DJ work with educational and community initiatives. Known for balancing crowd‑pleasing tracks with thoughtful surprises, DJ Luis creates sets that appeal to dancers of all levels while maintaining a strong connection to the music and the floor.
dj Aguila
Are Smith-Meyer AKA DJ Aguila is an Oslo-based DJ and music selector known in the social dance community for his engaging music choices and ability to support lively social floors. He regularly DJs at weekly socials such as Monday Night with Salsakompaniet, where his selections help shape the vibe and energy of the event. Aguila’s sets balance familiar favourites with unexpected tracks, giving dancers new sounds to enjoy without losing flow.
His experience behind the booth reflects both a strong sense of pacing and responsiveness to the energy on the floor. Whether crafting an upbeat introduction or a smoothly evolving sequence, DJ Aguila focuses on musical continuity and crowd connection. He continues to build his presence within the scene as a reliable and crowd-aware DJ.