RESULTS FROM THE WSF CHAMPIONSHIPS

2002

U.S. Salsa Classic                                              1st Salomon and Sandra Rivera from California
2nd Darlin Garcia and Mirka Ibarrondo from New Jersey
3rd Jose Luis Gutierrez Deborah Saldana from Florida
4th Azamat Evgamukov and Monica Llobet from Florida
5th Volvick Dennis and Dana Lurie from Florida

    U.S. Salsa Showdance
     1st Salomon and Sandra Rivera from California
     2nd Darlin Garcia and Mirka Ibarrondo from New Jersey
     3rd Volvick Dennis and Dana Lurie from Florida

World Salsa Classic                                                    1st Adrian Arellano and Laura Fernandez from Mexico             2nd Darlin Garcia and Mirka Ibarrondo from New Jersey           3rd Salomon and Sandra Rivera from the United States             4th Gaston Vidarte and Natalia Vidarte from Argentina               5th David Joseph and Kelly Lannan from Canada                       6th Alfonso Caldera and Aliza Kinney from Canada 

World Salsa Showdance                                         1st Adrian Arellano and Laura Fernandez from Mexico             2nd Arturo Martinez and Alicia Sanchez from Mexico                 3rd Gaston Vidarte and Natalia Vidarte from Argentina               4th Salomon and Sandra Rivera from the United States             5th Philippe Rene Armand and Alexandra Sell from Canada

World Salsa Shine                                                        1st Mario De Leon from Cuba                                                       2nd Adrian Arellano from Mexico                                                3rd Adolfo Indacochea from Peru                                                 4th Ricky Spence from Bermuda

World Salsa Team                                                         1st Salsa Rica Dance Company  from Canada                            2nd Latin Beat Dancers from the United States                

2003

Hello Everyone!!!

It's been an incredible weekend for me here in Miami. After so much training and anticipation leading up to the World Salsa Federation competitions, I am very happy to inform you that Solomon Rivera and I have won the 2003 World Salsa Federation U.S. Salsa Classic Championship and 2003 Salsa Showcase Championship!! After capturing two national titles on Friday, we returned the next day and won the 2003 WSF WORLD Salsa Classic and WSF WORLD Salsa Showdance Championships!!

In all, Solomon and I captured all FOUR events in which we participated. We have been overwhelmed by the success of our trip. It was a weekend I won't ever forget. I also came to appreciate the styles and uniqueness displayed among a field of wonderful and talented dancers from all over the US and Internationally. My thanks to all the great competitors from across the globe, as well as to the event organizers

Liz Lira

Congratulations on a very exciting enjoyable Salsa weekend!

A fun filled Fiesta that exceeded all expectations - with several acclamations by all attending.  The Halloween Dance Friday - a fabulous opener in a fantastic ghoulish setting - surmounting the resplendent event logos - shimmering against a NY skyline.  Sat night was even better! 

The competitions keenly contested with challenges for the World's title from Ireland - Colombia - Hungary -Argentina - Puerto Rico - Canada.  The International Panel of Judges must have had a difficult choice & Salomon Rivera & Liz Lira must be congratulated on winning the two main titles for the USA. 

The Workshop panels headed by Angel Ortiz - Elaine Marrero - etc  were excellent learning opportunities & each night lots of opportunities to dance to great Salsa Music, & a bevy of exciting 'Latinas!  The piece de resistance was 'your Groups ' tribute to Celia Cruz -a Panorama of Salsa dancing - that included Bolero - Cha-Cha - Reggaeton all artistically choreographed to musical vignettes from Celia.  This 15 minute showcase was the 'highlight of the weekend - that was star studded & action packed   

My only 'brickbat' is that more Salseros/as should have supported this auspicious event - but notwithstanding the 'politics' - we can only look forward to next year - when it will grow -bigger & better Again Thanks to all for the 'hospitality & a memorable weekend! 

Godfrey Chin

I would like to congratulate International Dance Studio for the beautiful show they presented Saturday night at the 2003 WSF Salsa Championships, as a tribute to the late Celia Cruz. Not only was it an exciting spectacle to watch, but it was also the story of Celia's career, from the earliest days to her later years, told through dance.  The different stages of her artistic life moved very smoothly from the earliest folk dance years to her rise as the "Queen of Salsa." In between, we were treated to some great Cha-Cha and other dance routines.  The choreography, dancing and costumes were first rate and could compete with any first class Broadway or television show.

So, I say Bravo to Isaac and Laura and the entire group for a most enjoyable presentation.  

Mary DeRenzo

Dear Isaac:

Thank you Isaac and Laura for a lovely and exciting event.   My husband Chip and I had a wonderful time.  Despite the bad publicity and criticism you had gotten previously on the internet we wanted to come and check this out for ourselves and to see if it would be something worth supporting and bringing our students to.  Well, we enjoyed it all; the workshops, the show, the competitions, the general dancing, the mingling etc.  The participants and the instructors and organizers were all very pleasant, and cordial.  The best part was how welcome we felt and how available the organizers were for the people, always visible, with a pleasant smile despite the intensity and magnitude of the responsibilities they had to handle.  It was amazing to see how you Isaac and Laura were the most active participants.  You were the ones putting out most of the energy on the competition floor with your students, you were the ones on the microphone, you were the ones who did most of the show with your staff and other participants, you were on the dance floor during the general dancing, and in the hallways etc. always having time for the people. You were even right there in the Hotel lobby during our departure and made a special effort to say a few words to me and my husband and to thank us for coming and wish us a safe trip back home to Cincinnati, Ohio.  The children were extremely well handled during the junior competition and truly had fun.  I personally got to speak to both you and your beautiful (esposa) and got very good feelings from you both.  There was not a feeling of overblown egos from anyone of your attendees overpowering the event and certainly not from you.  That alone made the event very pleasant to attend, and the people felt a closer bond.  The quality of dancing from all the show participants and the championship competitors was great and we cannot say that the 2003 champions Solomon Rivera and Liz Lira were undeserving.  We saw it for ourselves and we hope to continue supporting your event and wish you continued success.....Thank you again for a very well organized and enjoyable event. 

Veronica Rocco-Homme (owner of Danse Royale Ballroom in Cincinnati, Ohio)