Staff

Joanna Simpson – President, Coach, Lead Choreographer & Instructor

I have always been interested in dance and have spent time with other genres, but the energy and style of Latin dance and music immediately drew me in – from social dancing to performing at salsa congresses and private events, to playing flute in Charanga Agoza and listening to live salsa bands, I’m hooked. I’m happy to share this experience with others, and to continue to grow the dance community!

Joseph Dalton – Coach, Lead Choreographer & Instructor

I discovered salsa by chance, but quickly fell in love with the music, the dance, and the diversity of the people in this unique culture. Salsa dancing has helped me to travel all over the USA to dance, perform, and to meet incredible people. I want to share this experience with others.

Abbie Loeser – Instructor

What I like best about Latin dancing is the passion, the flair, and the fact that there is always more to learn and improve upon. I started salsa dancing during my freshman year of college on a whim, yet I soon fell in love with the people I met and the dances I learned. I had done ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and even zumba in the past, but I never loved anything more than salsa (and bachata as a close second)! I haven’t stopped dancing since that first beginner lesson with Los Sabrosos. I look forward to continuing to expand the dance community in Madison and sharing my passion with others!

Sarah Tolle – Instructor

I took my first dance lesson my first year of college when, on a whim, I attended a salsa lesson with Los Sabrosos. Right after the lesson, some LS members invited me out to see a salsa jazz band playing at the Union. Even though I only knew two moves, I was out on the dance floor from start until finish, learning more moves and meeting new people from many different walks of life. The sense of community and acceptance amazed me, and so I decided to stick with Los Sabrosos. Now years later, in an equal gesture, I would like to say “Welcome!” to all dancers – new and old, leads and follows, advanced or beginner, Cuban-style or LA – welcome to this great community of Latin dance, and of shared experience both on and off the dance floor!

Luis Perez-Olguin – Instructor

I enjoy dancing and creating new turn patterns. Latin dancing has always called my attention because anyone can do it and anyone can create their own steps, using their personal style. I really enjoy the ambience and teaching what I know about latin dances to others.

My favorites dances are Salsa, Bachata and Cha cha cha.

INSTRUCTOR ALUMNI OF LOS SABROSOS MADISON

Nicolette Pawlowski – Former President, Founder and Instructor

My mother learned to dance at the age of 40. I had a partner who would dance till 4am and get up to work at 7am. That’s the thing about dance; despite long hours at the office, aching feet, disagreements with friends, once you get out on the dance floor, or the side walk, and hear the music, everything lifts. When I dance salsa, life is beautiful. I want to share that.

Ricardo D’Alessandro – Founding Officer

I’m a UW gradschool alumn from the Dominican Republic. It was my many years away from home while studying in the USA that made me turn to Salsa to reconnect with my latin roots. I learned to dance in Madison and after two years chose to share that knowledge so that others could join in celebrating the latin flavor.

Charalambos Michael – Founding Officer and Instructor

Charalambos (Harry) is a graduate student at UW Madison. He loves salsa dancing because of it’s high energy. He finds it the best way to release school stress and he thinks so should you!

Ray Deneckere – Instructor

I enjoy a wide variety of dances, from swing to ballroom to argentine tango. But my true passion lies with the more energetic ones, such as salsa and cha-cha-cha. I am attracted to the speed, sensuality and flirtatiousness of these dances. It is wonderful to be able share what I have learned, and to help the dancing community to grow.

Todd Elkin – Instructor

In the Fall of 2001, Todd twirled onto the partner dancing scene with a high-school ballroom and folk dance class. He continued this in college where he led Duke’s latin performance team, Sabrosura. It specialized in Salsa Rueda with a slogan “So hot it hurts” and a fanfare of “Booyahs!” After college, he came to Madison and became active in the Salsa and Ballroom scene, where he teaches regularly. In his spare time he strives to discover immortality, genetically-engineer dragons, master the eastern art of Aikido, and revolutionize the fantasy-genre with his novels.