Peko (real name: Keiko Akabane) is a Tokyo-based salsa dancer, instructor and choreographer. Originally from Tochigi City, she is one half of HIDE & PEKO with Hide (Hidetsugu Nakamura), and together they lead HIDE & PEKO Dance Company.
Peko and Hide began working as a salsa couple in 2013 and developed into one of Japan’s best-known competitive salsa partnerships. Their results include multiple Japan championship titles, 3rd place in the World Latin Dance Cup Amateur Salsa Couple division in 2015, and 4th place in the World Latin Dance Cup Salsa On1 Couple Pro division in 2018.
Her dance background with HIDE & PEKO includes training and travel through countries such as Cuba, Colombia, Canada, New York, France, Finland and Spain. The partnership has performed and taught at events across Asia, Europe and North America, including Japan Salsa Congress, Taiwan Salsa Carnival, Berlin Salsa Congress, SBK San Francisco Congress and BIG Salsa Festival New York.
Peko teaches through HIDE & PEKO Dance Company, where the focus includes salsa technique, shines, partnerwork, teams and performance training.
