The academy will have many instructors from the community and even special guest instructors from time to time. But there are a few you might see quite a bit.
Michael Kagan caught the "salsa bug" while living in Hanoi, Vietnam in
2016. While training in South East Asia, Michael attended international salsa festivals in Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore. Since moving back to
the US in 2018, Michael has trained and performed with Mambo Romero, Yamulee SF, and Iroko SF dance companies. In addition he has studied under internationally known teachers including Ernesto Lopez, Diego Rivera, and Yaritza Arboleda. Michael began teaching as an assistant while in Vietnam and as primary instructor in San Francisco in 2021. A year later, Michael choreographed and directed his first team choreography under the name Baraban Dance Project, performing at two local festivals. Currently, Michael directs San Francisco Salsa Academy with his partner and co-director, Trang. His favorite part of salsa dancing is the socials and he's an active member in the SF social dancing community.
Trang is among the first generation of salsa dancers in Vietnam and boasts over 15 years of experience in teaching latin dance. A ballroom dancer at first, she was introduced to bachata and salsa by her teacher Sy who pioneered salsa across Vietnam. From the start, she instinctively spread the joy of salsa to a wider community. She traveled to Hanoi to practice and soon opened her first studio, Jan, in her home town of Hai Phong to share her passion and grow the scene. In 2016, Trang moved to Hanoi to become the studio manager and resident salsa instructor at Beso Latino, where she continued teaching at all levels while adding youth classes and performance choreography to her repertoire. During this time Trang expanded her horizons by participating in international congresses in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, India, and San Francisco. Trang moved to SF permanently in 2023, where she has continued to learn, teach, and inspire dancers of all levels. Some of her salsa idols are Griselle Ponce and Eddie Torres Jr. Outside of dance, Trang runs a cake business and loves practicing yoga and mindfulness.
Antonio Morales has over 20 years of experience dancing to Latin rhythms and has spent 12 years as an instructor and choreographer. He has showcased his talent at numerous dance festivals throughout Mexico. Currently, Antonio shares his passion and expertise in the San Francisco Bay Area, teaching weekly classes at the SF Daytime Salsa Social, The Beat, and iheartmambo.
David has been dancing salsa since his first class in New York City in 2009. He trained with Piel Canela in New York, and then, after relocating to the Bay Area in 2011, has trained and performed with Ava Apple and Rodolfo Guzman and Yamulee San Francisco. He's been an instructor at various socials throughout the Bay Area for over 10 years, including SF Mambo, Mucha Salsa, and Mucho Mambo. His passion for social dance has taken him on dance trips to Paris, Vienna, Korea, Prague, and London, and he's not done yet.