NAOMI HOTTA Naomi was born in the United States and at the age of 11 she moved with her family to Tokyo, Japan. Always active, she started her Rhythmic Sports Gymnastics training which developed her extensive dance techniques and flexibility. Five years later, she joined her university's flamenco dance troop, where she realized her draw for Latin music and dance. Encountering salsa, her dance ability skyrocketed. In 2001, in recognition of her extraordinary talent for salsa, Naomi was invited to join the world renowned Los Angeles based "Salsa Brava Dance Company." Salsa Bravo led Naomi to a series of teachings and performances around the world, including Puerto Rico, Korea, Switzerland, and Japan. She has also won several salsa competitions in Los Angeles. Naomi was exposed to Argentine Tango while teaching salsa, swing, and ballroom dance classes at southern California's West Los Angeles and Harbor colleges. Her attraction to Argentine Tango was instantaneous. In 2004, in order to further her tango abilities, she traveled to Buenos Aires, the Mecca of tango, where she spent 5 months in rigorous training and nightly milonga dancing. There she attained the techniques and absorbed the essence of tango. Her great maestros included Jorge Dispari, Fernando Galera, alongside numerous milongueros. She competed in the Second World Tango Competition, where she surpassed more then 280 couples in making the finals. Naomi's love, passion, and devotion for the dance is unchanging. She now teaches and performs on a regular basis. Her fluidity and grace is second to none. She strives to continuously explore and evolve as a dancer. Naomi's goal is to one day become an old milonguera, expressing through tango her life's experiences. copyright(C)2006 Naomi Hotta All rights reserved.