Sami Rodriguez & Maria Del Pilar Aguirre
AKA: Sami & Pilar

Sami is 19 years old and was born in Columbia, he moved to England aged 10. Sami has danced for as long as he can remember and is presently studying, 'Performing arts and musical theatre' at university. Pilar is 18 years old and has also danced the whole of her life. As well as teaching and performing as a couple they also dance with the group 'Salsa Fire' on a regular basis and have done so for the past 4 years. Earlier this year (2008) they won, 'The open UK Salsa championships' which were held in London.

Sami & Pilar have performed throughout London and at various other salsa venues in the North of England. One of their proudest moments was when they were asked to perform for the Columbium Embassy. Although very young, Sami & Pilar already have a repertoire of five salsa shows which they perform and each show has a different costume which they get fitted for and made by a friend of the family.

 

 

N:B Cali Salsa is a different beast to the type of Salsa danced in many other parts of the world. The one and only time I tried it it felt as though I had someone else's shoes on and my feet were moving so fast I might have been dancing on hot coals. Although the rhythm and beats may be similar it is a different matter once you take to the dance floor.

Cali is a city in Columbia where music is played everywhere you go. Whether this be on a bus, walking past the shops, in a bar, restaurant or on one of the 24 radio stations. Wherever you are, you will hear the sensuous, tropical rhythms of Salsa!

"In Cali, Salsa is an indispensible social skill, 'No Salsa-No Dates'. It is simple, if you can not dance you can not meet people. In Cali, if you do not dance you are seen as boring. It is in our blood".

Sami & Pilar aim to enter 'The world Salsa championships' in a couple of years time and with their pedigree, who knows!