Latinissimo Dance Co. specializes in street Latin dancing with salsa as the main focus. Since starting to operate in Auckland in November 2005, Latinissimo has transformed the standard of salsa dancing in New Zealand. Latinissimo was also the first salsa school to represent Auckland at International salsa events around the world, making Latinissimo Auckland’s world salsa representatives.
Our dance school believes that the art of learning can only be accomplished by a well thought through learning program. This is why our dance courses are syllabus based and will guide you through every step of the way, step-by-step so you can progress in the easiest and most comprehensive way possible.
We are absolutely passionate about Latin dancing and dance in all its variations and forms. It is our mission to encourage our students of all ages, to experience the world of dance the way we see it and experience it.
Giancarlo is a Swedish national with Peruvian background and is no stranger to Latin music and dance. It has always been a part of his life and culture, but it was not until 2001 when a friend took him to a Latin nightclub in Stockholm when the passion and addiction to Latin music and dance really begun.
Giancarlo has had jazz and gymnastics training since the age of 11 and has been an active professional photographer since the age of 21. He arrived to the Australian continent in 2002 to further his photographic knowledge and experience, as this was his main goal in life. But as his passion and creativeness for photography grew, so did his salsa dancing and he quickly realized the advantages of being a photographer and a dancer. Although his intension was to excel in photography, he could not let go of dancing and co-founded Latinissimo Dance Company in Melbourne in 2003. The aim was to put his dance school on the international salsa circuit and with his background in jazz and gymnastics combined with amazing coordination, athleticism, and agility – it did not take him long to make his salsa dancing impressive and unique. By 2004 the first step towards his goal had been achieved, he got an invitation to perform at the renowned West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles.
Masharepresented her native country of Slovenia as an elite rhythmic gymnast before relocating to New Zealand. Since the age of 4, Masha has been dancing ballet, jazz, Latin American Dance Sport and contemporary dance. In return she now has over 20+ years of disciplined dance training with immaculate dance and gymnastic techniques. Masha is an incredibly passionate dancer, performer and instructor. In fact so passionate that she took her dancing to an academic level. She studied Physiology, Nutrition and Anatomy as part of the Bachelor of Dance degree at Auckland University of Technology in 2001. Besides receiving numerous awards in rhythmic gymnastics in Europe, Masha also has a NZ Latin American Dancesport title.
Giancarlo and Masha perform with style, energy, professionalism and precision. They are known both nationally and Internationally, as New Zealand’s #1 salsa dance couple by setting a standard each time they perform. They also lead the most successful student performance troupe in the country – TEAM Latinissimo.
Notable competition accomplishments for Giancarlo & Masha and Latinissimo students:
2001 - 1st Place Club Marconi Salsa Competition (Masha), Sydney
2002 - 2nd Place Stockholm Salsa Open Championships (Gian), Stockholm
Giancarlo & Masha were featured as NZ's leading salsa professionals on TVNZ's Good Morning Show, salsa & mambo choreographers for TV3’s “So You Think You Can Dance”, main dancers and characters in music video "Insane" by The Sagittarian and continuously receive invitations to perform and teach in various cities and events around New Zealand and the world - such as Sydney, Wellington, Miami, Brisbane, Seoul, UK and more.
Giancarlo & Masha are New Zealand's leading salsa dance professionals.
Alyx & Tania
Assistants
Performers Competitors
Alyx is from the Philippines and started taking his first dance steps at the age of 9. In fact, by the time he became a teenager he had already formed his own Hip-Hop and Breakdancing crew. While still in school he joined a dance group and was introduced to Standard Ballroom, Latin Ballroom, Street Latin, Jazz and Swing (Hustle). Alyx is naturally very athletic and coordinated and took on all the dances like a fish in water.
Street Latin was however the dance he enjoyed the most. For the past seven years, Alyx has been dancing, competing and performing salsa all over New Zealand and has accomplished the following:
2005 - 1st place Couple Performance (NZ Salsa Dance Competition)
2005 - 2nd place Adv Salsa (NZ Salsa Dance Competition)
2006 - 1st place Couple Performance (NZ Salsa Dance Competition)
2007 - Performer NZ Salsa Congress (Wellington)
2007 - Performer Hamilton Street Latin Festival
2008 - 1st place NZDTF Salsa Freestyle Competition
2009 - 1st place Asia Salsa Open Championships (Amateur division) - Hong Kong 2009 - 1st place NZ Salsa Nationals (Amateur division) - Auckland
Alyx loves to perform and knows how to entertain a crowd, he loves sharing his passion for Latin dance, not just with New Zealand, but with the world! His noticeable talent, strong performance skills and great personality was recognized and he was asked to join Latinissimo in early 2007.
Tania is a highly technical dancer and has been involved in some form of dance her entire life. Her dance career started at the tender age of 3 and was on stage entering tap competitions by the age of 4. She continued tapping away for the following 8 years. Jazz and ballet were other forms of dance she competed in as a young girl. In 1990 and 1991 she was hand picked by the Royal New Zealand ballet to dance in the shows "Giselle" and "The International Gala".
Tania found a stronger passion for Ballroom and Latin American dancing and competed in this style for over 10 years. She has numerous titles wich include:
NZ National Champion
Interdominion Champion
South Pacific Champion
NZ representative - South Pacific Dance Competition (AUS)
After being introduced to salsa for the first time ever, just one (1) month prior to the 2006 NZ Salsa Competition - Tania and dance partner Alyx have also achieved the following:
Tania was approached to join Latinissimo in early 2007. Not only is she an incredibly talented and "hungry" dancer, but also very charming, friendly and smart! We are very proud to have her in Latinissimo. Both Alyx and Tania assist Giancarlo & Masha occasionally when needed.
Please note: Alyx & Tania are amateur dancers and are strictly assistants only to Giancarlo & Masha.
Directors
Masha
Giancarlo & Masha were featured 
Alyx & Tania
