Capitolo 1: First notes

Z.MAX DANCE SCHOOL

It was way back in 2004 when the dance school saw the light for the first time.

Massimiliano Zirilli, a passionate salsa player, was contacted by CUS Genova with an idea that many at the time considered audacious: organizing salsa and bachata courses only for students.

The first few weeks were a fiasco, with few or no participants.

In mid-November, as he sat on a bench outside the school, he had a moment of despair.

However, fate had other plans. At that precise moment, a group of 20 boys and girls entered, giving life to the first course. And so, the school began its adventure to the catchy tune of “Charanguate” by Charanga Habanera.

Il primo saggio principianti

Capitolo 2

A Place for the Young

The school, initially by chance, but then by choice, proposed to offer courses exclusively for boys.

Their mission was clear: to create a clean and fun environment where young people could socialize without needing to resort to excesses such as alcohol or drugs.

This choice entailed challenges and sacrifices, but the gratification of seeing young people thrive was more than enough to justify any difficulty.

Il secondo saggio principianti

Capitolo 3

The growth

In 2005, an agreement was reached with CUS Genoa to manage advertising directly.

The first day of advertising brought more than 200 people to the trial class.

With two beginner and one advanced courses, the school gained momentum.

The music of "La Guarachera de Cuba" by Mercado Negro was the perfect accompaniment for the beginners' second recital.

4° posto gara Happy Tour - Genova

Capitolo 4

First results

In 2006, the school began to reap its first successes.

The couple composed of Stefano Alineri and Irene Gallerani took fourth place in the salsa and bachata classes in the Happy Tour Competition.

It was an unexpected victory, but it showed that they were on the right path.

Furthermore, in the same year, Stefano and Irene won second place at the regional Ligurian salsa competitions.

Capitolo 5

Broadening the horizons

2006 marked the beginning of participation in internship events with other schools.

The collaboration with the Havana Salsa Village lasted until 2016, when they joined the Salseando movement, organized by Fernando Sosa.

The school could gather up to 50 people for these events.

2007 - Mambo rage presso il Seven Days (GE) durante il primo ZenaMas

Capitolo 6

The Magic of Choreography

In the following years, the school stood out above all for its choreography.

The competitions served to improve the enthusiasts, but the real magic was discovered in the choreographic workshops.

In 2007, a pure salsa choreography called "Mambo Rage" played to the rhythm of the Snowboys' music.

2008 - Yo me voy - Cervia al 2° Havana salsa village

In 2008, he experimented with a choreography based on salsa music mixed with Scottish bagpipes, on the Salsa Celtica piece “Yo me voy”.

Certainly still one of the most beautiful choreos studied during this experience

In 2009 the school began to experiment with choreography by first inserting tango pieces with the “Second Generation” choreography, and then in 2010 funky pieces.

The idea was to create different artistic effects and not simple and boring performances to show how good you are

2009 - Second Generation presso il Gilda di Varazze

2010 - Dancing on the road presso l'Aegua di Varazze

Capitolo 7

The gold era

2011 proved to be the peak year. The courses were crowded, and as many as 300 people attended the school party.

Three choreographies were developed, including a bachata called "Por Favor" which was presented on television. The choreography served as an accompaniment to Henry B: a bachata composer who was in vogue in those years.

We also developed a choreography based on dance music "Fantasy suite" and a third acted choreography where the dancer impersonated a tamer with two beasts. "Circus"

2011 - V Festa della scuola presso il Lux di Genova

2011 - Circus presso il Gilda di Varazze

2011 - Por favor in diretta TV a Fiesta Latina

Capitolo 8

Years of Transformation

The following years were characterized by ups and downs, but the school always maintained a strong creative spirit.

In 2012 we proposed a second choreography to accompany the composer Henry B on his new piece Por Favor.

In 2013 we returned to develop a pure salsa choreography as we hadn't done for years: a tribute to Tito Puente with a fun and unexpected ending.

2012 - Realize al Bachata Festival organizzato da Oasi Latina

2013 - Noventa a Milano Marittima

Capitolo 9

The most particular choreographies

The choreographies studied from 2014 to 2019 were the most creative ever.

In 2015 we proposed again the "Fantasy suite" choreography studied in 2011 but performed a few times. A choreography, as mentioned above, essentially based on dance music.

2015 - Fantasy suite presso l'Orizzonte di Varazze

In 2016, a choreography called “Moon Girls,” based on the music of Lindsey Stirling, was born.

It is the first all-female choreography developed from the beginning.

2016 - Moon Girls presso l'Orizzonte di Varazze

Also in 2016 we created a very particular choreography based on the music of a video game: Call of Duty.

We called this choreography “Restart”

2017 - Restart al Salseando 2017

In 2017, what is probably the best choreography ever created by the school was born: “Crazy Classic World”

Based on a mix of classical music pieces reinterpreted in a modern key

2018 - Extreme Latin Congress

In 2018 we developed a project that had been on the back burner for years.

A choreography to metal music called “Turkish Rhapsody”

Capitolo 10

The Influence of COVID

From 2016 to 2020, the school faced challenges, but continued to produce, as seen,  innovative and complex choreography.

Then COVID arrived, forcing the school to temporarily close.

Capitolo 11

Coming back

The desire to start again has never faded.

In 2023, the school enthusiastically resumed dance classes, welcoming a new group of beginners. The result? A fantastic group of kids who, with commitment and passion, completed the course, culminating in the final essay. The video of their journey is right next door.

In 2024, we will continue this journey together. Do you want to join us?