Before LDLA even opened, Enio’s early successes came on formation teams as captain of the USC Ballroom Dance Team. In 1977, USC won the Gold Medal at the US Ballroom Championships (USBC). The following year the team went to Blackpool England and came in 2nd in the worlds most prestigious dance event.
In 1989 with Enio as coach, his team took the Gold Medal again at the USBC in Florida. That team was exceptional in that many of the dancers went on to great success in the dance world. Of 18 dancers, 8 eventually went pro, and four (Jerry More, Becky Chang, Catherine Cottis, and Janet Kvasnak) won US Pro Am Championships. Michelle Brakebill (French) won a US Open Swing Championship in the Pro Showcase Division, Natalie Mavor won several US Amateur Championships in Latin, Standard and 10 Dance, the US Rising Star American Rhythm, and the Mayan Pro Salsa competition. Robert Cordoba went on to win 7 US Open Swing Championships, 2 Feather Awards, and was elected to the Swing Dance Hall of Fame. Gary McDonald after winning many US amateur titles with Natalie went on to win the Professional World 10 Dance Championship.
During the almost 30 year run of Let’s Dance L.A., we had dozens of formation teams from kids, to juniors, young adults, semi-pro and adult. All of our teams performed at studio events and events like Springfest and the LA Salsa Congress before huge crowds. Many of these dancers also went on to become champions or professionals. Hector Llamas, Brigitte Ryerson, Vanessa Alderette, Tomas Hernandez, Sander Scholl, Alex Cordoba, Lauren Calderoni, and Michelle Hafle all became professionals. Michelle had a very distinguished competitive career, danced on Dancing with the Stars, and now owns a very successful studio in Dallas, Texas. Brigitte Ryerson took over the Let’s Dance Rueda teams and hopefully the legacy continues. Through formation teams we performed in London, Holland, Kona Hawaii, West Palm Beach & Miami Florida, New York City, San Francisco, San Diego, many LA/World Salsa Congresses, the World Formation Championships in Bremerhaven Germany, and the big one- Blackpool England!
Best of all, if you were on any on our Salsa, Casino Rueda, Cha Cha, West Coast Swing or Ballroom Teams made life long friends and a few even found their life partners. So if you have and great stories or pictures, please send us any pictures so we can add theme here.