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Eli Torres, Artistic Director

World Salsa Champion

"...to truly make spinning into an art form"

Based in Philadelphia, PA, of Puerto Rican descent, Eli Torres is one of the top leading male salsa dancers in the world. Eli has eight years of salsa experience in judging, choreographing, performing, and competing. Known for his “single foot skater spins” when he follows, Eli has made spinning into an art form. He is also respected for his exceptional leading skills; because of this he has been dubbed by many as the Mambo/Salsa “DIVO”.

 

Eli has had the privilege to choreograph for the Koresh Dance Company’s 20th Anniversary Dance Celebration "Dirty Dancing Party" for Patrick Swayze at the Annenberg Center in Philadelphia. He has also received numerous recognitions as a competitor both as a leader and a follower. During his early career years, Eli established himself as one of the best leaders in the salsa scene both in Philadelphia and abroad. In 2002, Eli won first place as a leader in the professional category at the Taj Mahal Salsa Competition. He also placed first in the 2008 Philadelphia Salsa Congress "On1" category with his female partner, Charlotte Serrano and qualified for the 4th annual ESPN World Salsa Championships.

 

He competed and became a semifinalist in the 2007 3rd Annual ESPN World Salsa Championships in Orlando, FL. Together with his dance partner Yen Dorado, Eli and Yen have become pioneers in the salsa community for being the first same-gender dance couple to take their show and compete at a professional level. Most recently, Eli and Yen have made history for being the only same gender couple AND the first out-of-state/international couple to win the 2009 Mayan World Salsa Championships in Los Angeles.

 

Eli has performed in various international venues such as the prestigious 2008 Puerto Rico World Salsa Congress and has had his work commissioned by Telemundo, WHYY, CN8, and NBC Television. Currently, he is a freelance choreographer & international performer/competitor. Eli Torres is currently the proud owner of EliT Dance Academy.

 

Recent Review of Eli Torres and Yen Dorado at the 1st Annual San Francisco Salsa Festival.

"Eli Torres, who is one of the best followers ever, has an unparalleled dancing technique unmatched by any stars we all know and respect.  This diminutive dancer with a slim build never had any dance training and never took lessons - he learned salsa by watching others and yet his mastery in both leading and following is uncanny.  The audience gasped and cheered watching his fast multiple spins on  one foot... No other salseros demonstrated that skill.

But technique alone does not a good dancer make and this couple certainly got it all: performance skills, musicality and glorious stage presence.  Too bad ESPN would not allow a same-sex (even non gay) - couple  to be featured in its shows otherwise Eli and Yen would have won the world salsa competition hands down.  In spite of all the admiration, both of them are down to earth accepting dance requests with a smile from just about anybody.  And what a thrill it was dancing with them! " ----courtesy of Maya SalsaLoca
http://www.salsacrazy.com/features/sf_salsa_festival_2009_review.htm

Accomplishments

* 2009 MAYAN WORLD SALSA CHAMPION (recent win)
* 2009 Long Island US Dance Champion (recent win)
* 2009 Liberty Swing Cabaret US Champion (recent win)
* 2009 Florida Showdance/Cabaret US Salsa Champion
* 2008 Philadelphia Salsa Congress On1 Salsa Champion
* 2008 North American Dance Challenge Showdance Champion
* 2008 Philadelphia Liberty Dance Challenge US Salsa Champion
* 2008 Philadelphia Dreams Talent Competition Winner
* 2007 ESPN World Salsa Championships
* 2006 Philadelphia Hispanic Choice Awards Salsa Champion
* 2003 Vaseline Intensive Care Smooth Moves Competition Finalist
* 2002 Taj Mahal Salsa Champion Professional Category
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