TaToSalsa Studio

TaToSalsa is a Latin dance studio in central Tampa teaching Salsa, Salsa On2 (Mambo), Casino Salsa, and Bachata. The studio runs 6-week progressive beginner courses that start throughout the year on Mondays (Salsa), Tuesdays (Salsa On2), and Wednesdays (Bachata), with beginner classes focusing on fundamental footwork, basic turns, musicality, timing, and partner work. All lower-level classes include a course syllabus mapping out what students will learn each week.

The studio is led by Juan "TaTo" Paredes, a native of the Dominican Republic who began dancing in the Tampa Bay area over 14 years ago. Juan was raised in Spanish Harlem, New York City, and is recognised as one of the pioneers of On1 Salsa style and On2 Mambo New York style in Tampa. In 2005 he was cast in a dancing role in the film "The Punisher". He released his first Bachata Instructional DVD "Sabor Dominicano" in 2007, and has performed with Bachata artist Alexa Velez. Juan originally opened Latin Groove Dance Company in February 2007, offering classes, workshops, corporate events, and socials. He relocated to Chicago in 2010 but returned to Tampa in March 2014 to start TaToSalsa with his wife Cristina. Juan has taught and performed at major Salsa events and Congresses across Canada, Japan, Mexico, Curaçao, Aruba, Panama, and throughout the US.

Cristina Paredes, Juan's wife, has been dancing Salsa and Mambo for 13 years. She was a founding member of Descarga Caribe Dance Company in Chicago and developed into one of the company's principal female dancers, partnering with Director Sekou McMiller from 2003–2008 and later with Rodrigo Cortazar from Veracruz, Mexico (August 2008–2009) and Adrian Tenorio. She and Adrian won several dance competitions together. Cristina was a seasoned instructor and performer in the Chicago Salsa scene and has travelled to Italy, Belgium, Korea, China, London, Venezuela, Curaçao, Canada, Japan, and throughout the USA.

Other instructors include Jeremy Perez, a Puerto Rican born in Chicago and raised in Tampa, who trained in Cuban-style Casino Salsa for 3.5 years starting in 2004 and within two years progressed from beginner to lead instructor. He later lived in Phoenix (2008–2013), teaching at "The Sunday Social" and performing with Salvaje dance company at the LA Salsa Congress and AZ Salsa Festival. May Golez, born in the Philippines, started taking dance classes in 1999 and joined Juan TaTo and Erika Occhipinti assisting at Salsa Caliente Dance Studio in 2004. She later assisted Latin Groove Dance Company and has performed at Salsa Congresses and socials across Florida and Washington DC. Melinda Perez, born in the Bronx and raised in Tampa, began dancing at age 5 in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop, and performed at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. She returned to dance in 2015 with Salsa, joining TaToSalsa in August 2016. Ashley Minaya, descended from Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, was born in New Jersey and raised in Puerto Rico, where her grandmother introduced her to Bachata and Salsa at age 5.

The studio offers group classes ranging from beginner through intermediate/advanced levels. Intermediate classes focus on connecting and transitioning moves, patterns, musicality, and styling. Private lessons are available in Salsa, Salsa On2 (Mambo), Bachata, Cha Cha, Casino Salsa, Musicality (Timing and Tempo), Footwork, Ladies Styling, and Spinning, with both one-hour and 5-hour private packages available. The studio also hosts workshops, dance socials, and special events including the Tumbao Thursday Dance Social (9pm–1am) and Sunday de Sabrosura Dance Social (3pm–8pm). A kids programme is currently on hold. New beginner students receive approximately 40% off 6-week beginner courses.

Classes run Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings with beginner courses lasting 6 weeks and progressing through structured syllabi. You'll learn fundamental steps, timing, musicality, and partner connection in a growing community focused on social dancing in a safe, fun, and comfortable environment.

Led by Juan "TaTo" Paredes, a pioneer of On1 Salsa and On2 Mambo style in Tampa with over 14 years' experience and international performance credits. Teaching team includes Cristina Paredes (foundational Descarga Caribe dancer and competition winner), Jeremy Perez (Cuban Casino Salsa specialist and former lead instructor), May Golez (performer at Salsa Congresses), Melinda Perez, and Ashley Minaya.

The studio runs dedicated 6-week beginner courses designed for all new students, and reviews describe it as "easily one of the friendliest and warm environments to learn, feels like one big family."