Richie

 

Richard (known as Richie) Umejei, born in Lagos Nigeria, has always loved dancing. This passion starend in Nigeria at an early age. Richie participated and competed in various street dance competitions in the early 80’s at the age of 12. He started dancing salsa socially in 1997 at El Centro, Amsterdam. He attended numerous salsa congresses and festivals all over Europe and the USA(Chicago, Boston, Washington and NY). He started out dancing the salsa Cuban style, then learned the LA style and finally started dancing mambo on2 during the NYNJ salsa congress 2004. This salsa congress he claims is the best congress he ever attended.

What is unique about Richie is that he has never had any salsa lessons nor ever followed any salsa workshop in his life. He loves watching the great salsa teachers teach and instruct their pupils on how to dance.

Richie has his own unique style of dancing. He got his inspiration from watching famous salsa artists; Eddie Torres for his calm and calculating way of teaching and dancing; Frankie Martinez due to his classic moves, creativity and musically; Leon Rose for his crafty salsa and technique; Patrick Mussendijk for footwork; Juan Matos for his flamboyant and elegant style and of course Paul Baarn for his musically and interpretation of salsa which makes him one of the best in the salsa scene in the Netherlands and abroad.

He can be found dancing salsa socially in places like Cantinero Amsterdam, Winkel van sinkel Utrecht, Haarlem perron 3, Salsaventura Den Haag, Casa Loca Utrecht to mention a few.

Richie has always love dancing and has comfort in doing it with pleasure and a big smile. He likes to play with the music. He is known for his friendly and spontaneous approach towards people and salsa dancing.

His motto is: be happy and stay positive!