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Teacher Bio
Jhesus Aponte has been surrounded by dance his entire life and has taken the talent he was born with to the greatest heights with every intention of continuing his ascension to even taller peaks. An internationally renowned dancer and choreographer who is taking the world by storm with every rhythmic move he makes, Jhesus is a two time winner of World Salsa Championships, prestigious titles to add to his already abundant list of accomplishments....Read more
Jhesus Aponte has been surrounded by dance his entire life and has taken the talent he was born with to the greatest heights with every intention of continuing his ascension to even taller peaks. An internationally renowned dancer and choreographer who is taking the world by storm with every rhythmic move he makes, Jhesus is a two time winner of World Salsa Championships, prestigious titles to add to his already abundant list of accomplishments. Born and raised in the town of Santurce in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, Jhesus Aponte comes from a family of musicians. His father is a bass player and all of his paternal relatives are musically inclined, most playing a minimum of two instruments. Music was constantly played in the home and Salsa, the cultural music and dance of the island, became embedded in Aponte's subconscious in the same way learning to speak does. It's not something you think about, it's something you simply know. Aponte's inherent love of dance took a more professional turn at the hands of a friend who brought him to an aerobic jazz class. "I was enchanted," he says of that first formal lesson, "and decided to start training to become a more complete dancer." Classes in Jazz, Ballet, Music Theatre, Tap, Hip Hop, Swing, Hustle, Flamenco and Rumba, ensued at various schools throughout Puerto Rico, including Bailos, New Attitude, Conservatorio de Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, and Dance Machine, and New York City at Broadway Dance Center, and Eglevsky Ballet where he had a Summer Scholarships.
In 1991, Aponte landed his first job as a professional dancer, and has not stopped working professionally since. As a Choreographer he has choreographed for many stars, concerts, TV, music videos and commercials. In Theatre, The West End in the UK , Off- Broadway and many Regional Theatres in USA, Dominican Republic, Uk and PR. Jhesus has taught and perform in countries such as, North, Central and South America, Turkey, Italy, Morocco, Hungary, Spain, Japan, South Korea, China, France, Monaco, Switzerland, Norway, United Kingdom, Israel, Poland, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Germany, Thailand, Australia, Guadeloupe, and Sweden
Class Descriptions
Latin Jazz Fusion is an exciting dance style taught by Jhesus with his unique Flavor "Aponte's style" of technical Jazz dance, Contemporary and Ballet, fusing the Afro-Caribbean dance styles of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Caribbean, African, Hip-Hop, Funk with the Spanish, and European among others.
Class begins with a warm up set in a traditional jazz/ballet structure and Latin motion, that works on student’s coordination, Latin movement, strength and flexibility. Follows an across the floor and dance combinations that will strengthen dancers, strengthen musicality, space, timing and precision, giving the freedom to execute flawless performances on or off stage. Proper dance attire is recommended along with jazz or character shoes.
This training will give you everything you need to know about styling, musicality, technique, flavor, body movement, arms styling, walking, dancing properly in heels, and much more. Whether your desire is to confidently dance at social functions, compete at the highest levels you can achieve, or simply do something you always wanted to do, Jhesus is here for you. On 2 salsa is a style of salsa where the dancers take their break step on the second beat of the measure (“on 2”), as opposed to the first beat, as in On1 salsa.