Judges
Judges and Scrutineer
Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlow are in demand all over the world as performers, educators and adjudicators. This couple holds the distinction of versatility. Their ability to work equally well in both the partner/ballroom dances as well as theatrical dance arts has had them in demand throughout numerous dance circuits across the globe. Billy and Katie are the only couple in the history of the United States to hold two concurrent World Titles in the same year.
Adjudicating/Education: In addition to their performances, Billy and Katie are proud to be the head judge and scrutineer for the ground breaking World Salsa Championships being shown worldwide on ESPN. They also adjudicated and supervised the nationally run Newport Rhythm and Sound Dance Competition. Both Billy and Katie have achieved Licentiate degrees from the Imperial Society of Dance for Theatre Arts. As educators, they are known to be the “instructor’s instructors” – coaching many of the major headliners and title holders in the world for the Salsa, Latin Hustle and Ballroom competitive dance circuits. Their instructional Latin Hustle dance DVD’s are the top selling DVD’s in the world for this style of dance.
Choreography/Production: The pair recently was brought in for a second time to choreograph for the internationally acclaimed Las Vegas production of “Havana Nights”. In years past, Billy was the choreographer for the legendary Combinacion Perfecta tour, starring such artists as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. The dancing on this tour helped to shape the future for modern salsa dance performances. His company the Disco Dance Dimensions appeared on national television for 4 seasons on NBC.
Katie has been the Creative Director since 1995 for Dancesation! Productions; an event production and entertainment company that produces customized entertainment packages for Fortune 500 companies. Recent performances for Dancesation include such well known companies as General Mills, Elizabeth Arden, Trump International, Crystal Cruises, ATT, Home Depot, Siemens Westinghouse, the list goes on and on…
Billy and Katie are also owners and producers of five successful international dance events and competitions including the renowned International Hustle and Salsa Competition in Miami which just completed its ninth sell-out year.
Liz Lira, the “Rose of Salsa,” was born in La Paz, Bolivia, and immigrated to the United States at the early age of eight. Making Southern California her new home, she embraced the art of dance and excelled in both ballet and jazz.
Although professionally trained for many years in various forms of dance, including modern, lyrical and hip hop, it was not until 2001, at the age of 21, that she emerged onto the LA salsa scene. Her style quickly garnered her recognition as one of the top female dancers in Southern California. Although she desires to present an elegant style of salsa as her trademark, her dancing has also been referred to as a fusion of graceful motion and explosive energy.Admired by many for her warm personality and exceptional dancing skills, she quickly became one of the most recognizable personalities on the club circuit. Her outstanding teaching skills also make her a favorite among salsa students at establishments such as the Mayan and Conga Room. Coveted by many of the salsa scene’s best male dancers to train as dance partners, she has chosen to dance with salsa veterans such as Alex da Silva and Solomon Rivera.
She went on to capture her first major salsa dance championship at the Mayan World Salsa Championships in the summer of 2002. Along with many other competitions, her itinerary also included performances on the international stage, including appearances in her beloved Bolivia, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Germany, and Japan. Next year, she is scheduled to perform in China, Australia, Europe, and Guiana. The momentum of her early success lead to commercials and music video appearances, as well as opportunities to choreograph for television and motion pictures. Liz has recently had the honor of choreographing routines for the top couples on Dancing with the Stars including the 1st place winners Mark & Shawn and Derek & Nicole, and this season’s current leading couple: Derek Hough and Jennifer Grey. She has also assisted in choreographing the group hustle routine for Dancing With the Stars Season 9. In addition, she was the choreographer for Anya and Adechike’s salsa routine on So You Think You Can Dance in 2010. Liz has worked in film as well. For example she was the choreographer and principal dancer for the feature film, The Ugly Truth, starting Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl.
In December of 2009, she won first place at the 4th Annual World Salsa Championships, making her a 6-time World Salsa Champion and 7-time US Salsa Champion. She is planned to compete again this December in the 5th Annual World Salsa Championships. Liz Lira continues to share her passion of dance, acting and singing worldwide.
Cristian Oviedo
Dancer, Choreographer, Model, Actor. Cristian Oviedo was born November 19, 1979, in Cuscatlan, El Salvador. Oviedo showed remarkable range and depth for such a great performer, impressing audiences with his ability to convey complex emotions.
Behind the scenes, Oviedo pushed his dance to succeed. At first, Oviedo danced local gigs and built a strong following. He has won many competitions since 2003 with different partners. He has also dance to big artists as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, El Gran Combo, Cachao and many more. Working in Hollywood Oviedo is now a great movie choreographer, he also has been working with Dancing With The Stars.
Showing people how to enjoy salsa and making them better dancers is a goal for this former 2009/10 World Salsa Champion. The important thing is not to focus on ‘the show’ in salsa but instead its ‘roots’ and the joy of movement. The pleasure derives from the dancing connection and the great feeling of enjoyment on the stage. What constitutes a good dancer is if he can dance with anybody
Bio: My name is Andy “Lyrik” Cruz.I am a choreographer, dancer, poet and songwriter. Iam full blood BORICUA. Very proud of my roots, my patria PUERTO RICO.Ive dedicated my life to music and dance. THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF LIFE.
Whats up my people? My name is Andy “Lyrik” Cruz.I am a choreographer, dancer, poet and songwriter. Iam full blood boricua. Very proud of my roots and where im from.Being a proud and educated Boricua has helped me accomplish alot and overcome many obstacles that have been in my way. I believe in the freedom of my country PUERTO RICO and would advocate for that til the day I lay to rest. I have a strong passion for my native music. Ive been part of Puerto Rican folkloric dance groups since I was 9. Some of the groups, Grupo Yuba, Las Semillitas and Cocoballet. There is nothing in this world like the music of my people. Now I’am the artistic director and choreographer of Los Soneros Del Swing Dance Co. & Los Jovenes Del Swing Dance Co
… I started my dance company in 1998 when I was 17 years old in the heart of Humboldt Park.The Puerto Rican barrio of Chicago. That is the neighborhood I love and that gave me the first stages I ever got to perform on. Dancing has always been my passion and my outlet to release my frustrations and my fears.Now 17 years into my career I have become an international performer and instructor. I have performed and instructed at dance conferences throughout the USA Europe and Asia.(Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, NYC, Orlando, New Orleans, Boston, St.Louis, Bermuda,U.K., London, Milan, Venice, Rome, Torino,Sicily-ITALY, Marseille, Cannes,FRANCE, Spain, Sweden & Japan.) .Francisco Vasquez is considered by many to be the greatest salsa dancer in the world. He is the originator of what has now come to be known as L.A. style salsa ? a flashy, dynamic, showy style featuring fast-paced footwork and strong accents of the music. He is the founder, choreographer, and lead dancer of Los Rumberos which has been consistently in the top 5 groups in the world since 1996. He is the master of many dance styles including Salsa, Mambo, Bachata, Afro-Cuban, Merengue, Cumbia, Cha-Cha, Latin American Dance techniques, Rumba (authentic Cuban style), Mambo, Guaguanco, Guaracha, Charanga, Pachanga Mexican Folkloric & Indigenous Dances.
Steve Vasco started dancing ballroom since 1993 at the age of 19. Within his first few years he showed incredible talent both in the competitive world as well as a Choreographer.
In 1996, Steve became a finalist in the United States Professional Rhythm category and that same year he was the winner of the most prestigious Salsa Competition in the world at the L.A. Mayan and was crowned as the “Hottest Salsa Dancer”.
Steve has choreographed for such TV shows as “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance”. He was Choreographer and Principal Dancer for Christopher Caliendo’s “Tango Americano” and the film “Dance with Me”.
His passion resides in teaching. With students who have won numerous titles including, U.S. Champion in Rhythm and Latin as well as World Pro/Am Rhythm Champion in 2006, which featured him in PBS’s “Championship Ballroom Dancing”. A very sought after instructor, Steve travels all over the world creating champions and future stars of dance.
Steve’s current project is to develop dance as a viable line of work in Latin America.
Candy Mena was born on November 12th, 1979 in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Soon after she was born her family transferred to New Jersey. From a young age, Candy has always shown an athletic ability. Candy was a cheerleader for many years and also studied gymnastics. After finishing school, she began to take salsa classes in October 26, 1998 with Ismael Otero. In just a few classes, Ismael noticed her natural talent. She became part of Ismael dance company Caribbean Soul. Six months later, Ismael Otero introduced her to Jai Catalano. They dance and spoke all night. At the end of the night they agreed to enter a dance competition that was only 18 days away.
On May 2, 1999, they entered the competition and won first place in the semi-professional category. Soon after, Candy was invited to dance in the dance company of the Mambo King “Eddie Torres”. Jai and Candy danced for the Eddie for 2 ½ years until the decided to break out and open there own studio and travel the world as a duet. Candy and Jai traveled the world and dance with many famous artists such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, Tony Vega, El Gran Combo, and many more.
After 5 years of working together they went there separate ways. Since then Candy has become a free lance dancer and has danced with various top dancers and dance companies such as Juan Matos, Jhesus Aponte, Yamulee, and Angelo Rito. Candy lived in Milan, Italy for 2 years but has returned back to New Jersey and is now dancing with Andy Cruz from Chicago.
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