Following your dream and finding your purpose in life is challenging.

Every week, join Sonia Kyriacou, a pioneer in the latin dance world as she digs deep into the journey of peoples pursuit of their passion for dance!

What’s New

Trailblazer in the the Latin dance industry – Gabriela Equiz of Alma Latina

She is the world champion of Bachata and director of the largest and most award-winning Latin dance company in the world. She is currently studying Engineering in Software development and is developing an app to streamline the exchange of dance knowledge, and connectivity between the communities of dancers and the local salsa and bachata industry. The beta version of this app can now be found in the Apple store and google play under the name “dancedrills The App”.

Gabriela Equiz has a TedXTalk conference and numerous presentations at universities and business groups in the state. Gabriela developed an online dance class distribution platform and her most recent project is “Salsa Bachata University”, an educational institution that seeks to legitimize and provide structure to the Latin Rhythms industry and whose ultimate objective is the creation of the first Bachelor of Dance specialized in Latin Rhythms of the country and the world.

Gabriela seeks to enter the world of motivational speaking through a podcast called “Dance Boss Lady” in which she shares her passion for helping people to follow and fulfill their dance dreams.

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Willy Torres has music running through his veins

Willy was introduced to music life as early as 4 years old. His dad William Maisonet (Papo Conga) was a world renowned percussionist and his mom Doris Torres was a singer.

After migrating to the United States (NYC) Willy started to sing in events by the age of 11 and shortly after was discovered by recording first call musicians Pablo Chino Nuñez and Willie Ruiz where he was introduced to the international music/Salsa World.

Willy is a multi instrumentalist, arranger, composer, producer that has toured the world and or recorded with artist like: Ricky Martin, Alexander Pires, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor Manuelle, Christian Castro, Victor Manuelle, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and his own projects Willy Torres Salsa Project and The Willy Torres Orchestra to name a mild few in his 30 year career.

Willy is considered a #1 call for most recording sessions around the world and has participated in winning 4 American Grammys and have been a part of projects/albums that have won numerous Latin Grammys.

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Rise up and rise above with Maria Torres from New York City

Choreographer for the contemporary reworking of Man of La Mancha (5th Avenue Theatre), Choreographer for Luis Valdes’ critically acclaimed revival of Zoot Suit for the 50th Anniversary of Center Theatre Group, Associate Choreographer for the Tony-Nominated Musical On Your Feet; and Associate Choreographer of the Off-broadway for Tony award-winning musical, In The Heights. Choreographer of The Donkey Show.Celia Cruz The Musical.Best Of Both Worlds. Dance Consultant on Becoming Nancy and Donna Summer The Musical. Lortel Nomination for best choreography of Four Guys Named Jose Executive Board Member of the Society of Directors & Choreographers. League of Professional Theater Women. Artistic Associate at Amas Musical Theater Board member of Engarde Arts. Artistic Director & Founder of Creative Workshop.

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Dancing on the brain with Anna Maria Tosco

Today, Anna-Maria is thrilled to have begun a new project. Her mandate: To make psychological concepts more mainstream in order to help decrease the stigma around mental illness and increase help-seeking when needed. With her brand new website and evolving social media presence, she hopes to prove that there are interesting, un-intimidating, and normalizing explanations behind what we do and why we do it – providing evidence that there is no need to perpetuate stigma.

She is also a dance aficionado! Having trained and performed with the San Tropez dance school in Montreal, Anna Maria travelled to Los Angeles and performed with her team in front of thousands! Find her on social media under “sassy psychologist”.

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How to choreograph your life in the middle of a pandemic! – Sonia Kyriacou

In this episode, Sonia speaks of the challenges around making plans, setting goals or pursuing your dreams in an environment of uncertainty. How does someone go about accomplishing anything while we’re in the middle of a pandemic? She explains that the most powerful thing anyone can be right now is adaptable!

Finding the balance between the plan that keeps getting off course and the “going with the flow” attitude.

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The endless benefits of dance! – Sonia Kyriacou

In this episode, Sonia talks about the many benefits dance has to offer! Recovering from the pandemic is of top priority and she explains how dance is source of healing.

Now more than ever, it’s essential we cultivate habits and hobbies that bring about joy, love, emotional stability, connectedness, empathy, confidence, and compassion: And dance has the ability to do just that.

Increased levels of trust, compassion, creativity, social skills, and a renewed love for life are just a few of the profound effects that engaging in dance can bring you.

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Meet the maker of champions – Anya Katsevman

Anya Katsevman has spent much of her career teaching.

She is a two time Salsa champion and has gained the reputation of coaching and mentoring rising talent in the Latin dance world!Most recently she has been seen on stage with the King of Mambo, Eddie Torres.

Sought after for judging, choreographing, producing, staging, designing, and helping develop artists, professionals and dancers of all levels in all genres of the entertainment industry. Anya is also a recognized life coach, healer and mentor using reiki, spirituality and her method called godeeper a dance based wellness program to help people develop in their business and personal endeavors.

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The most humble Salsa dancer alive! Tito Ortos from Puerto Rico

Tito started his career as a Salsa Dancer by his parent’s initiative, both musicians.

A top level dancer of many genres such as: Jazz, Merengue, “Bomba y Plena”, Rumba, Modern Dance and Tap among others. He has visited more than 100 cities worldwide giving performances and classes, with his wife and dance partner Tamara Livolsi. Having participated in various television commercials, dance videos and movies such as, “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights”, Yellow, El Cantante: Hector Lavoe and American Gangster as dancers, he is no stranger to the stage.
Today, Tito is not only a Salsa Dancer, he also is the Director of the San Juan City Salsa Dance Program and has made the choreographic works for concerts of artists such as: Gilberto Santa Rosa, Víctor Manuelle, El Gran Combo, Michael Stuart, Tito Nieves, Rubén Blades, Richie Rey y Bobby Cruz, Domingo Quiñones, Ismael Miranda, Elvis Crespo, Cheo Feliciano, Modesto Cepeda, Andy Montañez, NG2, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Tommy Olivencia, Julio Voltio and Tego Calderón. He was also the choreographer for the “Bomba” and “Cha-Cha-Cha” routine in Ricky Martin’s appearance in Miss Universe 2001 and the Celia Cruz “Azúcar” Special in Miami in 2003. Even after all this stardom, Tito remains humble, kind and readily shares his knowledge with so many!

Junior and Emily – Dance saved their lives!

Raised by their father, Junior and Emily Alabi didn’t always have an easy time. As young children growing up in the USA, there were some bad influences that could have taken them down the wrong path. Their father quickly pushed them into dancing as a healthy form of recreation. At the time, they were not convinced but eventually pursued it and became world champions! They have performed, taught, and competed all over the world.

They have worked with several celebrity artists such as Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, Justin Timberlake, Jamie King, and Selena Gomez, just to name a few. They now use dance to give back to their community! Dancing saved their lives!

What does it take to become a world champion? David Zepeda from Mexico exposes his secrets of success!

Sonia interviews 6 time world Latin dance champion, David Zepeda from Mexico. He talks about how he went from a young dancer working at a vacation resort to a non-stop sought-after world champion! Good looks are not enough! He left the comfort of living with his parents and studying to follow his dream of becoming the best dancer in the world. With no support and no money, he jumped in with 2 feet! His road to success has not been easy…the lessons learned along the way shaped his entire life.

Welcome to my podcast! Get to know me!

On her first episode, Sonia opens up about her struggles as an immigrant child moving to Canada at a young age but didn’t understand a word of English! She shares with us how she fell in love with Latin dance and how it changed her from a shy wall flower to a dance teacher that teaches and performs around the world! As a young woman, she struggled to claim her space in a very male dominated dance milieu. The odds were stacked against her…but she danced her way to success.