About

Leon Rose is an innovator. Embracing the sensual art of salsa, Leon has been at the vanguard of the British salsa movement, since 1997. He was first introduced to salsa by his mother, an avid fan of the style, which has its roots in African, Caribbean culture, particularly Puerto Rico and Cuba. “Mum took me to my first salsa class one Sunday at a club called Villa Stefano’s in London.” Says London-born dancer and choreographer. “A girl asked me to dance and that was all I needed. The following week I started classes.”

Soon Leon submerged himself in the genre and was eagerly seeking out the innovators. Rose embraced salsa and delved deep into its roots. He sought out the most influential teachers in the British scene. At the time, though salsa had a loyal following, it hadn’t yet burst onto the mainstream, but thanks to the innovators who inspired Leon, salsa’s mainstream acceptance was at hand. “I was influenced by many of the top teachers in London at the time like Robert Charlemagne.” He explains. “Then some teachers from LA came over like Luis Vasquez and Joby who changed our style. Nelson Flores from New York came over and started us dancing mambo.”

Armed with a slew of slinky moves and intricate footwork, Leon set about adding his own unique touch to eventually develop his distinct style. Though not formally trained in any other genre of dance, his diverse Afro Caribbean heritage, as well as British upbringing proved fertile fodder for creativity. “I have never studied any other form of dance, but I do like to take ideas and concepts from (the likes of) hip hop, jazz, ballet, modern, etc.”

With his natural flare, refreshing style and engaging personality, Leon was soon tapped for dance projects, including an appearance on the long-running BBC TV staple, Top of the Pops, where he performed with Spanish pop sensation, Enrique Iglesias.

A Leon Rose routine is as exhilarating to watch as it is to dance, and it seems that dance fans around the globe agree. Leon has taken his unique and innovative style to as far afield as Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He has, of course, travelled extensively in South America and the Caribbean, inspiring salsa enthusiasts to add their own unique flavour to the art form. For a British-born salsa dancer to be seen as an ambassador of the Caribbean genre is incredible, but Leon has done just that.

It seems that, when it comes to his beloved genre, there are no limits. “Salsa is my life. Every day involves salsa some how. Whether it’s rehearsing for a show or jumping on a plane to go teach in another country…” He enthuses. “I’m in another world when I’m creating and each time I dance, whether it’s on the dancefloor, in the rehearsal studio or even on stage, I’m creating…Within salsa there is not much I won’t do…As long as I’m being true to the art and myself.”

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