Tony Duarte Founder & Director

Tony Duarte award recipient at the 4th International Miami Salsa Congress 2005, is considered by many as one of the best and top salsa and latin dance instructor in Fort Lauderdale, Miami South Florida, West Palm Beach and abroad. Tony being a Choreographer, Teacher, Performer, and Coach, is the instructor of instructors and is the Founder and Director of Step N Dance Home of Salsabor Tropical. Tony takes pride in being one of Florida’s best salsa dance instructors always striving to pass his knowledge of many years of training and teaching on to others. Tony started dancing at a very early age when he was 9 years old. He was part of the National Folklore of his native country Nicaragua, and growing up studied Jazz, Hip hop, and break dancing; At the age of 16 Tony moved to Miami, Florida. In 1990, he started to train with Arthur Murray Dance School under the coaching and direction of Betty Silvers, Bob Medeiros, Dietmar Thiele, and had continued training and coaching by other top professionals ballroom dancers and Tony became a certified Member and Bachelor Professional Ballroom Dance Instructor and trainer himself to teach Mambo/Salsa, Rumba, Merengue, Cha-Cha, Bolero, Waltz, Swing, Hustle/Disco, Foxtrot, Samba, and American Tango. Through the years, he has performed and taught Ballroom Dancing. In addition, during this time he developed an interest and a unique passion for salsa dancing. This passion inspired him to study and master the different styles of Salsa, including dancing on Clave, New York / Puerto Rican style (on 2) Mambo/Salsa, Salsa/Casino Rueda (on 1) or (on 3), Salsa L. A. style (on 1), and Afro-Cuban dance; The mastering of the different styles of Salsa/Mambo music rhythm and time has led him to develop a unique and flashy style, and it has allowed him to teach the different styles of Salsa/Mambo dancing.

This passion for Salsa dancing helped Tony decide and created Salsabor Tropical Dance School and Dance Company (Salsabor Tropical little Divas & Salsabor Tropical Student Dance Team). The dance teams perform with emphasis on Mambo and combine moves from the other styles of salsa dancing with fusion of Jazz, Hip hop, Ballroom technique, and spiced with hot moves and technique from Afro-Cuban, & Rumba dancing that is hot and fun to watch.

Tony is now the leading and premiere instructor in South Florida teaching Salsa / Mambo lessons on 2 New York / Puerto Rican style.

Tony’s motto: Knowing and being aware of the different styles of Salsa will allow anyone to become a better Salsa dancer by having the ability to be creative, and have the enjoyment to dance Salsa with anyone from any part of the world.

Here are some of Tony’s appearances as instructor, performer, competitor, choreographer, actor, and judge:

Television (Actor & Dancer):

Dancer and Actor in the acclaimed musical program “Boleros – Unforgettable Love Songs” airing nationally on PBS stations and hosted by Ricardo Montalban and featuring Celia Cruz, Luis Miguel, Enrique Chia, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Jose Feliciano and many other Latin stars and international dance champions. Univision Channel 23 (television show): “Sabado Gigante” won 1st place in dance contest & won a car that was ruffle between the contestants of every segment of the show Miller Lite dance contest (televised on Univision channel 23 and in show caliente): “El Tongoneo” Main dancer and instructor in Miami for a $10,000 Grand Prize for a dance competition nation wide On Tuesday August 17th, 2004. Act and Play Main Character in a commercial made for Galavision Cable Channel, for program “Vida TV” Character: George Constansa On Friday August 3, 2007 Tony Duarte and The Salsabor Tropical Dancers appeared and perform live on the show “Cada Dia” on TelemundoCompetitions: Salsarengue: Competition, won 1st place in Miami & came third in the U.S. nationals Noches de Baile: Competition, won 1st Place in Miami, came in 2nd in the state of Fl Sabado Gigante: (television show on Univision), won 1st place in dance contest & won a brand new car that was ruffle between the contestants of every segment of the showPerformances & Choreography: Miami Heat’s Basketball half time show: one of the dancers in a casino rueda show and performance Uno TV (television show) on Media One cable Co.: Choreographer & Dancer for the Show A las 8 con Fernando (America TV channel 41): appeared performing a Mambo/Salsa song On Saturday October 5th, 2002; Salsabor Tropical taught and performed Salsa/Mambo for children and adults at “A Place to Grow” Preschool. Sponsor by The Broward County Cultural Arts Council On October 18, 2002 Salsabor Tropical and Boricua.com in association with the Daily Bread Food Bank, ran a Food Drive at the Meridien Night Club. Suggested Donation were two cans of food for the Daily Bread Food Bank. Boricua.com was there to meet and greet everyone who attended. Plenty of photos were taken and posted on Boricua.com. Thank you for supporting our First Ever Food Drive. Dance Team performance at the 2nd Miami Salsa Congress. (Sept. 20, 2003) Choreographed and Performed on Stage with the Puerto Rican Power in Concert at the Broward for the Performing Arts on July 24th, 2004 On July 25th, 2004. Dance Team (Salsabor Tropical Little Divas) perform on stage at River Front Fort Lauderdale FL, Las Olas Blvd, celebrating Puerto Rican day Dance Team (Salsabor Tropical Little Divas performed on Saturday August 14th at the 3rd Miami Salsa Congress. (August 12-15, 2004) Dance Team (Salsabor Tropical Little Divas) performed on Friday August 20th, 2005 at The 4th International Miami Salsa Congress 2005. On Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005. Salsabor Tropical Dance Company presented a mambo demonstration and instruction inviting the audience to mambo, and to celebrate the unveiling of the U.S. Post Office “Mambo Stamp” by local artist, Sergio Baradat. The event was held from 6:30-9:30 pm at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, 2000 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach. On October 6 thru 9, 2005 Tony Duarte and Salsabor Tropical Dance Company perform on stage with Papo Cocote, Rafy Santana, Mario Ortiz Jr., and Roberto Anglero at the 5th Puerto Rican Fiestas Patronales in Broward County On Wednesday, October 19, 2005 Salsabor Tropical Dance Company presented a mambo demonstration and taught a workshop at The Fourth Annual Sabor Latino-Latin Flavor At Weston presented by Rick Case Acura, Hyundai, Honda Cars & Cycles, CELEBRATING THE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH MUSIC, DANCING, FOOD AND PRIZES Sponsored by and held at BONAVENTURE RESORT & SPA On Sunday January 22, 2006. Dance Team (Salsabor Tropical Student Dance Team) perform on stage at River Front Fort Lauderdale FL, Las Olas Blvd, celebrating Fiesta Fort Lauderdale On Sunday February 26, 2006. Dance Team (Salsabor Tropical Little Divas) perform on stage at River Front Fort Lauderdale FL, Las Olas Blvd, celebrating Fiesta Fort Lauderdale. Sponsored by Bank of America. On Friday July 7, 2006 Salsabor Tropical Dance Company perform at the First Orlando Salsa Congress. On Friday August 5, 2006 Dance Team (Salsabor Tropical) performed at The 5th International Miami Salsa Congress 2006. On Wednesday, October 20, 2006 Salsabor Tropical Dance Company presented a mambo demonstration and taught a workshop at The 5th Annual Sabor Latino-Latin Flavor At Weston presented by Bank of America, CELEBRATING THE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH MUSIC, DANCING, FOOD AND PRIZES Sponsored by and held at BCC in Weston, Fl. On Saturday November 18th, 2006. Adult Performance Dance Team and Kids (Salsabor Tropical Little Divas) perform on stage at The 3rd year BTS Anniversary party at the Hyatt in Downtown Miami. On November 19, 2006 Tony Duarte and Salsabor Tropical Dance Company perform on stage with Cano Estremera , Andy Montanez, & Mario Ortiz Jr., at the 6th Puerto Rican Fiestas Patronales in Broward County On Friday June 29, 2007 Salsabor Tropical Dance Company perform at The 2007 Orlando Salsa Congress. On Friday August 3, 2007 Tony Duarte and The Salsabor Tropical Dancers appeared and perform live on the show “Cada Dia” on Telemundo On November 17 & 18, 2007 Tony Duarte and Salsabor Tropical Dance Company perform on stage with La Sonora Poncena, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, & La Orquesta de Tommy Olivencia, at the 7th Puerto Rican Fiestas Patronales in Broward County On Sunday March 29, 2008 Tony Duarte and Salsabor Tropical Dance Company perform on stage with Lefty Perez at the Maroone Hispanicfest 2008 On Sunday October 19, 2008. (Adult Dance Team & Salsabor Tropical Little Divas) perform on stage at Viva Broward Hispanic Heritage Festival and Expo at The Pompano City Center, Fl. On Sunday November 18, 2008 Tony Duarte and Salsabor Tropical Dance Company perform on stage with Tito Allen, Andy Montanez, & Luis “Perico” Ortiz Orquestra, at the 8th Puerto Rican Fiestas Patronales in Broward County On Sunday June 28, 2009 Tony Duarte and Salsabor Tropical Dance Company perform on stage with Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Miranda, and Luis “Perico” Ortiz jr. 15 piece Orquestra, at The Coral Springs Center Of The Arts, proceeds to benefit ASPIRA of florida inc. On June 28, 2009 Salsabor Tropical Little Divas Perform on stage at The Fiestas Puerto Rico 2009, a Free Out door Festival held at The Coral Springs Center Of The Arts. On Saturday July 16th, 2011 Salsabor Tropical Dance School presented a mambo demonstration and taught a workshop at The Tropical Night at City Place in West Palm Beach presented by City Place and Tropical Music Festival. On Saturday October 15th, 2011 Salsabor Tropical Dance School presented a salsa mambo demonstration and taught a dance class. In addition, Salsabor Tropical performed on stage with live band Sabor Latino and Carlos Oliva & Los Sobrinos del Juez at the Viva Broward Hispanic Heritage Festival and Expo at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fl presented by Bobby Rodriguez Productions.Instruction:          On Saturday February 2, 2013; Tony Duarte and Salsabor Tropical Dance School taught a workshop at Fiesta de Pueblo in Palm Beach County at The South Florida Fair. Sponsor by the Puerto Rican Fiestas Patronales of Palm Beach County Adjunct Professor at Barry University School of Arts (Spring 2002) taught Dance composition & Choreography and Latin dance I and II Adjunct Professor at Barry University School of Arts (Fall 2002) taught Latin Dance I and II Adjunct Professor at Barry University School of Arts (Spring 2003) Latin Dance I and II Adjunct Professor at Barry University School of Arts (Fall 2003) Latin Dance I and II Instructor at Broward Community College student life dept. (Fall 2003) Adjunct Professor at Barry University School of Arts (Spring 2004) Latin Dance I and II Instructor at the 3rd Miami Salsa Congress. (August 12-15, 2004) Adjunct Professor at Barry University School of Arts (Fall 2004) Latin Dance I and II Instructor at The 4th International Miami Salsa Congress 2005. (Friday August 20th, 2005) Instructor at The 7th International Hustle and Salsa Competition 2006. (April, 2006) Instructor at The 1st Orlando Salsa Congress 2006. (Saturday July 8th, 2006) Instructor at The 5th International Miami Salsa Congress 2006. (Saturday August 7th, 2006) Instructor at The 3rd Annual Miami Mambo Project 2007. (Saturday June 16th, 2007) Instructor at The 2007 Orlando Salsa Congress. (Friday June 29, 2007) Instructor at The 7th International Miami Salsa Congress 2008. (Friday August 1st, 2008)Judge: Official Judge for (WSF) at the 2002 UNITED STATES AND WORLD SALSA CHAMPIONSHIPS Nov. 1-3 2002 Official Judge for (WSF) and Instructor at the 2003 UNITED STATES AND WORLD SALSA & MAMBO CHAMPIONSHIPS (Oct. 31- Nov. 2, 2003) Official Judge for (WSF) and Instructor at the 2005 UNITED STATES AND WORLD SALSA & MAMBO CHAMPIONSHIPS (Oct. 28th- 30th, 2005) Official Judge for (WSF) at the 2006 UNITED STATES AND WORLD SALSA CHAMPIONSHIPS Nov. 2-5 2006 Official Judge at the IHSC – The International Hustle and Salsa Competition 2007 for the qualifying of the 3rd ANNUAL WORLD SALSA CHAMPIONSHIPS in Dec. 12-16 2007Awards and Recognitions: Tony received an Award on August 19th, 2005 at the 4th International Miami Salsa Congress for the contribution to the culture of Salsa. On Saturday July 8th, Tony received an Award at The Orlando Salsa Congress, from Students (Barbara and Lenny). The Award was presented to Tony for recognition as being “The Best teacher and master of components”. On June 26, 2011 Tony received an Award from The Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Broward County for his continue support and contribution to preserve and teach the Hispanic culture in south Florida through teaching people of all ages how to dance all of our Latin dances. Tony was featured in the September 2011 issue of Miami Talent Magazine, Article name “Tony Duarte”Clients: Miami Dade Community College Barry University Broward Community College Weston Chamber of Commerce Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce Fiesta Puerto Rico We do events The Language Academy, Inc Puerto Rican Fiestas Patronales Fiesta Fort Lauderdale Viva Broward Memorial Hospital Miramar Memorial Hospital Pembroke Pines T-Mobile Galavision Miller Lite WPBT Channel 2 Motorola Costa Nursery Farm NBPS – The North Broward Preparatory Schools Mintos Communities, LLC – Artesia Community Telemundo – Morning Show “Cada Dia” Viva Broward Hispanic Heritage Festival and Exposition. In addition, Tony has done other appearances as performer and instructor on festivals, corporate events and private functions Testimonials about Tony Duarte . Contributor Tony Duarte About Step N Dance Home of Salsabor Tropical Go back to Private Lessons Go back to Group Class Schedule and Locationstony duarte / tony salsa / tony mambo / salsa tony / mambo tony / best salsa instructor / best dance instructor / salsa mambo instructor on 1 on 2