How, why and when did you get into salsa?
I went to a club called Margarita’s with a friend of mine who was dancing Cuban salsa – and I was hooked. This was back in 1996.
Who first taught you to dance salsa?
Well my friend taught me a few steps but then my first real teacher was BEO BARTON. He is from Curacao and may god rest his soul.
Did you have any dance training prior to salsa?
No, none.
Tell me a little about ViP Dance Academy. When, why and how was it set up?
I am no longer a member of the dance company, my ex-dance partner has it.
We started it in 2006, when I had just started dancing with Vanessa Mambi.
She came up with the name - it means Vanessa and Patrick, because in her language from Curacao the ‘i’ stands for ‘and’, so it says Vanessa i Patrick - I thought it was cool.
We got together to set up a dance school and we did a few shows.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Different people when I started in Holland. I had pretty much developed my own style, a bit funky, with my own turn patterns, and footwork, but after I went abroad I saw people like the Vasquez Bros who were a big influence in LA style at that time in Europe.
Afterwards Frankie Martinez and Juan Matos were a big help in upgrading my own style.
Who do you admire?
Juan Matos because of his movement and footwork, and creativity in his shows.
What’s your favourite track at the moment?
Don’t really have one.
What are your all time favourite tracks?
Descarga Cachao
Descarga Cubana
And a few tracks of Jack Constanza
A lot of Latin Jazz
Anything by Spanish Harlem
What are your favourite albums?
Latin Fever - Jack Constanza
What was the last CD you bought?
Also Latin Fever by Jack Constanza.
What music is in your car/cd player/tape player at the moment?
Old Skool R&B
Who are your favourite artists?
Don’t really have one but dancewise Juan Matos and Frankie.
Musicwise like I said already in previous questions.
If you were not a successful Promoter/Teacher/DJ, what would you be doing instead? Or if you also have a full-time job, what do you do?
IT I guess.
Tell me something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I am engaged to a beautiful girl.
What’s your all time favourite salsa club/event that you have played/taught/danced?
Pontins, UK Congress, Scala, salsa holidays, and other events in France and Toronto.
What has been your most memorable moment?
The first time I was at Pontins, I got standing ovations for my work, and it brought me to tears.
Have you had any embarrassing/nightmare-ish moments in salsa?
No, none at all.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I love the UK salsa scene and I am grateful for all the success it gave me.
I would like to thank:-
Cressida Childs for my lucky break, Paul Young, Joe Davids, Mel C who basically gave me ON2 lessons every time we danced, Robert and Jean White, Eagle Tours and everybody else who I’ve forgotten to mention.
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