Biography

Jesse Yip 
Founder/Director/Instructor/Performer/Choreographer

Jesse of Peruvian/Chinese decent was born and raised in Elizabeth New Jersey in January of 1973.He began his dance training in 2001 under Caribbean Souls Ismael Otero (Million Moves Man) and Yesenia Peralta. In just a short time Jesse became one of Ismaels assistants and part of Caribbean Soul 2 (student team). Jesse obtained a distinct style, creating his own turn patterns, and mixing them in ways unthought-of. In recognition of his creativity, Jesse assisted with the group's routine choreography and performed at several nightclubs, Latin festivals and dance socials throughout the Tri-state area. After a year of hard work and dedication, Ismael asked Jesse to be part of the Caribbean Soul Dancers (Pro Team). As a professional dancer Jesse has performed along side some of the best dancers in the world at Salsa Congresses in Puerto Rico, Canada, LA, Boston and Miami.

> In 2005 Jesse sought a different style and went to Victor Mayovanex director of the Karisma Dance Company. The Karisma Dance Company is world known and mostly phrased for being "one of the most elegant mambo dance companies in the world. While learning the elegant Karisma style Victor welcomed Jesse into his Semi-Pro dance group Imagenes de Karisma. As a Karisma dancer Jesse continued to demonstrate strong showmanship and energy alongside his teammates as they performed at various worldwide venues.

> Early 2006, Jesse and his former assistant Joanna formed their very own Dance Company and named it (Signatura) which is Spanglish for Signature: meaning,-distinguishing style. Jesse already had a vision of what kind of group and routine he wanted so he sought some of Jerseys best-kept secrets along with some of Tumimambos finest students and comprised a dream team of dancers. In less than a year, the talented group performed at some of Salsas biggest shows including the 2006 Miami Salsa Congress & the 8th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress in LA to name a few. After two successful years the group went their separate ways and continued on their journey and growth, learning different styles. Now in 2008, the next generation of Signatura is on the rise. Stay tuned for upcoming performances from this Jersey based Dance Company that will continue to leave their mark (Signatura) wherever they perform.

In 2009,  Jesse continues to bring a solid foundation of the Tumimambo Style to the Salsa Community. Stay tuned for Tumimambo's Special Projects. 

> Jesse is a performer, choreographer, dance instructor and director of two of his own dance groups (Signatura & Xpresiones de Signatura). Jesse teaches Salsa/Mambo classes with the help of  Lavinia Serrano at Beyond Dance in Cranford, New Jersey. As a dancer/performer Jesse delivers his smooth style with a perfect blend of creativity and elegance. As an instructor/choreographer Jesse is constantly expanding his teaching skills, emphasizing mainly on leading techniques and originality. Together Jesse brings 9+ years of dance experience and knowledge to the stage, dance floor, and to his students .

Lavinia Serrano was born and raised in NJ and is of Costa Rican and German descent.  She has studied dance in NJ and NY, which include classes in Hustle and Latin Dance with her main focus on Salsa & Ladies Styling. 

Lavinia’s interest in Salsa was sparked by dancing at Latin clubs in NY and she began her studies by taking some Ballroom and Salsa on1 classes in NJ.  Soon after, she started taking Salsa on2 classes at Tumimambo Dance Co. and in 2008 she began training for the student team, Iniciales de Signatura. 

Dance partner & founder of Tumimambo Dance Co., Jesse Yip provided Lavinia with exceptional training in salsa dancing that enabled her to branch out and seek her own style.  Lavinia also studied with many other well-known and talented artists including: Latin Reflections, Piel Canela, Baila Society, Melissa Rosado, & Shani Talmor, which has strengthened her dance technique and ladies styling.  She also trained with American’s Got Talent semi-finalists, David Paris & Zoe Kline of Paradizo Dance, to learn various dance lifts and tricks.

During the past few years, Lavinia has traveled the East Coast performing with Tumimambo’s professional team, Signatura Dancers and the Signatura/Latin Reflections collaboration team.  In 2009/2010 she also trained with Baila Society to be part of their student performance team, Algo Mas.  Lavinia was also featured in Elena V’s 2011/2012 Dance & Fashion Calendar as well as numerous Dance Fashion Shows in NJ, NY & MA, including “Salsa Glam” and “Dance & Fashion,” modeling Elena’s exquisite designs worn by some of the most talented, well-known dancers and models.  

 Lavinia’s passion for dancing has led her to become a performer, instructor, choreographer, and co-director at Tumimambo Dance Co.  She has participated in the choreography & training of 2 Tumimambo student performance teams and the professional team.  Lavinia also teaches Salsa classes twice a week and monthly workshops at the Cranford, NJ location. 

“It brings me great satisfaction to pass down my knowledge to others and be a part of their journey.  To dance is to be free and allows me to express myself through my own unique art form.”

View a list of Jesse's Performances