Jaime Jesus and
Nestor Manuelian
The Brotherhood of
Australian Salsa!!
www.latindance.com.au
By Edie, The Salsa FREAK
www.SalsaWeb.com
www.SalsaFreak.com
It has often been
said that there are good dancers and good instructors,
however the two rarely coincide. However in the case of
brothers Jaime Jesus and Nestor Manuelian of Sydney,
Australia, the coincidence is clearly evident.
The unique thing
about Jaime and Nestor is that not only do they both
teach and perform, but they are
identical
twins! If you haven’t known them for years and years,
you literally cannot tell them apart! The only thing
that distinguishes them is the tattoo on their right
arms. Jaime has a crucifix, and Nestor has an eagle of
some sort. So if they wear long sleeves – forget it.
You have to ask who is who!
When I attended the
Australian Latin Festival in 2003, Nestor and Jaime
planned on introducing themselves to me in an
extraordinary way.
The venue was held in
a circular building. As I was walking around from
restroom to changing room, getting ready for our
performance, I kept seeing this
same guy
(Jaime and/or Nestor) literally
everywhere.
I would walk out of
one room, and there he was. I would walk out of the
restroom, and there he was
again. I
would be putting on my makeup and lo and behold, he was
right next to me. I would walk over to the stage area
and there he was… again. I walked back up to the
changing room, and bumped into him
again! I
felt like I was in the movie “Matrix” or something. I
began thinking to myself, “Wow, this guy moves fast. He
must be important here in Australia. I see him
EVERYWHERE I go!” I had no idea who he was, I just
thought he was kind of cute and never thought anything
more.
Later that night
during the social dancing,
that important guy
asked me to dance. Of course I accepted, and we started
up. He put me into a phenomenal lead, and then free
spun me out into a triple. I normally spot my leader
during the spin, but because of the angle, or the
lighting, or the circular shape of the dance floor and
room, I didn’t spot that well that time. When I got done
spinning, I immediately looked for him. To my
astonishment, THERE WAS TWO OF “THAT IMPORTANT GUY”!!!
It was such a
surreal moment. I had to stop,
look around and make sure I wasn’t hallucinating!! I
shook my head, rubbed my eyes, and looked again – YUP.
THERE ARE TWO OF THE SAME SALSERO, DANCING WITH ME RIGHT
NOW. It felt like I was in the “Twilight Zone” or
something. “There are TWO of you!” I screamed.
“Oh My God!” They just both
looked at each other and laughed.
Jaime and Nestor then
traded me back and forth between themselves during that
song! I’ll never forget that dance. It was fantastic!
Dancing with Jaime
and Nestor is an EXPERIENCE! Both of them social dance
at a level beyond
what most consider ”advanced”.
Their specialty is dancing
musically –
hitting the breaks and hits of virtually every song,
whether their style is on the “One” or the “Two”.
As a follower you
just have to let yourself “go”, and not worry about the
timing 100% of the time. Their mastery is hitting the
breaks and moving their bodies
within the
music – then moving back into the timing you started
with.
This type of leading
is not easy. It is a level beyond what 99% of the
instructors teach throughout the world. For the
follower, it’s tricky; she must
completely,
unequivocally submit to his lead – ENTIRELY.
She needs to simply relax and
trust in his
lead. If you just “let him lead” you, it’s easier for
him to drive. With your submission, he can take the
both of you on a journey through
ecstasy within the
song. Not to worry – he will put you right
back on track in timing.
To the follower –
“Letting Go” and simply trusting in your partner is
paramount to dancing musically together. Just “Let him
Lead” and don’t worry about him. Rest assured he’s got
you taken care of.
Simply dancing on
“One” or on “Two” is no issue for them. What I find
magnificent about these twins is that they can manage
both styles (on “One” or on “Two”) with ease, and do not
prefer one over the other. They’ll do whatever their
partners are most comfortable with – which is the way it
should be; no preferences, simply differing languages,
obviously depending on the song, and what one hears.
I’ve had the pleasure of dancing socially with both of
them and I’m here to tell you that they have literally
mastered
the art of social dancing
musically -
more so than anyone else I’ve ever danced with. It is
as if they’ve memorized ALL the Salsa songs, and have
managed to “seek and find” virtually every hit and break
within the music.
In
addition to their phenomenal dance style, they have
worked very hard at bringing the Australian Salseros up
to national standards and beyond. They both travel
extensively throughout the world not only to teach and
perform, but to take classes and privates from some of
the best in the business.
The
twins are known throughout the world for their famous
“Magic Show”. Aside from glowing magic wands as part of
their act, the most impressive of the illusions is when
Jaime walks inside of a big black-curtained
magic box. His partner
spins the box around, and within seconds BOTH Jaime and
Nestor come walking out of the box, dressed and dancing
identically with their dance partners! The illusion is
phenomenal
Jaime trains over 800 students per week at his dance
school,
Latin Dance Australia,
(LDA). Every year they host their Annual LDA Ball,
where he and his staff train over 100 of his students to
perform on stage.
Nestor has recently
started his own Salsa school called Modus Vivendi Salsa
Productions, where he is also training Australian
Salseros how to dance and perform.
As individuals, their
commitment to excellence is what impresses me most.
They are just a couple of “good guys” that treat
everyone they meet with respect and dignity. There are
good dancers and good instructors in this world, but
here in Australia, you have the absolute best of both
worlds.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am
VERY proud
to introduce to you, Jaime Jesus and Nestor Manuelian of
Sydney, Australia.
Where were you both born?
We were born in
Montevideo, Uruguay…
Who was born first?
Me Jaime, I was first
I older by a whole 3 minutes…
hahahah
Do
you have any other brothers or sisters?
Yes we have an older
brother Marcelo and a beautiful younger sister Daniela
Why did your family migrate to Australia?
We migrated to
Australia in 1980 because Uruguay was not a safe country
to live in at the time
Why have you chosen Sydney as you home?
Actually my parents
chose it for us, and we have lived here ever since, it
has given our family everything we have today, so its
home now….
You are both extremely hard workers – why is that?
Jaime: I Guess my parents, they have worked hard all
their lives and it’s just rubbed of o us…
Nestor: That’s right, our parents were a huge influence!
They came to Australia with 3 sons a daughter and $30 in
my dads wallet. Their hard work brought us all up
through private schools and a great home.
Does it aggravate you when
people get you both confused one for the other?
Nestor: when we were younger, but it’s a novelty now.
Jaime: It used to but not anymore, we are used to it
now… It’s actually kind a funny now because we joke
around with it…
Name a favorite stunt
you’ve pulled as twins to trick or confuse people.
Jaime: It would have to be switching classes in school,
the students would realize but the teachers had no idea,
it was very funny
Nestor: Mine would have to be our first Salsa Magic show
in LA. No one knew we were twins because I was new to
the scene and before the event I stayed low key and away
from Jaime so people would not
realize.
What are the advantages of being twins?
Nestor: You meet twice as many people indirectly, and if
either of us impress someone, it rubs of on the other
one.
Jaime: You are never alone is the biggest advantage,
The bond between twins is
even stronger than that of normal brothers and sisters…
Then there are a few others like, you meet twice as many
people… The amount times we get people coming to say hi
to us because they have met the other one is really
funny…
What are the disadvantages of being twins?
Jaime: It’s hard to be separated, people generally think
its double or nothing with us, they forget sometimes
that we are individuals who just happen to be twins…
Nestor: because I started dancing a while after Jaime,
it was hard to get my own identity. But that’s past us
now, that’s why I have been able to open up my own
company.
Do
you teach Salsa Full time?
Jaime: Yes VERY FULL time, when I’m not traveling I’m
teaching almost everyday, or training my staff or my
dance partner its tough but I love it…
Nestor: No, I do salsa for the love of
it, if it was my full time
job then it wouldn’t be a passion for me. I’m a
Bricklayer full time and salsa dancing is my hobby
What year did you start Salsa dancing?
Nestor: December 2002, and I have danced everyday since..
Jaime: I started in 2001 and have never looked back
since…
What made you want to teach Salsa?
Jaime: The fact that I can teach others what I’m
passionate about at the same time pass on our Latin
heritage is what made me want to teach…
Nestor: I wanted to give people the enjoyment that salsa
has given me..
How do you train your students – in series classes,
weekly “move-of-the-week” classes, or private lessons?
Nestor: Well it all depends on what, where and when I’m
teaching. At the moment it’s mainly private lessons
because that’s all that my time allows me to do. It’s
more flexible that way and I can fit all my training in.
Jaime:
We offer everything,
from privates to Bootcamps (which we learnt from you)
through 8 week courses… We really run our school like a
proper education institution… There
is nine levels to get through and we give our
students a path right through to our professional team…
Our professional team of 20 people is made up of all LDA
students who have come up through the ranks…
Who are your business partners?
Jaime: My business partner are Marcia Percival, who is
the founder of our company,
and Richard Natividad is our
latest addition to the director’s team…
Nestor: My current dance partner is Patricia from
Sydney. We both started at LDA. She was also part of the
Twin Magic Show we performed in LA.
Do
you have a dance team?
Nestor: I’m currently training with the LDA Advanced
salsa team and Jenny Brennan for the World Championships
in Las Vegas, we are the current Australian Team
Champions beating and have been invited to perform at
the LA Salsa Congress next year. The team made up of 6
LDA Advanced students and 2
instructors, Jenny and Myself beat a field of several
Pro teams.
Jaime: Yes, at LDA we have several teams… Inter/Adv
Student team (20 dancers) who have been selected to
perform at the LA Congress Next year… The Advanced
Student team (16 dancers) which represent LDA at the
Australian Championships and were crowned the Australian
Team Champions and will now be competing at the Las
Vegas Championships, My Professional team (18 dancers)
that do all of our National performances and My
international team who travel with me to the
international Salsa Congresses…
There is a heavy ballroom influence in your style of
Salsa. Why do you think that is?
Jaime: Although I have never been a ballroom dancer, I
have had training with some ballroom instructors to
polish up my dancing… I get asked all the time how long
have I dance Ballroom for, but I have never been a
ballroom dancer… I guess all the hard work to look nice
and clean really pays off…
Nestor: Actually, I never realised I did. I had a little
training once, but I consider myself to be street. Salsa
is the only form of dance I’ve ever taken up. Maybe
because we concentrate on being clean dancers it looks
that way.
Where do you see Salsa taking you in the future?
Nestor: I don’t want to be a mega star. I’ll leave that
up to Jaime.
Hahahaha. I
just want to enjoying what I do and hopefully show
others why we should all work together to enjoy our
Salsa. As long as its
positive where ever salsa takes me is fine
Jaime: I would like to travel extensively sharing my
passion of Salsa all over the world, continue to run
Australia’s Largest Latin Dance school and I would like
My Congress (Sydney Salsa Congress – produced by LDA &
Dancenetwork.com.au) to be one of the best in the world…
What do you recommend to
people who travel to Australia
and want to find clubs to dance?
Jaime:
My
contact details are
jaime.jesus@latindance.com.au let me know
you’re coming and we’ll take care of all your salsa
needs. ;) Or just check out
www.sydneysalsascene.com.au
Nestor: Same as above, I’ll be glad to give anyone a
hand….
Modusvivendi_salsa@hotmail.com
What do you find is the most challenging part of your
business?
Nestor: Trying to match full time dancers, I’m managing
but 24hrs in a day is never enough…
Jaime:
Hahaha, the most
challenging thing in my job is keeping my PRO dancers
happy, they are a great bunch of people who I love
working with very much, but with a team of 18
professionals it is VERY VERY
HARD….
What do you think is the most difficult part of
teaching?
Jaime:
I honestly don’t know,
I really enjoy teaching and the challenges that come
with it. It’s all difficult, but I love my students and
my teams and that makes it all worthwhile.
Nestor:
Seeing people walk away unhappy, no matter how hard you
try you can never make everyone happy. Even if it’s
because they are been hard on themselves.
In your opinion, what is
the most difficult part of having a dance company?
Nestor: The purpose of my dance company is not run huge
classes, but instead to work with as many people as I
can. I have a company for my own work. The hardest thing
of for others who want me to work for them that I also
like to work with other schools. My purpose is to unite
not divide.
Jaime:
KEEPING EVERYONE HAPPY…. It’s amazing how demanding
dancers can be; running team is the hardest part of
running a dance company for me… But being able to give
people the opportunity that was given to me is something
that I love to do, so I really do enjoy working with
teams… as the saying goes you have to take the good with
the bad… But I’m glad the good is so good that I stick
with it and I am proud of all those who work with me…
Where are some of the places you’ve dreamed of teaching
and performing? (countries/cities)
Jaime:
It used to be LA and
the UK, but I achieved both of those this year so I
guess Paris, Zurich, BRAZIL and Dubai… these are all
places that really fascinate me and I would love to
visit and work in one day
Nestor: same as Jaime, I have accomplished the two I
wanted the most which were LA and the UK. I also wanted
to do Italy and I have just come back from a tour of
Rome and Milan (awesome experience). I would also like
to do the Middle East because I love the history with
the area. To do Salsa and sight seeing is the best
combination.
How do you want people to
remember you?
Jaime:
I want people to remember me as Jaime Jesus, The always
happy, always smiling, always friendly Salsa dancer from
Sydney… I of course would like people to remember me for
my shows and teaching, but I’d much rather have them
like me as a friend 1st a professional 2nd…
I just love people and meeting them so yeah…
Nestor: I want them to remember me by how I treated
them. I know what kind of person I am and that’s what
counts. Some people will like me,
some people will not, that’s life… If I had to
chose it would be as a person
who just loved to dance.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Nestor: on the dance floor making ladies laugh and enjoy
their dancing with me where ever that may be.
Jaime:
Married, with a family and still running my dance
company performing all over the world…
I
would to share my passion for dance for as long as I
can…
If you had the opportunity
to sit yourself down and give some good words of advice,
what would that be?
Jaime:
Be a person 1st a professional 2nd
…….Follow your dreams and never give up, remember it’s
never too late to get started….
Nestor: First is to be honest in what ever you do, the
truth always comes out in the end. Second is to never
forget your loved ones even if you don’t see them that
much. And lastly always treat others the way you want
them to treat you… Oh Yeah, y Que
Viva La Salsa..
Both Jaime and Nestor can be found at
www.latindance.com.au
