Judges Print

Judges for 2010 

Judge's Profiles

Alfonso Rio - Head Judge

 

Originally from Peru, Alfonso is our New Zealand based international judge currently working in Dunedin, where he is the director of Salsa Moves NZ dance studios. He has a vast knowledge, understanding and respect of the music, dance and culture of Salsa.

His many years of international experience as a professional Latin Percussionist, combined with his natural musicality and passion, has made Alfonso a highly sought-after Instructor in New Zealand and the pioneer for Otago Salsa.

Alfonso has judged the South Island Salsa Competitions in 2007, 2008 and in 2009 he was asked to take the head judge position. He has also been an adjudicator at  the Salsa National Championships in 2007 and was head judge at the New Zealand Salsa Nationals 2009.

Jaime Jesus & Josie Cote - International Judges

Profiles still to come.

Carol-Ann Hickmore - Special Guest Judge


Carol-Ann came to New Zealand from Wales with her family at the age of 3 years old and was dancing almost as soon as she could walk. Her mother took her to a local Dance School when she was 6 years old and she never looked back.

She continued competitive dancing for 25 years in New Zealand and overseas and has won several New Zealand titles in Ballroom, Latin American and New Vogue Dancing. Carol-Ann is a fully qualified International Adjudicator and regularly judges at the NZ Ballroom Championships along with international competitions as far away as Europe. Carol-Ann was also also judge at the New Zealand Salsa Nationals 2009.

Carol-Ann is well-known for training the winner of TVNZ's inaugural "Dancing With The Stars" show, former All Black, Norm Hewitt. She then went on to Judge the following shows in 2006 and 2007. She is currently training competitive dancers and teaching the latest Latin American fitness craze Zumba!  

Greydis Montero

Profiles still to come.

Reuben Watkins

Reuben is the director and owner of Salsa Latina studios, Christchurch. One of the largest Salsa Schools in New Zealand.  He has judged at the Salsa National Championship 2005 and the New Zealand Salsa Nationals 2009. In 2007 he and his partner placed 1st at the South Island Salsa Competition and 2nd in the Salsa National Championship in the Professional category. In 2009 his Salsa team 'Salsa Sabrosa' was also selected to represent New Zealand in the Sydney Salsa Congress 2010.

Reuben has been dancing Cuban Miami Salsa and Brazilian Samba/Axé since the turn of the millennium and was trained as both a performer and teacher for Street Latin Dance Studio. Since then, he has developed a unique personal style of dancing and has extensive teaching and performance experiences in various styles in Latin dance, his main focus today is On1 and On2 (NY & LA) linear salsa styles.

Annie Giles

For over 16 years Annie has been a part of the New Zealand Salsa scene. From the early days her love of the South American rhythms and culture has been central to her passion to support the growth of Salsa: both the dance and the music in New Zealand.

Annie is the founder and director of the Salsa Groove Dance School based in Nelson and Blenheim. The teaching is based mainly on Linear Style Salsa but her roots are in the Circular Colombian Style Salsa. Salsa Groove is a sponsor and supporter of Star Dance Academy. A Youth dance based programme that uses Salsa and other dance styles to teach our kids about personal growth, development and reaching for the stars.

Throughout the years Annie has been involved as a mentor in many major New Zealand Salsa events and has represented New Zealand Salsa internationally at Congresses in Australia and the USA.

Annies experience in Salsa has also seen her regularly judging at New Zealand events including the South Island Salsa Competition and New Zealand Salsa Competitions.