School Faculty

Anthony Auffret - Athlone, Kilkenny, Sligo

Anthony was born in Brittany, France, where he started dancing at an early age. His first dance steps were taken in Fest Noz (traditional dancing).

By the age of 13 Anthony decided it was time to rebel and learn something "cooler" so he went on to learning Le Rock.

In 1999 Anthony discovered Salsa and got hooked. In 2001 he travelled to Latin America and gained a better understanding of the roots and the culture behind the dance. That same year he started competing with his partner Coral Perez Garcia.

In 2002 they represented Ireland as semi-finalists in the World Salsa Championships in Miami. Anthony created SalsaNation dance company in 2002.

He teaches L.A. style. He beleives that as a Salsa teachers is primary mission is to convey his love of the music and dance. The learning process should always be fun.

web: www.salsanation.net

Marchant was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. He has been living in England since 2000. Trained from an early age in Ballroom and Latin American, he is a much sought after performer and teacher both in the UK and internationally. Marchant has acheive success with a number of different dance partners over the years. He was winner of the Best UK Dance Act award at the UK Salsa Congress 2006 with his then partner Miriam Oppel. His 'Take Five' show also received high acclaim from the mambo king himself, Eddie Torres. At the UK Congress 2007 he received an award of recognition for his contribution to salsa and for raising the standard of teaching in the UK.

As well as founding the dance company, Marchant also started the Alchemy Dance Academy in 2006 which provides the opportunity for the general salsa public to improve their dancing by way of the Alchemy method of dance training. It is pioneering the Alchemy Way that is now Marchant’s main focus with his partner Davina. The most recent development being the release of their first instructional DVD ’Alchemy Way Partnerwork’.

Click for Marchant’s full bio

DAVINA is Marchant’s dance partner for solo couple shows, and is project coordinator for Alchemy. She is the female exponent of the Alchemy Way of dancing mambo & salsa, teaching the style and grace of this method at the Alchemy Dance Academy and as the featured lady on Marchant’s instructional DVD.

From a trained background in Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz, Davina is a qualified ISTD teacher of Modern and Tap. She has a degree in Drama & Theatre Studies and a range of fitness teaching qualifications. For 10 years she has taught in a variety of capacities, mainly as freelance teacher/choreographer at dance schools and colleges around London. In 2003 she took up salsa, attending classes with Marchant who soon spotted her potential and undertook her training. It was from this that Alchemy Dance Company was formed, Davina’s jazz dance experience being part of the core technique training for the company. She also co-choreographed, with Marchant, Alchemy’s debut show ’Timbalito’.

web: www.alchemydance.co.uk

Jerome Ramos is known in the salsa scene for his grace, fluidity, precision and his very unique style on the dance floor. Born in Conneticut, he spent his upbringing in Bronx, New York and is now based out of Copenhagen, Denmark.

His creative interpretation of the music, ability to lead effortlessly, spin with speed and accuracy and ability to break all of this down clearly for all demographics has made him extremely popular across South America, North America, Europe and even Asia.

His smooth style is a pleasure to watch and experience; his positive and energetic character livens up any atmosphere.