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Edie,
The
Salsa
Freak!!
World Class Entertainment |
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Interview with International Salsa Instructor, Mr. Tony Pineiro
By Edie, The Salsa FREAK
I met Tony Pineiro in Germany during Team Salsaweb’s Euro-Tour ’98. The team stayed at his place, practiced, and performed together while he carted us halfway around the country, stopping from city to city in the dark green Tour-Van he rented during our wild journey there.
Originally of Puerto Rican decent, Tony started off as a Salsa dancer back in the mid-70’s following with Hustle and Ballroom dancing from late 70’s throughout early 80’s. He has since gone back to his roots, perfected his Salsa, and is now a sought-after instructor both in Europe and where he now resides near Tucson, Arizona. His teaching style is energetic, fun, and very thorough.
The thing I noticed most about Tony was how well he broke out each step and turn pattern to each phrase and harmonies of the music. He plays with the rhythms, breaking the steps into complex syncopations that beautifully match the music’s drum beats, harmonies, and moods. I found myself understanding and appreciating the dance more, when we danced with the music instead of just pattern after pattern.
This man knows his music. He has gone as far as learning the Conga drums and their complex rhythmic patterns to better understand the dance, and more importantly, how to teach it. He owns an absolutely gorgeous set of Conga drums back home.
Tony dances and teaches both the “One” and “Two”, and is currently coming out with his first Salsa Video called “Tony Pineiro presents “Salsa-Mambo” Instructional Video”. Here, he will emphasize his dance instructional theory called the “Circle Concept”, which illustrates the importance of foundational basic footwork, moving outward to more and more complexity. Tony’s “Circle Concept” instructional video will be an excellent tool for both the instructor and student.
We’re all looking forward to having Tony and his partner Violet Cajigas from NYC as one of our International Instructors at this Year’s Convention in Toronto Canada. He will be teaching us not only how to dance Salsa, and how to find the rhythms of the music using the Conga as his tool.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to introduce to you Mr. Tony Pineiro and his partner Violet Cajigas!
Where are you originally from?
Puerto Rico
How long have you lived in Germany?
A total of 7 Salsa years.
When and why did you move to the United States?
During Jul 99 due to my daily job requirements.
How long have you been teaching?
I've been teaching for over 20 years, since I was 18 years old in Puerto Rico.
Winning a T.V. Salsa contest and doing a commercial for Corona beer with Ruben Blades and Willie Colon helped inspire me.
What kind of training do you have?
I started formal dance training with the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Puerto Rico when I was 18,
and then did intensive training at the Arthur Murray Studio in Portland, Oregon while I was a student at the University of Portland.
To this day I can teach the follow and lead for Cha Cha, Mambo, Merengue, Rumba, Foxtrot, Hustle, Swing, Tango and Waltz.
What's next for Tony Pineiro?
I'm very excited about my Salsa-Mambo dance video to be released in April 2000 title, “Tony Pineiro presents Salsa-Mambo Instructional Video”.
What will it cover?
It's a two-volume set that will cover the Tempo Theory, Circle Concept, Open Shines or
Fancy Footwork and creative combinations of Turn Patterns.
What is the Circle Concept?
The Circle Concept is a method that I developed to establish a solid Salsa-Mambo baseline.
I have found that this concept allows for easier learning of advanced steps. If you visualize a circle, the bottom portion
will identify the backward steps. I will review the technical area for the basic steps and add a series of variations.
The middle of the circle will represent the side steps and variations added. The top of the circle will cover forward
steps and included variations. As we go along, we'll be mixing the top and bottom steps, creating backward and
forward steps with variations. Inside the circle, we'll be covering the right and left turns with variations.
I'm sure you'll find that this Circle Concept will definitely help you establish a solid and robust Salsa-Mambo dance fundamentals.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
It's a pleasure seeing Latinos and non-Latinos enjoying the steps of Salsa and improving
to the point so that they can display the flavor and "sabor" of the dance. That's a thrill for me.
What's your favorite Salsa dancing style?
I dance Puerto Rico and New York styles, but I like and promote all the styles.
They're all unique and exciting in their own way. Anything that promotes Salsa, I'm all for.How old were you when you became interested in dance?
11 years old.
Who were your mentors / instructor(s) when you first started dancing?
Various dancers and musicians at carnivals or festivals throughout Puerto Rico during the early 70’s.
Example, El Gran Combo with Andy Montanez and Pellin Rodriguez, Willie Colon, Ruben Blades….
What got you interested in teaching? Who encouraged you?
During late 70’s I wanted to learn more dances besides Salsa and got involved with Arthur Murray Studio Instructor Program.
What other forms of dance or types of dances do you teach?
Currently I focus on Latin-American dances such as Salsa-Mambo, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha, however,
I’m still dancing and enjoying Hustle and remember somewhat the smooth dances of ballroom such as Fox Trot and Waltz.
Do you and your partner plan to travel abroad? If so, where?
Currently, my partner from Puerto Rico, Cha Cha Seguinot and I are conducting a Salsa-Mambo
promotional tour in Germany from 2 – 22 Mar 2000. For more info contact Tony@Salsa-mambo.com
Where do you teach?
International Dance Center, Sierra Vista, AZ
Thanks so much Tony! We're all looking forward to your classes at this year's International Salsaweb Convention!