Tony and Maria Caligagan!

A football player turned dancer Tony Caligagan has made a living as a professional dancer for over 20 years. Back in the day, Tony was contracted by the unrivalled "Jazz Unlimited Dance Company" under the tutelage of Patricia Rincon. As a Principal dancer to rave reviews with Jazz Unlimited Tony also won awards from the San Diego Dance Alliance for his performance with "Three's Company ". Other credits include San Diego Opera, Lead dancer in productions by Pacific Opera and Starlight Opera Theater and Sacramento music circus.

After receiving a full scholarship to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center where was eventually offered a contract for the Alvin Ailey dance Theater Tony's career took off. Tony was cast in the Broadway production of "Jerome Robbins' Broadway", where he learned an enormous amount from Robbins' genius. Tony worked directly with Jerome Robbins as a principal in both the Broadway cast and the International tour. Ironically his role as Bernardo in Historic musical "West side Story" and dancing the "mambo" on stage every night (over 400 performances) brought him to his salsa roots. (Tony is of Puerto Rican and Filipino decent) It was in the Tony award winning show that He met his wonderful wife and partner Maria. She appeared as a principal dancer to rave reviews by the New York Times critiques. Maria's training has been very diverse in Ballet, Jazz, acting, voice; she even directed several plays off Broadway in New York. She appeared in the Movie "Cinderella" with Brandi and Whitney Houston and Jason Alexander and has appeared in Many National commercials on television.

Tony was awarded a "Tommy" award as "Jazz Dancer of the Year". He has performed in Television commercials including a principal spot with Paula Abdul. Tony was an honorary guest faculty at Hope College in Michigan and City University in New York, as well as The School of Creative and Performing Arts. Tony is currently teaching Jazz and Dances of the World Latin at UCSD teaching (Salsa, Merengue, Cha-cha, Tango, Beginning and Advanced levels).

Salsa teachers in high demand Tony and Maria's teaching style incorporates techniques in body control for turns and spins. Use of arms and body styling from classical training with an emphasis on sound partnering technique. Their influence in salsa have been from contemporary greats. Going directly to the source in New York they have studied closely (The original Mambo King) Eddie Torres and several L.A. salsa greats.

Heatwave Productions Biography

Producer and owner Tony Caligagan and his partner Maria Neenan met in the Tony award winning Broadway show Jerome Robbin's Broadway. THe Broadway smash hit won 9 Tony awards including best musical in 1989.Working along side Jerome Robbins Maria Neenan and Tony Caligagan (principal dancer-actors) learned the secrets of successful show production. Appearing in National commercials and producing plays off Broadway in New York, Maria and Tony Caligagan made their move to southern California bringing with them the richness of Broadway. They have developed a high level of production skill (both in thematic conception and choreography and staging) with a keen sense of creativity needed in corporate productions. From 1988 to the present Tony's show choreography has been seen around the globe as his high standard of casting and showmanship has brought audiences around the globe to their feet with exuberant applause. Tony and Maria are closing in on 1,000 corporate / special event shows. They have received Accolades from satisfied client's like AT&T, MCI, CNA insurance, CNS Partnership, Nordstrom, Various Networking conventions, Young Presidents Organization, Pfizer, Merrill Lynch, Qualcomm, Various fundraisers, Boeing, Sun microsystems,Sony, Web MD, Harrah's Casino, Pala Casino, Barona and many more.! Jewell Ball and many more fundraisers and special event