Ron Bermudez's soulful passion makes perfect fit for Salsa dancing. His rise from the trainee to the trainer was the result of being trained by Latyn Symbolic’s founder, George Vascones, and New York Latin Hustle national and world champions Nelly Cotto, Floyd Chisolm, Eddie Vega and Lourdes Jones.
He developed a variety of styles based on the Salsa Tumbao for Conga drums, incorporated Cuban styles, such as the Rueda, and mixed them all with the New York Latin Hustle. This unique form combined with his passion for Salsa dancing has created a legacy uniquely the West Coast's own.
Ron founded the first Bay Area Salsa Dance group (Salsa Angels ®) in 1978 with daughter, Pearl. He created the first radio and television programs dedicated wholly to Salsa in the San Francisco Bay Area as well. Backed by popular Puerto Rican radio announcers Don Mende and Chamorro Iglesias on radio KOFY, Ron played Salsa music from beginning to the end of his program.
Through his tireless promotion of Salsa, such as the Mission District Musicians and Dancers Workshop, La Raza Rock Festival at Dolores Park, and radio and cable television programs, he helped introduce and propel the careers of Pete and Coke Escovedo, Benny Velarde, Jessie Torrez, Sheila E, and other Latin musicians who went on to be part of Santana, Azteca, and Malo bands along the way.
In 1969, Ron became the first Latin immigrant to receive the first class Federal Communication Commission license and, for 13 years, worked at KSFO as studio engineer for the 49ers, Giants, and Oakland A's, preparing him for the creation of his radio and television show, Salsa La Raza. His television program presents the World Salsa Championship and is accessible on the internet and on cable t.v.
The man instrumental in bringing authentic Latin rhythms and sound to the Bay Area and this unique Salsa style, Ron Bermudez brings the fun and joy of Salsa to anyone interested to learn to dance. He not only teaches the basic steps, he teaches the style and soul of Salsa.
La Raza’s Mother is Mama America
(The American Continent)
Mama America extends all the way from Alaska in the north to Argentina in the south. Her children are called “la raza,” a term that refers to all who have American Indian ancestry.
Salsa La Raza with Ron Bermudez exhibits the historic and patriotic deeds that La Raza has done for the U.S.A. Through this passionate and expressive dance art, Salsa is used to connect with the La Raza culture.
