Our Instructors
Andre Irving
Co-Founder
Andre Irving, a seasoned Salsa On2 instructor, and performance director, has been at the heart of the NYC salsa dance scene since 2015.
With over a decade of experience, he's earned acclaim for his expertise in training dancers and producing mesmerizing performances. His passion for Salsa On2 has taken him beyond borders, having shared his craft not only in New York but also in international hotspots like Italy, Bulgaria, and Mexico City.
From nurturing beginners to shaping skilled performers, Andre's journey now extends to his latest role as a studio owner, marking a new milestone in his remarkable dance career.
Learn how to Dance Salsa with him!
Gabriela Nuñez
Co-Founder
With over 20 years of dance experience, Gabriela Nuñez is a Salsa virtuoso specializing in New York Style Salsa. Her dance journey began at the age of 9 at the Ridgewood Dance Studio in Queens, where she continues to train and choreograph for the competitive Junior Company team. Gabriela honed her skills at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre where she studied Ballet, Horton, Limon, Graham, Jazz, West African, and Pointe. She has also trained intensively with the Radio City Rockettes.
Gabriela's magnetic presence and mastery of salsa has graced stages in numerous countries including Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy, and France, and she is a sought-after instructor at both national and international dance conferences. She has also blended her passion for dance with education, having taught as a Special Education teacher with the NYCDOE and introducing her students to the arts through dance.
Today, Gabriela dedicates her expertise as a studio-owner to training adult dancers in New York Style Salsa at Cucala Dance Company, as well as the youth in various styles of dance as the Director
Co-Founder
Kalli Siamidou, a Greek Pontian dancer, choreographer, and performer based in New York City, brings over 20 years of dance experience. She's a passionate dance teacher who has been sharing her love for movement with all age groups.
Kalli's dance journey began with Latin Dancesport at the age of 12, setting the stage for a lifelong exploration of diverse dance techniques and body mechanics. She studied Physical Education and Sports Science at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Her expertise includes coaching hip-hop and Latin dance teams to multiple national championships from 2006 to 2015.
In 2016, Kalli joined Marisa Michelson’s Constellation Chor ensemble, exploring the connection of mind, body, and spirit through improvisation.
In 2008, Kalli became a company dancer with the Baila Society under the direction of Andre Irving and Gabriela Quiles. Her dedication led to creating Cucala Dance Company with them and Paul Gonzalez.
Kalli is also the founder of Wedding Dance Vows, a company that helps couples create a unique wedding first dance and build togetherness through learning something new.
Kalli Siamidou
Paul Gonzalez
Co-Founder
Paul Gonzalez is a passionate Salsa On2 enthusiast who began his journey in 2016. Since then, he has evolved into a dedicated salsa instructor and a captivating stage performer within the genre. Beyond his love for dance, Paul is the founder and director of Alt-Black, a dynamic graphic design firm that thrives on creativity and innovation.
In addition to his graphic design endeavors, Paul is equally committed to the world of dance. He enthusiastically shares his expertise by teaching exhilarating salsa dance classes, infusing the rhythms of the genre into each lesson.
Company Dancer
Duygu was always enthusiastic about dance, but her official dance education started in 2016. After taking NY-style salsa with Baila Society at Peridance, she fell in love with the style, and that led her to become a full-time international dance student at Peridance where she also explored different styles of dance such as samba, heels, hip hop, ballet, etc. She still strives to educate herself on different styles, but her main focus is salsa. She became a member of Cucala Dance Company right from the start and has been performing and traveling with the team since then. She also loves kickboxing and yoga.