Our Staff

Juan "Ta-To" Paredes

• Co-Founder of Tato Salsa
• Professional Dance Instructor
• Co-Founder of Baila Tampa Dance Festival

A native of the Dominican Republic and raised in Spanish Harlem, New York City, Juan “Ta-To” Paredes has always embraced his Caribbean roots, especially his love for music and dance. His passion for dancing began at an early age and has grown into a lifelong dedication to sharing his culture, inspiring others, and building a vibrant dance community.

With decades of experience, Juan is recognized as one of the pioneers of On1 Salsa and New York-style On2 Mambo in the Tampa Bay area. His dynamic style, infectious energy, and passion for teaching have taken him to numerous local, national, and international dance events, festivals, and performances.

Throughout his career, Juan has achieved several notable milestones. In 2005, he was cast in a dance role in the movie The Punisher, and in 2007, he released his first Bachata instructional DVD, Sabor Dominicano. In March 2014, Juan and his wife founded Tato Salsa, combining their passion for dance with their vision of creating a welcoming community where dancers of all levels could learn, connect, and grow.

Juan is also a proud co-founder of the Baila Tampa Dance Festival, an event dedicated to celebrating Latin dance, music, and culture. In 2025, Juan and his wife assumed full leadership of the festival from their former partners, continuing their commitment to growing the event and bringing dancers together from across the country and beyond.

His love for dance has taken him around the world, including Canada, Japan, Mexico, Curaçao, Aruba, Panama, Colombia, and throughout the United States.

Despite his many accomplishments, Juan's greatest reward remains the opportunity to teach, mentor, and inspire others. His mission is simple: to cultivate a thriving dance community, preserve the richness of Latin dance culture, and help others discover the same joy and passion for dancing that has shaped his life.

Cristina Paredes (Zavala)

• Co-Founder of Tato Salsa
• Professional Dance Instructor & Performer

Cristina Paredes (Zavala) has had Salsa and Mambo in her heart for as long as she can remember. Her passion for Latin music and dance has shaped a remarkable journey spanning more than 25 years, taking her from the vibrant Salsa scene of Chicago to international stages around the world.

Her journey as a serious dancer began when she accepted an open invitation from renowned dancer and choreographer Sekou McMiller. Cristina became one of the founding members of Descarga Caribe Dance Company in Chicago, Illinois, where she developed into one of the company's principal female dancers and served as the traveling dance partner of its director, Sekou McMiller, from 2003 to 2008.

As a seasoned instructor and performer, Cristina became one of the most recognizable homegrown talents to emerge from Chicago's Salsa community. Her dedication, elegance, and passion for Mambo have taken her to prestigious dance events and stages across the globe, including Italy, Belgium, South Korea, China, London, Venezuela, Curaçao, Canada, Japan, and throughout the United States.

In 2014, Cristina and her husband, Juan “Ta-To” Paredes, co-founded Tato Salsa, bringing their combined experience, passion, and love for Latin dance to the Tampa Bay community.

From 2019 through 2021, Cristina founded and directed D'Pasion, a ladies' dance performance team dedicated to empowering women through Salsa and Mambo. Under her leadership, the team traveled and performed throughout Florida, showcasing their talent, dedication, and love for dance.

In February 2025, Cristina was honored with the prestigious Keeper of the Flame Award at the Chicago Salsa Congress, recognizing her contributions, dedication, and lasting impact on the Salsa and Mambo community. This meaningful recognition celebrated not only her accomplishments as a dancer and instructor but also her role in preserving and sharing the rich traditions of Latin dance.

Alongside her husband, Cristina also helps lead the Baila Tampa Dance Festival, which they assumed full leadership of in 2025, continuing their shared mission of bringing dancers, instructors, and performers together to celebrate Latin music and culture.

Throughout her journey, Cristina has remained passionate about inspiring dancers, particularly women, to embrace their confidence, express themselves through movement, and discover the joy of dance. Her commitment to teaching, mentoring, and cultivating the next generation of dancers continues to be at the heart of everything she does.

Jeremy Perez

Born in the Windy City of Chicago to Puerto Rican parents, Jeremy was raised with a deep appreciation for culture, rhythm, and passion. Growing up in Tampa, Florida, his love for the arts began early when he joined the hip-hop dance company Eternal Rhythm, where hours of training and performances across the state planted the seed for a lifelong journey in dance.

In 2004, Jeremy discovered Salsa and quickly immersed himself in the Cuban style of Casino. Training four nights a week and attending countless social dances, his dedication paid off. Within two years he went from beginner student to lead Salsa instructor.

In 2008, Jeremy relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where he began teaching at the Valley’s largest weekly Salsa event, The Sunday Social. During his six years in Phoenix, he expanded his repertoire to include L.A. style On1 and New York style On2, teaching thousands of students, some of whom have gone on to open their own studios and compete at the Salsa World Championships.

Jeremy returned to Tampa in 2013, where he now teaches at Tato Salsa, sharing his passion for dance and inspiring students every week.

Javier “Javi” Pagán

From the Streets of Bayamón to the Stages of Tampa

Born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Javi’s dance journey began as a family legacy. Growing up in a neighborhood vibrant with live music, he was mentored by his mother, a decorated salsa competitor who dominated the local club circuit. Learning his first steps from the best, Javi transformed this foundational "Boricua" rhythm into the heartbeat of his movement.

In 1996, Javi moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he became deeply immersed in the local Dominican community. It was here that he fell in love with the soulful flow of Bachata and Merengue, adding a diverse Caribbean flavor to his Puerto Rican roots.

His formal training reached a turning point in 2008 at the renowned Salsa Storm studio in Worcester, MA, under the guidance of Ray Gonzalez. A versatile artist, Javi has since graced the stage across multiple disciplines, including Hip Hop, Bachata, and Salsa, blending street-style authenticity with stage-ready precision.

Since relocating to Tampa, Florida, in 2014, Javi has remained a dedicated pillar of the dance community. Whether mentoring the next generation, performing on stage, or social dancing, he continues to honor the culture and music that have shaped his life for over three decades. Today, he remains committed to sharing the passion of Caribbean rhythm through technical excellence and authentic connection as a teacher at Tato Salsa.

Since 2017, Francisco Javier Pagán (Javi) has been an integral instructor at Tato Salsa in Tampa, Florida, helping shape the studio’s curriculum and dance family through his specialized classes in Salsa On2 (Mambo) and Bachata. Known for his patient, detail-oriented approach, Javi breaks down complex timing, clean footwork (shines), and lead-and-follow partner connection, empowering students of all levels to step onto the social floor with confidence and musicality.

Javi’s teaching philosophy is backed by more than three decades of rhythm and cultural immersion. Born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, he learned his foundational Boricua timing directly from his mother, a recognized dancer on the local circuit. In 1996, he relocated to Massachusetts, immersing himself in the Dominican community of Lawrence to master the authentic groove and phrasing of Bachata and Merengue. He later formalized his stagecraft and technical precision in 2008 under Ray Gonzalez at Salsa Storm in Worcester, expanding his versatility across Salsa, Bachata, and Hip Hop.

At Tato Salsa, Javi channels this diverse background into every weekly class, workshop, and studio social. For Javi, dancing at Tato Salsa is about more than teaching choreography. It is about cultivating community, honoring the authentic roots of Caribbean music, and giving every student a home on the dance floor.

Ashley Minaya

Descended from Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, Ashley was born in New Jersey and raised in Puerto Rico.

At the tender age of 5 she was introduced to Bachata and Salsa dancing by her grandmother. She absolutely fell in love with dancing. Growing up she would perform with her cousins at house parties in front of her family and friends. Ashley also started performing at her elementary school with the school dance team.

In 2016 Ashley moved to the Tampa Bay area and in 2017 she began taking classes at Tato Salsa Dance Studio. For a year and a half she concentrated in learning her basics and fundamentals in Salsa On1 and then moved on to also learn Salsa On2 (Mambo). In 2019 Ashley was asked by director Juan “TaTo” Paredes to join the Tato Salsa staff and play a role as an assistant. Currently, Ashley is one of Tato Salsa’s main assistants/instructors teaching and assisting on a weekly basis.

Ashley has been part of dance teams such as Tato Salsa De’Passion Ladies Team and Jessica Quiles-Qproject, and has had the opportunity to perform at local dance events, Bailatampa and Orlando Salsa Congress to name a few. She says, “Dance has given me amazing moments and has led me to meet amazing people and for that, I am grateful”.

Her goal is not only to continue her growth as a social dancer and performer, but also as a teacher, coach and mentor to new dancers joining our dance family.

Melinda Perez

Melinda has been passionate about dance her entire life. Born in the Bronx, NY, and raised in Tampa, FL, she began training at age five in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. Whether on stage, at family gatherings, or at home, music and movement have always been central to who she is.

After taking a break during high school and college, she returned to dance in 2005, performing hip hop at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa. Though she never had formal training in Latin dance, her upbringing in a Latin family meant salsa, merengue, and bachata were always part of everyday life.

In 2015, after becoming a mother and feeling the pull back to dance, Melinda reignited her passion, this time with salsa. Along the way, she found both her love for Latin dance and her partner, fellow Tato Salsa instructor Jeremy Perez. She joined Tato Salsa in 2016 and has continued to grow in skill and confidence ever since.

Today, Melinda is dedicated to sharing her journey, supporting students, and spreading her love of dance as part of the Tato Salsa team.

Daniel Garber

Bio coming soon!

May Golez

May Golez is one of the most dedicated and warm-hearted individuals you will ever meet in a lifetime. Originally from Los Angeles, she made Tampa Bay her home in 1993, and it is here that her lifelong love of dance truly flourished.

May has tried just about every dance style, but Salsa swept her off her feet and never let go. In 2007, when Juan “TaTo” Paredes founded Latin Groove Dance Company, he invited May to join as an Assistant Instructor. She quickly mastered both lead and follow technique, becoming a key contributor to the growth and confidence of countless students. Tato moved to Chicago but after 3 years, he returned and May was thrilled to reunite with him and his wife, Cristina, as part of the Tato Salsa Dance Studio founded in 2014.

Beyond Salsa and Bachata, May proudly celebrates her heritage as a member of a Filipino Folkloric Dance Company in the Bay Area. Her passion for movement doesn’t stop there: she grew up playing tennis and competed on her college varsity team. These days, you’re just as likely to find her on the golf course or pickleball court (her newest obsession) as you are lighting up the dance floor.

Luke Moody

Luke’s formal partner dance journey began at American Dance when rehabbing a leg injury, taking lessons long past the point it had healed. He found a passion for dance there, particularly a passion for swing.

In his early 30s guided by close friends he discovered Latin dance in the Virginia/DC area, and later honed and formalized his skills with Salsanoke. He moved to Tampa in November of 2014 and met Juan “TaTo” Paredes at the very first Sunday de Sabrosura that December, and started taking lessons in 2015. In 2017 he started as staff assisting the Bachata instructor at the time. He has continued as staff at Tato Salsa where he assists in guiding new students to learn and be confident on the dance floor to this day.

A true addict of social dancing (Bachata in particular) and travel, Luke has attended 7 Aventura Dance Cruises, a decade of Orlando Salsa Congresses, and countless festivals from DC Bachata, and DC Salsa Congresses (his first two ever) to Las Vegas, Atlanta, Sarasota, and Miami. In addition he has visited and danced in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Colombia. Wherever he travels, you’ll find him in a drop-in class or on the social dance floor.

Janica Parkinson

Janica was born in Jamaica and raised in South Florida from the age of 7. Growing up she enjoyed listening to music and following along with YouTube dance videos at home. It wasn’t until 2015, when she moved to Tampa for her undergraduate degree, that she decided to step out of her comfort zone and learn to dance Konpa with the Club Creole Dance Team. This experience led to her performing and eventually joining African Student Association (ASA) Entertainers dance team as well.

Throughout the rest of her college days, she was exposed to different styles of African dance and performed for cultural events on campus and within Tampa. After a long break post graduating college, she started bachata and salsa classes at Tato Salsa and fell in love with the music, culture, and welcoming atmosphere. The studio became a dance home for her and she officially joined the staff in January of 2025. Janica enjoys learning new styles and techniques and loves sharing her love of dance with others. She looks forward to the opportunities in store for her at Tato Salsa!

Jennifer Eziefuoh

Her journey into Salsa, Bachata, and other Latin dances began over three years ago, sparked by curiosity and a desire to explore something new. Since then, her passion for dance has continued to grow and evolve as she embraces new experiences and opportunities. While she can’t say which dance she loves the most, what makes dancing truly special to her is the connection, chemistry, and energy shared with a partner. She has had the pleasure of attending the BailaTampa and Palmetto Dance Congresses and looks forward to attending more exciting events, expanding her dance journey, and connecting with fellow dancers along the way.

Beyond dancing, she enjoys an active and adventurous lifestyle. Her hobbies include outdoor activities, biking, swimming (although she’s still working on mastering the art of floating!), working out at the gym, watching movies, exploring international cuisines, traveling, and meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures. She loves discovering new experiences, sharing positive energy, and building meaningful connections wherever life takes her.

Ammie Sardinas

Ammie is a born and raised Tampa girl with strong family roots in Historic Ybor City. She began taking Salsa classes in 2013 and signed up for the first Tato Salsa classes when they opened. She serves as our Marketing/Social Media Director, and has performed on Cristina Paredes' ladies team, D'Pasion, for every season.

Brian (Braulio) Galvan

Bio coming soon.