Rumba Y Cache Performance Team

Chris Frey:
I started salsa thru a friends persistence, not really wanting to learn. The first time I took classes it only lasted a couple months, before I quit. I did the same thing over the next couple years. I took classes from various instructors in portland, but after consistently learning from Antonio and being encouraged from him I was asked to join his dance company. I was hesitant at first, but liked his style of teaching and now I look forward to performing and representing his dance company.

Dasu Oturu:
It was in 2007 summer, I fell in love with salsa when I dropped in for my first salsa lesson. Since then I developed strong connection to salsa music, dance and the community. Loved every instructor and performer I met and always wanted to be a part them. RYC is my first dance company and I am looking forward to grow as an artist and best friend to Portland Salsa.

Alfredo Belanger:
Alfredo was immediately interested in salsa when he was introduced to it after moving to the US from Chile. He began taking consistent dance lessons in 2008.
Alfredo has participated in dance classes at a number of places including Satin Latin where he danced Casino Rueda and Sylvia Haugland’s group Rueda Pa’Goza where he performed twice.
In 2009 Alfredo also danced with Hurricane Tumbao’s on 2 training Team for over a year. His experiences with this team helped him deepen his passion and understanding of salsa dancing.
Alfredo really enjoys the ambiance and social aspects of salsa dancing. He enjoys using salsa to meet new people and relieve stress.
Although Alfredo’s overall goal was not to perform, he understands the importance of technical training and that such experiences allow him to continue growing as a dancer.

Alyssa Anderson:
Alyssa has always enjoyed dancing. She danced ballet as a teenager and discovered salsa dancing a little over a year ago. After finishing graduate school she began taking salsa lessons.
Alyssa looks forward to continuing to learn and improve as a dancer.

Ja Vonda Dillon:
Ja Vonda was born and raised in Mississippi and later moved to Portland Oregon. At the age of nine she found herself performing with the Hip-Hop group Sisters in Motion. While attending Roosevelt High School she continued her passion for dance by choreographing and performing with Roosevelt's Dance Team.
Ja Vonda has performed in countless performances and parades including Portland's Starlight Parade, Rose Festival Parade, and multiple St. John's Parades.
In 2008 she began taking Salsa lessons ans was instantly hooked. Later she was asked to join a Salsa Ladies Styling Team. In 2010 she proudly joined Rumba Y Cache Performance Team.

Matt Simpson:
Matt is a Portland native who was inspired to learn salsa after a month long trip to Costa Rica in 2009. With no prior dance experience, Matt has been taking lessons with Antonio for nearly a year. His lack of experience motivated him to quickly learn salsa basics, which further fortified his passion for salsa dancing. Matt is excited to be a member of the Rumba Y Cache Performance Team and take his dancing to the next level.

Lanai Lewis:
After a year of drill team in 8th grade, I took a fifteen year hiatus from dance. During that time I earned a degree in graphic design from Portland State, jumped horses and played violin in the orchestra. About a year ago I took a salsa class and knew it was the style of dance I was looking for. I joined the performance group in 2010, and am super excited to get to work with such wonderful people.