Ismael Otero

Ismael Otero, New Yorican native living in New Jersey, founder and director of the “Caribbean Soul Dancers”, is also known as the Million Moves Man.

Ismael Otero’s dance style is considered out of the ordinary from the traditional New York style. Over the years, Ismael, coming from break dancing and hip hop background, has created a unique style of dance that includes complicate arm work, unusual and funny hand flips, unique turn patterns, exciting foot work and more, combined with flavor and technique. He is mainly known for thinking outside the box and creating not only new moves used by everyone all over the world but new ideas in choreographies. Eddie Torres calls Ismael the Salsa Composer because of Ismael’s innovative approach to dance routines if you look at all the Caribbean Soul past routines you will notice that they are all completely different

Ismael has a strong connection with the music and he is known for dancing to every note or beat of the music. Ismael has been traveling and teaching since 1996, teaching his unique turn patterns and foot work to thousands of people all over the world.

In addition, Ismael has been performing in numerous salsa congresses and festivals and TV shows all over world. He has won many competitions in various clubs in New York, New Jersey and Miami -one of it was in the famous Latin club “Copa Cabana” in New York City. As well, Ismael came in 2nd place in the Night club style division of the “Dancesport” competition in Madison Square Garden.

Ismael won many awards over the years from Latin associations such as “The best male performer” in the New York, New Jersey Salsa awards. He also received 2 awards from the L.A Salsa Congress in 2002 and in 2011,which is the biggest salsa congress in the U.S, for his contributions to salsa.

Ismael has perfected the craft of individualism and brining out the best of his dancers and since he doesnt teach a distinct style you wont really notice who he has trained but some of best dancers in the world were trained by him, his past dance partners are all on top of their game such as Griselle Ponce, Candy Mena, Yesenia Peralta, Shani Talmor, Irene Otero, Jamie Matos and Natalia Villanueva to name a few.

Ismael’s humble attitude and welcoming personality is what makes him popular amongst the mambo community today.