Jonathan and Jennifer

Jonathan Godinez and Jennifer Isabel, collectively known as JSquared, are highly celebrated international Bachata instructors and elite competitors. Originating their partnership in 2017, they quickly skyrocketed to fame within the Latin dance community due to their flawless connection and effortless musicality on the dance floor. The dynamic couple holds an impressive competitive record, notably securing the title of World "Just Bachata" Champions at the World Salsa Summit and becoming 7x Professional Bachata Heat Champions. Based out of San Antonio, Texas, they serve as the directors of Eta Noche Dance Company while balancing a highly active global touring schedule. They spend their time traveling the world to deliver high-energy workshops, perform on major congress stages, and judge elite dance events across the globe.

Troy Anthony

Troy Anthony is a world-renowned dancer, choreographer, and event promoter celebrated for his massive impact on the global Latin dance community. Renowned for pioneering a smooth "Creole style" that fuses L.A. and New York salsa with strong Cuban influences, he is widely credited with building a thriving mambo culture in New Orleans. Alongside his legendary former dance partner Jorjet Alcocer, he traveled the globe helping to popularize authentic, traditional Dominican-style Bachata. Beyond teaching and performing, his charismatic personality makes him one of the industry's most sought-after emcees and crowd entertainers at major international festivals. Today, he continues to shape the scene by organizing elite events, including massive multi-genre scale weekend takeovers with The BIG Salsa Festival events.

Fuquan and Candice

Fuquan Ferrell and Candace Joyner are the founders and artistic directors of ⁠Fuego Y Hielo Dance Company, one of Atlanta's premier Latin dance organizations. Combining over 35 years of collective dance experience, the dynamic duo is highly celebrated for their passionate performances, explosive energy, and deeply technical yet accessible teaching styles. They specialize in advanced Salsa (Mambo/On2) and Bachata fusions, emphasizing precise body movement, musicality, and authentic connection on the floor. Beyond operating their local training hub at Fire and Ice Studios in Atlanta, Fuquan and Candace travel internationally to teach and perform at prestigious global congresses, festivals, and major dance cruises.

Luis and Jenna

Jenna Robey Mendiola and Luis Talavera Diaz are the owners and founders of J&L Dance Studio, establishing themselves as prominent leaders in the Boston Bachata community. Partnered since 2013, they are widely recognized for their deep respect for Latin dance history, prioritizing authentic ⁠traditional-style Bachata roots alongside modern social dancing techniques. They hold prestigious training credentials from top-tier world master instructors like Alex & Desiree and Carlos Cinta, which shapes their highly technical, patient, and accessible teaching style. Beyond running group classes and hosting popular local events like the J&L Underground Social, they direct ⁠audition-based performance teams and travel to teach at workshops and congresses. Through their inclusive studio environment, they have helped cultivate a supportive safe haven that empowers a new generation of dancers in New England

Kimberly Rivera

Owner of KR Dance Studio which strives to provide quality dance education to all levels of dancers in a supportive environment. We work to build future leaders and provide a space for current pillars of our dance community to continue to hone their craft. Now we will offer Latin Dance classes in Albany Park and Irving Park. 

Marc and Rose

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🌎 WORLD-CLASS WEDNESDAY 🌎

One of the things that makes STLSBC special is the level of talent that comes together every year.

From internationally recognized instructors to incredible DJs and performers, we are building something unforgettable for 2026.

Stay tuned… more artist announcements coming soon.

👇 Who would YOU love to see at STLSBC?

Wendy and Rodrigo

Rodrigo & Wendy are internationally renowned Latin dance instructors and award-winning performers who specialize in unique "SalsaTango" and "BachataTango" fusions. They have trained with world master champions, placed on global competition stages, and danced alongside legendary Latin superstars like Willie Colón. The duo has traveled extensively from coast to coast and across multiple continents to perform and conduct workshops at top-tier global dance congresses. Dedicated to arts education, they serve as teaching artists for prominent performing arts institutions and are adjunct faculty members for the Dance Department at the ⁠University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Carmen Guynn

Carmen Guynn is a distinguished St. Louis native, stylist, and veteran instructor with over 25 years of experience elevating Latin and Afro-Latin dance culture. Crowned Miss Salsa St. Louis in 2002, she went on to found and direct Almas Del Ritmo Dance Company LLC, through which she manages multiple regional performance teams. She is the prominent promoter and producer of the St. Louis Salsa and Bachata Congress, an annual flagship event she founded in 2010 to unite artists from around the world. Beyond the social dance floor, Carmen is a passionate community leader who acts as an educational teaching artist and serves as the head of the Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation (CATE)

Kyle Culemann

Kyle Culmann (often spelled Coleman) is a veteran dancer, instructor, and entrepreneur who has been a driving force in the Indianapolis salsa scene for nearly two decades. He founded ⁠Latin Expressions Dance Company in 2011 to establish a welcoming, high-quality training hub for Latin culture and social dance in Indiana. Known for his energetic teaching style and sharp technical instruction, Kyle has traveled across the United States and internationally to countries like Thailand and Nicaragua to teach, perform, and compete. Under his direction, the studio hosts expansive weekly social events that draw hundreds of dancers, alongside an annual anniversary celebration that brings world-champion artists straight to the Midwest. Through introductory lessons, student outreach, and a massive community network, he has successfully introduced thousands of beginner dancers to the world of Salsa and Bachata.

DJ Downtown Boogie Brown

Deshaun Brown, widely known by his stage name DJ Downtown Boogie Brown (or DJ Boogie Down Brown), is a Chicago-based DJ and dancer celebrated for injecting high energy into the Midwest Latin dance community. Known as "#thedancerDJ," his unique perspective as a skilled social dancer directly informs his mixing style, allowing him to read and anticipate the exact energy of the room. He is a prominent resident DJ for major regional events, spinning a vibrant mix of heavy salsa, rhythm-packed bachata, and rumba tracks. A favorite fixture at lakeside venues like ⁠Pier 31 for ECI Salsa & Bachata Tuesdays in Chicago, he regularly collaborates with veteran promoters to curate premier outdoor social dancing experiences.