Although he was known as “The Quiet One” by the members of Salsa Brava, he makes his fare share of noise with SALSONEROS, his Salsa dance company. This group has grown slowly since its formation just a little over two years ago, which is the way Alfredo likes it. “I like to walk, I don’t like to run,” he says, explaining how he wants the group to grow slowly. “I like to go step by step.” It is undoubtedly the quality of those steps, that have taken this group where it is today.

As a performer for three years with the Salsa Brava Dance Company and a veteran of all three of its congress appearances in Los Angeles, Alfredo is no stranger to the congress spotlight. Being the quiet one in the group, he still made enough of an impression to attract the attention of Albert Torres, one of the founding fathers of the Salsa Congress, who encouraged him to send in a demo tape.

Alfredo started on the sidelines of Southern California Salsa Clubs, far from the footlights of fame. He was attracted to Francisco and Luis Vasquez and Rogelio Moreno as they swept past him with their fancy footwork. Little did any of them know where their Salsa dancing would take them in the future. Francisco, Luis and Rogelio’s names are now known by the Salsa crowds all over the world.

Even though Alfredo made his home in Rancho Cucamonga, a good two hours by car from any prime club, the beginning dancer ventured out almost every night during the week to sharpen his steps; hitting such clubs as Rudolpho’s in Glendale, Grand Avenue and the Mayan both in L.A. He quickly began to understand the addiction to Salsa dancing and why people are so passionate about it.

Soon he was attracting attention and bids from dance companies looking for new members, the first of which was from Ritmo Y Sabor in Whittier, then from Salsa Brava, when it only consisted of Joby and Luis Vasquez and Janette Valenzuela. Although Janette is no longer with the group, Salsa Brava is now directed by brothers, Joby and Luis Vasquez and is known as the hottest Salsa group in the world.

Unfortunately, the commute to rehearse in Long Beach several times a week, soon took its toll and Alfredo reluctantly decided to resign. His plan then was to continue his passion by teaching in clubs. It wasn’t long before his weeks were filled with teaching assignments.

Starting his own dance company was an idea that was sparked by a work assignment a couple of years ago with Tango dancer Gloria Otero, who originally directed the dance company with Alfredo. His concept was for his group, which soon became Salsoneros, to be the Inland Empire pioneer for mixing other styles of dance such as Hip-Hop and modern with Salsa, plus he wanted the group to feature an ethnically diverse dance line-up. The group includes Alfredo’s eight year-old daughter, Polette.

Salsoneros was among the chosen teams invited to the 2002 Los Angeles Salsa Congress held in May at the Hollywood Park Casino. Their performance consisted of the Joe Arroyo number, “No Lepege a la Negra”. “I had always thought that song was too slow to dance to,” says Alfredo, “But I actually dreamed the entire routine, about Columbian slaves who free themselves. It was powerful.”

This past August, Salsoneros was among the performers that took to the stage in a spectacular showing of dance talent at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center in the 2nd Annual UDG Production, “Beat of the Night”. Great performers from Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego came together to bring the audience a show they won’t soon forget, where Salsa meets Hip Hop meets Swing. The finest dance groups this side of the country brought the best in today’s Latin dance craze.