Michelle & Julian De
Las Nieves
Boston-based professional salsa dancers, choreographers, and founders of Querencia Dance Company, Michelle and Julian De Las Nieves are known for their connection, chemistry, smooth style, and engaging instruction. Specializing in Salsa On2, they lead a thriving community of 85+ dancers across six teams. They’re bringing their signature energy to Wichita with two salsa workshops and a special festival performance!
Diego & Yuyu
Denver-based bachata instructors Diego & Yuyu bring a welcoming, connection-focused approach to the dance floor. Diego blends traditional bachata roots with modern sensual techniques, emphasizing musicality, connection, and confidence. Yuyu specializes in strong foundations, ladies styling, and musical interpretation, helping dancers discover their own expression. Together, their patient and approachable teaching style makes bachata fun and accessible for dancers of all levels.
Jesus Muñoz
Originally from Mexico and now based in Boulder, Jesus Muñoz is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, percussionist, and collaborator specializing in Afro-Latin movement and culture. With extensive training in Afro-Cuban, Cuban folkloric and popular dances, contemporary dance, and Latin percussion, Jesus has taught and performed across the country. At the festival, he’ll share the rich rhythms, history, and cultural roots of Guaguancó and Afro-Cuban dance through two special workshops.
Jacob & Janine
Washington, D.C.-based Jacob & Janine blend technical precision, musicality, creativity, and infectious energy in their approach to bachata. As organizers behind Bachata Lab, they are passionate about strengthening their local dance community through high-level training and social dance. With international training and experience dancing across five continents, they bring a global perspective to their teaching while honoring bachata’s traditional roots. Their interactive festival workshops will help dancers build confidence, connection, and creativity on the dance floor.
Derek & Abena
Manhattan, Kansas-based Derek & Abena share a passion for making Latin dance welcoming, fun, and accessible. From K-State’s Latin Dance Club to dance floors across the country, they believe dance is more than a hobby. It’s a way to build confidence, connect with new people, and create lasting friendships. At the festival, they’ll bring their infectious energy and love of community to Wichita!
Ronnie
Oklahoma City-based Ronnie is a dancer and assistant instructor at MotionLab Dance Studio with a deep passion for traditional bachata and Dominican culture. Through training in the U.S. and abroad, she has developed an approach centered on body mechanics, movement quality, musicality, and strong fundamentals. At the festival, Ronnie will help dancers deepen their connection to bachata by exploring not just the steps, but the movement, music, and culture behind the dance.
Victor
Oklahoma City-based Victor is the Bachata & Cumbia Director at MotionLab Dance Studio, where he helps dancers build strong foundations, confidence, and community. Known for his relaxed teaching style, humor, and approachable personality, Victor creates a welcoming environment for dancers of all levels. At the festival, he’ll bring his passion for bachata, cumbia, and connection to the Wichita dance floor!
Nikki
Tulsa-based Nikki, owner of House of MAS, is a dancer, instructor, and community builder passionate about creating welcoming spaces for people to move, connect, and explore new cultures through dance. At the festival, Nikki will introduce dancers to the rhythms and movement of Samba and Kizomba, while also bringing the energy to the stage with a special Samba performance.
Jules & Mariana
Jules & Mariana, co-owners of Aládùn, bring together music, movement, culture, and community through their shared passion for Afro-Latin dance. With experience in Salsa On1 and On2, Bachata, Cumbia, musicality, and groove, their teaching emphasizes connection to the music, your partner, and the cultural roots of each dance. Together, they embody the spirit of Aládùn: finding sweetness, joy, and connection through movement.
Wilfredo José Burgos Matos, Ph.D.
Wilfredo José Burgos Matos, Ph.D. is a writer, scholar, musician, and educator specializing in Dominican and Caribbean popular music, literature, and culture. His academic and performance work has taken him throughout the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States. Currently teaching Dominican Studies at Lehman College, he also serves as Senior Research Writer for the NEH-funded “A History of Dominican Music in the United States” project at the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute.
Calvin
Kansas City-based Calvin of Casino Rueda Kansas City has been immersed in Latin dance for nearly two decades, discovering his passion for Rueda de Casino in 2007. His teaching celebrates the joy, energy, music, and connection at the heart of this Cuban dance tradition while creating a welcoming environment for dancers of all levels. At the festival, Calvin will share his passion through a Rueda de Casino workshop and special performance.
Henry
Wichita native Henry, owner of MotionLab Dance Studio in Oklahoma City, brings 10 years of dance experience and a passion for Salsa On2, musicality, and connection. A practicing physician as well as a dancer and instructor, Henry brings a thoughtful, student-focused approach to teaching that makes complex concepts feel intuitive and approachable. At the festival, he’ll return to his hometown to share his love of Salsa On2 through a workshop and special performance.
Tumboa
Tumbáo is Wichita’s professional 10-piece salsa ensemble, bringing together musicians from Puerto Rico, Colombia, and the United States through a shared passion for Afro-Latin music. Directed by Miguel Santana Morales, Tumbáo brings the dance floor to life with salsa, bachata, cumbia, Latin favorites, and more. Catch them live during the Saturday Evening Artist Showcase for a high-energy celebration of music, dance, and Wichita’s Afro-Latin community.
DJ Albi
Kansas native Josué Albarracin, aka DJ ALBI, brings international experience and an infectious energy to every dance floor. Now based in Central Florida, he’s known for his diverse musical selection and ability to read the room, keep dancers moving, and create the perfect vibe. At the festival, DJ ALBI will keep the energy high and the dance floor moving all night long.
Nexus
Wichita-based NEXUS MUSIC 316 is a high-energy 8-piece Latin band bringing together Mexican and Colombian roots with a dynamic, versatile sound. From salsa and cumbia to Rock en Español, pop, and more, Nexus knows how to keep the crowd moving. Catch them closing out the festival with a FREE community concert at Chicken N Pickle, celebrating different cultures through one shared love of music.
Miguel Santana Morales
Wichita-based Miguel Santana Morales is a professional musician, composer, producer, and Music Director of Tumbáo Salsa Band, with deep musical roots in Puerto Rico. His experience spans Afro-Latin music, salsa, jazz, R&B, gospel, and more, with extensive training in performance and electric bass. At the festival, Miguel will share the rhythms of Afro-Puerto Rican musical traditions through a Bomba percussion class and community jam session before taking the stage with Tumbáo for the Saturday Artist Showcase.
Juliana Pruitt
Wichita-based Juliana Pruitt, also known as Dance with Juliana, is a dance instructor and choreographer passionate about helping people build confidence and express themselves through movement. With experience in hip hop, jazz funk, modern, and heels, Juliana brings energy, creativity, and fun to every class. At the festival, she’ll create a welcoming space for dancers of all levels to step outside their comfort zones, embrace their individuality, and experience the joy of movement.