Sultan Jamal was born in Casablanca, Morocco, and moved to New York City at the age of 13. His dance training began at age five with ballet and jazz in Casablanca, laying the foundation for a lifelong career in movement and performance.
After relocating to New York, Jamal continued his dance education at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where he trained in ballet, pas de deux, jazz, modern dance, including Martha Graham technique, and African dance. He later performed with Alvin Ailey’s second company, marking the beginning of his professional dance career.
Over the years, Jamal has performed and taught internationally in New York City, Las Vegas, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Morocco, and aboard cruise ships. He is also certified as a Zumba Fitness and Aqua Zumba instructor and has taught fitness and dance classes in several countries.
Jamal later developed a deep passion for salsa, particularly New York-style Salsa On2. Inspired by mambo legend Eddie Torres, he trained extensively in New York and continued developing his performance skills with artists and organizations including Osmar Perrones of Yamulee Dance Company and Joe Burgos of Piel Canela Dance & Music School. His salsa training also included performance work connected to the New York Salsa Congress Challenge and Madison Square Garden.
What distinguishes Jamal’s style is the way he blends his academic dance background with Latin dance technique. His experience in ballet, jazz, modern, African dance, and partnering informs a dynamic salsa style with a strong emphasis on movement quality, musicality, performance, and expression.
Jamal has performed and taught salsa and bachata internationally, including Sensual Bachata, Salsa On1, Salsa On2, lifts, tricks, dips, and Latin line dance. His festival appearances have included events in Singapore, Cebu, Bangkok, and Malaysia.
Known for his energetic presence, outgoing personality, and broad technical background, Jamal brings a distinctive performance-oriented approach to both teaching and social dance.