Tatiana Bonaguro, danseuse et professeure de Salsa à Milan
Tatiana Bonaguro, Salsa dancer and director of Tropical Gem, in Milan
Tatiana Bonaguro · Dancer and teacher · Salsa · Milan, Italy

TATIANA BONAGURO at a glance

  • Stage name : Tatiana Bonaguro (nicknamed Tati)
  • Origin and home base : born in Milan, where she has always lived, Italy 🇮🇹 [1]
  • Training : Salsa from her very first class, with Fernando Sosa and Alyra Lennox; she says she has never done ballet, modern dance, or any other form of dance [2][3]
  • Company : Tropical Gem (debut on March 21, 2003), which she now co-directs with Fernando Sosa [2][4]
  • Stage partners : Fernando Sosa, from around 2008-2009 until his farewell to the stage on September 13, 2024; Jessica Patella shares the role for a time [1][5][6]
  • Style : Salsa, Sosa Style (which blends several Caribbean styles) [5]
  • Titles : team titles with Tropical Gem at the Ultimate Latin Dance Championship (Las Vegas); she does not describe herself as a competitive dancer [2][7][8]
  • Current role : director of Tropical Gem and teacher at the Sosa Academy in Buccinasco [2][4]
  • Instagram : @tatiana_bonaguro_tropicalgem [9]
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Tatiana Bonaguro: from Milan to leading Tropical Gem, the dancer born into Salsa

She grew up in Milan, and it was her mother who took her one evening to Tropicana. Shortly afterward, Tatiana Bonaguro joins Fernando Sosa‘s company, Tropical Gem, where she makes her debut at the back of the line.

There she becomes a teacher, Sosa’s stage partner, a choreographer, and then the group’s day-to-day leader following his farewell to the stage: the story of a dancer who has climbed every step, one by one.

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About this article

This article follows Tatiana Bonaguro’s life in order, from her first evening at the Tropicana to leading Tropical Gem, with her own words at every stage. The facts come from her interviews, those of Fernando Sosa, the specialist press, and her school’s pages. The numbers in brackets refer to the notes at the bottom of the page.

Last updated: October 2026.

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“Sono nata Tropical e morirò Tropical !” (I was born Tropical and I will die Tropical!) This is how Tatiana Bonaguro expresses her attachment to Fernando Sosa’s company in a piece published by Salsa.it to mark the group’s twentieth anniversary [10].

A student from Milan, a beginner at the back of the line, a stage partner, then the leader of the company: her journey is quickly told. But it is surrounded by phrases that circulate everywhere: she has always danced with Sosa, a dancer there from day one, three-time champion, first female leader.

And there is what those phrases leave out: Tatiana learned everything in order, one rung after another. She puts it in an Italian word Sosa often repeats, gavetta, learning from the bottom up: “io sento di averla comunque fatta tutta la gavetta” (I feel I have been through the whole “gavetta,” learning from the bottom up) [11].

Sosa’s partner all along, there from day one, three-time champion? The 7 MYTHS about TATIANA BONAGURO, TRUE or FALSE

Before telling her story, a necessary stop. Aggregator profiles and school introductions about Tatiana Bonaguro circulate, copied and sometimes inaccurate. Seven claims keep coming up. Which ones hold up? The verdict at a glance, then the details in the sections indicated. As for her age, we do not publish it.

❌ MYTH 1 · Sosa’s partner all along?

The claim: she has danced with Fernando Sosa from the beginning

✅ False — she makes her debut at the back of the line in 2003 and only becomes his stage partner around 2008-2009, according to both her and him [1][5].

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❌ MYTH 2 · A dancer there from day one?

The claim: she founded Tropical Gem with Sosa

✅ False — the company is founded in May 2000, with Sosa, Rafael González, and two female dancers. She joins in 2003, after studying at their school [2][4][10].

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❌ MYTH 3 · The only one born into Salsa?

The claim: she is the only dancer trained solely in Salsa

✅ Take it as her own words — she says “perhaps the only one”: she had never done ballet, modern dance, or any other discipline before Salsa [3].

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❌ MYTH 4 · Three-time champion in Las Vegas?

The claim: she won three world titles

✅ Needs clarification — these are team titles, with Tropical Gem, at the Ultimate Latin Dance Championship. The 2016 title appears in the title of the video on the competition’s channel. She herself says she does not feel like a competitive dancer [2][7][8].

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❌ MYTH 5 · Did Sosa leave Salsa?

The claim: Fernando Sosa stopped everything

✅ False — he leaves the stage on September 13, 2024, but remains a teacher, choreographer, and organizer of Salsanamà. Tatiana runs the group day to day [6][11].

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❌ MYTH 6 · The first female leader?

The claim: she is the first woman to lead a group at this level

✅ Not her statement — it is the host of the podcast Palabras who says it, from memory. She replies that she feels like Wonder Woman in the role [3].

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❌ MYTH 7 · A villain in real life?

The claim: she is like her character in Sosa’s film

✅ False — in The Latin Dream (2017), she plays a villain. It is a role: she herself says it has nothing to do with real life [2][8].

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MILAN, the Tropicana: a mother, an evening, a passion

Tatiana is born in Milan and has always lived there [1]. Her passion for dance comes from her mother. “inizio a ballare perché mia mamma ha iniziato a ballare prima di me” (I start dancing because my mother started dancing before me) [11]. One evening, her mother takes her to the Tropicana, a very famous club in Milan at the time: “grazie a mia mamma che andava li tutte le sere e una sera ha deciso di portarmi con lei” (thanks to my mother, who went there every evening and one evening decided to take me with her) [10].

Tatiana is not won over right away: “All’inizio non ne volevo sapere di scendere in pista, ma una volta mossi i primi passi… beh non ho più voluto smettere !” (At first, I did not want to hear about getting onto the dance floor, but once I had taken the first steps… well, I did not want to stop!) — Tatiana, Salsa.it, 2020 [10]. She says it again in 2025: “ha iniziato a portare alle serate io da lì è esplosa questa passione per la salsa” (she started taking me to dance parties and, from there, this passion for Salsa exploded) [11]. Before Salsa, she had never danced anything. “in realtà non ho mai ballato niente prima di iniziare un corso di salsa quindi nasco proprio come ballerina salsa” (in fact I had never danced anything before starting a Salsa class, so I really am born as a Salsa dancer) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [11].

As a child, she changes sports every year: swimming, volleyball, judo, without anything holding her interest. She likes school and science and thinks about pursuing many years of study [5].

MILAN, Sosa’s school: total immersion

Next to the Tropicana, a school offers Salsa classes. Tatiana enrolls in the beginner course taught by Fernando Sosa and Alyra Lennox, his partner at the time, then also takes classes with Rafael González and Sandy Ramos [2][12]. To her, those four are the original Tropical Gem team, its founders [1]. Fernando Sosa, for his part, says the group starts on May 1st , 2000, with two other female dancers, and that Sandy Ramos and Alyra Lennox arrive “poco dopo” (shortly afterward); Alyra clarifies: “Io non c’ero per il debutto” (I was not there for the debut) [10].

It is in 2001, she says, that she takes her first class: “io ho iniziato col corso base con Fernando Sosa e Alira Lennox” (I started with the beginner course with Fernando Sosa and Alyra Lennox) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [3]. She gives the same year in a 2021 interview [1].

She attends every dance party: “Ero presente a ogni serata, evento, workshop delle domeniche…” (I was there at every dance party, every event, every Sunday workshop…) [10]. She also says it on the radio: “ho fatto proprio una full immersion totale, anche perché io prima di quell’esperienza non avevo mai avuto niente a che fare col ballo” (I went for total immersion, also because before that experience I had never had anything to do with dance) [12]. She progresses quickly, and the school specifies that she moves on to advanced classes after only three months [2].

She takes pride in this training: “penso di essere forse l’unica ballerina che è nata ballando salsa. Io non ho mai fatto danza classica, moderna o altre discipline […] la mia formazione è salsa al 100% e morirò a salsera al 100%” (I think I may be the only dancer born dancing Salsa. I have never done ballet, modern dance, or other disciplines […] my training is 100 % Salsa and I will die 100 % salsera) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [3].

2002-2003: the first training sessions, the tears, and ASTROSALSA

In September 2002, her teachers invite her to train with Tropical Gem, the company founded in May 2000 in Milan, during afternoon rehearsals [4][12]. Sosa gives the same account: she joins in September to rehearse and makes her debut in March [11]. On the first day, she cries when she hears the news [3].

The beginning is tough: “mi ricordo il primo giorno di sala prove che non mi veniva neanche un passo nella coreografia a piangere anche lì però dopo sei mesi poi ho debuttato” (I remember the first day in the rehearsal room, when I could not remember a single step of the choreography, crying there too, but six months later I made my debut) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [3]. She makes her debut on March 21, 2003, in a famous choreography, Astrosalsa [2]. She remembers it with emotion: “Dopo sei mesi di duro lavoro ho debuttato con la coreografia Astrosalsa. Era il marzo 2003. Mi ricordo che ero talmente emozionata che prima di uscire a fare lo spettacolo mi sono messa a piangere !” (After six months of hard work, I made my debut with the choreography Astrosalsa. It was March 2003. I remember being so emotional that before going out to perform I started crying!) — Tatiana, Salsa.it, 2020 [10].

The school lists Tatiana as the company’s fourth female dancer at that time [2]. Sosa, for his part, says she was fifth at the start: “era la quinta ballerina, è diventata la quarta, è diventata la terza, è diventata la seconda, è diventata la prima” (she was the fifth female dancer, she became the fourth, the third, the second, the first) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 2025 [11]. For her part, she has always cared about that jersey: “ho sempre tenuto alla maglia, alla maglia Tropical Gem” (I have always cared about the jersey, the Tropical Gem jersey) [3].

2004: Sosa’s assistant, then a teacher

She does not stop at the stage. A year after her debut, she starts teaching: “come insegnante, un anno dopo, ho iniziato a fare da assistente a Fernando Sosa” (as a teacher, a year later, I started assisting Fernando Sosa) [12]. She fills in as needed when girls or boys are missing, then comes her first experience teaching couples: “quindi affiancando il maestro e rappresentando la parte femminile della lezione” (supporting the teacher and representing the female part of the class) [12]. She has been teaching since 2004 [12]. Sosa sums up this journey: “è diventata la maestra, coreografa insieme a me, quindi sempre qualcosa di più, insomma fino a gestire il gruppo direttamente” (she became the teacher, a choreographer alongside me, always a little more, until she was managing the group directly) [11].

She has never stopped studying: alongside Salsa, she takes other disciplines at other academies to gain the foundations she needs [12].

2003-2009: at the back of the line, then Sosa’s partner

For years, Tatiana dances at the back. She explains it in English: “I start back in the line I dance back, I followed their advice, their tips” (I start at the back of the line, I dance at the back, I follow their advice, their tips) — Tatiana, Salsa World Wide, 2021 [1]. Then Alyra, Sandy, and Rafael stop dancing, because of life circumstances, she says. She becomes Sosa’s stage partner: “in the years I started to dance in partner with Fernando Sosa. Then I started in 2009, 2008, started with like a Fernando Sosa partner.” (over the years, I started dancing as Fernando Sosa’s partner. Then I started in 2009, 2008, as Fernando Sosa’s partner.) [1].

Sosa tells it his own way in an interview with VdanceClub: “llegó un momento que fue subiendo y que hubo un año que creo que entre Jessica, que era otra bailarina nuestra, y Tati, se dividían un poco conmigo y ahí empezamos a bailar juntos” (there came a point when she was moving up, and there was a year when, I think, Jessica, who was another dancer of ours, and Tati shared the role of dancing with me a little, and that was when we started dancing together) [5]. He adds: “y después se transformó completamente mi bailarina” (and then she became entirely my dancer). And on the date: “¿2008, 2009? Más o menos desde ahí bailamos juntos.” (2008, 2009? We’ve been dancing together since around then.) — Fernando Sosa, VdanceClub, 2025 [5]. His previous stage partner, Alyra Lennox, had held that role until 2007 [9]. The other dancer who shares the role with Tatiana for a time is Jessica Patella.

This is also when the academy opens. Sosa dates the opening of the Sosa Academy to 2008 [11]. Tatiana speaks of her new role as a responsibility: “it’s a position of responsibility” (it’s a position of responsibility) — Tatiana, Salsa World Wide, 2021 [1]. She has to complement Sosa’s class, represent the school when he is away, help the dancers, and give him advice [1]. In rehearsals, she learns to lead when he is not there, and she says it herself: “es más difícil ensayar cuando no está Fernando que cuando está Fernando” (it’s harder to rehearse when Fernando isn’t there than when he is) [8].

Being “Fernando Sosa’s dancer” has not always been easy. “sentire questo peso è sempre stato un input per comunque stare lì e continuare a lavorare anche motivo di orgoglio” (feeling that weight has always been a push to stay there and keep working, and also a source of pride) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [11].

That rapport also develops on bad nights, and they both laugh about it. In 2008, at a congress, they lose their handhold during a duet passage, then recover it. Tatiana tells what happened next: “Prende questo Walkman giallo, tra l’altro mi ricordo, e lo lancia dentro il cartongesso, era leggermente arrabbiato” (he picks up that yellow Walkman, I remember it, actually, and throws it into the partition wall, he was slightly angry) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [11]. Sosa gives his version: he was already angry when he arrived, and a colleague who had not seen the show said “good job.” He took a rule from it: “se tu non guardi lo show di un tuo collega in un congresso, in un festival, non ti azzardare mai quando lo rivedi in backstage e dirle, ehi bravo” (if you don’t watch a colleague’s show at a congress, at a festival, don’t ever dare, when you see them backstage again, to say: hey, well done) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 2025 [11].

She did not set out with a career plan: “prima di entrare nel gruppo a me interessava solo ballare, nel senso che proprio era una cosa che mi divertiva tantissimo, non avevo obiettivi” (before joining the group, I was only interested in dancing, it was something I enjoyed enormously, I had no goals). Then, with performing: “ho iniziato pian piano a costruirmi degli obiettivi” (I gradually started setting goals for myself) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [11].

A CHOREOGRAPHER too: DIABLO ROJO and UNA NOCHE EN NUEVA YORK

Tatiana does more than dance: she creates. She remembers a special feeling: “Un’altra emozione molto grande è stata coreografare Diablo Rojo, la prima coreografia che Fernando Sosa ha coreografato interamente con me.” (Another very moving experience was choreographing Diablo Rojo, the first choreography that Fernando Sosa choreographed entirely with me.) — Tatiana, Salsa.it, 2020 [10]. She also likes another choreography, Una noche en Nueva York, for its theatrical side: “quando salgo sul palco sono io ma non sono io, io sto recitando sul palco, io adoro questa cosa” (when I go onstage, it’s me and it’s not me, I’m acting onstage, I love that) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [3].

2012-2014: a broken knee, then harder years

In 2012, Tatiana is injured while landing from a lift: “I arrive on the floor because the lift was a turn in the air. I arrive on the floor and my feet, my foot stay stopped and my knee do a rotation.” (I land on the floor because the lift was a turn in the air. I land on the floor and my foot stays stuck, and my knee rotates) — Tatiana, Salsa World Wide, 2021 [1]. Her knee is broken. She has surgery and goes six months without dancing: “I broke my knee so I stay six months, don’t dance” (I broke my knee, so I go six months without dancing) [1].

She stays close to the school: “I stay here, I help with the music, I help in the school” (I stay here, I help with the music, I help at the school) [1]. Sosa supports her, including through rehabilitation, and she keeps a single goal: “my focus was come back to dance” (my goal was to return to dancing) [1]. Six months later, she is dancing again.

She also has a more difficult memory of 2013-2014, involving the choreography Sonido Bestial. She has a very difficult entrance as a couple in it, and mistakes recur during performances: “mi ricordo quel periodo come non il più felice della mia carriera” (I remember that period as not being the happiest of my career) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [3]. Even so, she does not give up: “penso di aver sempre messo la mia passione per la salsa davanti a tutto che mi ha sempre fatto poi andare avanti” (I think I have always put my passion for Salsa before everything else, which has always kept me going) [3].

2016-2018: Las Vegas, television, and film

In Las Vegas, Tropical Gem takes part in the Mega Salsa Team division of the Ultimate Latin Dance Championship: in July 2016, the competition’s channel posts the final of that division online, with Tropical Gem, Italy, in first place [7]. Her school announces three wins in Las Vegas [2]. She puts it in perspective: “nosotros prácticamente nunca competimos” (we have practically never competed). And: “a mí personalmente la competencia no me gusta mucho” (personally, I don’t like competition very much) [8]. But the event has one merit: “fue una buenísima experiencia también por la unión” (it was a very good experience for the unity, too) — Tatiana, “De Tú a Tú,” 2020 [8].

She also appears on television: “el Got Talent también fue una buenísima experiencia porque obviamente la televisión es importante” (Got Talent was also a very good experience because, obviously, television is important) [8]. Then in film: in 2017, she acts in The Latin Dream, Sosa’s film [2]. She plays a villain, and she explains: “todo el mundo dice que soy la mala en la película, me salió bien esa parte, y que soy así en la vida, pero no es verdad” (everyone says I’m the villain in the film, that I did that part well, and that I’m like that in real life, but it’s not true) — Tatiana, 2020 [8]. Her school announces another film, Sballo per te, in 2021 [2].

In February 2017, Salsa.it presents the first edition of Salsanamà, the competition created by Sosa, from February 3 to 5 at the Camana Club in Buccinasco: Tatiana Bonaguro and Fernando Sosa are announced among the judges for the amateur category [13].

In February 2018, Salsa.it reports the results of Salsanamà, Sosa’s competition. Jessica Patella wins and retains her title, but the publication also praises Tatiana Bonaguro’s performance in the women’s competition [14].

2020-2021: everything stops except the desire

The pandemic brings the academy and performances to a halt. Tatiana takes the opportunity to reclaim her own space, learn to edit videos, and devote herself to what she loves: “sono molto appassionata di meditazione, di yoga” (I’m very passionate about meditation and yoga) [12]. A year later, she is still on hold, but stays the course: “non mi piace sperare, mi piace essere convinta, presto riprendiamo con tutto il nostro tran tran quotidiano” (I don’t like hoping, I like being convinced: soon we’ll get back to our whole daily routine) — Tatiana, Radio Vigevano, 2021 [12].

She also points to the date of Salsanamà, in late May, as a goal for dancers, who can prepare for it at home [12].

September 13, 2024: Fernando Sosa’s THE LAST DANCE

On September 13, 2024, at the Camana Club in Milan, Fernando Sosa says farewell to the stage with The Last Dance: a choreography lasting nearly eleven minutes with his dancers, a montage of his career, and a duet passage with his longtime partner, Tatiana Bonaguro, according to Salsa Vida [6].

Sosa says he wants to leave at the top. He continues teaching at his school, organizing Salsanamà, and choreographing for Tropical Gem [6]. Tatiana, meanwhile, takes over the group’s hands-on leadership [3].

2024-2025: the first season in hands-on leadership

When Sosa tells her he is stepping down from hands-on leadership, Tatiana does not feel ready: “pronta no. Pronta no.” (ready, no. Ready, no.) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [3]. She quickly pulls herself together: “è arrivato il momento, siamo in ballo” (the time has come, here we are in the dance). Then: “rimbocchiamoci le mani che forse adesso veramente inizia il lavoro vero” (let’s roll up our sleeves, because perhaps the real work is starting now) [3].

She takes pride in it: “è un po’ il mio sogno che si è realizzato” (it’s a bit like my dream has come true). What she sees most of all is the company: “adesso si vede tantissimo il gruppo e questo mi fa molto molto piacere” (now you really see the group, and that makes me very, very happy) [3]. Speaking from memory, the podcast host tells her she is the first woman to lead a group at this level, and asks how she experiences her role in a somewhat macho environment. She replies: “No, no, molto Wonder Woman, me ne sbatto di tante cose” (No, no, very Wonder Woman, I don’t care about a lot of things). She adds: “se Fernando mi ha messo lì comunque perché si fida di me” (if Fernando put me there, it’s because he trusts me) [3].

Sosa confirms that the role is hers: “quella che viaggia è lei, quella che decide è lei” (she’s the one who travels, she’s the one who decides). He explains that this is not a leader appointing a deputy: “è una cosa che voleva lei e di conseguenza io sono stato felice di aver ceduto una parte importante della mia vita a lei” (it’s something she wanted, and as a result I was happy to hand over an important part of my life to her) — Fernando Sosa, Palabras, 2025 [11]. He concludes: “secondo me oggi per Tropical è tutto al suo posto” (in my view, today, for Tropical, everything is in its place) [11].

In an interview published in May 2026, Sosa presents Tatiana as Tropical Gem’s leader around the world, then names Tania Cannarsa, Bersy Cortez, and Chiara Tofani among the women who have a voice on the scene today [15].

TODAY: the Sosa Academy, Salsanamà, and the teams

Tatiana is the director of Tropical Gem, alongside Fernando Sosa [4]. She teaches at the Sosa Academy in Buccinasco, near Milan: Sosa Style, body work (Body Work Experience), feminine styling (Lady Style), and partner work [2][16]. She also prepares Salsanamà competitors, through the 2027 edition [2]. For her, Tropical is everything: “Cos’è Tropical per me ? beh, direi che è la mia vita ! Fin dai miei inizi sognavo di stare esattamente dove sono ora” (What does Tropical mean to me? Well, I’d say it’s my life! From the very beginning, I dreamed of being exactly where I am now) [10].

Salsanamà holds a special place: “è la cosa più impegnativa che io faccio durante l’anno” (it’s the most demanding thing I do during the year) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [3]. She sees it as more than a competition: “ormai è una comunità […] non è la gara” (it’s now a community […] it’s not the competition) [3].

Her approach to TEACHING: sharing the passion

For Tatiana, passing things on starts with passion: “in primis cerco sempre di trasmettere questa passione” (above all, I always try to share this passion) — Tatiana, Palabras, 2025 [3]. She enters the room with a particular attentiveness, which she learned from Sosa: “io la chiamo un po’ apertura […] emozionale, cioè di mettersi un po’ a cercare di percepire cosa sta succedendo a livello proprio sensoriale durante la lezione” (I call it a kind of […] emotional openness, that is, trying to perceive what is happening on a sensory level during the class) [3].

She says she loves teaching as much as performing onstage: “mi piace tantissimo insegnare io sento che amo proprio insegnare altrettanto mi piace stare sul palco” (I love teaching so much, I feel that I truly love teaching, and I love being onstage just as much) [3]. Her two tips for dancers are simple. The first: “The first important tip for me is to dance for passion. Don’t lose the passion.” (The first important tip, for me, is to dance out of passion. Don’t lose the passion.). The second: “continue all the time with the study to develop your style, develop your technique” (continuing to study all the time to develop your style, develop your technique) — Tatiana, Salsa World Wide, 2021 [1].

Her students give back in return. One of her students says it in a video message broadcast by “De Tú a Tú”: “Tati es un punto de referencia” (Tati is a point of reference) [8]. Another recorded message adds: “ella es mi maestra y seguramente va a ser mi última maestra” (she is my teacher and she will surely be my last teacher) [8].

What she says about herself: shy, a performer, wholehearted

Tatiana describes herself as shy: “sono timida” (I’m shy), but the stage sets her free: “sul palco io sento che sono, forse non un’altra persona. È un’altra parte di me che viene fuori […] E posso essere chi voglio” (onstage, I feel that I am, perhaps not another person. It’s another part of me that comes out […] And I can be whoever I want) [3]. For her, the stage is sacred, as teaching is: “il palco per me è un’altra di quelle cose sacre come l’insegnamento” (the stage, for me, is another of those sacred things, like teaching) [3].

She knows her time onstage won’t last forever: “so che non ho altri dieci anni davanti comunque di palco e me li voglio un po’ godere” (I know I don’t have another ten years onstage ahead of me anyway, and I want to enjoy them a little) [3]. She advises young people to let their hearts guide them: “farsi guidare dal cuore perché è lì che ci sono le risposte” (letting your heart guide you, because that’s where the answers are) [3].

In SUMMARY: Tatiana Bonaguro’s journey

Eight milestones mark her journey.

  • Who : a Salsa dancer and teacher born in Milan, director of Tropical Gem [1][4].
  • The beginnings : the Tropicana with her mother, then Sosa’s school [2][10].
  • Tropical Gem : training from September 2002, debut on March 21, 2003, with Astrosalsa [2][12].
  • Teaching : Sosa’s assistant, a teacher since 2004 [12].
  • Sosa’s partner : from around 2008-2009 until the farewell on September 13, 2024 [1][5][6].
  • Las Vegas : team titles with Tropical Gem [2][7].
  • Leadership : leading the group on the ground since the 2024-2025 season [3][11].
  • Today : Sosa Academy, Salsanamà, Tropical Gem [2].

Studio24’s artistic REFERENCES

Tatiana Bonaguro’s path crosses those of the masters who trained Xavier Colina. Fernando Sosa first: he is her longtime teacher, with whom she has danced since 2008-2009, and whose group she now leads on the ground [1][11].

Jessica Patella next: Sosa’s stage partner at the same time as her, and later a Salsanamà winner [5][14]. Tania Cannarsa finally, whom Sosa names alongside her among the women who have a voice in the scene [15]. For an overview of the artists, see the page on the big names in Salsa, Mambo, and Bachata.

Learning SALSA On1 in Liège and online

At Studio24, Tuesday’s Salsa On1 class is called “Sosa Style,” after Fernando Sosa’s style. Xavier Colina attended workshops and a masterclass with Fernando Sosa at the Benidorm Summer Festival, then took his training in the World Mastery program [9]. Whether you’re in Liège or anywhere in the French-speaking world, you can start this same progression.

In Liège, Salsa On1 is danced on Tuesdays : Introduction at 6:30 pm, Basics+ at 7:30 pm, Intermediate at 8:30 pm. After about a year of practice, it’s time for the Advanced level on Thursdays at 7:30 pm. Everywhere else, Studio Live offers video classes you can follow at your own pace.

Want to dance Salsa On1?

🎓 Xavier teaches Salsa On1 at Studio24 in Liège. Or online anywhere in the world through Studio Live.

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FAQ: all about TATIANA BONAGURO

🌎 Who is TATIANA BONAGURO?

Tatiana Bonaguro is a Salsa dancer and teacher from Milan. She joined Tropical Gem in 2003, was the stage partner of Fernando Sosa and now directs the company with him, following his farewell to the stage in 2024 [2][4][6].

💎 What is TROPICAL GEM?

A Salsa company from Milan, founded in May 2000, whose directors are Fernando Sosa and Tatiana Bonaguro. It is linked to Sosa Academy in Buccinasco [2][4].

💃 How long has she been dancing with SOSA?

Since around 2008-2009, according to both of them. Jessica Patella shared the partner role for a time. Sosa’s farewell to the stage was on September 13, 2024 [1][5][6].

🏆 Is she a three-time champion in Las Vegas?

Her school reports three victories at the Ultimate Latin Dance Championship. These are team titles, with Tropical Gem. The 2016 title appears in the video title on the competition’s channel. She herself says she doesn’t feel like a competition dancer [2][7][8].

👑 Is she the first woman to lead a major group?

It is the host of the Palabras podcast who says so, from memory. She replies that she lives it without questioning it, as “Wonder Woman” [3].

🎬 Has she acted in films?

Yes: The Latin Dream (2017), in which she plays a villain, a fictional role. Her school also lists Sballo per te [2][8].

📍 Where can you learn from her and find her?

At Sosa Academy in Buccinasco, near Milan, and at congresses with Tropical Gem. On Instagram, her account is @tatiana_bonaguro_tropicalgem [2][9].

🎓 Want to dance SALSA On1? Where do you start?

In Liège: first trial class for 10€, no reservation needed. Tuesdays are for Salsa On1: Introduction at 6:30 pm, Basics+ at 7:30 pm, and Intermediate at 8:30 pm. On Thursdays, the Advanced level (about a year of practice) includes Salsa On1 at 7:30 pm. Practice at the Puerto Rico Nights evenings. Anywhere in the world: Studio Live — +300 HD lessons, free 7-day trial.

Xavier Colina — Salsa On1, Mambo On2, and Bachata teacher, Studio24 Liège

About the author

Xavier Colina teaches Salsa On1, Mambo On2, and Bachata at Studio24 in Liège (Belgium) and online through Studio Live. Trained in the direct lineage of Eddie Torres → Adolfo Indacochea (World Mastery program), Fernando Sosa and Korke y Judith. Learn more →

Sources & Bibliography

  1. ↩ Tatiana Bonaguro speaks — Salsa World Wide (2021) :
    SALSA WORLD WIDE, 2021. Tatiana Bonaguro| Salsa Interview Full Interview | Salsa World Wide | Jai Sheffield [online]. SALSA WORLD WIDE, January 28, 2021. Available at: https://youtu.be/mOpU1ssuvJY [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: interview in English conducted by Jai Sheffield; her English is imprecise and the sequence of dates is sometimes confused. Passages: born and living in Milan [52:57]; first class in 2001 [06:44]; broken knee in 2012 [23:19], [24:25], [24:48], [26:19], [26:48]; the four founders [07:47]; at the back of the line [10:19]; Sosa’s partner [10:56]; a position of responsibility [11:48]; advice [18:17], [19:19].
    Note: the translations of quotations in Spanish, Italian, or English are by the author of the article.
  2. ↩ Tatiana Bonaguro profile — Sosa Academy :
    SOSA ACADEMY. Tatiana Bonaguro [online]. Sosa Academy Dance School. Available at: https://www.sosacademy.it/en/profile/tatiana-bonaguro/ [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: profile written by the school; the beginnings in September 2002, the first show on March 21, 2003, the three victories in Las Vegas, the 2017 film, the classes, and the preparation for Salsanamà are reported by the school itself.
  3. ↩ Tatiana Bonaguro speaks — “Palabras” S2E2 (2025) :
    1X PRODUZIONI, 2025. PALABRAS – S2E2 | Tatiana Bonaguro ospite al podcast italiano dei ballerini [online]. 1X PRODUZIONI, October 21, 2025. Available at: https://youtu.be/EIiEmKoTGMU [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: podcast in Italian hosted by Federico Sgroi, with Tatiana as the only guest; duration 1 hr 18 min. Passages: passion and training [17:04], first basic-level class “nel lontano 2001” [17:04]; 2013-2014, Sonido Bestial [20:42], [21:07]; the evening of her debut [19:29], [20:00]; attachment to the company [06:22]; the 2024-2025 season [03:14], [03:57], [05:15], [05:54], [06:43]; the question of a woman leading the group [09:28], [10:17]; teaching [30:02], [32:05], [33:09]; the stage [50:52], [39:32], [51:22], [27:59]; Salsanamà [1:09:26], [1:12:26]; advice for young people [1:16:54].
  4. ↩ Tropical Gem team profile — Salsa Vida :
    SALSA VIDA. Tropical Gem [online]. Salsa Vida. Available at: https://www.salsavida.com/teams/tropical-gem/ [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: team profile: company established in May 2000 in Milan; directors Fernando Sosa and Tatiana Bonaguro.
  5. ↩ Fernando Sosa and Tatiana Bonaguro — VdanceClub (2025) :
    VDANCECLUB, 2025. Entrevista a Fernando Sosa y Tatiana Bonaguro, pioneros de la Salsa y creadores de Tropical Gem 🎙️🔥 [online]. VDANCECLUB, January 3, 2025. Available at: https://youtu.be/LBDDKdV0sO0 [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: interview in Spanish; duration 16 min. Passages: her childhood sports [04:20]; Sosa on their beginnings as a duo [09:38], [10:08], [10:17].
    Note: Sosa only says “Jessica”; this is Jessica Patella, whose biography published by Union Latin Congress (https://unionlatincongress.com/jessica-patella/ [accessed October 25, 2026]) places duo performances with Sosa as early as 2007 and her joining Tropical Gem in 2009.
    Note: on the beginning of their duo, Sosa had already told Il Giorno in 2017: “balliamo assieme da 15 anni” (we have been dancing together for 15 years) about Tatiana (FLORINDI, Fabio, 2017. « The latin dream », la storia di Fernando Sosa: da calciatore mancato a campione di salsa. Il Giorno [online]. June 17, 2017. Available at: https://www.ilgiorno.it/milano/cronaca/fernando-sosa-bdc909c5 [accessed October 25, 2026]). The two versions differ; the account uses 2008-2009, which Sosa gives in 2025 and Tatiana herself gives in 2021 (“2009, 2008,” Salsa World Wide, [11:05]).
  6. ↩ Fernando Sosa’s farewell to the stage — Salsa Vida (2024) :
    YOUNG, Takeshi, 2024. Fernando Sosa Retires from Salsa Performances [online]. Salsa Vida. September 13, 2024. Available at: https://www.salsavida.com/news/fernando-sosa-retires-from-salsa-performances/ [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: article published that same day, describing the show “The Last Dance” at Milan’s Camana Club.
  7. ↩ Ultimate Latin Dance Championship, Las Vegas (2016) :
    ULTIMATE LATIN DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP, 2016. Tropical Gem – Italy – Mega Salsa Team Division, 1st Place Finals – ULDC 2016 [online]. ULTIMATE LATIN DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP, July 3, 2016. Available at: https://youtu.be/vT4JNKM7h00 [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: only the title and upload date are cited.
  8. ↩ Tatiana Bonaguro speaks — “De Tú a Tú” (2020) :
    FRANCO ROCHA, 2020. De « Tu a Tu » Franco Rocha con Tatiana Bonaguro ( Tropical Gem) [online]. FRANCO ROCHA, April 28, 2020. Available at: https://youtu.be/COnvW8H2cfs [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: interview by Franco Rocha in Spanish, with some Italian words; Fernando Sosa and Rodrigo are present in the room, and the show plays recorded messages. Passages: message from a student [02:20], another message [23:10]; message from Rafael González [40:18], who places her arrival “en el año 2001, si no recuerdo mal”; rehearsals [07:18]; television [15:21]; role in the film [17:55]; competition [14:34], [14:54], [15:07].
  9. ↩ Fernando Sosa biography — salsaliege.com :
    STUDIO24, 2026. Fernando Sosa : biographie, âge, Tropical Gem [online]. salsaliege.com. Available at: https://salsaliege.com/fernando-sosa-tropical-gem-revolution-salsa-mondiale/ [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: the Instagram accounts @tatiana_bonaguro_tropicalgem, @tropicalgemofficial, and @sosa_academy_dance_school are listed there; the Tuesday Salsa On1 class at Studio24 is described there.
  10. ↩ Tropical Gem, « i nostri primi vent’anni » — Salsa.it (2020) :
    SALSA.IT, 2020. Tropical Gem : i nostri primi vent’anni [online]. Salsa.it. May 27, 2020. Available at: https://www.salsa.it/2020/05/27/tropical-gem-nostri-primi-ventanni/ [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: article bringing together written accounts by members of the company; Tatiana’s is written in the first person. Passages cited: “Cos’è Tropical per me ?”, her mother and the Tropicana, the evening of March 21, 2003, Diablo Rojo, “Sono nata Tropical.”
  11. ↩ Fernando Sosa and Tatiana Bonaguro — “Palabras” Ep. 13 (2025) :
    1X PRODUZIONI, 2025. Palabras – Ep.13 | Fernando Sosa e Tatiana Bonaguro live @ Salseando Beach 2025 [online]. 1X PRODUZIONI, May 27, 2025. Available at: https://youtu.be/vCPDjn7V3fI [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: interview in Italian, in front of an audience, conducted by Federico Sgroi; duration 57 min. Excerpts: her mother [05:32], [05:48]; the birth of the dancer [05:55]; Note: she also says « inizio a ballare nel 2002 » [05:16]; the year 2001, given by three other sources, is the one used in the text; the Walkman [24:13], [24:42], [25:11]; joining the group according to Sosa [08:05]; her progress [32:01], [32:07]; the “gavetta” [07:16]; the opening of the academy [40:19]; leading the group [11:22], [12:33]; the weight of the role [29:44]; her goals [30:34]; the state of the company [57:29]. Note: in this interview, she dates the invitation to rehearse with the group to 2003: « perché poi nel 2003 mi arriva l’invito, la proposta di iniziare a provare col gruppo » (because then, in 2003, I receive the invitation, the proposal to start rehearsing with the group) [06:17]; September 2002 is the date in her other accounts and in Sosa’s.
  12. ↩ Tatiana Bonaguro speaks — Radio Vigevano (2021) :
    INTERVISTE RADIO VIGEVANO, 2021. Tatiana Bonaguro [online]. INTERVISTE RADIO VIGEVANO, February 7, 2021. Available at: https://youtu.be/teMdotbSKoA [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: radio interview in Italian; duration 9 min. Excerpts: immersion [01:32]; the autumn proposal [01:55]; the early days [02:19]; working as an assistant [02:35], [03:01], [03:09]; the end of the academy’s activities [04:44]; Salsanamà in May [06:59]; video editing [04:30]; conviction [05:34].
  13. ↩ Salsanamà 2017, introduction — Salsa.it :
    SALSA.IT, 2017. Salsanama : prima – attesissima – edizione [online]. Salsa.it. February 2, 2017. Available at: https://www.salsa.it/2017/02/02/salsanama-prima-attesissima-edizione-2/ [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: article introducing the first edition, February 3 to 5, 2017, at the Camana Club in Buccinasco; it lists the announced judges for each category.
  14. ↩ Salsanamà 2018 — Salsa.it :
    SALSA.IT, 2018. 1° Salsanama by Fernando Sosa : ecco i vincitori [online]. Salsa.it. February 9, 2018. Available at: https://www.salsa.it/2018/02/09/1salsanama-by-fernando-sosa-ecco-i-vincitori/ [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: article by Chiara Ruggiero; it praises Tatiana Bonaguro’s performance among the standout dancers in the women’s competition, whose final, won by Jessica Patella, pitted her against another dancer.
  15. ↩ Fernando Sosa talks about Tatiana Bonaguro (2026) :
    BEHIND THE SHINES, 2026. « Outside our bubble, salsa is a culture, not a product » – Fernando Sosa – BTS (Part 2) [online]. BEHIND THE SHINES, May 26, 2026. Available at: https://youtu.be/bxzop1HTXJY [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: interview in English; Sosa presents Tatiana as the leader of Tropical Gem around the world [28:12], then names Tania Cannarsa, Bersy Cortez, and Chiara Tofani among the women who have a voice in the scene today [29:14].
  16. ↩ Tatiana Bonaguro profile — Salsa Vida :
    SALSA VIDA. Tatiana Bonaguro [online]. Salsa Vida. Available at: https://www.salsavida.com/instructors/tatiana-bonaguro/ [accessed October 25, 2026]. Note: instructor profile written by the site.

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