Michael Kagan is a San Francisco salsa instructor and director of San Francisco Salsa Academy, where he teaches Salsa On2 with Trang Thu Hoang, his partner and co-director. He first caught the salsa bug while living in Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2016, and his early training in Southeast Asia brought him to international festivals in Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore.
After returning to the United States in 2018, Michael trained and performed with Mambo Romero, Yamulee SF, and Iroko SF. He has also studied with Ernesto Lopez, Diego Rivera, and Yaritza Arboleda. Michael began teaching as an assistant while in Vietnam, became a primary instructor in San Francisco in 2021, and later choreographed and directed Baraban Dance Project, which performed at two local festivals.
Michael now directs San Francisco Salsa Academy with Trang and remains active in the local social dancing community. His teaching focuses on Salsa On2 fundamentals, partnerwork, footwork and shines, plus team choreography for dancers who want technique they can use comfortably on the social floor.
