Tropical Gem is one of the world’s most influential salsa dance companies, founded in Milan in May 2000 by Fernando Sosa and Rafael González.
From their early debut at the World Salsa Congress in Milan, the team quickly became known for high-octane, On1-driven choreography, complex formations, and large-scale theatrical productions that blend video, music medleys, and top-tier performers.
Today, Tropical Gem is directed by Fernando Sosa with co-director Tatiana Bonaguro, and remains a fixture at major international congresses and festivals across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Over the years, Tropical Gem has headlined landmark events and premiered signature pieces such as “Sabor On1” and “Merecumbé,” cementing a reputation for athletic technique, musicality, and crowd-pleasing showmanship. The company has also earned top competitive result, most notably winning the Ultimate Latin Dance Championship (Mega Team division) in Las Vegas (2016), with additional titles in subsequent years—while continuing to set trends in the global salsa scene.
Beyond the stage, Tropical Gem’s influence runs through Sosa’s training ecosystem in Milan (Sosa Academy), where the team develops dancers and exports its style through world crews and intensives. Sosa’s broader contributions, like launching the Salsanamá battle format, have further amplified the team’s footprint and helped shape the modern salsa landscape.