Founded with a Dancing Passion

Melbourne Salsa Since 2000.

Established in February 2000, Melbourne Salsa are the founders of the modern Melbourne Salsa dancing scene.

Melbourne Salsa is the only school and promoter that offer dancers and non-dancers the full Latin dancing experience from beginner Latin dance classes through to the ultimate live Latin big band experience. 

We have a team of diverse, experienced dancers from around the globe ready to assist you on your dancing journey.

Meet Our Team

FRANKIE FRANK | CO-FOUNDER / DANCE INSTRUCTOR

"My passion is to extract the dance out of anyone." 

Frank’s first dance steps were taken almost 30 years ago at back yard family parties. As a ten year old, street tango and waltz weren’t exactly popular so it wasn’t long before he found himself breaking and popping during the 80’s dance wave. He has performed professionally for over twenty years both on stage and television.

In the year 2000 Frank co-founded Melbourne Salsa. After many years of promoting Latin dance and music to literally thousands of adults every year, he still thrives on being able to extract the dance out of anyone.

GABRIELLA TORRISI | CO-FOUNDER / Manager

"When people ask me what I do? My response, " I make people make people happy for a living"

Gabriella was introduced to Latin music at a young age, she fell in love with Salsa in 1997, three years later co-founded Melbourne Salsa. This passion for self-expression through music and dance took Gabby to Cuba and Puerto Rico to further develop her dance & music skills.

Inspired by the events she experienced in her travels Gabriella ran similar events here in Melbourne and the rest is history.

Melbourne Salsa is much more than a commercial enterprise, it’s her lifestyle and she wants to share her passion with others.

"Latin Dancing is a great way to meet people, it’s one of only a few forms of dance that is supported by a really strong social scene… you’ll find a Salsa bar in every city in the world and immediately make friends"

Kiki Lopez-Espinal | DANCE INSTRUCTOR

"A dance with Kiki is like dancing with Miami."

Kiki was born in Miami, the unofficial capital of Latin America, where Salsa Music and Dance is a part of life. “Dance what you feel” is what her mother always said, so with her mothers words and her fathers musical skills Kiki tore up the local Salsa clubs from a young age.

It wasn’t until her 20s when one night she was inspired to take dance classes, She went and joined Miami’s world famous Salsa Lovers Dance School. Kiki teaches Casino (Cuban Style), Bachata amd more recently Salsa Moderna (LA Style). 

ABDO DALLOUL | DANCE INSTRUCTOR

“If you can walk, you can dance” and I can prove it!

Abdo fell in love with Latin dance from the first step back in 2003 where he joined intensive Latin courses in the Russian Cultural Institute in Damascus. In 2005, he competed professionally for the first time and won the Syrian professional Latin and Ballroom Championship. Then, he won the International Dance Organization Salsa competition in Lebanon and became a certified judge in IDO since 2008 and head of the open division of the artistic department in the Lebanese Dance Federation until 2018.

In 2013, his love for performing led him to become a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars ME winning the first season and reaching the finals in 3 other seasons.

JULIAN BELTRAN | DANCE INSTRUCTOR

“I want you to find your own flavour, grove and style, to be the best version of you!”.

Born in Colombia and raised in Canada, Julian was exposed to the best of both worlds. From a young age, Julian was always dancing thanks to his parents, he would dance whenever he had an opportunity like family gatherings or any school performances.

He then joined dance teams to perform many of the Colombian folklore dances. In Canada, Julian wanted to share the Latin culture with others, so he continued with his passion for dance. Performing and choreographing at the school’s talent show or teaching friends some basic steps, were ways he shared the Latin culture with everyone.

Julian then joined the Araguacu Latin Dance Company in Toronto, where he met Kim and Geo. They introduced him to different dance styles, but the style that stole his heart was Bachata Tradicional.

JUIZ SPIEGELHAUER | DANCE INSTRUCTOR

“Dance is me, I love to combine many different styles in one dance. Dance is like history you can build on it. Every move has a story”.

Juiz started dancing at a young age, learning from her mother the Indonesian Traditional Dance. In 2002 her Grandmother introduced Juiz to Latin dance.

Dancing Latin ballroom and traditional ballroom dance styles. In 2003 Juiz fell in love with Salsa and this gave Juiz the opportunity to work as a professional Latin dancer for Television, Events & Weddings. Juiz also joined a Salsa Rueda Group and performed in Latin Salsa festivals all over Asia and participating in a Salsa Rueda Competition in Munich-Germany (Sponsored by Trans TV Indonesia).

While working as Professional Dancer, Juiz ran a dance company for those wanting to perform in television shows and events. In 2011 Juiz won first place in a Salsa Competition in Jakarta before moving to Australia

Bianca Magnavacca | Reception

Bianca has worked in corporate hospitality and events, both in Australia and abroad fr many years.

Bianca started with Melbourne Salsa back in 2003, greeting students and guests on the door always with a smile. Her professionalism always shines through and our patrons love her. “I thoroughly enjoy being part of the Melbourne Salsa family, we’re all such a lovely group of people! Not to mention such friendly students that have been coming to our classes for several years, as well as those first timers wanting to learn how to dance. 

It’s a welcoming atmosphere, the vibe and energy is vibrant and everyone is smiling, it’s a great feeling.”

Carly Ericksen – Dance Instructor / Reception

"Behind every great dancer is an open heart."

Carly is a dynamic and expressive performing artist and choreographer. She is currently working and developing herself as a performing artist both individually and among the performance teams she is involved in. 

Her dance journey started at the age 6; training in more classical, modern and cultural styles until she moved to melbourne and was exposed to the diverse range of cultures, music, people and dance styles. Her style resume has now expanded to include; ballet, jazz, Irish dancing, hip hop, street jazz, whakking, popping, tease, tribal fusion, dance hall, fire dancing, freestyle and salsa.

Overtime Carly has gone onto teach kids, professionally perform and choreograph for festivals, theatre productions and eisteddfods. It is a great joy of hers to be able to share her love of dance. She strives to inspire feeling  execution, understanding body mobility and the individual development of the art that is movement.