The Best of New Zealand's Latin Dancers

Registrations for the 12th annual competition will open soon to dance soloists, couples and teams from New Zealand and abroad covering street latin dance genres popular around the world, namely Salsa, Bachata, and Latin (Zouk, Kizomba, Chacha, Reggaeton, Samba). 

THE 2026 NZ LATIN DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL BE HELD ON
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21
AUCKLAND NETBALL CENTRE
7 Allison Ferguson Dr. St Johns

PLEASE NOTE INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE  WILL BE UPDATED SOON FOR 2026 INCLUDING COMPETITION RULES AND REGISTRATIONS!

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2025 National & International Judges Panel

ALEX BRYAN
ALEX BRYANInternational Head Judge - Brisbane
Alexander “Alex” Bryan is a highly respected Latin dance coach, performer, and adjudicator with over two decades of international experience. In 2025, he served as the Australasian Representative and Head Judge at The Summit World Championships in New Jersey, USA—the world’s premier Latin dance competition. As Head Judge, Alex oversaw scoring protocols, coordinated the judging panel, resolved tie-breaks and disputes, and ensured strict adherence to international standards. This role positioned him not only as a regional ambassador but also as a key decision-maker on one of the most diverse and competitive panels in the global dance scene. A 2012 World Salsa Champion in the Teams Division and a multi-time Australian Salsa and Bachata Champion, Alex has built a career at the intersection of performance, education, and leadership. He has performed on Dancing with the Stars Australia, served as Head Judge for the Japan Salsa Association since 2013, and is the founder of The Mojo Production Co., a Latin dance theatre company known for creating stage shows across Australia. He also directs Rumbia Festival, Melbourne’s premier Latin dance event. Across all his roles, Alex is driven by a passion to elevate the standard of Latin dance throughout the Asia-Pacific and beyond
GEORGINA WOODS
GEORGINA WOODSInternational Judge - Sydney
Georgina Woods is an internationally recognised Salsa and Bachata champion with multiple world and national titles, including the prestigious overall World Salsa Solo Champion (2022). Known for her charismatic stage presence and technical artistry, Georgina has trained and choreographed for soloists, teams and couples across all levels - from beginner to professional - with a focus on competitive readiness. With a strong foundation in classical ballet, Georgina brings a clear, structured approach to teaching, helping dancers at all levels build confidence and develop their artistry. She regularly teaches and performs across Australia, Asia and the United States, sharing her expertise with dancers around the world.
JUSTIN THOMAS
JUSTIN THOMASInternational Judge - Sydney
Justin Thomas is a world champion non-binary Dancer and artist with a decade of professional experience in the entertainment industry. From live shows 6 days a week, to writing kids entertainment and working in television and film. Justin has worked and performed in 9 countries and counting. Justin is also the current Australian professional bachata solo and couple champion.
FARYA ZAMAN
FARYA ZAMANAuckland
Farya is an accomplished Latin dance professional with extensive training across multiple dance styles. Known for her elegant, feminine style and meticulous technique, she has won multiple championships across New Zealand and Australia. She has spent the past two years in Australia refining her skills with top global talent and is considered our very own national, International!
YOHEI JOHN MIKAWA
YOHEI JOHN MIKAWAAuckland
Yohei is a seasoned artist with over a decade of dance training under his belt. With a focus on Salsa on 2 and a keen interest in Bachata, he is particularly passionate about musicality and the art of social dancing. Yohei has taught, competed and performed across New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. In recent years, Yohei has enriched his knowledge training extensively in Sydney alongside the renowned Artia Zandian.
LUCY DUNCAN
LUCY DUNCANChristchurch
A certified adjudicator, Lucy brings over a decade of dance industry experience to the table, having judged competitions since 2015. Her formidable career as a competitor saw her achieve multiple New Zealand, Australian, and international titles. Today, Lucy channels that experience into her work as a sought-after choreographer and coach, shaping the skills of dancers across the country. With 19 years dedicated to her craft, Lucy possesses an in-depth technical knowledge of Latin dance. This expertise, combined with a background in musical theatre, gives her a unique and insightful eye for the crucial elements of musicality and storytelling on the dance floor.
RICARDO GRECCO
RICARDO GRECCOAuckland
With over a decade of dedication to the vibrant world of Latin dance, Ricardo (Ricky) has cultivated an impressive journey that began with Salsa On1 before evolving into a deep passion for Salsa On2 and Bachata. His talent has shone brightly on the competition circuit, earning him titles across Australasia and Asia. Beyond competitive success, Ricky has graced stages and immersed himself in countless festivals, performing and learning from renowned international artists across New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Brazil, Asia, and Europe, continually refining his artistry. Since 2017, he's shared his extensive knowledge and love for dance by teaching classes, coaching teams and couples, and providing personalised private classes. Over the years, Ricky realised that the essence of dance lies not in personal spotlight, but in the beautiful philosophy of making his partner shine.
IRINA KAPELI
IRINA KAPELIWhanganui
Irina has been dancing Salsa since 1998. Prior to that she trained in gymnastics, ballet and jazz. She has completed a year and a half of University studies of Dance technique and Teaching, Chorography, Anatomy, physiology and Biomechanics. Irina is also an IDO certified judge.
EMILY ARMSTRONG
EMILY ARMSTRONGDunedin
Emily started dancing at a very young age, training and competing in Ballet and Jazz for many years. She started dancing Salsa and Bachata about 13 years ago, and over time trained in a wide variety of other styles including zouk and kizomba. For 8 years, Emily taught many of these styles at her dance school, Salsa Club Dunedin. She also ran a dance school for children. Emily is now dance partners with Augusto and their favorite dance styles are Zouk and Kizomba. They have taught both these styles all around New Zealand and in Australia. They also have competed together in many styles and have had great success.
ALYX TY
ALYX TYAuckland
Alyx honed his skills in a variety of dance styles from the sultry rhythms of Street Latin, graceful elegance of Latin Ballroom and the electrifying energy of Jazz, Swing, Hip Hop and Breakdance.
Multiple-time National dance champion, with mesmerizing winning performances, and shows in NZ, Australia, Hong Kong & the Philippines.
SCOTT SUEN
SCOTT SUENChristchurch
Scott is the newest member of the judging panel, he brings with him over a decade of experience in Salsa dancing, competition, and performance. He has achieved numerous titles across both New Zealand and Australia and now dedicates his time to coaching and developing the next generation of passionate dancers. Having successfully completed the judging certification course with Billy Fajardo in 2023, Scott is honoured to serve as a judge for the Freestyle and J&J category at this year’s New Zealand Latin Dance Championship
DOMINIQUE BENAVIDES
DOMINIQUE BENAVIDESAuckland
Dominique has been dancing for over ten years, exploring dance styles and fusions such as Heels, Reggaeton, and others. She is passionate about dance and loves to learn and explore all styles that dance has to offer. She used to be part of a training program called B-roses (hosted in Santiago, Chile) a dance training program she was part of the company for about three/four years before moving into New Zealand. Dominique teaching history started five years ago at Viva Dance and Viva Kids, where she taught diverse adult and kids classes. She currently teaches private classes, and open classes at Hit Dance Studio, Spice It Up, and Kinetic Dance Studio. In 2023, she started a dance crew called Fuego Urbano, now called beginner training program and remains its director. In 2024 she started a dance event company called Spice It Up, Spice It Up debuted as a crew in November 2024 placing first place in their category at the New Zealand Latin Dance Championships, she remains as its director/founder. Dominique has also taken part of diverse videoclips and performances for international and Latin artists and occasionally performs as gogo dancer at Latin and open clubs
DONNA FROST
DONNA FROSTChristchurch
Donna Frost is a highly respected figure in the New Zealand Latin dance community, serving as a co-director Latin Fire Dance Academy in Christchurch. With more than two decades of experience teaching salsa and Latin styles, she has helped grow Latin Fire into one of the South Island’s most prominent dance studios. Under her guidance, the studio’s youth teams and adult performance groups have achieved strong competitive results, and Donna has earned national accolades herself — including first place in NZ national competitions. In addition to her work at Latin Fire, Donna plays a central role in organising the South Island Latin Championship, New Zealand’s longest-running Latin dance competition. Traditionally limited to South Island residents, the "Southies" is set to broaden its reach — from next year, it will accept entries from dancers outside the South Island.
ARMANDO ESCOBEDO
ARMANDO ESCOBEDOAuckland
Armando has been part of the Caribbean cultural scene for more than 20 years. He is an incredibly versatile international artist, performer, and social dancer. Since childhood, Armando has been dedicated to learning and developing the principal dance styles from many South and Central American countries. He specialises in root dances, including Afro-Cuban culture, Traditional Son, Traditional Mambo, Bolero, and Chachachá. He has also spent years mastering partnerwork and technique in Timba and American Salsa - both On1 and On2 - as well as all evolutions of Bachata: traditional, modern, sensual, and fusion. He represents and preserves the knowledge passed on by great masters such as Vladimir Quevedo (Raíces Profundas), Héctor Oviedo, Emilio Hernández, and Alberto Valdés

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