-
STEP 1 - Click the link above to register for all of your competition divisions.
First early bird pricing for competition entry fees ends on Saturday May 31, 2025. Entry fees are non-refundable.
Second early bird pricing for competition entry fees ends on Thursday July 31, 2025.
If you signed up for the wrong division or level, please email info@canadasalsacongress.com by Sept 1st and we will transfer your entry to the correct division.
STEP 2 - Purchase your Full Pass via the link above.
ALL competitors MUST be full pass holders of Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress. You may hold a Full Pass with reserved seating, or a Full Pass or a Performer/Competitor Full Pass. No exceptions.
To purchase the Performer/Competitor Pass you must meet one of the 3 requirements below:
1. Be on a team that has been confirmed to perform at the event
2. Be on a team confirmed to perform at the event AND you are competing (no minimum number of competition entries required)
3. Be entered and paid to compete in a minimum of 4 heats or 2 showcases or 3 heats and 1 showcase.
STEP 3 - Submit showcase music by September 15th (linked below).
STEP 4 - Onsite at the hotel, check in for your competition divisions based on the schedule posted on our schedule page. Checking in means going to the competition table and checking in to receive the number for your back and ensure that you are listed in the correct divisions. If you are competing on multiple days and times, you only need to check in once.
Important: Spots in the Showcase divisions are limited due to time constraints and will sell out. Spots will be given out on a first come, first served basis. Your spot will only be reserved once payment has been received. Please register early to avoid disappointment.
Due to high demand and time constraints, we will close the heated divisions a few weeks before the start of the event and usually we do not allow new heat entries onsite.
-
19th Annual Canadian Salsa & Bachata Championships
*Full Schedule available on the Schedule page
*Schedule subject to changePRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025
Evening
Check in 6:00pm-9:00pmThursday, Oct. 9, 2025
Morning
Check in 7:30am-8:00am
Competition: 8:00am-12:00pmAfternoon
Check in 9:00am-11:30am
Competition: 12:00pm-6:00pmEvening
Check in 11:30am-5:00pm
Competition: 6:00pm-1:30amFriday, Oct. 10, 2025:
*Note: We encourage all Friday competitors to check in on Thursday if possibleMorning
Check in 8:00am
Competition (Pro Am Showcases): 8:15am-12:00pmAfternoon
Check in 9:00am-11:00am
Competition (Pro Am & Am Am Heats): 12:00pm-7:00pmSaturday, Oct. 11, 2025
*Note: We encourage all Junior competitors to check in on Friday if possibleMorning
Check in 8:00am
Competition (Junior 17 & Under Showcases & Junior Am Am Heats): 8:30am-11:00am -
A Showcase division means that the couples choreograph their own routine to their choice of music.
A Heated division means that several couples are dancing on the dance floor at once to music selected by the DJ. This is social dancing - choreography not necessary.
When registering for a heated division, know that all heated divisions are named just. I.e. Amateur Just Salsa, Amateur Just BachataThe competition is open to all local, national and international dancers.
The Pro Am heated competition will be divided into men and ladies categories and most categories for Pro Am and Amateur heats will be divided by level - Beginner, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Pre-Advanced and Advanced. Competitors may enter their own level plus two levels above (plus age divisions such as Over 40 and Over 50).
Professionals in the Pro Am Heated divisions may enter a maximum of 5 students in the exact same category and division (e.g. 5 female students in Pro Am Ladies Just Salsa On 1 Beginner).
!New Definition for Amateur: Amateurs may not compete in Rising Star Professional, or Professional level competition, or as the Professional in a Pro-Am competition. Amateur level dancers may teach, and receive payment for teaching or performing.
New! Rising Star Definition: Rising Star is an entry level professional division. Once a dancer competes as a Rising Star Professional, they can no longer compete as an amateur. Rising Star Professional dancers may partner an amateur in the Pro-Am divisions. Rising Star Professionals may also compete in the Professional division. Should a Rising Star professional win 3 competitions in a dance style with a minimum of 3 competitors, and/or make the final with a minimum of 8 competitors, they will not be permitted to compete in Rising Star in that style in the future. If a dancer wins Rising Star at an event in a style with a minimum of 3 competitors, they may not compete in Rising Star again at the specific event, in that specific style.
Professional Definition: Once a dancer competes as a Professional, they can no longer compete as an amateur. Professional dancers may partner with an amateur in the Pro-Am divisions.
Amateur Intermediate Showcase is an entry level amateur division. Should a dancer win Amateur Intermediate Showcase 3 times in a dance style with a minimum of 3 competitors, they will no longer be permitted to compete in Amateur Intermediate Showcase in that style in the future. Intermediate dancers can challenge and enter Amateur Advanced Showcase as many times as they want, but if an Amateur Intermediate dancer wins the Amateur Advanced division with a minimum of 3 competitors, and/or makes the final with a minimum of 8 couples, they will no longer be permitted to compete in Amateur Intermediate Showcase in that style.
Amateur Advanced Showcase: An advanced amateur level of showcase competition. There are no limits to how many times a dancer can win Amateur Advanced Showcase.
Over 40 & Over 50 Divisions: In Pro Am divisions, the amateur must be at least 40 years of age or older (or at least 50 years of age or older) on the day of the competition. In Amateur divisions, BOTH dancers must be at least 40 years of age or older (or at least 50 years of age or older) on the day of the competition.
Open: A competition division which is open to all levels (Professional, Amateur or combo of both), open to all ages, and open to all styles unless otherwise specified in the division title. Open Team Open Showcase (Anything Goes): “Open Team” means that the team can be all amateurs or all professionals or a mix of both amateur and professional dancers. “Open Showcase” means it can be any genre of dance - anything goes!
There will be general admission seating on both Thursday afternoon, Thursday evening and Friday daytime to watch the competition. VIP seating upgrades are available for Thursday evening.
The Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress will be capping all showcase division entries as we meet our maximum number of entries based on the time allotted each day for showcases (Thursday afternoon, Thursday night & Friday daytime).Please register early to avoid disappointment.
The Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress reserves the right to combine or cancel divisions based on registration. Minimum of 3 couples per division. If a division is canceled, entry fees will be refunded. The Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress reserves the right to limit the number of dancers that can enter a division based on time limitations.
-
Detailed rules and definitons can be found here.
-
Music for performances and competition showcase divisions must be submitted in advance.
Music submission will be available by May 1st, 2025.
Deadline to submit music: Sunday September 15th, 2025.
Make sure that you include the EXACT team name in the message box that we have listed on our Performance Schedule on the Schedule Page (ie Steps Dance Company_Amateur Team) especially if your school/company has multiple teams performing at the event. If it is a couple performing, please include first and last name of each dancer.
File Naming: Detailed naming of your upload file is very important to the efficient organization of the DJ for performances and competitions. Please name each file as follows: {GroupName}_{TeamName}_{Genre}_{Show/Competition}
EXAMPLES FOR PERFORMANCE:
StepsDanceCompany_AmateurTeam_Bachata_Show.mp3
Tito_Tamara_Salsa_Show.mp3
EXAMPLES FOR COMPETITION SHOWCASE:
StepsDanceCompany_OpenTeam_Salsa_Comp.mp3
Maria_Carlos_Amateur_Salsa_Comp.mp3
Music Format: MP3 with preferred bitrate of 320 (minimum bitrate of 220) or WAV format or Mac AIFF file. Make sure you are submitting good quality files, ie not music downloaded from YouTube.
Any performance music not submitted in advance will only be accepted at tech rehearsal during the congress weekend in USB format (one track only), clearly labeled with name of the performance team/couple.
Any competition showcase music not submitted in advance will only be accepted at competition check in on Wednesday October 9th and Thursday October 10th. USB format (one track only), clearly labeled with name of the competition team or couple and the division. If you are performing / competing in numerous divisions, you will need multiple USBs.
-
Professionally-shot and edited competition videos by OGV Productions, delivered within 24 hours!
Must be ordered in advance
Payment can be accepted via PayPal or cash on site
Our 2025 Esteemed Panel of Judges
Tito & Tamara have established themselves worldwide as performers and choreographers. They do all the choreographic world for Gilberto Santa Rosa and Victor Manuelle and have choreographed for El Gran Combo, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Ismael Miranda, Elvis Crespo, Andy Montañez and many others. They have participated in several movies, including El Cantante, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and Yellow. Tito & Tamara have taught and performed in more than 40 countries. Both have been on the panel of the World Salsa Championships and the Global Salsa Championships.
Tito Ortos
Puerto Rico, Head Judge
Billy Fajado
Florida, Head Judge
Eric & Kelly are the owners of Alberta Dancesport, the directors of Salsa Rica Productions and the organizers of the Calgary International Salsa Congress and the Rocky Mountain Dancesport Grand Prix. Eric & Kelly have choreographed for So You Think You Can Dance Canada. They perform and teach on the international salsa circuit and judge many events, including the Global Salsa Championships at the World Salsa Summit.
Eric Caty
Competition Coordinator & Judge
Eric & Kelly are the owners of Alberta Dancesport, the directors of Salsa Rica Productions and the organizers of the Calgary International Salsa Congress and the Rocky Mountain Dancesport Grand Prix. Eric & Kelly have choreographed for So You Think You Can Dance Canada. They perform and teach on the international salsa circuit and judge many events, including the Global Salsa Championships at the World Salsa Summit.
Kelly Lannan
Competition Coordinator, Judge & MC
Tito & Tamara have established themselves worldwide as performers and choreographers. They do all the choreographic world for Gilberto Santa Rosa and Victor Manuelle and have choreographed for El Gran Combo, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Ismael Miranda, Elvis Crespo, Andy Montañez and many others. They have participated in several movies, including El Cantante, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and Yellow. Tito & Tamara have taught and performed in more than 40 countries. Both have been on the panel of the World Salsa Championships and the Global Salsa Championships.
Tamara Livolsi
Puerto Rico
Originally from Kiev, Ukraine, Anya Katsevman has already enjoyed a successful ballroom dancing career that has included many prestigious titles. After, she began dancing Salsa and, together with Luis Aguilar, she has become a 2x world champion. With over 20 years of stage, competition and teaching experience, Anya is currently sought after for her teaching, performing and judging worldwide.
Anya Katsevman
New York City
Antonio Berardi
Italy
Jasmina Berardi
Italy
Angelo Rito
Italy
Danny Salsita is a professional salsa and bachata teacher, dancer and choreographer from Bogotá, Colombia. He is a 12X World Champion, earning titles in the most prestigious competitions in the world, such as the Summit Championships, the Euroson Latino and the World Latin Dance Cup. His achievements include titles as a Professional Salsa Soloist, Professional Salsa On1 Couples, Professional Bachata Cabaret Couples, Professional Team, among many others. Danny is the Founder of the Puntalpie World Championship, and the first bachata congress in Colombia, Bogotá Bachata Fest. He is the founder and director of La Fábrica Pro Dance Company and La Fábrica Dance Academy, sharing experience and knowledge with the new generations of dancers.
As a teenager Karel received a unique invitation to train with one of the best salsa companies in the world, Yamuleé Dance Company. Without hesitation and all on her own, Karel packed her bags, moved to New York City and soon became their principal female dancer. After eight years of performing and teaching for Yamuleé Dance Company, Karel struck out on her own as a solo artist.
As a solo salsa artist, Karel has performed and taught in over 60 countries on 6 continents and has served as a judge for every major salsa competition globally. Karel’s unique fusion of salsa NY Style on2, contemporary dancing, Afro-Cuban and Pachanga has led her to be one of the most sought after instructors globally.
Danny Salsita
Colombia
Ahtoy Juliana
New York City
Belen, from Argentina, discovered her passion for dance at just 6 years old, starting with jazz. She soon found success in South American competitions and expanded her training to ballet, contemporary dance, and even a bit of tango. After graduating as a ballet teacher, she pursued higher education at the University of Arts in Buenos Aires. Belen later turned her attention to bachata, quickly gaining recognition as a world-class dancer. She claimed the title of World Champion at the World Bachata Masters in both 2017 and 2019, becoming a leading force in the global bachata community.
Belen Tejedor
Spain/Argentina
Antoni, originally from Venezuela, began his journey in dance at the tender age of 3, often dancing alongside his mother. As he grew, he expanded his skills in national dances during school and, by the age of 16, started his formal training in salsa, bachata, Latin jazz, cheerleading, and acrobatics. Although he initially explored various dance styles, Antoni soon focused his attention on salsa and bachata, competing extensively in both. His dedication paid off when he became the World Champion at the World Bachata Masters in 2020, cementing his place as a prominent figure in the dance world.
Antoni Moya
Spain/Venezuela
Harold & Regan are 9x World Bachata Cabaret Champions, in the top 10 Fania Dancers for Salsa Around the World and co-directors of Dance World International Company. They are a Latin dance couple best known for their energetic and acrobatic flair on stage. Harold & Regan have taught and choreographed routines for students around the world, some of which have come world champions themselves. They've been judges at various competitions, including some in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Ecuador and, most notably, La Mundial de la Salsa in Colombia in 2017. Harold & Regan were invited to be participants on Tengo Mucho Talento in Los Angeles and America's Got Talent in 2018.
Harold Rancano
Winnipeg
Harold & Regan are 9x World Bachata Cabaret Champions, in the top 10 Fania Dancers for Salsa Around the World and co-directors of Dance World International Company. They are a Latin dance couple best known for their energetic and acrobatic flair on stage. Harold & Regan have taught and choreographed routines for students around the world, some of which have come world champions themselves. They've been judges at various competitions, including some in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Ecuador and, most notably, La Mundial de la Salsa in Colombia in 2017. Harold & Regan were invited to be participants on Tengo Mucho Talento in Los Angeles and America's Got Talent in 2018.
Regan Hirose
Winnipeg
Paulina is a 6x world Salsa champion and a choreographer, coach and judge in Latin dances. She is one of the world's most respected professional Salsa dancers, holding 14 Mexican national titles, 6 world Salsa championships and more than 8 international titles. She has taught workshops to thousands of people in more than 50 countries. She is also the founder of Las Bravas, a franchise aiming to help dance teams around the world increase and develop their skills and showmanship.
Paulina Posadas
Mexico/Montreal
Raul Santiago is the founder of SoHo Dance which began in New York and eventually moved to the west coast to become SoHo Dance LA. At 19, Raul's raw talent was discovered while dancing in a club. He was afforded extensive training in all the ballroom dances, and was subsequently hired to teach at a leading ballroom studio. He has a passion for helping people learn how to dance by personalizing the instruction for every level of dancer. Since 2004, Raul has won a record 10 championships, including the 2016 IHSC World Hustle Championship and the 2018 World Latin Cup with his accomplished dance partners. He and the SoHo Dance Company have performed and taught in over 50 cities and 10 countries.
Raul Santiago
Los Angeles
Daniel McGee
Philadelphia
Patrick Moriarty
Vancouver
Sonia has been the artistic director for the San Tropez dance schools for the last 15 years. She is the head choreographer and also performs with the San Tropez dance troupe. She is the organizer of the Montreal Salsa Convention and the Montreal Bachata Zouk Festival and the founder of the national dance troupe, Salsa Team Canada.
Sonia Kyriacou
Montreal
Corinne Tardieu
Montreal
Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon! Bio coming soon!
Paula Videla Rodriguez
Toronto
Giovanni Torres is a Salsa dance instructor, Latin cardio instructor, choreographer, performer and Latin DJ. Dance has been his full-time career for more than 20 years. He was born and raised in Colombia and is the director of Los Salsomanos Dance Company in Toronto. He has performed, taught, judged and DJed at various Salsa congresses, festivals and events throughout Canada, the U.S. and the world.
Giovanni Torres
Toronto
2024 PRIZES
Trophies or medals will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners in all showcase divisions.
Prizes will be awarded to the 1st place winners in many showcase divisions.
Cash and/or prizes will be awarded to the winners in the Professional Showcase and Professional Heated divisions.
Medals will be awarded to all 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners in the heated divisions.
Prizes may include free and discounted weekend passes to the World Salsa Summit, the Universal Dance League, the Montreal Salsa Convention, the Calgary Salsa Congress, the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress, free dance shoes + discount coupons & certificates for costumes, dance shoes, events, conventions, nightclubs and more!!
Top Teacher Award:
Cash prizes for the top 3 instructors with the most entries in Pro Am showcases and Pro Am heats.
New! Top Amateur Award:
Special prizes for the top amateur dancer with the highest scores across all divisions
(Solo, Pro Am Showcase, Pro Am Heats, Am Am Showcase, Am Am Heats).
Professional Salsa Showcase Divisions
1st Place Winners in the Professional Ladies Salsa Solo Showcase and the Professional Men Salsa Solo Showcase will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress
at the Summit Championships held in New Jersey,
January 2025.
Each winner will receive a free weekend event pass and will automatically qualify to the semi final round.
1st place winners in every Professional Showcase division will represent Canada at the Universal Dance League in Rome, June 5-9, 2025. Each winner will qualify directly to the finals and will receive €25 discount off their weekend pass.
The top scoring Canadian couple in the Professional Salsa Showcase Division will win the title of "Canadian Salsa Champions" (Professional).
Professional Bachata Showcase Divisions
1st Place Winners in the Professional Ladies Bachata Solo Showcase and the Professional Men Bachata Solo Showcase will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress
at the Summit Championships held in New Jersey,
January 2025.
Each winner will receive a free weekend event pass and will automatically qualify to the semi final round.
1st place winners in every Professional Showcase division will represent Canada at the Universal Dance League in Rome, June 5-9, 2025. Each winner will qualify directly to the finals and will receive €25 discount off their weekend pass.
The top scoring Canadian couple in the Professional Bachata Showcase Division will win the title of "Canadian Bachata Champions" (Professional).
Pro Am Team Salsa Showcase Division &
Amateur Team Salsa Showcase Division
1st Place Winners of the Pro Am Team Salsa Showcase Division & the Amateur Team Salsa Showcase division will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress
at the Summit Championships held in
New Jersey, January 2025.
The winning teams will qualify to the semi finals and
each dancer on the team will each receive 50% off
a weekend event pass.
1st Place Winners in all Amateur, Pro Am, Team and Professional Rising Star showcase divisions will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress at the
Universal Dance League in Rome, June 5-9, 2025.
Each winner will qualify directly to the finals and will receive €25 discount off their weekend pass.
Amateur Salsa Showcase Division
The top scoring Canadian couple will win the title of "Canadian Salsa Champions" (Amateur Division).
1st Place Winners of the Amateur Salsa Showcase division will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress
at the Summit Championships held in
New Jersey, January 2025.
The winners will qualify to the semi finals and will each receive a free weekend event pass.
1st Place Winners of the Amateur Ladies Advanced Salsa Solo Showcase will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress at the Summit Championships held in
New Jersey, January 2025.
The winner will qualify to the semi finals and will receive a coupon for $40 off their weekend pass.
1st Place Winners of the Amateur Men Advanced Salsa Solo Showcase will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress at the Summit Championships held in
New Jersey, January 2025.
The winner will qualify to the semi finals and will receive a coupon for $40 off their weekend pass.
Pro Am Team Bachata Showcase Division &
Amateur Team Bachata Showcase Division
1st Place Winners of the Pro Am Team Bachata Showcase Division & the Amateur Team Bachata Showcase division will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress
at the Summit Championships held in
New Jersey, January 2025.
The winning teams will qualify to the semi finals and
each dancer on the team will each receive 50% off
a weekend event pass.
1st Place Winners in all Amateur, Pro Am, Team and Professional Rising Star showcase divisions will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress at the
Universal Dance League in Rome, June 5-9, 2025.
Each winner will qualify directly to the finals and will receive €25 discount off their weekend pass.
Amateur Bachata Showcase division
The top scoring Canadian couple will win the title of "Canadian Bachata Champions" (Amateur Division).
1st Place Winners of the Amateur Bachata Showcase division will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress
at the Summit Championships held in
New Jersey, January 2025.
The winners will qualify to the semi finals and will each receive a free weekend event pass.
1st Place Winners of the Amateur Ladies Advanced Bachata Solo Showcase will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress at the Summit Championships held in
New Jersey, January 2025.
The winner will qualify to the semi finals and will receive a coupon for $40 off their weekend pass.
1st Place Winners of the Amateur Men Advanced Bachata Solo Showcase will represent the Canada Salsa & Bachata Congress at the Summit Championships held in
New Jersey, January 2025.
The winner will qualify to the semi finals and will receive a coupon for $40 off their weekend pass.
2024 SPONSORS
