Jim Johnson
**Jim Johnson was honored at the Tribute to Men in Salsa, July 19 2006 at
Zanzibar for his accomplishments in promoting and expanding Salsa over the
years, through teaching, choreography, and performance.
Salsa and Latin (club style)
Jim has been teaching Salsa and Latin dancing in the area since 1996, in numerous studios
(currently @ McLean Ballet & Jazz Studio and Alliance Dance Institute) and nightclubs
(Chelsea’s, Cecilia’s, Divirsité, Divinos, Barking Dog, Rumba Café, etc) currently @ Ocean
Drive Nightclub
He is a former undefeated multiple Salsa champion and is the co-founder and former director,
choreographer, and lead male dancer of the Salsa Fuego Dance Company (1997-2002). The
company became one of the top groups in the world performing at World Salsa Congresses in
DC, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, New York, and Europe. During his tenure, Salsa Fuego also
performed at numerous concerts of famous Latin recording artists such as Victor Manuelle, Jose
"El Canario" Alberto, Tito Nieves, Grupo Niche, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Puerto Rican Power,
Raulin, Luis Damon, and others, as well as performing at hundreds of other venues including
the Kennedy Center, the Latin Performer Awards (the Ringos), famous nightclubs, charities, etc.
Ballroom
Jim is nationally certified through his Gold levels in all the ballroom dances through the Fred
Astaire Dance Studios (FADS). He taught full time for FADS for over 7 years until he moved
to the DC area. During his tenure, he was consistently ranked as one of the top teachers in the
world, even achieving the #1 ranking. He also was a Fred Astaire studio owner, manager, and
dance director for over 5 years.
Since he has been in the DC metropolitan area he has worked mostly independently, but was an
instructor and the Artistic Director for the Ballroom Dance Company for 2 years where he was
in charge of developing the dance curriculum, teaching methods, and teacher training program.
He also currently teaches hundreds of wedding couples through The Wedding Dance Specialists.
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