About Nelson Batista
Background
In addition to his personal involvement in the Latin Dance and Music World,
Nelson has performed in national theatre, having participated in the Danceworld
94 exposition. In 1992 he was called upon to choreograph and advise on the
music for the production of Salsa Celestina at the Watford Theatre for which
he received rave reviews. Throughout Nelson's career he has appeared in numerous
TV programmes demonstrating and promoting Salsa Dance in London and the UK.
Most recently he has participated in the 
'Just
Dance 1998' show. Nelson's TV credits also include:
Juke Box 1990 (Sky TV)
Capital Woman
6 O’clock Live
Liz Earles Lifestyle
Rear Window (Salsa Fever)
The Great Escape
TV AM
Esther Rantzen
Nelson has also been acclaimed in the National Press, i.e The Guardian, The
Times, etc; and also contributed to various Salsa and Latin dance orientated
publications i.e. Latin London
Career
Born
in Havana, Cuba, Nelson began dancing at an early age. Upon his arrival in
England in 1988 he became actively involved in promoting and organising Latin
dance and music activities. Nelson became the first Salsa dance instructor
in London, to high acclaim. As a result, he extended his classes to venues
all over the country, thus establishing himself as the top Salsa dance teacher
in the UK. Nelson has since been deemed the original 'Godfather of Salsa'
in the UK, in recognition of his expertise and proficiency in dance and musical
interpretation. Many of Nelson's students have since progressed to dance professionally
and to teach Salsa themselves.
Nelson continues to contribute to the current thriving Salsa scene by teaching Salsa dance in many venues around London and the Home Counties and by regularly holding intensive workshops all over the country. Nelson is considered to be the leading authority within this sphere, he is also frequently called upon to act in an advisory role whenever authenticity or expert opinion is required. Most recently, after the official acknowledgement of the Salsa dance as an established dance form by the UKA (United Kingdom Alliance of teachers of dance), Nelson was appointed President of the Salsa Examining Board, within the Club Latino Division of the UKA.
SPECIAL AWARDS:
In 1998:
Nelson Batista was awarded the title of FELLOW OF THE UKA, for having established and developed Salsa dancing throughout the country since 1989.
In 2003:
Nelson received a Salsa Lifetime Achievement Award from the largest Salsa organisation in the country: Salsa UK, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the establishment and growth of Salsa dancing throughout the UK.
In 2005:
Nelson received an award from Mambo City organisation in appreciation to his contribution to Salsa in the UK.
