HECTOR LLAMAS - Dance Instructor

Hector started dancing on a Latin & Ballroom dance team when he was in high school he grew to love latin dance. He also started competing in the Amateur Latin division in dancesport for several years and also in Pro/am competitions around U.S. 

He started as an instructor at The Granada LA in 2003 and has been a resident teacher ever since. He continued competition in Salsa competition and was crowned the Professional Sportsman's lodge salsa champion in 2003 and finalist in many other competitions around the L.A Salsa and Bachata scene. 

He has travelled performing & teaching in shows, congresses and competitions throughout his professional career.  He travelled the world performing on major cruise ships in Latin & Ballroom shows and productions.

 **Also Available for Private Lessons, Pro-Am Competitions, Showcase Performances & Shows. Performance Videos - Samba, Cha Cha, Paso Doble, Rumba, Salsa Pro Team

MAYA BECKER - Dance Instructor

Maya began dancing at the age of 5 and has trained in various styles, including Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip-Hop. At 18, she discovered the vibrant world of social Salsa dancing and found her love of latin dancing. She  has been teaching Salsa dancing in Salsa clubs and dance studios since 2010. Maya teaches students of all ages in class & private lessons and is an expert in helping those with little to no dance experience become comfortable on the dance floor and enjoys connecting with others through Latin dancing.

VANESSA ACOSTA SANDOVAL - Dance Instructor

Vanessa has had a love for dance since a young age. She has trained with professionals in various styles of dance such as Salsa, Bachata, Ballroom, Hip-hop and Jazz. She has performed with dance companies across the country to several audiences at festivals, fairs, parades and business events. Along with a passion for mental health and wellness, Vanessa strives to interwine the healing power dance can bring to the body and soul. She desires to help others be courageous in acquiring new skills and learning more about themselves through their journey of dance. *Available for private lessons, group classes, performances

ARTHUR LEVINE - Dance Instructor

Arthur did not grow up dancing, but found a new and exciting community within Southern California's Salsa dance scene. Arthur connects with the transformative power of dance to change peoples’ lives. Arthur has trained with fantastic artists from all over the globe in dance styles from Salsa, Mambo, Pachanga, Bachata, Ballroom dance, Hip-hop, Jazz, and many other dances. He started as an instructor at Afeenix Dance Center and a regular instructor for On2ourage Dance company and OC Salsa. Has worked for numerous other studios and dance companies in the greater LA and OC area. He brings a fun and an intellectual approach to teaching dance. He teaches all levels from absolute beginner to advanced dancers and improvers. He has performed across the country with LA-based dance companies including Afeenix Dance Company, Xpensabulz dance troupe, and On2ourage Dance Company as well as in his own shows for which he has choreographed and directed.  He has performed for crowds in Tijuana, Reno, Arizona, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and events at the LA County Fair, Downtown Disney House of Blues, Universal Studios, Santa Ana Pride parade, and on Carnival Cruise Lines with Aventura Dance Cruise. Arthur is here to share the love and joy of dance with you. Hopefully you can find something in dance that moves you and makes you grow! Arthur is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Also Available for Private Lessons, Pro-Am Competitions, Showcase Performances  & Shows.

JO QUINONES - Dance Instructor & Studio Manager

Jo has traveled worldwide spreading her wisdom, technique, and love for Latin dance through instruction, choreography, and performance. As a child she trained extensively in ballet, Puerto Rican folk dance and jazz. Growing into a young adult, her focus shifted to the wide variety of competitive, social ballroom and Latin dance styles.  She became a member of the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts to further her dramatic arts training.  She was then certified by Arthur Murray Dance Studios and ultimately became a competitor and franchise studio manager before moving on to become an independent instructor holding group and private lessons throughout the Inland Empire, Los Angeles and Hollywood areas.  Jo’s blend of charisma, sensuality and style through her instruction and performance entertains and inspires; making her a performer and instructor that thrills and educates the audience; leaving them wanting more. 

**Available for Private Lessons, Groups, Showcase Performances & Shows.

ZWELI BARTON - Dance Instructor

Zweli is a World Champion Bachata Dancer, 2015 Bachata Pro team Champion, 2017 LA's Top Social Salsa Dancer Professional Champion, World Bachata Champion. Dancing and teaching for many years in social Latin Dancing and competitive and team settings.

Director of Urban Sabor and Coach of El Co Salseros of El Camino College. Zweli is a performer and choreographer in Bachata, Salsa and more.
Is happy to join The Granada LA Latin Social Dance family.

**Available for Private Lessons, Showcase Performances & Shows.
Performance Videos: Bachata Performance

ROSANNA DEL RIO - Dance Instructor

Rosanna grew up with a love for music and dance. She was first introduced to jazz and ballet in elementary school through her after school program which ignited a small flame and passion for performing that has kept going throughout the years. In middle and high school Rosanna participated each year in her schools cultural assemblies, proudly expressing her culture through dance. During her senior year in high school, Rosanna and another dance enthusiast founded and Co-directed the John Marshall Fundamental Dance Team in Pasadena, which still continues to this day.

Throughout her four years at UC Santa Cruz, Rosanna immersed herself more in her culture and began training in Traditional Mexican Folkloric dancing learning traditional jarabes and sones with Ballet Folklorico Los Mejicas learning from world renowned teachers such as Rafael Zamarripa.  Rosanna was also part of a student directed Latin Dance team; Sabrosura Dance Troupe, learning salsa, bachata, samba, and other genres; performing with both groups throughout California, sharing the vibrant dances and cultures of Latin America. Upon graduating Rosanna continued to dance Ballet Folkorico, performing in places like La Placita Olvera and Plaza de La Raza, but it was in 2014, that she felt the urge to find a broader dance community space once again. That is when she found The Granada LA and joined the Bachata Granada Team, co-directed at the time by Kathy Reyes and Hector Llamas. Rosanna continued on the team for the next three years, including assistant teaching at the Granada to train as an istructor. She then ventured to continue expanding her knowledge of dance; training in, Zouk with John Manego and Shiloh Cardenas, bachata and salsa with Grizzly Hildriago, Jo Quinonez and Karol ‘Maracas’ Delgado. Directed teams at PDO dance company with Alejandro Rey.

**Available for Private Lessons, Showcase Performances  & Shows.

EMILY PINEDO - Dance Instructor

Since a young age Emily always knew she had a love and a passion for dance. She took her first ballet class when she was 4 and knew that is what she wanted to do for the rest of her life and her passion for dance only continued to grow. At the age of 8 she began to learn salsa and bachata socially, and within the same year she competed for the first time in a latin partnering competition where she obtained runner up.  She then went on to attend a performing arts high school where she majored in dance and learned ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary. After high school Emily then joined Afeenix Dance Company where she was mentored by Jo Quinones and Brendan Jason, they trained her in technique, showmanship, hip hop, salsa, bachata, jazz, ballet, as well as introduced her to ballroom. Through Afeenix Dance Company she had the pleasure to perform for Burt Ward (the boy wonder), Ray Parker Jr. (ghostbusters), and Johnny Love (bachata singer). Emily has performed in a number of congresses in many states and internationally within the Latin scene. Through the years Emily has competed many times and has won 1st place in a number of competitions. In 2022 1st Place LA’s Top Bachata Social Dancer, In 2019 1st Place Ameture Bachata Performer, In 2019 1st Place Bachata Social Dancer, In 2017 1st Place Top Inland Empire Social Dancer. Now she has chosen to continue her dance education by joining The Granada LA dance family where she will be available for private lessons and group classes where she will be implementing her dance knowledge to create a fun, effective, and educational lesson.
*Available for Private lessons, Group classes, Performances & Showcases

BRENDAN JASON - Hiphop Instructor

Trained in street dancing via the battle circle, coached by popping and locking legend Pop ‘N’ Taco, mentored by fitness dance legend MaDonna Grimes; Brendan Jason has danced with and choreographed for pop culture icons (like PiNK, Paulina Rubio and Too $hort), has choreographed  film and TV stars (like Regina King, Forest Whitaker, Carlos Mencia, Charlie Murphy), is certified in social dance by Arthur Murray, certified in hip hop, fitness, and aerobics by The MGFT fitness theater, has hosted his own instructional dance shows and home videos for FIT TV and Comcast, has toured multiple countries and continents teaching and performing. Brendan Jason realized his dance dream when working as creative consultant to King of Pop Michael Jackson. Currently Brendan is the co-creative director of the Afeenix Rising Dance Company at the Granada LA with his wife, world renowned talent Jo Quiñones.

Also Available for Private Lessons, Showcase Performances & Shows.

KAYLA FIORE - Dance Instructor

At an early age Kayla was inspired to discipline her body for performance through her training in Tae Kwon Do where she attained a black belt. While in school Kayla studied ballet and other forms of dance. She then went on to be professionally trained in Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Swing & Argentine Tango by Professional Dancer Christian Perry.
Her training and passion took her to the World Promotions Texas Star Ball Dance Competition where, together with students that she trained, achieved success. Currently Kayla attends Azusa Pacific University and hopes to use the knowledge she gains as a communications major to further her career and effectiveness as an instructor.

CURRENTLY LIMITED PRIVATE LESSONS AVAILABLE MONTHLY

**Available for Private Lessons, Showcase Performances. Performance videos - Salsa

KRISTY RIVERS (General Manager) 

(Currently only Available for Limited Coaching or Online Lessons)

Kristy was born in Australia, Kristy has been involved in the dance world practically since birth. She comes from a well-known and respected dance family of  World Champion Dancers.

Kristy’s competition experience began at age 10 dancing all over the world. She has multiple juvenile and junior titles from Australia, and as an amateur, has placed first in several prominent US Latin championships. She turned pro at 19 and teaches, competed and performed nation-wide and overseas. She has been a Rising Star Latin Champion at many competitions and a finalist 2 years running in the North-American National Championships as seen on TV.  She has also performed in the LA Salsa Congress & other performances all over LA and United States. She has extensive teaching experience in Ballroom, Latin, Swing & Salsa

Kristy has also been a performer and choreographer for stage shows, film and cruise ships such as Royal Caribbean, Raddison & Silverseas.

Her highlights include a featured spot in the acclaimed dance film, “Dance With Me” and on ESPN as an instructor for the show “I’d do Anything”.

Kristy loves to teach people of all ages and the joy & inspiration it brings to there lives. “The body says what words cannot”     

 Video Profile Available for Private Lessons & Shows.
Performance Videos - Showdance, Vienesse Waltz, Samba, Waltz,  Burlesque, Waltz , Cha Cha,  Paso doble