Havana Estudio's Instructors & Performers

About Us

Sharie

Owner & Principal (Havana Estudio Group of Companies)

Sharie is one of the chief proponents of Salsa in Kuala Lumpur, from when she first had her taste of it in the late 1980s at Tin Mine, KL Hilton to the late 1990's and 2000's at El Nino, La Rouge, and Juanita. All her friends, her dancers, and students of Havana Estudio were loyal patrons of these clubs and all were on board promoting Salsa, first because they loved it as much as she did, and then later as her business partners. Since establishing Havana Estudio in 1998, she continues to recruit more Malaysian talents. Almost all the street style Salsa Instructors in Kuala Lumpur have at one point been under Havana Estudio. Today, the KL Salsa Scene is thriving, friendly, and a safe place to go out dancing many times a week.

In business, Sharie believes in working together with good long-term partners in planning and management of an event. From the initial scheduling, back office coordination, all the way to the operations, and finally to the smooth flowing of dance performances, all to achieve a successful night for all parties involved.

She has not only successfully gotten on board different clubs to promote Salsa regularly in Kuala Lumpur but is the only one who has successfully and consistently organized large-scale Salsa parties at various clubs, hotels, and hall venues for many, many years.

As a dancer, she is still learning, currently under Salsa Sam (Havana Estudio). She has trained under Instructors like Alberto & Naoko (Asere, Japan), Gupson Pierre (Attitude Dance Studio, Singapore), Frankie Martinez (New York), Edie the Salsa Freak (Los Angeles), and many more. Her pet peeves are when dancers don't dance to the music or don't connect with people around them.

She is currently Owner of Havana Estudio group of studios in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and continues to be very much in touch with dancers in the KL scene.

For a listing of previous commendations and achievements, see our corporate portfolio.

Contact her at +60 (12) 295-2890 or directly on email.

Salsa Sam

Artistic Director (Salsa & Street Latin) & Resident Instructor (Salsa)

Salsa Sam is a real pleasure and fun to dance with. From his playful leads to his unpredictable turn patterns, he always makes ladies feel safe and comfortable, and is undisputedly one of the clearest leads in Kuala Lumpur. You can usually see him dancing non-stop from one partner to the next, guy or girl, leader or follower, regardless of style or rhythm. He has been referred to as the "King of the rhythm and soul" of Salsa in Kuala Lumpur. He truly believes that Salsa is a healthy lifestyle and when people are able to socially dance together, Salsa music truly unites, regardless of preference.

He has had very little dance background. In 1998, at the end of his college years at MIT, where he studied Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, what started out as a great way to exercise turned out to be a great stress reliever, a great way to meet people, and make friends who enjoy dancing! So, he took up Salsa – both Casino and Razz ‘M Tazz style but only started dancing socially in 1999.

Upon his return to Malaysia, in 2001, he championed the Havana Estudio-Conlay Salsa Competition, beating professional and amateur dancers from Malaysia and Singapore. Since then, he has spread his passion for Salsa. In 2002, he filled in as an Assistant Instructor in classes at El Nino and Juanita. In 2003, he headed the Salsa program as the Artistic Director of Havana Estudio and moved operations from Ampang Jaya to Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

Since then, he has taught Salsa around Kuala Lumpur and other cities like Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Ipoh , Penang, and Muar. In the KL Salsa scene today, the majority of Intermediate to Advanced dancers have, at one point, picked up strong fundamentals of Salsa through Havana Estudio's Salsa program. Together with Aisha Mansoor, they have a very successful 6-level program for Salsa. 3 structured levels of Salsa - Beginner 1, Beginner 2, and Improver 1 - and 3 move-of-the-week levels - Improver 2, Intermediate 1, and Intermediate 2.

SalsaSam is one of the major driving forces behind the explosive growth of not only Salsa but the other Street latin dances like Merengue and Bachata. In 2003, together with a Malaysian Salsa dancer from Canada, Melissa, he introduced Bachata in Malaysia to a group of hard-core Salsa enthusiasts at a Salsa Getaway in Fraser's Hill. Historically, he has gradually incorporated these additional programs in Kuala Lumpur: Rueda de Casino (2001), "On 1" (2003), Bachata (2004), "On 2" (2005), Classic Merengue (2006), Classic Bachata (2006), Spins Technique (2007), and will incorporate more programs to supplement the core Salsa program in 2008.

With his reknowned technical style of teaching, and his characteristic breakdowns of Shines and Partnerwork, Havana Estudio is known as one of the premier dance schools in Malaysia. Their Salsa program is emulated, respected, and adopted by local dancers and instructors alike.

His greatest pride is that there are always new Havana Estudio students dancing Salsa in the clubs practically every month. Together with Aisha Mansoor, their Intermediate students between 1 to 2 years of experience can competently dance “on 1” or “on 2” depending on the music or the partner they dance with. He is known not only in Malaysia but also among his students from Indonesia, Singapore, India, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, Switzerland, and Germany. At the Beginner level, he employs a lot of fun and incorporates a lot of repetition to reinforce strong fundamentals. Beyond the Beginner levels, his classes are intense but extremely rewarding and fun!

He is always heavily promoted Salsa as a healthy lifestyle through various appearances and interviews on newspapers (The New Straits Times, Malay Mail, Star, Utusan Malaysia, Harian Metro, etc.), magazines (Penang Society of Performing Arts, KL Lifestyle, Nyonya, Wanita, etc.), and television programs (8tV, TV3, etc.).

As the Director and Choreographer of Team Malaysia, he leads talented dancers to represent Malaysia every year: 2004 (Tokyo Salsa Congress, Japan), 2005 (West Coast Salsa Congress, Los Angeles), 2006 (Singapore), and 2007 (Malaysian Salsa Festival).

Sam is available for solo & group private lessons in the Studio or at your location for family events, private functions, shows, performances, choreography, and consultation. Book him early with a 50% deposit. Contact him at +60 (12) 280-6969 or directly on email .

Aisha

Creative Director (Salsa & Street Latin) & Resident Instructor (Salsa)

She has captivate onlookers and Salsa dancers alike, with her vibrance, expressions, and dramatic style of Salsa. A hard-core social dancer, she makes any dancer from the Advanced Instructor-level to the first time Beginner look and feel good on the dance floor! Her groove is her own; she believes strongly in styling for club dancing and developing your own personal style. With unrivalled energy and enthusiasm, she continues to inspire dancers and Instructors in the Kuala Lumpur and wherever she has toured (Singapore, Japan, Los Angeles) and other Malaysian cities (Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, and Ipoh).

Only social dancing since 1998, she was literally trained in the dance clubs of Calgary, Canada. In 2003, she was invited to join Havana Estudio's students in a Student Performance. Literally overnight, she choreographed a segment of pure groove. She had created such in impact, she was begrudgingly known as "Aisha Groove". She was immediately invited to give a Ladies Styling workshop at Havana Estudio, a first for Malaysia, and Kuala Lumpur has never been the same again.

Since 2003, under the guidance of Salsa Sam, she trained, danced, and now teaches LA Style "On1". Together, they teach over a dozen Salsa classes a week in 4 structured levels (Beginner 1 through and including Improver 2) and an Open Intermediate level. When they're not teaching or dancing, they choreograph routines for student performances, corporate shows, weddings, or school events.

Aisha teaches private lessons only to social Salsa dancers in the Studio. Contact her at +60 (12) 201-8690 or directly on email.

Nancy

Resident Instructor (Turkish & Iranian Belly Dance)

Belly dancing since 8 years old, assisting classes since 15, and at 20 an instructor in her homeland. With many many years experience teaching, she is incredibly funny, sensual, charismatic, and energetic in class, and is always ready to have a bellydancing party with her students and friends after class! She has background in all the different styles of Middle Eastern dancing, especially which draw from the 7 cultures surrounding and including Iran. This list includes: Turkish dancing, Persian dancing, Egyptian dancing, and the other forms of what is popularly known as "Belly Dancing" all over the world!

She teaches belly dancing at various locations in Kuala Lumpur, but this is the first time a fusion of Persian/Turkish/Egyptian/Belly Dancing is introduced in Malaysia!

Nancy is available for solo & individual private lessons in the Studio, group private lessons in the Studio, lessons at your location, shows, performances, and choreography.

She is available at +60 (12) 627-0763 or directly on email.

Kayla

Resident Instructor (Gypsy Flamenco & Variant Rhythms)

Dancing for most of her life, Kayla's a natural dancing athlete with the ability and energy to explore a variety of dance styles. In 1985, she discovered a raw earthiness of gypsy Flamenco and has never looked back. She studied Flamenco with many teachers in Melbourne and guest artists from Spain. One instructor in particular, Conchita became her mentor. Conchita, an Andalusian gypsy was raised in and trained in Cordoba, then moved to Australia and began teaching Flamenco since the mid-1960's. Today, Kayla continues her studies with Antonio Vargas whenever possible and performs with or without her Flamenco guitarist for corporate clients and private functions around Malaysia. In performance Kayla takes you on a journey of mesmerising rhythms and visual elegance, allowing audiences to witness the depth of her character.

Kayla teaches Andalusian gypsy Flamenco. Her introductory and Beginner-level courses are fun, and provide you with an understanding of the complex rhythms. She will train your posture, co-ordination and help you develop the physical strength in order to learn whole pieces of Flamenco choreography. Kayla is available for solo & individual private lessons in the Studio, group private lessons in the Studio, lessons at your location, shows, performances, and choreography.

She is available at +60 (16) 348-5019 or directly on email.

Toh Kong Eu

Resident Instructors (Rhythm Tap)

Toh Kong Eu has been a rhythm tap artist for the past 10 years, performing, choreographing and teaching mainly in the Klang Valley, and also in neighbouring Singapore where he has given workshops. He has studied with many of the contemporary tap masters of today such as Savion Glover, Dianne Walker, Brenda Bufalino, Barbara Duffy and Van Porter. He is a regular fixture at various international tap festivals such as the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, the St. Louis Tap Festival, as has performed at the New York City Tap Festival, the Southern California Tap Festival and National Tap Seminar held near Denver, Colorado.

Since returning from the US in 1997, Kong Eu has choreographed and performed in numerous dances – solo work, small group as well as ensemble pieces. In addition, he has also done various improvisational performances. To date, Kong Eu and the Rhythm Tappers @ Malaysia have been featured in The Star, New Straits Times and magazines such as Her World/Health & Beauty. In addition, Kong Eu has made television appearances on programmes such as Jojo’s Ticket to Wellbeing and The Breakfast Show on NTV7, Hello on Two on RTM2 and X-fresh TV/Macam Macam Aznil on Astro.

Recent major performances by the Rhythm Tappers @ Malaysia include the 2006 New Year’s eve event—Floatparty, and promotions for the movie Happy Feet, where the ensemble was the main feature. In 2004, Kong Eu also opened for Malaysia’s “funny man” Harith Iskandar in his series of stand-up shows at The Actor’s Studio.

Since 2006, the Rhythm Tappers @ Malaysia in collaboration with Havana Estudio, have produced a series of Tap Jams where tappers of all levels come together to showcase tap, jam, improvise, and exchange ideas/steps etc. In addition, the jams are also open to non-tappers as rhythm jams (and also basic intro to tap) are included for all.

Kong Eu is available at +60 (12) 379-3779 or directly on email.

Monica

Resident Instructor (Hatha Yoga)

Monica Ramasamy’s training incorporates influences of dance (contemporary and Indian classical), modern body awareness and toning, such as pilates. Her comprehensive Yoga training was initiated by an Iyengar-adept in India. In depth understanding of traditional Yoga-Ashram-Life (New Zealand/Australia- Bihar School of Yoga) followed later. Numerous Yoga-seminars include teachers from the International Himalayan Yoga Meditation Association, Donna Farhi amongst others. A foundational yoga course (one year) with the International Yoga Teacher Association, Australia allows her to sponsor other aspiring Yoga teachers and further studies with the Integral Yoga Teacher Association (two years) laid the groundwork of becoming a Yoga therapist.

Monica’s style can by described as a combination of toning, stretching, relaxing, and breathing brought together as a continuous movement, called Viniyasa. It incorporates resting positions in between gentle preparation and more dynamic sequences that are gradually extended as the practitioner becomes more experienced. It is suitable for every level of practitioner, since variations are fluently incorporated into the flow of a Yoga-session. Variations within different groups of postures (asanas) are the norm and with guidance and props such as big gymnastic balls, blocks and blankets, a gradual built-up of posture-sequences are achieved that allow the practitioner to become independent from the teacher. Different disciplines of Yoga are incorporated, that allow the mind to become calm and focused with due consideration of the multi-cultural background of students.

Qualifications: Yoga Dipl. I.Y.T.A. (International Yoga Teacher Association) and I.Y.A.A. (Integral Yoga of Australasia), 20 years of experience in practice and teaching.

Her classes at Havana Estudio started in January, 2007. For all enquiries, please contact Sharie at +60 (12) 295-2890 or email.