The Mambo Lounge is a dance project created in early 2004 originally formed by Javier Favaro, Tarek Demerdash, Mariana Varela and Sharron Eglash, who collaborated together to exclusively develop New York 'On2' style Salsa in Sydney.

Javier, Tarek, Mariana & Sharron all trained in the various different styles of salsa including Cuban & Miami style, Rueda Casino and L.A. style salsa on1. The team members met while working together, teaching and performing for Latin Motion Dance Academy.  Tarek and Sharon also taught and performed with some of Sydney's most renowned salsa schools while Tarek & Sharron were the winners of the BJ's 2002 Ultimate Salsa Competition.

However it was the team’s attendance at the 5th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles in 2003 that introduced them to a new expression of dance known as " New York style Salsa" or "Mambo".

Their passion to pursue and excel in the On2 New York Style then inspired the team to open up "The Mambo Lounge”, with the sole purpose of building an On2 family in Sydney via sharing the invaluable information the team has developed over years of overseas travels.

The year of 2003 saw the members of The Mambo Lounge working with some of the best dancers and choreographers in Sydney. They collaborated with "Hot Feet Dance Company" and performed in the unforgettable X-men routine at the Sydney Latin Fiesta in October 2003. It was this performance that saw them selected as one of only 3 national groups to represent Australia at the 6th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles in 2004, and also won them the title of "People's Choice" an award voted by the Salsa crowd as their favourite performance of the festival.

The Mambo Lounge returned from the 6th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles in 2004 buzzing with excitement and hey had the pleasure of learning and dancing with the best On2 dancers in the world - Santo Rico, Caribbean Soul, Eddie Torres, Hacha Y Machete & the Cobo Brothers............just to name a few!

Following the teams return from Los Angeles, the Mambo Lounge has had the pleasure of teaching and performing at multiple private and public venues including the First Annual Smooth Moves Salsa Festival held in July/August 2004 and 1st Annual Sydney Latin Fiesta held in October 2004. More recently in 2005 and 2006 the Mambo Lounge has also represented Sydney holding workshops and performing at the 1st and 2nd Annual Sydney Salsa Congresses

 Today the Mambo Lounge is fronted by Tarek, Javier, Leisa and guests. Leisa Reynolds is one of the most respected and talented female dancers to ever hit the Australian Salsa scene. With years of experience in modern dance, Jazz and Salsa - Leisa is renown for her precise and smooth style of dance and her fantastic stage presence.

Leisa has represented Australia at the highest international level, at both Zurich Salsa Congress and Los Angeles Salsa congress with Sydney's best of the best and we are honoured to have Leisa as part of our team. Leisa prides on offering maximum attention to the ladies in the classes, so ladies if you want to perfect your spins, styling or bad habits we have something to offer.  

We are the Mambo Lounge: Pure specialists, teachers and performers of Salsa on2. Whether you seek to improve your on2 timing, understand the clave, learn the latest shines and turn patterns or simply work on your men’s or ladies styling, we pride ourselves on being second to none.

Now as Tarek moves to spend some time in the UK to be at closer proximity to Europe and the USA, the Mambo Lounge will be back with the latest information from around the world.

Immerse yourself in the Mambo, but most importantly....don’t forget to have FUN!