Edgar Mendez
Director, Edgar Mendez,, otherwise known as "TunTun" in the LA Salsa scene, is a former principal dancer and choreographer for the world famous Los Rumberos dance company. One of the pioneers of the LA style of Salsa dancing in Southern California, Edgar has performed internationally in Salsa Congresses, such as the Bacardi World Congress in Puerto Rico and the West Coast Salsa Congress in Los Angeles. Edgar’s many dance credits include appearances in national commercials, films, and television shows. With his intricate, lightning-fast footwork, and his creative, innovative choreography, Edgar continues to wow audiences who watch him perform in sheer amazement.
With over 10 years experience as an instructor, Mendez has taught classes and/or workshops in over 30 cities and 3 different countries. His friendly, outgoing personality and his high technical standards have made him one of the most respected and sought after salsa instructors in the nation.
Since 2000, Mendez, has been bringing the fire and passion of Latin dance to the Mid-South. In that time, he has taught thousands of Memphians to Salsa, Cha-cha, Merengue, and Bachata. His lessons and students have been featured in The Commercial Appeal, The Memphis Flyer, RSVP Magazine, Memphis Health and Fitness Magazine, The University of Memphis Daily Helmsman, La Prensa Latina, Proud Magazine, The Lamplighter of Midtown Memphis, WHBQ Fox-13's Nightly News at 10, WMC's Definitely Downtown Television show, and WREG's Live at 9!!
Live Performances
- Universal Studios-Los Angeles, CA
- Guys and Dolls, Starlight Theatre-Los Angeles, CA
- Paquito’s Christmas-Los Angeles, CA
- Paul Getty Center Grand Opening- Los Angeles, CA
- Tito Puente Concert, Hollywood Park Casino-Hollywood, CA
- L.A. Salsa Congress, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005-Los Angeles, CA
- Sportsman’s Lodge-Los Angeles, CA
- John Anson Ford Theater-Los Angeles, CA
- The Greek Theater-Los Angeles, CA
- Roxy’s Nightclub-Los Angeles, CA
- Awards Fashion Show-Los Angeles, CA
- Poncho Sanchez Concert-Los Angeles, CA
- Salsa Extravaganza-2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005-Palm Springs, CA
- Fiesta en el Barrio, 2002, 2003, 2004-Los Angeles, CA
- Bacardi Salsa Congress, 1999-Los Angeles, CA
- Jeff Kutash’s, “Ole Ole”, Century Club-Los Angeles, CA
- Joaquin Ayala Magic Show “The Time is Now”, The Orleans Hotel-Las Vegas, NV
- Celia Cruz and Johnny Polanco “Move to the Groove” Ball-Los Angeles, CA
- The Charo Show, The Venetian Hotel and Casino-Las Vegas, NV
- Johnny Polanco, Hilton Hotel-Las Vegas, NV
- Puerto Rico Salsa Congress, 1999, 2000, 2001
- Salsa Exhibition, 2004-Salt Lake City, UT
- Dallas Salsa Congress, 2004- Dallas, TX
- Las Vegas Salsa Congress, 2006-Las Vegas, NV
- Salsa Splash, 2004- Palm Springs, CA
- New Year Extravaganza, 2001, 2002, 2003- Palm Springs, CA
- New Year Masquerade, 2004- Palm Springs, CA
- California Mart Fashion Show, 1999, 2001-Los Angeles, CA
- 1st Annual Memphis Bop Convention, 2000, Memphis, TN
- Civil Rights Museum Mosaic Celebration, 2000, 2006-Memphis, TN
- Liz Claiborne Mambo Convention, Peabody Place, 2000-Memphis, TN
- Downtown Train Station Grand Opening, 2000-Memphis, TN
- Mid-South Fair, 2002-Memphis, TN
- University of Memphis International Night, 2002, 2003, 2004-Memphis, TN
- Christian Brothers University International Night, 2002, 2004, 2005-Memphis, TN
- USABDA Ballroom Night, 2002-Memphis, TN
- Memphis Art Council’s Artrageous, 2003-Memphis, TN
- Latino Memphis Gala, 2003-Memphis, TN
- Memphis Music & Heritage Festival, Center for Southern Folklore, 2003-Memphis, TN
- Latino Memphis Cultural Celebration, Peabody Place, 2004, 2005, 2006-Memphis, TN
- Fiesta en el Zoologico, Memphis Zoo, 2003, 2004, 2005-Memphis, TN
- Casa Maria Benefit “Come Salsa With Me”, 2004, 2005-Memphis, TN
- Memphis Job Corps Center, 2004-Memphis, TN
- AutoZone Cultural Heritage Day, 2004-Memphis, TN
- Live Helping Live Charity Event, 2005-Memphis, TN
- 2nd Annual Latino Health Fair, 2005-Memphis, TN
- MPACT “Impacto” Celebration, AutoZone Park, 2005-Memphis, TN
- Crichton College Spring Formal, 2005-Memphis, TN
- FedEx Headquarters International Night, 2005-Memphis, TN
- Memphis Salsa Convention, 2005-Memphis, TN
- Atlanta Salsa Bash, 2005-Atlanta, GA
- Miami World Salsa Congress, 2005-Miami, FL
- International Dance Showcase , Bert Ferguson Community Center, 2006-Memphis, TN
- Memphis Grizzlies Half-Time Show, FedEx Forum, 2006-Memphis, TN
- University District International Fair, 2006-Memphis, TN
- Spanish Harlem Orquestra Concert, Germantown Performing Arts Center, 2006-Memphis, TN
- Orlando Salsa Congress, 2006, 2007-Orlando, FL
- Dallas Salsa Congress, 2006-2007-Dallas, TX
Salsa Competitions
- 1997-Mamagalla Salsa Contest-1st place
- 1997-Club 200 Salsa Contest-2nd place
- 1997-Club Riviera Salsa Contest-1st place
- 1998-Dance with Me Salsa Competition-1st place
- 1998-1st Annual SalsaWeb Competition-3rd place
Television
- The Sinbad Show-Los Angeles, CA
- City of Angels-Los Angeles, CA
- Flipper, MTV Productions- Los Angeles, CA
- Buddy Farrel “Pilot Episode”-Los Angeles, CA
- Sabado Gigante-Miami, FL
- Live at 9 with Alex Coleman, WREG-TV-Memphis, TN
- Definitely Downtown, WMC-TV-Memphis, TN
Commercials
- Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Light Commercial-Los Angeles, CA
- Miller Draft Commercial-Los Angeles, CA
- L.A. Shoes Commercial-Los Angeles, CA
- Nike Commercial, Rudy Zalez Production- Los Angeles, CA
- Sony Video Film Commercial-Los Angeles, CA
- Payless Shoe Source Commercial- Los Angeles, CA
Film
- “Dance With Me”, Sony Pictures-Los Angeles, CA
- The Vasquez Brothers Documentary- Los Angeles, CA
- Albert Torres Documentary-Los Angeles, CA
Music Videos
- DLG “Acuyuye” Music Video- Los Angeles, CA
- Marc Anthony “I need to know” Music Video-Los Angeles, CA
Teaching Experience
Los Angeles, CA * Long Beach, CA * Anaheim, CA * San Diego, CA * San Francisco, CA * Sacramento, CA * Palm Springs, CA * Hollywood, CA * Costa Mesa, CA * Irvine, CA * Fullerton, CA * Pomona, CA * La Jolla, CA * Memphis, TN * Nashville, TN *Greenwood, MS * Greenville, SC * Orlando, FL * Miami, FL * Washington, D.C. * Dallas, TX * Seattle, WA * Rochester, NY * Salt Lake City, UT * Atlanta, GA * Charlotte, NC * Las Vegas, NV * Laughlin, NV * Guatemala * Puerto Rico