he became a soloist in the cabaret, something that no other person had ever done in such a short period of time.
His dance career blossomed after this, and in 1998, Alfredo attended a salsa festival in Colombia where other famous salsa dancers also performed. Though the Queen of Salsa, Ms Celia Cruz, was there, Alfredo didn’t have the honor of dancing with her until two years later at a salsa festival in Spain. So, what was she like? “Celia Cruz -she’s the best!”


Alfredo came to Bulgaria in 2001 with six fellow Cubans and has been here ever since. He is married to a Bulgarian woman and has two children of toddler age. “I came here to work and then continued to work here. I don’t have time to think if I like it.” His hard work has paid off, and in 2004 he was able to open his studio, the Alfredo Torres Dance Studio, on Vitosha Blvd. He was also recently chosen to be the choreographer for Star Academy, Bulgaria’s version of American Idol or Pop Idol. At his studio he teaches people of all ages, “from 10 to 40, at every level” in various dance styles: classical ballet, LA style salsa, hip hop and modern dance, reggaeton (Latino hip hop) and jazz ballet, but his true love is salsa.
 

“Cuba was the base, the foundation, for salsa, but the immigrants in New York City ‘made’ salsa and put on shows that made salsa grow. It was a way for them to communicate between themselves and their different cultures. There was an explosion and so much emotion in NYC because they didn’t have salsa. For Cubans, it’s natural and normal.” The famous Celia Cruz once said that “salsa is Cuban music with another name,” but Alfredo feels that the dance has become international because of its style and uniqueness. He believes that if someone were to bring the Bulgarian dance, the rechenitsa, to NYC, it would boom there too, because it’s new and different.


Alfredo feels that “salsa is in your soul” but that anyone can learn it, because “everyone can do everything.” If you’re willing to give it a try, Alfredo is the person to teach you. He says that after six months of learning, one will feel adapted to the rhythms and movements of the dance, but it takes a year to really learn the art of salsa. His students love him and find him to be a great dance teacher and a very warm-hearted, genuine person. “He’s pleasant and unique, just like the dancing,” said one of his students. When teaching, Alfredo’s students say that he mixes up his languages, just like his dancing styles, a mixed variety of everything. But as Alfredo said, “I came here for dance, not for language.” The club Salsa Plus is the place where most of his students practice their new found skills, but his welcoming studio is their venue of choice for learning.


Most areas of the world have embraced salsa, and Bulgaria is no different. However, Alfredo finds that something is lost when people are too open to other cultures: “they put theirs in another place” and forget about the beauty of their own culture. He recently travelled to Istanbul and observed that, “they defend their culture. They love their culture like Cubans love theirs.” When Alfredo speaks of his work- his love- it is with a tone of absolute devotion, the way the word “salsa” slips out of his mouth like he’s talking about a loved one. Along with his fellow choreographer, the famous Anastasia Sharenkova, Alfredo Torres will be here in Sofia at his studio long enough to teach anyone who’s interested how to dance.

Alfredo Torres You Tube Videos ( Please Click to Watch)