How did Marie not know me? Where did I come from and how did I end up at One World? Well, let’s give a little background. I was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. My mother registered me to be a member of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club where I started taking dance classes at the age of 9. At that time, some great talent had graduated from the performing arts program like Jennifer Lopez and Kerry Washington. Since I was raised with music being a huge part of my life, dance came naturally to me. I started taking multiple dance styles, but I quickly learned that latin dance was my favorite. The best part about it, was that I was being taught by the Queen of mambo herself, Maria Torres.
Within 4 years, I made it to the Junior Dance Company, which was such a huge deal in our area. I got to dance with the Boys and Girls Club, Eddie and Maria, and Goya at the NY Puerto Rican Day parade. The following year, I made senior company and was blessed to move up and work with the King of Mambo Eddie Torres. With him, I got to perform with the legendary Tito Puente. But once I turned 17, graduated high school and fell in love dancing just stopped. I had it sporadically throughout the years. But it was no longer a constant thing. Especially since I had to fight cancer twice in order to get back to where I am today.
In February of 2022, my world came to a screeching halt as I received news that my father was hospitalized for shortness of breath. Within two days, he was on a respirator. Three weeks later on March 5th, 2022, he died just 11 days shy of his 73rd birthday. Even though he seemed ok leading up to his hospitalization, his heart was in way worse condition than we thought. The last conversation I had with my father, he asked me a question that would later change everything for me, “Why aren’t you dancing or teaching dance anymore?”
I explained that in the twenty years I had lived in Lancaster, there didn’t seem to be a home for an Afro-Latina, Newyorican woman. I didn’t see Mambo on 2 being offered in the area and wanted to bring it. I had reached out to a few dance studios over the years. No response. So, I dabbled in dance here and there, and taught my number one student, my daughter Vianna, everything I possibly could. He told me, “If there is not a home for you, then you need to create it. You’re a dancer. You’re a teacher. It’s who you are and what you love to do.”
My father was a musician in a salsa band with his brother for 30 years. He told me his biggest regret was giving up music. That he should have honored his brother’s memory by doing what he loved instead of giving it all up. He didn’t want that for me. I have always believed in divine intervention and when a month to the day of his passing I receive a message asking if I would be interested in providing the LatinX entertainment for the One World Festival, I said to myself, “Can I even do this?” But something in my spirit said “I hear you Dad” and I took a full leap back into the world of dance, singlehandedly building an entire 45 minute production with just my talented friends and family. After the show, a very beautiful, wide-eyed, excited young woman approached me and said that her name was Marie, the owner of Move It Studio. She shared she would love for me to audition for a dance teacher position at her studio. The rest is history.
Becoming a part of the Move It family completely changed my life. In just two years, I have gone from an at home dance teacher, to a studio teacher, dance company director, choreographer and now business owner. I stopped listening to the negativity. I stopped believing that dance was done for me. Through all of the personal trials and tribulations I was going through, I decided dance would be my outlet. Little did I know that by trying to save myself, my body, my mind, my spirit, my depression, my anxiety, my insecurities, my body dysmorphia, and the rest of my health issues… I am saving other people too. I quickly realized how much this dance movement was changing the lives of all those around me. It is true therapy for many. People are building relationships with themselves and others. They need me as much as I need them. It took me time accept that, but when multiple people actually say to you… “You have changed my life.” It’s a lot to take in. But, I get it! Because, they have changed my life forever.
My goal now as the owner of Mambojaz Studio is to keep the positivity going. To build a home where adults from all different walks of life can know that they are accepted as they are. That when they walk through our door, they are now in a safe space, where they can leave their troubles behind and focus on something that is positive and makes them feel good about themselves and the people around them. That they can learn to dance at any point. They can touch a stage at any level if that is what they want to do. They can stand under bright lights and entertain their community, family, and friends. But most importantly, that they understand that the way they came in is perfect, and we are not here to change their bodies, we are here to support their greatness and build upon whatever skill they choose to work on.
I am honored, grateful and excited to grow together in this new role. Mambojaz Studio will continue to be the only place you can take Move It classes including Move It Barre, Strong, Cardio, Bounce, and Stretch. We will also offer the dance classes you love including salsa, ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, and more. We’re even adding classes for kids! Remember, if you love what we stand for to support our small Afro-Latina business by simply sharing with friends and family. Just like our story shows, a little love goes a LONG way.
Mambojaz Studio is Here 
Marie’s Story – Part IX 