Our Team
Irina Khrychikova
Irina is the co-director of Viva’s Mambo Team – Saoco de Mambo. She started dancing in one of the top ballroom dance studies in Russia at the age of six and eventually participated in Rueda team competitions in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Throughout a 10-year pursuit, she competed as an International Latin and Standard dancer across Russia, the Ukraine and Europe. In 2000, she entered the social dancing world, where she focused on Salsa, Bachata, Cha-cha and others dancing styles. When Irina moved to Cleveland, she continued Latin social dancing. She has attended numerous Salsa congresses in the USA, Canada and Europe. Irina has completed workshops and classes from Eddie Torres, Juan Matos, Super Mario, Tito Ortos, Jorjet Alcocer, Troy Anthony, Anya Katzevman, Luis Vazquez and Mellisa Fernandes, Griselle Ponce, Vera Rowe, Magna Gopal and many great professional dancers and performers. Irina placed third in the Advanced Salsa Division of this year’s Canada Salsa Bachata Congress (the biggest Canadian Salsa event) and is currently getting ready for another competition.