El Nico (pictured right with his partner Niarina) is an experienced teacher, working in Nottingham, Leicester and Newark.
He met our group when they joined his class at The Atrium in Newark. He has also provided instruction at salsa events held by Tuxford School . Dancers who have been to our classes enjoy his friendly, humorous approach which belies the seriousness with which he takes safety and courtesy. We asked him to write us a few words to introduce himself:

EL NICO IN PROFILE

Q. EL NICO…how did you get into salsa

 A. Well it was quite by accident really. My twin brother, Lindel, mentioned it. He lives in London and mentioned it about 12 years ago. In fact he gave me my first quick impromptu lesson in the Brixton Road at about 2am…123…567 side steps very embarrassing. Fortunately for us at that time ASBOs did not exist. Salsa at that time had not been going that long in the U.K. and had certainly not become the phenomenon it is now. Having said that all dance is good for the Mind, Body and Soul man.

 Q. What is your real name?

A. Its Nick but I thought that sounded a little too English and the name Elvis had already been taken, so I came up with something which I thought would sound Spanish, hence NICO. I thought that even NICO is an Italian derivative. After that I added the El, hence El Nico.

 Q. Who taught you.

A. After that first lesson with my brother I found a teacher who had just started a class around Leicester. I left soon after because the teacher seemed to have a problem with timing. Not good, so I taught myself - mainly by attending salsa events. I would watch the musicians on stage and would copy the way they moved. I would say that my ability to listen to the music and to move with the beats comes from them.

 Q. Have you always danced.

A. Well yes. Way back. Way way…No FURTHER THAN THAT …you know when Pan's People would strut their stuff on Top of the Pops my bother and I would divide the living room up so we could practise our moves. And woe divine if he crossed into my dance space. Did I say that my twin is a fantastic tango teacher and dancer.

 Response..so that must have been before the introduction of Crop Rotation ?

A. ..Careful!

 Q. What's the thing you like best about Salsa?

 A. Salsa for me is really about the community. You can really see that within and around Laxton. It’s also that feeling when you're dancing and you forget about all the problems in life and escape into another world.

 Q. If you could change anything in society, what would it be.

 A. …Every one should be made to dance at least 30 minutes a day…it really does wonders…. chow