"Following your heart can be a long road filled with many hardships, but in the end you find your life's passion and share it with the world!" Gustavo Ferman

GUSTAVO FERMAN'S BIOGRAPHY

Gustavo was born in El Salvador, Central America. At the age of 15, Gustavo and his family immigrated to the United States where he overcame many obstacles to pursue his passion. At a very young age Gustavo's spirit shone through when performing. A natural showman, following his heart wasn't always easy or accepted, but Gustavo was determined. From 1983-1985 he began his professional training at City College of San Francisco, California where he studied Jazz, Funk, Tap, Hip Hop, Ballroom and Latin dancing. In 1986 as a young adult, his passion found him in Calgary, Alberta. Here Gustavo broke free from a 9-5 job and launched his career as a professional dancer and instructor. He trained at Arthur Murray Dance studios where he became a well known and liked Ballroom Instructor and soon developed a following of his own. Feeling restricted by the conventional teaching of Ballroom, Gustavo took his unique personality and teaching style and moved on to bigger and better things.

Performing in various musicals, on television and in numerous dance productions, he was asked to audition for "The Young Canadians School of Performing Arts". A successful audition allowed Gustavo to train with the school for 2 years in dance, music and drama. A highlight of this time found Gustavo performing for the Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede, where he performed nightly in front of 20,000 people.

This experience led him to "Dance with France", one of Calgary's leading professional dance groups. Here Gustavo lent his talents to dancing, choreographing and producing Broadway style dance shows. From his exposure with "Dance with France", he was asked to be part of an exclusive group called "Artist Elite" consisting only of the top performers in music and dance in Calgary. The group performed original scores composed and choreographed by its members, including Gustavo. Gustavo also choreographed the cheerleaders for the Calgary Stampeders during this time.

In 1992 using his experience as an entertainer, professional dancer and choreographer Gustavo found an outlet where he could combine all his talents and love of performing by developing his own dance program called Latin Funk Dance® - a unique, high energy dance fitness program where you learn choreography and dance moves with the bonus of getting in shape at the same time. Here Gustavo interacts with his students, encouraging individuality and creativity while learning cool new dance moves to original routines he personally choreographs while having fun and getting a great cardio workout. His new dance style took Calgary by storm with Gustavo constantly in demand.

In 1994 broadening his horizons, Gustavo signed on with Club Med and headed south to sunny Mexico. Gustavo was an entertainer, performer, instructor and choreographer for several of there resorts for 2 years.

Since 1996, residing in Vancouver BC Gustavo has formed his own dance production company "Latin Funk Dance®" and is known as "The King of Latin Funk". Since introducing Latin Funk Dance® to the Lower Mainland, his popularity is in demand! Gustavo teaches his dance program on a fulltime basis all over Vancouver & the Lower Mainland. You can catch Gustavo entertaining the crowd wherever he ventures! Gustavo illuminates Public, Private and Corporate functions with his impressive showmanship. If that isn't enough, Gustavo also performs and choreographs in his own dance group "The Corazon Dancers" Always keeping ahead of the game, Gustavo developed his own DVD in 2005 which is selling with rave reviews worldwide. In 2008, Gustavo headed full steam into the corporate world launching his Corporate Team Building Program.

Perseverance, determination, incredible hard work & the belief in his dream have led Gustavo Ferman to where he is today. He defines the phrase "Put your heart and soul into it" and it shows in everything Gustavo sets out to do (back)

 

*Copyright © 2002 Latin Funk Dance® is a Registered Trademark owned by Gustavo Ferman *All rights reserved