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The Salsatwist Team

Taz

Tariq 'Taz' Mian is the founder of Salsa Twist, where he is fulfilling the role of main teacher and DJ. He has been dancing salsa since 2002 and teaching since 2004. His style is primarily 'LA on One ' with Cuban touches and is about flair, smooth fluid motion, pleasing moves and dancing to the music and rhythms.

His emphasis is placed on technique and musical interpretation as the key to being a good dancer and this is reflected in his teaching style. He strongly believes that dancers should use what they know to express their individuality to the music and not use the music as an excuse to show off their latest moves or dips. He focuses on creating an understanding between partners as he believes is being a very connected dance partner.

Taz is one of those people who combine being a good dancer with being an excellent teacher. He is able to break down, demonstrate and explain exactly what he is doing, and why. Combine this with a real passion for salsa and a drive to teach and you will see why his classes are so popular.

Taz's teachers include Oxley of London, Tracie Gooch & Marcus Groves, Steve Reed, Dean Maynard, Rudi B, Robert Charlemagne, Angus Peters, Super Mario, Rohan Brown, Marchant Birch, Leon Rose, Lee Wright, Shelley Cook, Giles & Rosa and Iris de Brito.

Eva Marunova

Eva is a very accomplished salsa dancer and instructor and brings lots of experience from her native Czech Republic. She has been dancing intensively since 2003 and teaching since 2004.

Her style is primarily 'La on One' and is based around styling, technique and musical expression. However she will happily move to 'New York on 2' or Cuban at the drop of a hat.

Her emphasis is technique, styling and 'feeling the music' and she brings with her a new dimension to the UK salsa scene.

Eva joined Ignite Dance Company in 2008 so you can see her performing with them at Salsa Weekenders and other events as part of the group since April 2009, including performing at the 5* Salsa Congress at Heathrow.

Eva's teaching technique brings with it a unique ability to see to the heart of a problem straight away and fix it. Her dance techniques and stylish moves are fast becoming popular in the local scene. Look out for her ladies' styling classes which are very popular!

Eva's teachers include El Ivanko, Michal & Daniela Sejkora, Super Mario, Pedro Gomez, Neeraj Maskara, Susana Montero, Leon Rose, Marchant Birch, Mambomike, and Robert Charlemagne.

Salsatwist's team of teachers have been students of Taz & Eva for a varying number of years. All have shown dedication to the Salsatwist ethos along with a great attitude to learning, continual growth in their dancing, not to mention friendly, down-to-earth personalities and a real enthusiasm to teach and impart their knowledge & experience. All teachers are part of a on-going programme of teacher training both with Taz & Eva and via special classes, workshops and congresses.

Natasha 'Tasha'

Natasha has been dancing since the age of 8 and is a well established BellyDancing Performer and Teacher in the South under the stage name "Nasira" www.nasirabellydance.com

Natasha was first introduced to Salsa by Taz and Eva in 2008 and started regular weekly classes. Very quickly the passion took hold and she found herself often dancing 4-5nights a week, attending every local class she could to feed her new found addiction.

It wasn't long before she was helping out as an assistant in classes and then expressed her ambition to Taz to become one of the Salsa Twist team.

Creating a fusion between the 2 passions of her life, Natasha's Salsa style focuses on isolation and undulation, using every opportunity to incorporate a body roll or shimmy in her dancing.

For Natasha Salsa is an opportunity for self-espression, she loves the fact that no two dancers look the same, as with belly dancing you make it your own.

Her background of teaching dance means she is able to break things down clearly and knows how to get the best out of pupils through encouragement and different training methods. Combining teaching and her love of Salsa has meant that Natasha feels she gets just as much out of classes teaching as the pupils do.

Natasha also has a particular love for Bachata and wishes to continue to pursue passions for both Salsa and Bachata and aim to bring fresh moves and techniques to both dances by sharing her knowledge with others.

Naomi

Hi, I'm Naomi.

I've danced since I was 3 years old with my earliest memory learning about "good toes and naughty toes"! (Those of you who did Babies Ballet I'm sure with remember that! :)).

Up to college I learned ballet, tap, modern, jazz, contemporary, disco, ballroom and Latin American. I took exams, competed and performed in events such as festivals, pantomimes and shows.

I then made the decision to pursue the academic route where I ended up with a masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice. As soon as I handed in my final paper I checked out the salsa scene in Portsmouth and here I am now.

Even while away from the dance world while studying, I continued my interest in music up to A Level which has helped with my understanding of what we are dancing to. I've tried out many instruments but the one that stuck the longest was piano up to grade 5.

My dance style is primarily 'LA on One' but also love 'New York on Two'. My style has been mainly influenced by Tracie Gooch, Marchant Birch and Davina Walden.

I've done a few salsa performances with a group called "Vixenz" and am about to start rehearsing with a new group so that's my next venture! I've always loved performing and my dream is to get more involved with that and hopefully get to travel with it as well.