Background

Centro de Dança Dos Bailadores

The Caribbean Dance School Dos Bailadores was founded in 1992 by two enthousiastic dancers with a multicultural background, Leo Martina and Monique Struch. The objective was to create a home for everybody interested in Caribbean dance and culture. In the first period mainly Salsa lessons were given, but also other Caribbean dances. Since the take-over of dance school Claudio Gomes in January 1999 the school was renamed to Centro de Dança Dos Bailadores. The specialities of dance school Claudio Gomes were the Brazilian dances such as Axé, Forró, Samba and Zouk, but also Salsa lessons were given. The organizing and artistic combination of both dance schools resulted in a dance school where several dances and styles are taught. Also classes original Argentinian Tango by Tango Por Dos were introduced in 2000. At this moment Centro de Dança Dos Bailadores provides Salsa lessons, lessons in other Caribbean dances, various Brazilian dance courses and lessons Argentinian Tango for a number of enthusiastic people in and around Leiden. With that, the dance school is famous in the Salsa and dance world.

Baila!

Besides Centro de Dança Dos Bailadores Leo and Monique are active with Baila! Baila! (= dance) gives communication training and workshops based on Caribbean dance. Besides trainings Baila! gives also dance shows that can be part of small as well as big (company) happenings. With our dynamic shows we can give an extra dimension to your happening like fairs, exhibitions, product presentations, personnel parties, fashion parade or television show. Baila! can also provide your private parties and happenings with a special Caribbean atmosphere.
The workshops and dance demonstrations are given by experienced teachers and dancers. Leo Martina, originally from Curaçao, is educated in ballet and Salsa. His love for the dance is expressed very beautiful and graceful in Salsa. Leo does all the promotions for Centro de Dança Dos Bailadores and Baila!. Monique Struch is educated in Salsa, style-dance and ballet. She has been an employee in a commercial position for many years. Now she has completely dedicated herself to Salsa. Leo en Monique perform all over the country and abroad on a regular basis. In 1996 they won an international Salsa contest. They also represented The Netherlands several times at the only international 'World Salsa Congress' in Puerto Rico. Besides this, they performed several times with famous Salsa artists like Oscar d'Leon, José Alberto, Celia Cruz, Africando, Victor Manuel, Grupo Galé and Roberto Roena.