About Us

Sharie

Owner & Principal (Havana Estudio Group of Companies)

Sharie is one of the chief proponents of Salsa in Kuala Lumpur, from when she first had her taste of it in the late 1980s at Tin Mine, KL Hilton to the late 1990's and 2000's at El Nino, La Rouge, and Juanita. All her friends, her dancers, and students of Havana Estudio were loyal patrons of these clubs and all were on board promoting Salsa, first because they loved it as much as she did, and then later as her business partners. Since establishing Havana Estudio in 1998, she continues to recruit more Malaysian talents. Almost all the street style Salsa Instructors in Kuala Lumpur have at one point been under Havana Estudio. Today, the KL Salsa Scene is thriving, friendly, and a safe place to go out dancing many times a week.

In business, Sharie believes in working together with good long-term partners in planning and management of an event. From the initial scheduling, back office coordination, all the way to the operations, and finally to the smooth flowing of dance performances, all to achieve a successful night for all parties involved.

She has not only successfully gotten on board different clubs to promote Salsa regularly in Kuala Lumpur but is the only one who has successfully and consistently organized large-scale Salsa parties at various clubs, hotels, and hall venues for many, many years.

As a dancer, she is still learning, currently under Salsa Sam (Havana Estudio). She has trained under Instructors like Alberto & Naoko (Asere, Japan), Gupson Pierre (Attitude Dance Studio, Singapore), Frankie Martinez (New York), Edie the Salsa Freak (Los Angeles), and many more. Her pet peeves are when dancers don't dance to the music or don't connect with people around them.

She is currently Owner of Havana Estudio group of studios in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and continues to be very much in touch with dancers in the KL scene.

For a listing of previous commendations and achievements, see our corporate portfolio.

Contact her at +60 (12) 295-2890 or directly on email.

Salsa Sam

Artistic Director (Salsa & Street Latin) and Resident Instructor (Salsa "On1", Salsa "On2", Rueda de Casino, Salsa Shines, Salsa Spins & Styling, Bachata, Street Chacha, Pachanga)

Salsa Sam is a real pleasure and fun to dance with. From his playful leads to his unpredictable turn patterns, he always makes ladies feel safe and comfortable, and is undisputedly one of the clearest leads in Kuala Lumpur. You can usually see him dancing non-stop from one partner to the next, guy or girl, leader or follower, regardless of style or rhythm. He has been referred to as the "King of the rhythm and soul" of Salsa in Kuala Lumpur. He truly believes that Salsa is a healthy lifestyle and when people are able to socially dance together, Salsa music truly unites, regardless.

Before Salsa, he's had very little dance background; a late-bloomer. In 1998, at the end of his college years pursuing a double degree at MIT (USA) and an MBA at Sloan, what started out as a great way to exercise turned out to be a great stress reliever, a great way to meet people, and make friends who enjoy dancing! He passionately soaked the dance styles of Latin, Standard, Rhythm, and Smooth (21-dance International & American styles of dance). Finally he took up Salsa – first Dominican style and then more seriously later Casino-style, Razz ‘M Tazz style, and Eddie Torres "On2" style.

Upon his return to Malaysia, in 2001, he championed the Havana Estudio-Conlay Salsa Competition, beating professional and amateur dancers from Malaysia and Singapore. In 2002, he became an Assistant Instructor for Havana Estudio classes at El Nino (KL) and Juanita (PJ). He then spearheaded the Rueda program at El Nino, at La Rouge (KL Hilton), and then later at Viva Dance Club (PJ Eastin Hotel). In 2003, he headed the Salsa program as the Artistic Director of Havana Estudio and moved operations into our studio location in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

Since then, he has taught Salsa around Kuala Lumpur and other cities like Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Ipoh , Penang, Muar, and many places around the Klang Valley and beyond. In the KL Salsa scene today, the majority of Intermediate to Advanced dancers have, at one point, picked up strong fundamentals of Salsa through Havana Estudio's Salsa program, and gone to teach in Malaysia and Asia. Together with Aisha Mansoor, they have a very successful 6-level program for Salsa. 3 structured levels of Salsa (8 months) - Beginner 1, Beginner 2, Improver 1, and Improver 2 - and an on-going Intermediate 1, and a high-level performance-oriented Intermediate 2 level.

SalsaSam is one of the major driving forces behind the explosive growth of not only Salsa but the other Street latin dances like Merengue and Bachata. In 2003, together with a Malaysian Salsa dancer from Canada, Melissa, he was the 1st to introduce Bachata in Malaysia to a group of hard-core Salsa enthusiasts at a Salsa Getaway in Fraser's Hill. Historically, he has gradually incorporated these additional programs in Kuala Lumpur: Rueda de Casino (2002), "On 1" (2003), Bachata (2004), "On 2" (2005), Classic Merengue (2006), Classic Bachata (2006), and a high-level Salsa Performance class (2007), which emphasizes performance- and choreography-oriented program while maintains strong social dancing skills with musicality, hot Shines, spins, and group transitions and choreography. In 2010 he briefly introduced Street Chacha and in 2011 Pachanga. Havana Estudio will continue to incorporate more programs to supplement the core Salsa program in the months and years to come.

With his reknowned technical style of teaching, and his characteristic breakdowns of Shines and Partnerwork, Havana Estudio is known as one of the premier dance schools in Malaysia. Their Salsa program is emulated, respected, and adopted by local dancers and instructors alike.

His greatest pride is that there are always new Havana Estudio students dancing Salsa in the clubs practically every month. Together with Aisha Mansoor, their Intermediate students between 1 to 2 years of experience can competently dance “on 1” or “on 2” depending on the music or the partner they dance with. He is known not only in Malaysia but also among his students from Indonesia, Singapore, India, Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, Switzerland, and Germany. At the Beginner level, he employs a lot of fun and incorporates a lot of repetition to reinforce strong fundamentals. Beyond the Beginner levels, his classes are intense but extremely rewarding and fun!

He is always heavily promoted Salsa as a healthy lifestyle through various appearances and interviews on newspapers (The New Straits Times, Malay Mail, Star, Utusan Malaysia, Harian Metro, etc.), magazines (Penang Society of Performing Arts, KL Lifestyle, Nyonya, Wanita, Shape, etc.), and television programs (8tV, TV3, StarTV Online, etc.).

As the Director and Choreographer of Team Malaysia, he leads talented dancers to represent Malaysia every year: 2004 (Tokyo Salsa Congress, Japan), 2005 (West Coast Salsa Congress, Los Angeles), 2006 (Singapore), 2007 (Malaysian Salsa Festival), and 2008 (Malaysian World Latin Salsa Congress and Malaysian Salsa Festival).

Sam is available for solo & group private lessons in the Studio or at your location for family events, private functions, shows, performances, choreography, and consultation. Book him early with a 50% deposit.

Contact him at +60 (12) 280-6969 or directly on email.

Aisha

Creative Director (Salsa & Street Latin) and Resident Instructor (Salsa, Kids Salsa, Ladies Spins, and Ladies Styling)

She has captivate onlookers and Salsa dancers alike, with her vibrance, expressions, and dramatic style of Salsa. A hard-core social dancer, she makes any dancer from the Advanced Instructor-level to the first time Beginner look and feel good on the dance floor! Her groove is her own; she believes strongly in styling for club dancing and developing your own personal style. With unrivalled energy and enthusiasm, she continues to inspire dancers and Instructors in the Kuala Lumpur and wherever she has toured (Singapore, Japan, Los Angeles) and other Malaysian cities (Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, and Ipoh).

Only social dancing since 1998, she was literally trained in the dance clubs of Calgary, Canada. In 2003, she was invited to join Havana Estudio's students in a Student Performance. Literally overnight, she choreographed a segment of pure groove. She had created such in impact, she was begrudgingly known as "Aisha Groove". She was immediately invited to give a Ladies Styling workshop at Havana Estudio, a first for Malaysia, and Kuala Lumpur has never been the same again.

Since 2003, under the guidance of Salsa Sam, she trained, danced, and now teaches LA Style "On1". Together, they teach over a dozen Salsa classes a week in 4 structured levels (Beginner 1 through and including Improver 2) and an Open Intermediate level. When they're not teaching or dancing, they choreograph routines for student performances, corporate shows, weddings, or school events.

In 2007, Aisha extended her Kids Salsa program to a pioneering batch of students at the Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur. In 2008, Aisha offers workshops in Ladies Spins and Ladies Styling. In 2009, Aisha incorporates stylish social-oriented styling in our Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 Salsa levels.

Contact her at +60 (12) 201-8690 or directly on email.

Kayla

Resident Instructor (Gypsy Flamenco and various rhythms)

Dancing for most of her life, Kayla's a natural dancing athlete with the ability and energy to explore a variety of dance styles. In 1985, she discovered a raw earthiness of gypsy Flamenco and has never looked back. She studied Flamenco with many teachers in Melbourne and guest artists from Spain. One instructor in particular, Conchita became her mentor. Conchita, an Andalusian gypsy was raised in and trained in Cordoba, then moved to Australia and began teaching Flamenco since the mid-1960's. Today, Kayla continues her studies with Antonio Vargas whenever possible and performs with or without her Flamenco guitarist for corporate clients and private functions around Malaysia. In performance Kayla  takes you on a journey of mesmerising rhythms and visual elegance,  allowing audiences to witness the depth of her character.

Kayla teaches Andalusian gypsy Flamenco. Her introductory and Beginner-level courses are fun, and provide you with an understanding of the complex rhythms. She will train your posture, co-ordination and help you develop the physical strength in order to learn whole pieces of Flamenco choreography. Kayla is available for solo & individual private lessons in the Studio, group private lessons in the Studio, lessons at your location, shows, performances, and choreography.

She is available at +60 (16) 348-5019 or directly on email.

Toh Kong Eu

Resident Instructor (Rhythm Tap)

Toh Kong Eu has been a rhythm tap artist for the past 10 years, performing, choreographing and teaching mainly in the Klang Valley, and also in neighbouring Singapore where he has given workshops. He has studied with many of the contemporary tap masters of today such as Savion Glover, Dianne Walker, Brenda Bufalino, Barbara Duffy and Van Porter. He is a regular fixture at various international tap festivals such as the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, the St. Louis Tap Festival, as has performed at the New York City Tap Festival, the Southern California Tap Festival and National Tap Seminar held near Denver, Colorado.

Since returning from the US in 1997, Kong Eu has choreographed and performed in numerous dances – solo work, small group as well as ensemble pieces. In addition, he has also done various improvisational performances. To date, Kong Eu and the Rhythm Tappers @ Malaysia have been featured in The Star, New Straits Times and magazines such as Her World/Health & Beauty. In addition, Kong Eu has made television appearances on programmes such as Jojo’s Ticket to Wellbeing and The Breakfast Show on NTV7, Hello on Two on RTM2 and X-fresh TV/Macam Macam Aznil on Astro.

Recent major performances by the Rhythm Tappers @ Malaysia include the 2006 New Year’s eve event—Floatparty, and promotions for the movie Happy Feet, where the ensemble was the main feature. In 2004, Kong Eu also opened for Malaysia’s “funny man” Harith Iskandar in his series of stand-up shows at The Actor’s Studio.

Since 2006, the Rhythm Tappers @ Malaysia (RT@M) in collaboration with Havana Estudio, have produced a series of Tap Jams where tappers of all levels come together to showcase tap, jam, improvise, and exchange ideas/steps etc. In addition, the jams are also open to non-tappers as rhythm jams (and also basic intro to tap) are included for all.

Between 14 and 16 November, 2008, RT@M colloborated with Havana Estudio and Schockolart, Solaris to hold their first major production of a solid 2 hour show with great acclaim and praise.

Kong Eu is available at +60 (12) 379-3779 or directly on email.

Monika Ramasamy

Resident Instructor (Hatha Yoga)

Monika Ramasamy has been practicing and teaching Yoga for 27 years. She originally hails from Switzerland and in 1994 became one of the pioneer teachers in Kuala Lumpur. She graduated in the Indian Classical Dance Form of Bharata Natyam and is a qualified teacher with the Australian International Teachers Association and Integral Yoga Teachers Association; she furthermore blends hundreds of hours of training with well known teachers from various traditions including Anusara Yoga into her own teachings of Yoga. Monika’s background training also includes contemporary dance and Pilates.

Currently teaching in Havana Estudio for the past five years Monika’s wealth of experience in teaching literally thousands of students, many of whom came to yoga after illness or injury; make her a very proficient and efficient teacher in realigning body and mind into a positive and healthy state. A maximum class size of 10 allows her to give detailed and individualized instructions to each student. Monika believes that everyone can do Yoga, the testimonials speak for themselves: Testimonials.

For more information please log into her blog: www.yogimon.net

Class Fees: RM43 (1 class), RM178 (5 classes, valid 6 wks), RM308 (10 classes, valid 10 weeks).

Her classes at Havana Estudio started in January, 2007. Monika is available at +60 (12) 201-5070 or directly on email.

Kosar Abbasi

Guest Instructor (Belly Dance, Kids Hip Hop)

Kosar Abbasi started dancing at 4 years old with an Iranian classical and folkloric dance instructor. Referred as a "gifted artist as well as a performer", she continued to learn fusion dance and later teach. At 19 she left her native Iran and took a pilgrimage to India. She learned their culture, dances, and received certification. While pursuing her studies of the Indian system of Ayurveda, she taught and performed Belly Dance, Persian Dance, Bollywood, Hip Hop, Latin, Fusion Dance, and fitness classes at dance academies, clubs, and gyms. She has also performed in Dubai, Turkey, Singapore, and now Malaysia.

In 2007 she was the champion of a Latin Competition in Pune, Maharashtra, India. In 2008 she won an award for best fusion of Belly Dance and Bollywood. At Salsa India's 2010 Bachata Festival, she taught Belly Dance and on the 14th of February 2010 was crowd favourite and won the 2010 Bachata Competition.

Dancing is her passion and she professes great fun-filled experiences. She teaches group lessons in the studio and is available for private lessons, shows, and performances.

Her classes at Havana Estudio started in October, 2010. For all enquiries, please contact Kosar at +60 (17) 640-6794 or email.

Malin Vikström-Chan

Resident Instructor (Pilates, Lyrical Contemporary, Modern Jazz dance, Street dance, Modern Ballet and Dance technique)

Swedish born and Finnish raised, Malin is said to have been dancing before she was walking, she has been taking dance classes and actively dancing for over 20 years and teaching for 11. She followed her passion for expressing herself through dance by studying dance full time and getting her bachelor in Dance from Australia in 2008.

Throughout her dance career she has studied Jazz, Ballet, Modern Dance, Contemporary, Afro, Tap, Hip Hop, Flamenco, Salsa, Capoeira, Afro, Acrobatics, Pilates, Choreography, Improvisation, Dance History, Anatomy, Rhythmics and Directing.

To further strengthen herself in dance and better be able to teach proper posture and alignment for dancers, she also studied to become a certified STOTT Pilates instructor.

Malin has had a love for performing her whole life and has been performing dance since the age of 8 as well as choreographing her own dance pieces. In 1999, one of her choreographies was aired on Finland’s biggest television channels: “Yle 1”.

Her performance career in dance took a leap as she in 2005 performed at the “Superdome”, Sydney with an audience of 40.000. One year later Malin dance directed and choreographed a production in Sydney, Australia with a cast of 100. The same year she also put up her own choreography “Captivating” with original music at Glenstreet Theatre in Sydney.

In 2009, together with Carina Ahlskog, Malin performed their original choreography in the contemporary dance theatre “Drop In”. This project was funded by the Finnish government and received good response. Malin also choreographed the finale dance piece for ‘Danspuls’, a major local dance production with 300 dancers in the autumn.

Since 2008, she has been professionally teaching contemporary, Jazz, Show, Street, dance technique, choreography and improvisation as well as STOTT Pilates for gymnasts and other athletes, professionals and health enthusiasts.

Malin is appreciated for her eager to see each individual reach their full potential as well as learn to enjoy the art of dance. She is interested in choreographing and enjoys collaborating with other artists to bring richness and beauty to dance creations. Being a dancer with a wide range of dance experience and with an eager to learn and talent to pick up choreography and different styles; she brings a wealth of performance experience to the stage as well as being a valuable team player.

Having 20 years of dance experience and 11 years of teaching under her belt; by making her classes fun and versatile, Malin aims to develop every student potential to the greatest degree. She teaches Lyrical Contemporary, Contemporary Jazz (Jazz Dance), Street/Show Dance, and Stott Pilates in the studio and is available for private lessons, shows, and performances.

Class Fees: RM200 (4 classes), RM497 (11 classes).

Her classes at Havana Estudio started in March, 2011. For all enquiries, please contact Sharie at +60 (12) 295-2890 or email.

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