L.A. salsa at its best! An exclusive interview with Mr. Johnny Bravo By Laureano Ralon Facchina

 

Originally a member of the world-renowned “Rumba Brava” dance company – part of a family of talented dancers known as “The Bravos” –, Johnny Bravo is probably one of the best dancers in the North West. After training, teaching and competing internationally, Johnny founded the Johnny Bravo Dance Company in 2005, in order create performing opportunities for dancers with a passion for the art of salsa. Johnny relies on his fast, sharp, and innovative style and footwork to create stunning choreographies for his dancers to entertain and excite. The members of his dance companies started as beginners in salsa and are now doing professional shows throughout the West Coast. They have performed in Portland, Vancouver, and at the West Coast and San Francisco Congresses.

How long have you been dancing and how did you get into Salsa?

I have been dancing professionally for five years. Including training, seven years total. I got into salsa dancing by seeing my father and mother doing a show and going to the LA Congress for the first time. Those two events motivated me. Looking at good dancers like Johnny Vasquez and Rogelio Moreno also inspired me.

Who was your first instructor and what was the most important lesson you learnt from him/her?

My father taught me the foundation and encouraged me to practice. The first group class I ever took was from Francisco Vasquez, but I wasn't able to learn a lot because I was a beginner taking an advanced class. The first person I took privates from was Josie Neglia.

Tell us about your achievements with Salsa.

My own, unique style, my spins and my fast footwork are my achievements. I'm also proud of winning the title for being the best choreographer in the NW.

Name a few professional dancers that you like. What is it that you like about each of them?

Johnny Vasquez – he has good style and is creative, fast, and clean.
Rogelio Moreno has a good style. It's LA style, but a little different. There's something different when he does his basic. There's like a little jump. And he's a good performer.
The dancers from Tropical Gem are great because they're really fast. They have a unique style and they're really clean.
Oliver Pineda from Australia is also very clean and a great performer.

What are your plans for the next of the year?
My plans are hopefully to take my group from Seattle to the Puerto Rico Congress. I also want to travel more, doing workshops, performing and maybe competing.

What would you like to accomplish with Salsa in the next few years?
Try to do more complicated movements and patterns and set a record for doing 12 spins on one foot…

What do you think of the Vancouver Salsa scene?
They are nice people. There are a lot of nice, respectful people there.

Tell us about your upcoming Vancouver project/team?
I'm excited to work with people in Vancouver. My goal is to make a great team of performers over there. I want to prepare them to perform at LA and San Francisco Congresses, and around the Northwest. I want to train people to dance Bravo Style over there.