The L.A. Salsa Kids (a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization), was founded by Tomas Montero in the summer of 1996 with the purpose of not only exposing kids to the different communities, culture and heritage through dance, but also to build a positive body image and self esteem. To increase strength, flexibility and agility, to encourage socialization amongst our youth in a positive and co-ed environment, and to develop a deep appreciation of one's culture.

Based out of Los Angeles, California, the L.A. Salsa Kids specialize in grooving to the hot Latin/Caribbean sounds of Salsa, Merengue, ChaChaCha, Mambo and Rumba to name a few. They perform these dances with a style all their own and one of their specialties is Casino Rueda which is the most popular dance craze to hit the Latin scene since the Macarena and prominently featured in the movie Dance With Me. Casino Rueda, also called Casino, Salsa Rueda, Mambo Round and just plain Rueda, is a style of dance that originated in Cuba in the 1950's, and involves couples dancing in a circle and a caller yelling out dance moves. The couples then perform the short, fast, intricate, fun moves and switch partners.

The performance group is composed of young energetic members, ranging in ages from 10 to 23. To join the team not only do the kids have to exhibit the moves and energy required in being part of this team, but they also have to provide a satisfactory progress report from school.

The L.A. Salsa Kids exploded on to the dance and music scene at the Descarga 96 show at the Sportsman Lodge in Studio City. Uninterrupted accomplishments since have included being featured performers at many festivals, special events, parties, dinners, awards banquets, theater and dinner shows, as well as radio, TV shows, film, stage shows and Music Videos taped in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico, Miami, New York, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Kansas, Missouri, Atlanta and Houston.

The group has been prominently outlined in the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, La Opinion, People Magazine and many other well-known publications. Our success can be reflected on the fact that in 1998 we performed at the 2nd annual Congreso Mundial de la Salsa, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, an event which is attended by prominent international dancers and musicians, and have been invited back time and time again. The group has also performed at different events with Sinbad, Goldie Hawn, Maria Conchita Alonso, Connie Stevens, Chayanne, Vanessa Williams, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Luisito Rosario, Tito Nieves and many other celebrities.

The L.A. Salsa Kids is committed to enhancing all the communities it touches by instilling a sense of pride and unity for not only one's neighborhood, but for all people as a whole. We express this through our dance and through our own personal lifestyles. Through hard work and commitment to each other as a team, we hope to express a deeper ideal of perseverance and self-worth for our future generations. Our goals are;