TEACHERS

Mailevis Ortega

Mailevis is bringin her radiant Cuban female energy to Yyteri also this year!

Mailevis has a diverse dance background: she started with ballet as a child and continued with Cuban dances. In addition, Mailevis has also studied circus arts. Mailevis has worked e.g. as a dancer at Cabaret Continental de Varadero.

Mailevis is an energetic dancer whose dashing and cheerful style makes the students give their best. For Mailevis, dance is not just a job, it's a passion, the meaning of life.

Carlos Correa

Carlos Correa

This mans smile lights up every dance floor! He has been brightening up the Finnish salsa scene for decades with his smile and professionalism. The first steps of salsa feel easy and comfortable in his guidance.

Carlos is one of the first salsa instructors in Finland. After three years in Finland, Carlos got to know Miguel Verdecia (founder of dance school Baila Baila), who offered him a place in his dance group. Carlos' always sunny appearance and clear style of teaching draw the studios full of students no matter where. Many come to his lessons regularly to learn more patterns in couple salsa and rueda.

At the West Coast Salsa Festival he will be teaching couple salsa and rueda.

Reynier Gómez

Last year Reynier visited the festival for the first time, and won the hearts of the festival attendees! Now this Turku based Cuban bundle of energy will join us again!

Reynier moved to Finland in 2008. He has been studying dancing at the famous Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba.

Reynier is an accurate and clear teacher without forgetting the fun! For Reynier, it is important that students learn the importance of music in dance from the very beginning.

You might also spot Reynier singing on stage with his band Grupo Kaney.

Yasser Sarría

Yasser is an energetic and fun teacher who's lessons are full of action! His style combines the power of Afro-Cuban dances and the dynamics of popular dance forms. He has been living and teaching in Helsinki already 15 years.

Yasser 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 at different festivals. He is a popular and loved teacher who's lessons are demanding but fun!

At the West Coast Salsa Festival Yasser will have couple salsa, reggaeton and bachata lessons.

Satu Annika & Roynet Perez

This Finnish-Cuban couples warm, friendly and encouraging style leads students deeper into the secrets of Salsa.

Roynet was born in Havana, where he also started his dance career in 2003. Like Reynier, he moved to Finland in 2008. In 2010, Roynet won the Salsa European Championships.

Satu has been dancing since she was a child, starting with hip-hop, later salsa took her heart completely. The background of Satu's elegant style is a strong technique and methodology that gives room for personal interpretation.

As teachers, Satu & Roynet want to give all their knowledge to the students and make Cuban dance art known in every corner of the world.

At festivals, this charismatic couple teaches e.g. couple salsa and kizomba.

Carita & Arto

Carita Koivula-Pukkila & Arto Hautamäki

Carita and Arto are bringing local color to the teaching staff of the festival. This sunny pair of dance teachers will surely make everyone enjoy the secrets of Salsa!

Both of their dance roots are in competitive dance. Carita only found dance in her life as an adult and since then not a day has passed without her dancing. Arto has been dancing and teaching salsa for about 16 years. He has made numerous dance trips to Cuba to learn and deepen his knowledge in Cuban salsa.